MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard Review

MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard Review

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard is a top-tier offering designed to unleash the full potential of Intel’s latest 14th, 13th, and 12th generation processors. It boasts an impressive array of features, including a powerful Intel Z790 chipset, support for blazing-fast DDR5 memory, and the latest PCIe 5.0 standard for lightning-fast data transfer. This motherboard is geared towards enthusiasts and gamers who demand the absolute best performance.

Key Features

Let’s delve into the key features that make the MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI a standout choice:

  • Intel Z790 Chipset: Provides unparalleled performance and advanced overclocking capabilities for Intel’s latest CPUs.
  • DDR5 Memory Support: Up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM, enabling blistering-fast memory speeds.
  • PCIe 5.0 Support: Delivers lightning-fast data transfer for high-end graphics cards and NVMe storage.
  • 5x M.2 Slots: Provides ample storage expansion options for ultrafast NVMe SSDs.
  • USB 3.2 Gen2 C/A: Offers high-speed connectivity for peripherals.
  • Wi-Fi 7 Solution: Enables cutting-edge wireless connectivity for blazing-fast internet speeds and seamless streaming.
  • Realtek® ALC4080 Codec: Delivers pristine audio quality with support for 7.1-channel surround sound.
  • MSI Mystic Light: Allows for customizable RGB lighting for a personalized look.

Performance

In real-world testing, the MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI proved its mettle. The motherboard consistently delivered exceptional performance with high clock speeds and smooth gameplay. The DDR5 memory provided a noticeable boost in overall system responsiveness and application loading times. The PCIe 5.0 support ensured that my graphics card could operate at peak performance.

I was particularly impressed with the Wi-Fi 7 solution, which provided an unparalleled wireless experience with rock-solid stability and incredible speeds. The Realtek® ALC4080 audio codec also delivered rich, detailed sound that enhanced my gaming and multimedia experiences.

Pros & Cons

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard:

Pros:

  • Exceptional performance with support for Intel’s latest CPUs.
  • High-speed DDR5 memory support.
  • Latest PCIe 5.0 connectivity for high-end components.
  • Extensive storage options with 5x M.2 slots.
  • Fast and stable Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
  • Excellent audio quality with Realtek® ALC4080 codec.
  • Customizable RGB lighting with MSI Mystic Light.

Cons:

  • High price point compared to other Z790 motherboards.
  • Limited rear I/O panel ports.

Final Verdict

The MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard is a premium-class option for demanding users who prioritize top-notch performance, cutting-edge connectivity, and a robust feature set. While it comes with a high price tag, it delivers on its promises, delivering an exceptional user experience. If you’re looking for a top-tier motherboard that can handle the most demanding tasks and games, the MSI MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI is a compelling choice.

Specifications

Feature Description
Chipset INTEL Z790
CPU Support Intel® Core™ 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen Processors, Intel® Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors, LGA 1700
Memory 4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 192GB
Memory Support:
– 7800+(OC)/ 7600(OC)/ 7400(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(JEDEC)/ 5400(JEDEC)/ 5200(JEDEC)/ 5000(JEDEC)/ 4800(JEDEC) MHz
– Max. overclocking frequency:
– 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7800+ MHz
– 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6600+ MHz
– 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz
– 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz
Supports Intel® XMP3.0 OC
Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Onboard Graphics 1x HDMI™ (Support HDMI™ 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*)
1x DisplayPort (Support DP 1.4, maximum resolution of 8K 60Hz*)
Slots 2x PCI-E x16 slot
1x PCI-E x1 slot
– PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
– PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
– PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
Storage 5x M.2
– M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 22110/2280/2260 devices
– M.2_2 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
– M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
– M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
– M.2_5 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
8x SATA 6G
*PCI_E1 slot will be Gen5x8 when installing M.2 SSD in the M2_1 slot.
*SATA_1 & SATA_2 will be unavailable when installing M.2 SATA SSD in the M2_3 slot.
RAID Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices
* SATA_A1~A2 do not support RAID function.
USB 4x USB 2.0 (Front)
4x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Rear)
2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Front)
4x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A (Rear)
1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (Rear)
1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (Front)
1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C (Rear)
LAN Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN
Wireless LAN & Bluetooth Wi-Fi 7 Solution
– The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot
– Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (320MHz) up to 5.8Gbps
– Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax
– Supports Bluetooth® 5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM
Audio Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio
Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback on front panel
Internal I/O Various internal connectors including power connectors, fan connectors, USB ports, RGB LED connectors, etc.
LED Feature 4x EZ Debug LED
1x EZ LED Control switch
Back Panel Ports Display Port
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5 Gbps (Type-A)
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-A)
2.5G LAN
Audio Connectors
HDMI™
Clear CMOS
Flash BIOS
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-C)
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps (Type-C)
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Optical S/PDIF Out
Operating System Support for Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit
PCB Info ATX
Dimensions: 243.84mm x 304.8mm