MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: A motherboard with a silver lining

Value When Reviewed

$369

Greatest Costs In the present day: MSI Z790 Edge Wifi DDR4

Intel’s latest Thirteenth-generation CPUs just like the i9 13900K convey with them a refreshed set of Z790 motherboards. Intel is seeking to flex one massive benefit over its AMD competitors: DDR4 and decrease platform prices general. 

Right here comes the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4, promising to satisfy that very promise. With a singular silver design to distinguish it from the same old “motherboard” aesthetic, it seems fairly good, too. The options are there to again it up equivalent to quick USB ports and loads of M.2 slots. 

We’ll go over the specs, options, efficiency, and design aesthetics. Ought to or not it’s in your record of motherboards to pair along with your freshly acquired CPU? Let’s discover out!

MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: The specs

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 sort. The latter is necessary, as a result of DDR5 has had increased preliminary prices and diminishing efficiency returns in lots of circumstances—so these seeking to save a buck can reuse a DDR4 equipment or choose up one low-cost.

You’ll additionally be capable to use Intel’s Twelfth-generation Alder Lake CPUs such because the 12600K—with equal assist for Intel’s newer Thirteenth-generation as nicely.

The unboxing expertise is no-frills, however that’s to be anticipated with an MSRP of $369. Many of the fancy packaging comes with a a lot increased price ticket—assume MSI Godlike fashions. You’ll get the usual included equipment equivalent to a WiFi antenna, cable stickers, and SATA cables. The I/O defend is pre-installed, similar to we love seeing!

• ATX kind issue 
• Assist for Intel Twelfth- and Thirteenth-gen CPUs
• 16+1+1 Section VRM with 90A Good Energy 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 Together with 20Gb/s 
• Intel 2.5GbE LAN
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E 
• RGB headers for Mystic Mild
• 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: Options

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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 attention-grabbing alternative—it brings next-generation efficiency of Intel’s Thirteenth-gen CPUs, whereas permitting some flexibility with DDR4. You may reuse your present equipment or choose 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 avid gamers, 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 items, the I/O continues to be very quick. 

M.2 PCIe Gen 4 assist is huge, with as much as 5 obtainable slots. Certain, you’re not getting the PCIe Gen 5 theoretical speeds, however there aren’t drives that may actually make the most of that presently anyway. SATA laborious 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 facet, Z790 provides you Intel’s 2.5GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 6E, nothing to complain about right here. If you happen to’re after 10GbE networking, you’re going to must step as much as a way more costly motherboard—however that’s anticipated.

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You do have two 16x PCIe slots on 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 equivalent 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. Total, nice options for the value!

MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: Design

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The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4’s design instantly jumps out at you: silver-ish, nearly white wanting in some lighting—and it makes for a really engaging motherboard. It’s a refreshing change from the extra monochrome seems of most designs, and MSI provides some good inlays and graphics to finish the look. It’s a pleasant choice for these seeking to escape the standard construct aesthetic.

A few of its cool seems additionally serve a useful function. The M.2 “Frozr” slot covers have thermal pads to maintain them cool. We additionally admire how the battery is uncovered, and never beneath dozens of screws and a canopy—makes issues straightforward when you must swap it out!

You get RGB headers to make the most of MSI’s “Mystic Mild” system, and the I/O shroud sports activities a properly RGB’ed MSI Dragon. In any other case, the aesthetics are clear and easy.

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The board’s bottom is uneventful, however par for the value—bolstered backplates sometimes are discovered on costlier fashions. The 16x slots on the entrance, nevertheless, do have what MSI calls “Metal Armor,” reinforcing them for heavy trendy 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. Total, a useful and engaging design that differs from the same old choices with its extra silver-centric shade scheme.

MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: Efficiency, software program, and BIOS

Don’t fear, DDR4 does superb! In fact, DDR5 can 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 often greater than sufficient, even with the 13900K, and also you’ll save a buck too.

Talking of the 13900K, that CPU will pair properly with this motherboard, and its 16+1+1 VRMs. You’ll doubtless 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 to deal with it, together with another Twelfth- or Thirteenth-gen CPU that you simply 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 wish to tweak issues a bit, the MSI BIOS is properly organized and offers you entry to just about any nuanced changes you’d want to make. Set XMP profiles for the DDR4, change boot drive order, replace your BIOS, and varied CPU tweaks. You may also select to only let the motherboard do the automated CPU management and easily set XMP—we’d suggest a minimum of that to get probably the most out of your DDR4.

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Leaving the BIOS, we even have the brand new MSI Middle software program. It’s an built-in method to manage varied parts of your PC. You’ll get Mystic Mild RGB management over the motherboard itself and varied peripherals, alongside driver software program updates. You may also set fan curves and profiles with “consumer state of affairs,” and there’s some {hardware} monitoring too. 

MSI is taking an analogous “multi function” method as Asus’s Armoury Crate software program. Whereas motherboard software program has at all times been a bit hit and miss up to now, it appears to be enhancing just lately. For some necessary features, we’d nonetheless suggest both trusting the BIOS, or utilizing devoted third-party software program equivalent to for {hardware} monitoring.

Must 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 avid gamers and content material creators, and lacks little or no when it comes to what’s anticipated at this worth class. Whereas we’d wish to see the DDR4 model cheaper, it nonetheless affords next-gen tech by the use of the Thirteenth-gen CPU assist and PCIe Gen 5. 

You’ll admire the good aesthetics, too. The silver design seems nice and can enchantment to those that need a departure from the same old drab monochromatic look. It might 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 best way as much as the mighty Intel i9 13900K, you’ll be set for efficiency right here.