Product Overview: MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 Intel Z790 14th Gen LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 Intel Z790 14th Gen LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard is designed for gamers, content creators, and professionals looking for a high-performance, feature-packed motherboard to build a powerful PC system. As part of MSI's renowned Gaming Series, the Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 focuses on delivering next-generation technology and top-tier performance while maintaining great value for its price range.
Supporting the latest Intel 13th and 14th Gen Core processors, this motherboard uses the Intel Z790 chipset, offering compatibility with LGA 1700 socket CPUs. The standout feature is its support for DDR5 memory, which allows for significantly faster data transfer speeds and improved overall system responsiveness. With this upgrade, the Z790 Gaming Plus delivers the speed and stability necessary for gaming, video editing, streaming, and heavy multitasking.
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi is also equipped with advanced networking capabilities, including WiFi 6E and 2.5G LAN, ensuring high-speed, low-latency internet connections. It also boasts PCIe 5.0 support, allowing for future-proofed compatibility with the next generation of GPUs and SSDs, making it ideal for users seeking longevity and performance.
From enhanced power delivery to superior thermal solutions, the MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi is built to handle overclocking, gaming, and demanding workloads efficiently. It provides an exceptional foundation for creating a gaming rig or a content creation workstation that can handle modern applications and games with ease.
Product Description
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 brings together premium features, outstanding connectivity, and sleek design, creating a highly attractive option for gamers and tech enthusiasts. Designed with the newest technologies in mind, this motherboard supports the 14th Gen Intel processors, DDR5 memory, and PCIe 5.0 expansion, ensuring compatibility with current and future hardware.
Build Quality and Design
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi features a sturdy and well-designed ATX form factor. It has a sleek black PCB with red accents, giving it a modern aesthetic appeal. The board is equipped with reinforced PCIe slots to ensure that heavy GPUs are securely supported, making it ideal for gaming systems and workstations with powerful graphics cards.
MSI’s extended heatsink design ensures that heat is efficiently dissipated from critical components like the VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules). The integrated M.2 Shield Frozr technology ensures that M.2 SSDs remain cool and maintain optimal performance, preventing thermal throttling during high-demand tasks.
Power Delivery and Overclocking
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi features a robust 16+1+1 Duet Rail Power System, which ensures stable power delivery to the CPU and other critical components. This system is designed to provide the efficiency and stability needed for both Intel 13th and 14th Gen processors, particularly during overclocking.
The Core Boost technology employed in the motherboard enhances the board’s overclocking potential, allowing users to push their CPUs to higher frequencies while maintaining stability. The motherboard is also equipped with MSI’s Overclocking Genie, making overclocking easier for users who may not be familiar with manual tuning. This feature allows even beginners to safely increase performance with minimal risk.
Memory and Storage Support
One of the most significant features of the Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi is its support for DDR5 memory. The motherboard supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM, which can be clocked at up to 7200 MHz (OC). This ensures fast data processing and smooth multitasking, making it ideal for gaming, video editing, and other resource-heavy applications.
The board offers ample storage options with three M.2 PCIe slots (supporting both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0) and six SATA III ports, allowing users to install a variety of storage devices. The M.2 Shield Frozr technology on the M.2 slots ensures that high-speed SSDs stay cool and avoid performance drops due to overheating.
Advanced Cooling and Thermal Solutions
Cooling is crucial for performance, especially during gaming and overclocking, and the MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi excels in this area. The extended heatsink design combined with MSI’s Frozr AI Cooling technology ensures that critical areas such as the VRMs and M.2 slots remain cool under load.
The motherboard features multiple PWM fan headers, allowing users to customize and control their cooling setup. MSI’s Dragon Center software offers precise control over fan speeds and cooling profiles, ensuring a balance between system performance and noise levels.
Connectivity and Networking
Connectivity is a major focus of the Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi, and it doesn’t disappoint. The inclusion of WiFi 6E ensures fast and stable wireless connections, utilizing the 6 GHz band for lower latency and higher speeds. For users who prefer a wired connection, the 2.5G LAN provides fast, stable internet connectivity for gaming, video streaming, or large file transfers.
The motherboard is also equipped with an array of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C. This port supports data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps, making it perfect for connecting external storage devices or high-speed peripherals.
Audio and Customization
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi is equipped with MSI Audio Boost, which enhances the audio experience by delivering high-definition sound with clarity and richness. Gamers and content creators will appreciate the high-quality audio that enhances both gaming immersion and multimedia consumption.
