Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Good set of options for each players and content material creators
- Plenty of I/O, 5 M.2 slots, and 10 USB ports with 20Gb/s USB
- Beautiful silver design and aesthetics, plus built-in I/O defend
Cons
- $369 MSRP isn’t horrible, however DDR4 ought to be cheaper
- No improve path after 13th-gen Intel, as Z790 is the final earlier than a chipset change
Our Verdict
Despite solely supporting DDR4, the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 nonetheless provides most of what players or content material creators are searching for, akin to an honest variety of M.2 slots, loads of 20Gb/s USB, and PCIe Gen 5. The silver design parts are enticing and can work nicely in most builds, too. Overall, for individuals who don’t need to spend huge on DDR5, it is a good, if barely costly, motherboard.
Price When Reviewed
$369
Best Prices Today: MSI Z790 Edge Wifi DDR4
Intel’s latest 13th-generation CPUs just like the i9 13900Ok carry with them a refreshed set of Z790 motherboards. Intel is trying to flex one huge benefit over its AMD competitors: DDR4 and decrease platform prices total.
Here comes the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4, promising to meet that very promise. With a singular silver design to distinguish it from the same old “motherboard” aesthetic, it appears to be like fairly good, too. The options are there to again it up akin to quick USB ports and loads of M.2 slots.
We’ll go over the specs, options, efficiency, and design aesthetics. Should or not it’s in your record of motherboards to pair together with your freshly acquired CPU? Let’s discover out!
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: The specs
The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 comes with a pre-installed I/O defend.
Thiago Trevisan
The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 has a couple of of its specs listed proper in its identify: WiFi is normal, and DDR4 is the RAM kind. The latter is essential, as a result of DDR5 has had larger preliminary prices and diminishing efficiency returns in lots of instances—so these trying to save a buck can reuse a DDR4 equipment or decide up one low-cost.
You’ll additionally be capable of use Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake CPUs such because the 12600Ok—with equal assist for Intel’s newer 13th-generation as nicely.
The unboxing expertise is no-frills, however that’s to be anticipated with an MSRP of $369. Most of the flowery packaging comes with a a lot larger price ticket—assume MSI Godlike fashions. You’ll get the usual included equipment akin to a WiFi antenna, cable stickers, and SATA cables. The I/O defend is pre-installed, similar to we love seeing!
- ATX kind issue
- Support for Intel 12th- and 13th-gen CPUs
- 16+1+1 Phase VRM with 90A Smart Power Stage
- DDR4 RAM, twin channel as much as 4 DIMMs as much as 128GB
- 5x onboard M.2 slots (PCIe Gen 4)
- 2x PCIe 16x slot (1x is PCIe Gen 5)
- HDMI and DisplayPort out
- 10 USB ports on again Including 20Gb/s
- Intel 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel Wi-Fi 6E
- RGB headers for Mystic Light
- 7 SATA 6Gb/s ports
- 8 PWM fan headers
- BIOS Flashback and Clear CMOS
- Preinstalled I/O defend
- Realtek 7.1 ALC 4080 audio
- MSRP $369
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: Features
Thiago Trevisan
A $369 MSRP used to get you numerous additional again within the day, however in immediately’s ever rising worth panorama, prices are up. That’s why the MSI Z790 Edge is an fascinating selection—it brings next-generation efficiency of Intel’s 13th-gen CPUs, whereas permitting some flexibility with DDR4. You can reuse your present equipment or decide up one cheaper than DDR5 on common for minimal efficiency loss.
You’re not skimping on any options right here, both. For each content material creators and players, you’re loaded with quick USB ports: 20Gb/s USB is right here, and whereas we’d like to see 40Gb/s USB4 or Thunderbolt 4, as generally discovered on high-end models, the I/O continues to be very quick.
M.2 PCIe Gen 4 assist is huge, with as much as 5 obtainable slots. Sure, you’re not getting the PCIe Gen 5 theoretical speeds, however there aren’t drives that may actually make the most of that at present anyway. SATA onerous drive customers can have as much as seven SATA slots: Storage choices are bountiful right here.
It’s nice to see MSI together with some “quality-of-life” upgrades with screwless M.2 slots and the built-in I/O defend. Bravo!
On the networking aspect, Z790 offers you Intel’s 2.5GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 6E, nothing to complain about right here. If you’re after 10GbE networking, you’re going to should step as much as a way more costly motherboard—however that’s anticipated.
The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 has an honest variety of PCIe slots together with PCIe Gen 5.
