MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi Review

by

The newly released MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi motherboard caters primarily to mid-to-lower premium segment gamers and power users seeking a board compatible with high-end components and future upgrades. It incorporates the latest LGA 1851 socket, specifically designed for the upcoming Intel Arrow Lake processors. MSI has made an emphasis on delivering top-notch features, user-friendliness, and aesthetics in this product. However, one may wonder if its $400-plus price tag is justified considering its offerings.

MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi Review

A high-quality motherboard like the MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi can be just as crucial for your system’s performance as a powerful CPU. In essence, it serves as the backbone of your gaming setup, and choosing the right one could significantly impact your overall experience. This product from MSI is designed to simplify that choice for you, regardless of whether you are an expert or a beginner when it comes to building your own machine.

It all starts with the overall design.

Constructing a personal computer may occasionally seem like a trial of patience, yet this motherboard strives to make the process as effortless as possible. The pre-installed I/O shield is a minor yet appreciated feature, sparing you from the trouble of precisely aligning it and potentially damaging or bending the shield during installation. Clear labels on the board itself are beneficial for beginners, reducing the likelihood of uncertainty when positioning each component accurately.

Installing components is remarkably easy and straightforward. The tool-free PCIe x16 slot release is a revolutionary feature for gamers who use high-end GPUs such as the RTX 4090, eliminating the need to struggle with small latches or apply excessive force to free the card from the motherboard. Additionally, the screwless M.2 installation is a breeze – simply insert the drive, press it down, and you’re finished.

Specification Details
Form Factor ATX
Socket LGA 1851
Chipset Intel Z890
Memory Type DDR5
DIMM Slots 4
Maximum Memory 256GB 9200MHz
Storage 5x M.2 (1x PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe 4.0), 4x SATA 6G
USB 13 Rear I/O, 9 Internal Header
LAN 2 (2.5Gbps and 5Gbps)
Wireless WiFi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4
External I/O 10x USB-A, 1x USB-C 10Gbps, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x LAN connections, Wi-Fi Antenna, Optical S/PDIF Out, Clear CMOS, Flash Bios, Smart Button, Mic/Speaker Connectors, HDMI
Audio 7.1 Channel
Onboard Video HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4 DisplayPort

Layout & Accessibility

On this ATX board from MSI, the arrangement is thoughtfully designed, ensuring that all components are placed intelligently. This results in a streamlined setup that makes managing cables and achieving tidy builds much easier.

Three PCIe slots are available for installing components. The top one offers PCIe 5.0 x16, which suits contemporary graphics cards exceptionally well. The second slot provides PCIe 5.0 x8 connectivity, and the third one offers PCIe 4.0 x4.

Regarding storage, there are numerous choices available. With five M.2 slots at your disposal, you’ll have ample room to ensure your device never runs out of storage. However, only one of these supports PCIe 5.0 speeds, which might be disappointing given the price range. Typically, a motherboard in this price point would offer at least two or three slots supporting such high-speed technology. If you’re aiming for a complete Gen 5 build, this could potentially be a drawback.

You’ll find seven fan connectors, four RGB connectors, a three-pin water flow monitor, and a two-pin temperature sensor, which provides ample customization options for cooling and lighting.

Connectivity Galore (And Then Some)

When allocating resources equivalent to your CPU while purchasing hardware for your motherboard, it’s essential to ensure the product comes with the necessary connectors. The MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi stands out for its comprehensive connectivity options and doesn’t compromise in this area.

13 USB ports in total can be found on the back of this device, including 10 standard USB-A 3.2 ports and 3 USB-C ports. Among the USB-A ports, they all offer data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. One of the USB-C ports shares this 10Gbps speed capability. The remaining two USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 4 compatible with DisplayPort output, providing faster transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps.

If you’re looking for increased USB versatility, this board offers four USB 2.0 headers, four USB 5Gbps Type-A headers, and one 20Gbps USB Type C header to cater to your needs. To put it simply, this motherboard is packed with connections. In my daily use—with devices such as Stream Deck, capture card, audio interface, and numerous external drives—I’ve encountered no speed or connection quality issues in the time I’ve used this board. For complete disclosure, previous generations like the Z790 Carbon WiFi may have experienced a noticeable slowdown while transferring files across external drives, even with top-tier processors. However, I haven’t encountered such an issue once with the Z890.

As a gamer, I’m all about the smooth, uninterrupted connection. Luckily, this motherboard I’ve got here is equipped with Wi-Fi 7, blazing fast at speeds up to 5.8 Gbps, and Bluetooth 5.4. However, I’ve noticed that the Bluetooth audio can be a bit spotty sometimes, but I haven’t found a motherboard yet that handles it flawlessly. On the plus side, it’s got two LAN ports, one supporting 2.5Gbps and the other 5Gbps, which is a big help for those high-speed gaming sessions.

On the audio front, the board has built-in optical output with 7.1 channel audio.

BIOS & Customization

For quite some time now, I’ve held the belief that MSI’s BIOS is exceptionally user-friendly. With the introduction of the Z890 Chipset, this ease-of-use is amplified with a fresh design that makes navigating and adjusting settings more intuitive than ever. In my view, it doesn’t get much simpler, even for those who may not be experienced overclockers.

Just as with most BIOS systems, MSI’s version provides users flexibility for adjusting fan speeds, overclocking settings, boot sequence, and various other features. What sets it apart, though, is its ease of use.

The EZ Mode operates as intended, unlike some BIOS settings that don’t always function as planned. With just a single click, it boosts CPU, NPU, and Memory, making complex tasks simpler for you. Additionally, if you prefer delving deeper into the specifics, the Advanced Settings are organized to ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed by the intricacies.

You have the flexibility to customize various aspects such as PCIe settings, P-Core and E-Core ratios, CPU and Memory Frequency, among other features. However, remember that overclocking or adjusting these settings carries a risk. Proceed with caution, making changes gradually and in small increments to avoid potential instability issues and possible damage to your system.

In summary, MSI’s own software such as the MSI Center, Mystic Light, and others can be found on their systems. However, from my perspective, these applications tend to burden a system more than they aid it. While Mystic Light for RGB management might be essential if you’re coordinating with other programs, there are lighter alternatives for hardware monitoring available.

MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi Review Verdict

The MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi is a motherboard that boasts numerous appealing features. It offers extensive connectivity solutions, sports an attractive design, and is highly user-friendly for DIY PC builders. However, its price tag might be off-putting to some, considering the assumption that the LGA 1851 socket will only accommodate new CPUs until 2026. Nonetheless, if you’re contemplating purchasing this board, it’s probable that you won’t require an upgrade for a considerable period.

This motherboard offers DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 compatibility, ensuring it stays as current as possible considering the rapid pace of technology advancements. Admittedly, I would have preferred additional PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, but it’s not a major concern. If you can overlook its price tag over $400, you might struggle to find a more balanced motherboard in terms of features.

Read More

2025-02-19 21:49