Knowledgeable’s Score
Professionals
- Good set of options for each players and content material creators
- Loads of I/O, 5 M.2 slots, and 10 USB ports with 20Gb/s USB
- Lovely silver design and aesthetics, plus built-in I/O protect
Cons
- $369 MSRP isn’t horrible, however DDR4 needs to be cheaper
- No improve path after Thirteenth-gen Intel, as Z790 is the final earlier than a chipset change
Our Verdict
Regardless of solely supporting DDR4, the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 nonetheless provides most of what players or content material creators are searching for, resembling an honest variety of M.2 slots, loads of 20Gb/s USB, and PCIe Gen 5. The silver design components are enticing and can work properly in most builds, too. Total, for individuals who don’t need to spend massive on DDR5, this can be a good, if barely costly, motherboard.
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 meet 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 resembling 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 listing 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 comes with a pre-installed I/O protect.
Thiago Trevisan
The MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 has just a few of its specs listed proper in its identify: WiFi is customary, and DDR4 is the RAM sort. The latter is essential, as a result of DDR5 has had greater preliminary prices and diminishing efficiency returns in lots of instances—so these seeking to save a buck can reuse a DDR4 package or choose up one low-cost.
You’ll additionally have the ability to use Intel’s Twelfth-generation Alder Lake CPUs such because the 12600K—with equal help for Intel’s newer Thirteenth-generation as properly.
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 greater price ticket—suppose MSI Godlike fashions. You’ll get the usual included equipment resembling a WiFi antenna, cable stickers, and SATA cables. The I/O protect is pre-installed, identical to we love seeing!
- ATX type issue
- Assist for Intel Twelfth- and Thirteenth-gen CPUs
- 16+1+1 Section VRM with 90A Sensible 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 Gentle
- 7 SATA 6Gb/s ports
- 8 PWM fan headers
- BIOS Flashback and Clear CMOS
- Preinstalled I/O protect
- Realtek 7.1 ALC 4080 audio
- MSRP $369
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4: Options
Thiago Trevisan
A $369 MSRP used to get you numerous additional again within the day, however in right now’s ever rising worth panorama, prices are up. That’s why the MSI Z790 Edge is an attention-grabbing selection—it brings next-generation efficiency of Intel’s Thirteenth-gen CPUs, whereas permitting some flexibility with DDR4. You possibly can reuse your current package 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 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 items, the I/O continues to be very quick.
The MSI Z790 Edge design instantly jumps out at you….It’s a refreshing change from the monochrome seems of most designs, and a pleasant choice for these seeking to escape the everyday construct aesthetic.
M.2 PCIe Gen 4 help is huge, with as much as 5 out there slots. Certain, you’re not getting the PCIe Gen 5 theoretical speeds, however there aren’t drives that may actually benefit from 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 protect. 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 happen to’re after 10GbE networking, you’re going to must 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 aware of the slots as they will share PCIe lanes with the M.2 slots, some are from the CPU resembling 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
The silver accenting on the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 is a bit muted, however seems actually slick in a full construct.
Thiago Trevisan
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 enticing 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 everyday construct aesthetic.
A few of its cool seems additionally serve a practical objective. 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 simple when you must swap it out!
You get RGB headers to benefit from MSI’s “Mystic Light” system, and the I/O shroud sports activities a properly RGB’ed MSI Dragon. In any other case, the aesthetics are clear and easy.
MSI Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 bottom.
Thiago Trevisan
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, nonetheless, do have what MSI calls “Steel Armor,” reinforcing them for heavy fashionable graphics card help.
The built-in I/O protect is a pleasant contact too—and makes for a really clear I/O space with clearly labeled USB ports and different connectivity. Total, a practical and enticing 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 wonderful! After all, DDR5 may 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.
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 sizzling by design. The motherboard itself will have the ability to deal with it, together with every 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 preserve them cool, too. You’ll nonetheless get a PCIe Gen 5 GPU 16x slot, nonetheless—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 numerous CPU tweaks. You can even select to only let the motherboard do the automated CPU management and easily set XMP—we’d suggest not less than that to get probably the most out of your DDR4.
MSI Middle BIOS software program.
MSI
Leaving the BIOS, we even have the brand new MSI Middle software program. It’s an built-in method to regulate numerous components of your PC. You’ll get Mystic Gentle RGB management over the motherboard itself and numerous peripherals, alongside driver software program updates. You can even set fan curves and profiles with “user scenario,” and there’s some {hardware} monitoring too.
MSI is taking the same “all in one” method as Asus’s Armoury Crate software program. Whereas motherboard software program has at all times been a bit hit and miss previously, it appears to be enhancing not too long ago. For some essential capabilities, we’d nonetheless suggest both trusting the BIOS, or utilizing devoted third-party software program resembling 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 players and content material creators, and lacks little or no when it comes to what’s anticipated at this worth class. Whereas we’d prefer 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 admire the great aesthetics, too. The silver design seems nice and can enchantment to those that desire a departure from the same old drab monochromatic look. It could possibly 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 package deal. Supporting all the way in which as much as the mighty Intel i9 13900K, you’ll be set for efficiency right here.
