MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO LGA1700 ATX Motherboard Review – Intel Z790 Chipset, Wi-Fi 7 | Tech Blog

MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO LGA1700 ATX Motherboard Review – Intel Z790 Chipset, Wi-Fi 7

Welcome to our in-depth review of the MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO LGA1700 ATX Motherboard. This high-end motherboard boasts impressive features, including the latest Intel Z790 chipset, support for the latest 14th Gen Intel Core processors, and integrated Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its performance, features, and overall usability to help you determine if it’s the right motherboard for your next gaming or productivity build.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO LGA1700 ATX Motherboard is a flagship offering designed to cater to enthusiasts and power users seeking the absolute best in performance and features. With its cutting-edge Z790 chipset, this motherboard provides a solid foundation for building a high-performance gaming or workstation PC.

Features

The MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO is packed with features that cater to demanding users. Some of the key highlights include:

  • Intel Z790 Chipset: Unleash the full potential of Intel’s 14th Gen Core processors with the latest Z790 chipset.
  • Support for Intel® Core™ 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen Processors: Enjoy compatibility with the latest generation of Intel CPUs for maximum performance.
  • 4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 192GB: Support for DDR5 memory ensures lightning-fast speeds and ample capacity.
  • 3x PCI-E x16 slots: Expand your system with high-performance graphics cards and other peripherals.
  • 4x M.2 slots: Ample storage options for NVMe SSDs, enabling blazing fast boot times and data transfer speeds.
  • Wi-Fi 7: Experience next-generation wireless speeds with Wi-Fi 7, providing ultra-fast and reliable connectivity.
  • Realtek® ALC897 Codec: Immerse yourself in high-quality audio with the Realtek ALC897 codec, delivering pristine sound for gaming and multimedia.
  • Multiple USB ports: Connect all your peripherals with ease, featuring a variety of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C for super-fast data transfer.

Performance

During our testing, the MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO motherboard delivered exceptional performance. The combination of the Z790 chipset and DDR5 memory resulted in outstanding CPU and memory benchmarks, ensuring smooth gameplay and effortless multitasking. The PCIe 5.0 support provided a significant boost in storage performance, enabling blazing fast data transfer rates.

The integrated Wi-Fi 7 was a real standout, offering unparalleled wireless speeds and range. We experienced consistent high-speed connectivity, even in areas with significant wireless interference.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Cutting-edge Z790 chipset for maximum performance
  • Support for latest 14th Gen Intel Core processors
  • Impressive DDR5 memory support, with a maximum capacity of 192GB
  • Multiple PCI-E slots for expansion
  • Generous M.2 slot configuration for NVMe SSDs
  • High-speed Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
  • Premium audio with Realtek ALC897 codec
  • Extensive USB port selection
  • Exceptional overclocking capabilities

Cons:

  • High price point compared to other Z790 motherboards
  • No integrated Thunderbolt support

Final Verdict

The MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO LGA1700 ATX Motherboard is a truly top-tier motherboard that delivers exceptional performance and features. Its combination of the latest Intel Z790 chipset, DDR5 memory support, and integrated Wi-Fi 7 makes it an excellent choice for demanding users who prioritize the best possible performance. While the high price tag may be a deterrent for some, the performance and features offered by this motherboard are undeniably impressive. If you’re willing to invest in the absolute best, the MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO is a worthy contender.

Chipset INTEL Z790
CPU Support Intel® Core™ 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen Processors, Intel® Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors, LGA1700
Memory 4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 192GB
– Memory Support:
– 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 7200+ 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 Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile
Onboard Graphics 1x HDMI™ (Support HDMITM 2.1 with HDR, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*)
1x DisplayPort (Support DP 1.4, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*)
Slots 3x 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)
– PCI_E4 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
Storage 4x M.2
– M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 22110/2280/2260/2242 devices
– M.2_2 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260/2242 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 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
6x SATA 6G
RAID Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices
USB 4x USB 2.0 (Rear)
4x USB 2.0 (Front)
2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Rear)
4x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Front)
1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A (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
– 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/ be
– Supports Bluetooth® 5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM
Audio Realtek® ALC897 Codec
7.1-Channel High Performance Audio
Supports S/PDIF output
Internal I/O Various internal connectors including power connectors, fan connectors, USB ports, RGB LED connectors, etc.
LED Feature 4x EZ Debug LED
Back Panel Ports Mouse / Keyboard
DisplayPort 1.4
USB 2.0
2.5G LAN Port
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Antenna
HD Audio Connectors
Flash Bios Button
USB 2.0
HDMI™ 2.1 Port
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps Type-C
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A
Operating System Support for Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit
PCB Info ATX
Dimensions: 243.84mm x 304.8mm