For users who want a personalized touch, the MSI Mystic Light feature allows for complete control over the motherboard’s RGB lighting. The system offers multiple lighting effects and syncs with other RGB components, enabling users to create a unified aesthetic for their entire setup.
Key Features of MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 Motherboard
Intel Z790 Chipset with LGA 1700 Socket – Compatible with Intel 13th and 14th Gen processors.
DDR5 Memory Support – Supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM with speeds up to 7200 MHz (OC) for maximum system performance.
16+1+1 Duet Rail Power System – Provides efficient power delivery for stable CPU performance, particularly during overclocking.
PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 M.2 Support – Full support for next-gen PCIe 5.0 for faster GPU and SSD performance.
WiFi 6E and 2.5G LAN – Ensures fast and stable networking for both wired and wireless setups.
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C – Offers high-speed data transfer with speeds of up to 20 Gbps.
Triple M.2 Slots with M.2 Shield Frozr – Provides support for high-speed NVMe SSDs with enhanced thermal management.
MSI Audio Boost – Delivers high-definition audio with enhanced sound quality for gaming and media.
Advanced Cooling Solutions – Extended heatsinks, AI-driven cooling, and multiple fan headers ensure efficient thermal management.
MSI Mystic Light RGB – Fully customizable RGB lighting for personalized aesthetics.
Specifications
Form Factor ATX
Chipset Intel Z790
Socket LGA 1700
Supported CPUs Intel 13th/14th Gen Core, Pentium, Celeron
Memory Support DDR5, Dual Channel, up to 256 GB
Memory Speed Up to 7200+ MHz (OC)
Expansion Slots 3x PCI-E x16 slot, 1x PCI-E x1 slot
Storage 4x M.2, 6x SATA 6G
USB Ports
4x USB 2.0 (Rear)
4x USB 2.0 (Front)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
1x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Front)
1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Rear)
LAN 2.5G Ethernet
WirelessWiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
AudioRealtek ALC897 7.1-channel HD Audio
Review
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 has garnered positive feedback from gamers and tech enthusiasts alike for its strong performance, value, and feature set. It stands out for its robust power delivery, which allows users to push their Intel 14th Gen processors to new limits through overclocking while maintaining system stability.
One of the most notable aspects is the DDR5 support, which enhances memory speeds and overall system responsiveness. This is particularly noticeable in gaming and multitasking scenarios, where users report smoother performance and quicker load times. The inclusion of PCIe 5.0 for the main GPU slot is another major advantage, ensuring that users can upgrade their systems with future hardware releases.
Users have praised the motherboard’s WiFi 6E and 2.5G LAN networking features, which deliver excellent network speeds for both gaming and professional applications. This high-speed networking is especially useful for content creators and gamers who need low latency and fast downloads.
Cooling solutions like extended heatsinks and M.2 Shield Frozr have been well-received, especially by users pushing their systems to high performance levels. These solutions keep temperatures in check during overclocking and heavy workloads, ensuring that components remain cool and operational.
On the downside, some users have expressed a desire for more PCIe slots for additional expansion options, especially those working with multiple GPUs or add-in cards. However, for most users, the available slots provide sufficient flexibility for gaming and professional use.
Warranty Details
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 motherboard comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, as well as malfunctioning components. MSI offers dedicated customer support and service centers to handle warranty claims, making the process smooth and reliable for users.
07-Days Refund/Return/Exchange Policy
Customers purchasing the MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 motherboard are entitled to a 7-day refund, return, or exchange policy. The policy applies to unopened and unused products that are returned in their original packaging, along with all included accessories. If any issues are encountered within this period, such as product defects or incompatibility, customers can request a refund or exchange.
Conclusion
The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 Intel Z790 14th Gen LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard offers a compelling mix of cutting-edge features, robust performance, and high-quality build. Its support for the latest Intel processors, DDR5 memory, and PCIe 5.0 makes it a future-proof choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals seeking top-tier performance without breaking the bank.
With its WiFi 6E, 2.5G LAN, and advanced cooling solutions, the Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi provides all the essentials needed for a high-performance system. Whether you're building a gaming rig or a workstation, this motherboard is a great choice for those who demand the latest technology and reliability from their components.
Despite some minor limitations, such as the number of PCIe expansion slots, the MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5 excels in providing a solid foundation for any modern PC build. With its 2-year warranty and flexible return policy, it’s a safe and smart investment for your next high-performance system.