Thiago Trevisan
You do have two 16x PCIe slots in your GPU and different add-on playing cards, with the highest slot being PCIe Gen 5. Be conscious of the slots as they’ll share PCIe lanes with the M.2 slots, some are from the CPU akin to the highest 16x, and a few from the chipset.
You’ll even have good audio connectivity within the again, with Realtek’s ALC 4080 codec. Clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback buttons are there too, together with a “Debug” LED to diagnose points. Overall, nice options for the worth!
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: Design
The silver accenting on the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 is a bit muted, however appears to be like actually slick in a full construct.
Thiago Trevisan
The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4’s design instantly jumps out at you: silver-ish, virtually white wanting in some lighting—and it makes for a really enticing motherboard. It’s a refreshing change from the extra monochrome appears to be like of most designs, and MSI provides some good inlays and graphics to finish the look. It’s a pleasant choice for these trying to escape the standard construct aesthetic.
Some of its cool appears to be like additionally serve a useful objective. The M.2 “Frozr” slot covers have thermal pads to maintain them cool. We additionally recognize how the battery is uncovered, and never beneath dozens of screws and a canopy—makes issues simple when it’s important to swap it out!
You get RGB headers to make the most of MSI’s “Mystic Light” system, and the I/O shroud sports activities a properly RGB’ed MSI Dragon. Otherwise, the aesthetics are clear and easy.
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 bottom.
Thiago Trevisan
The board’s bottom is uneventful, however par for the worth—strengthened backplates sometimes are discovered on dearer fashions. The 16x slots on the entrance, nevertheless, do have what MSI calls “Steel Armor,” reinforcing them for heavy fashionable graphics card assist.
The built-in I/O defend is a pleasant contact too—and makes for a really clear I/O space with clearly labeled USB ports and different connectivity. Overall, a useful and enticing design that differs from the same old choices with its extra silver-centric shade scheme.
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: Performance, software program, and BIOS
Don’t fear, DDR4 does superb! Of course, DDR5 could have the “edge” with its a lot sooner kits obtainable, but it surely’s unlikely you’ll ever discover the distinction save in benchmarking. DDR4 is usually greater than sufficient, even with the 13900Ok, and also you’ll save a buck too.
Speaking of the 13900Ok, that CPU will pair properly with this motherboard, and its 16+1+1 VRMs. You’ll seemingly be extra restricted by the cooling on the CPU itself earlier than the rest, as these new hotrods run particularly scorching by design. The motherboard itself will be capable of deal with it, together with some other 12th- or 13th-gen CPU that you just throw at it.
PCIe Gen 4 efficiency on the M.2 slots can even adequately deal with even the top-class M.2 drives, as saturating PCIe Gen 4, to not point out Gen 5, continues to be a methods away. The M.2 “Frozr” slot covers will preserve them cool, too. You’ll nonetheless get a PCIe Gen 5 GPU 16x slot, nevertheless—which is superfluous as even the RTX 4090 continues to be solely Gen 4.
If you need to tweak issues a bit, the MSI BIOS is properly organized and provides you entry to nearly any nuanced changes you’d want to make. Set XMP profiles for the DDR4, change boot drive order, replace your BIOS, and numerous CPU tweaks. You may also select to only let the motherboard do the automated CPU management and easily set XMP—we’d advocate at the least that to get probably the most out of your DDR4.
MSI Center BIOS software program.
MSI
Leaving the BIOS, we even have the brand new MSI Center software program. It’s an built-in method to regulate numerous parts of your PC. You’ll get Mystic Light RGB management over the motherboard itself and numerous peripherals, alongside driver software program updates. You may also set fan curves and profiles with “user scenario,” and there’s some {hardware} monitoring too.
MSI is taking an identical “all in one” method as Asus’s Armoury Crate software program. While motherboard software program has at all times been a bit hit and miss previously, it appears to be bettering lately. For some essential features, we’d nonetheless advocate both trusting the BIOS, or utilizing devoted third-party software program akin to for {hardware} monitoring.
Should you purchase the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4?
Coming in at $369, the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 packs sufficient options and efficiency to please each players and content material creators, and lacks little or no by way of what’s anticipated at this worth class. While we’d prefer to see the DDR4 model cheaper, it nonetheless presents next-gen tech by means of the 13th-gen CPU assist and PCIe Gen 5.
You’ll recognize the good aesthetics, too. The silver design appears to be like nice and can attraction to those that desire a departure from the same old drab monochromatic look. It can slot in properly with both white- or silver-centric themed builds!
With loads of USB ports and different I/O, to not point out a bevy of storage choices with M.2 and SATA, it’s a well-rounded bundle. Supporting all the way in which as much as the mighty Intel i9 13900Ok, you’ll be set for efficiency right here.