MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi Review

Rating: 8.0.

A mighty CPU such as the Intel Core i9-13900K deserves a mighty motherboard and that is a legitimate description of the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi with its five M.2 slots and 19-phase VRM to power the CPU. The question we are asking here is whether or not it lives up to its promise…

Time stamps
00:00 Start
00:59 A tour of the board
03:49 Rear I/O and power buttons
05:13 VRM’s
05:52 Hardware test configuration
07:30 BIOS / Package Power 300W
08:20 Leo’s (important!) BIOS changes
09:17 Checking with a 13700k
10:09 Performance test results / power
12:15 Game results
16:05 Closing Thoughts

In our reviews we always push you to watch our videos, however this time it is extra-special-important. We start our video by showing the default behaviour of the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi on Auto settings as it uses a very high Vcore that causes the CPU to thermally throttle in CPU tests. We then adjusted the BIOS, establish some manual settings and proceed to show an A-to-B comparison. The TLDR is that we improved the situation significantly. At the time of writing we have tested this motherboard with BIOS versions 1.30, 1.40 and 1.50 and consider them to be equally inadequate.

Key features

• Supports 13th /12th Gen Intel Core/Pentium/Celeron processors for LGA 1700 socket
• Supports DDR5 Memory, up to 7600+(OC) MHz
• Lightning Fast Game experience: PCIe 5.0 slot, Lightning Gen 5 x4 M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
• Enhanced Power Design: Direct 19+1+1 phases power, Core Boost, Memory Boost
• Premium Thermal Solution: Enlarged heatsink with heat-pipe, MOSFET thermal pads rated for 7W/mk, additional choke thermal pads and M.2 Shield Frozr are built for high performance system and non-stop gaming experience
• 2.5G LAN and Intel Wi-Fi 6E Solution: Upgraded network solution for professional and multimedia use. Delivers a secure, stable and fast network connection
• Audio Boost 5: Reward your ears with studio grade sound quality for the most immersive gaming experience
• High Quality PCB: 8-layer PCB made by server grade level material
• Pre-installed I/O Shield: Better EMI protection and more convenience for installation

Specification:

Chipset: Intel Z790
CPU Support: 12th/13th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors

Memory support:
4x DDR5, Maximum Memory Capacity 192GB
Max. overclocking frequency:
1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7600+ 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

Expansion slots:
1x PCIe Gen 5.0 x16 slot (From CPU)
1x PCIe Gen 4.0 x16 slot (From Chipset)
1x PCIe Gen 3.0 x1 slot (From Chipset)

Storage:
1x M.2 Gen 5.0 x4
4x M.2 Gen 4.0 x4
6x SATA 6Gbps

USB support:
4x USB 2.0 (Front)
2x USB 3.2 Gen1 5 Gbps Type A (Rear)
2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Front)
6x USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps Type-C (Rear)
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C (Rear)
1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C (Front)
LAN:
Intel 2.5Gbps LAN
Wireless/Bluetooth Intel Wi-Fi 6E 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz up to 2.4Gbps, Bluetooth 5.3

Audio: Realtek ALC4080 7.1-Channel Audio
Form Factor: ATX 244mm x 305mm

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