Price When Reviewed

$369

Best Prices Today: MSI Z790 Edge Wifi DDR4

Intel’s latest Thirteenth-generation CPUs just like the i9 13900K carry 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. 

Here comes the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4, promising to satisfy that very promise. With a novel silver design to distinguish it from the same old “motherboard” aesthetic, it appears 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. Should it’s in your checklist of motherboards to pair together with your freshly acquired CPU? Let’s discover out!

MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: The specs

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The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 has a number of of its specs listed proper in its title: WiFi is commonplace, 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 circumstances—so these seeking to save a buck can reuse a DDR4 equipment or decide up one low cost.

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

The unboxing expertise is no-frills, however that’s to be anticipated with an MSRP of $369. Most of the flamboyant packaging comes with a a lot larger price ticket—suppose 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, identical to we love seeing!

• ATX type issue 
• Support for Intel Twelfth- and Thirteenth-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

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A $369 MSRP used to get you numerous additional again within the day, however in right now’s ever growing value panorama, prices are up. That’s why the MSI Z790 Edge is an fascinating selection—it brings next-generation efficiency of Intel’s Thirteenth-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 help is huge, with as much as 5 out there 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 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 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 need to step as much as a way more costly motherboard—however that’s anticipated.

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You do have two 16x PCIe slots to your GPU and different add-on playing cards, with the highest slot being PCIe Gen 5. Be aware 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. Overall, 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 trying in some lighting—and it makes for a really engaging motherboard. It’s a refreshing change from the extra monochrome appears 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.

Some of its cool appears additionally serve a useful function. The M.2 “Frozr” slot covers have thermal pads to maintain them cool. We additionally respect 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.

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The board’s bottom is uneventful, however par for the value—strengthened backplates usually 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 help.

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 engaging 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 positive! Of course, DDR5 can have the “edge” with its a lot sooner kits out there, nevertheless it’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.

Speaking of the 13900K, that CPU will pair properly with this motherboard, and its 16+1+1 VRMs. You’ll possible be extra restricted by the cooling on the CPU itself earlier than the rest, as these new hotrods run particularly sizzling by design. The motherboard itself will be capable to deal with it, together with some other Twelfth- or Thirteenth-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 maintain 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 offers 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 also can select to only let the motherboard do the automated CPU management and easily set XMP—we’d advocate a minimum of that to get probably the most out of your DDR4.

MSI

Leaving the BIOS, we even have the brand new MSI Center software program. It’s an built-in strategy 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 also can set fan curves and profiles with “user scenario,” and there’s some {hardware} monitoring too. 

MSI is taking the same “all in one” strategy as Asus’s Armoury Crate software program. While 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 essential features, we’d nonetheless advocate both trusting the BIOS, or utilizing devoted third-party software program equivalent 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 value class. While we’d wish to see the DDR4 model cheaper, it nonetheless provides next-gen tech by means of the Thirteenth-gen CPU help and PCIe Gen 5. 

You’ll respect the good aesthetics, too. The silver design appears nice and can attraction to those that need 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 13900K, you’ll be set for efficiency right here.