MSI Z890 motherboard range overview: an array of options for your Intel Core Ultra build
A look at the specs and features of the new LGA 1851 socket boards, compatible with Arrow Lake processors
Share this article...
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
SPONSORED POST
The latest Intel Core Ultra processors for desktop PCs (that’s Core Ultra 200 Series, a.k.a. Arrow Lake) have finally hit the shelves, and if you’re planning on building a new rig with one of these new CPUs, you’ll need a compatible motherboard with LGA 1851 chipset. Thankfully, MSI, one of the best motherboard makers in the business, has a very wide selection of options available to choose from, so you’re sure to find one of them that meets your needs. Besides the standard benefits that come with all new Z890 motherboards, MSI has incorporated several additional features in theirs which make them particularly easy to build with and upgrade, plus provide additional power to your build and support particularly high RAM speeds.
That being said, with eleven different Z890 boards from MSI alone, choosing one can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Have a read below as we’ll talk you through the major things to be aware of when making your selection, and some of our choice picks for different needs.
New features of the Z890 motherboards
As mentioned, Z890 motherboards are based around the LGA 1851 platform/socket: they are the only motherboards currently available that use this socket and so are the only ones compatible with Arrow Lake / Core Ultra 200 processors. With this generation of CPUs, Intel has decided to focus primarily on power efficiency rather than raw performance, and so these boards have been designed to facilitate that, with improved power delivery and also better cooling on the VRMs. Z890 boards across all brands support DDR5 RAM, with a substantial increase in the ceiling of supported memory speeds to over 9000MT/s (though in practice, you’ll need a more premium board to reach these speeds).
The range comes with several other upgrades over previous generations. As a minimum, all Z890 motherboards come with at least Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 6E support, although the more premium models go beyond this, supporting Thunderbolt 5 and WiFi 7. Although PCIe Gen 4 is still used for both card slots and storage, the new boards (particularly the premium ones), have a greater number of PCIe Gen 5 options. PCIe lanes have been increased to x20, which is a boon for creatives and other productivity users in particular as you can have both a graphics card installed in the x16 slot and a supplementary x4 card running (be it a sound card, capture card, Gen 5 NVMe SSD, or something else) without experiencing any slowdown whatsoever in that same lane.
MSI MPG vs MEG vs MAG vs PRO motherboards
MSI motherboards are categorised within four different brands that focus on a particular kind of consumer and use case, as well as budget. The most important thing you’re looking for when buying a motherboard is the core specs: does it have the number of PCIe slots, M.2 storage capacity, RAM speeds support, power staging, and other features you need to design your optimal build, and there are variances with all of these even within these brands, however they do offer a decent rough starting point to help you make your choice.
MEG motherboards are MSI’s flagship series, designed for extreme overclocking and maximum performance, and made from the highest quality materials. These are not cheap boards, but if you’re looking to build a truly premium PC for productivity and/or gaming with minimal performance limitations, these could be the right pick for you.
The MPG series is ideal for those who want to maximize the aesthetics of their build, with advanced RGB controls and synchronization between components. Looks aside though they’re still solid performers and ideal picks for gamers.
The MAG series is less about the looks compared to the MPG boards, focusing more on functionality and durability with a military-inspired look to match this ethos. Performance wise, they’re roughly on par with the MPG line and are equally good picks for gaming enthusiasts.
Finally, the MSI Pro series are made with professional productivity users in mind, though can still be used for gaming too. These boards are known for their efficient power design.
Some selections from the MSI Z890 range
All MSI Z890 boards have 9200MT/s DDR5 RAM speed support at a minimum and come with an additional PCIe power connector to boost the wattage above 75W for particularly power-hungry GPUs and AI-computing focused builds, which are two big reasons to pick them over other brands.
Additionally, MSI has incorporated the latest ‘EZ DIY” functions which include EZ PCIe release, EZ M.2 Clip II, EZ Antenna, and all motherboards come with a debug LED to make troubleshooting for new and experienced builders much easier. ‘EZ PCIe Release’ allows you to more easily pop-out your graphics cards etc. from the slots without fear of breaking something. EZ M.2 Clip II means you can upgrade your M.2 storage without needing a screwdriver, and ‘EZ antenna’ effectively means you just need to plug your WiFi antenna into your PC and it’s good to go.
Besides this though there are differences between the boards, depending on what you’re looking for. Below we’ve selected a few across the range that we recommend for different use-cases.
- Socket: LGA 1851
- Chipset: INTEL Z890
- Form Factor: ATX Form Factor; 243.84 x 304.8mm
- PCIe & M.2: 3x PCIe [x16] (2x Gen 5, 1x Gen 4), 2x M.2 PCIe 5 (x4), 3x M.2 PCIe 4 (x4)
- Memory speed: Up to 9200 MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
The MSI MEG Z890 ACE is a premium-quality motherboard that’s ideal for CPU overclocking thanks to the high-end materials it’s made from, advanced Frozr Design cooling, and 24+2+1+1 (110A SPS aka Smart Power Stage) power phasing. EZ Optimization and EZ Overclocking features within the MSI Click BIOS X make pushing your PC further incredibly easy, and this goes for overclocking the NPU as well with the AI boost feature. Despite being a standard-sized ATX board, the ACE comes with a whole host of connectivity features for the rear and front I/O that you can see above, plus three PCI-E x16 slots. It also has WiFi 7 support.
If you’re still looking for something more than this board has to offer, there’s the even more premium MEG Z890 GODLIKE, which is a larger E-ATX board (277 x 304.8mm) with a ridiculous 26+2+1+1 (110A SPS) power phasing, three more M.2 slots and a more expansive I/O selection on the back panel, including and additional 5G LAN socket on top of the existing 10G one, plus two more USB Type C ports: one 20Gbps, the other 10Gbps. The ACE does however have the advantage of a HDMI (2.1) port, plus an additional PCIe x16 slot instead of the PCIe x4 one on the GODLIKE.
The Unify-X on the other hand is limited to 20+2+1+1 (110A SPS) power phases (though to be clear this is still a lot), but supports overclocked RAM speeds of over 9600+ MT/s, plus has an additional PCIe x1 slot on top of its three PCIe x16 slots.
Advanced overclocking, an all-black design and Mystic Light RGB
- Socket: LGA 1851
- Chipset: INTEL Z890
- Form Factor: ATX Form Factor; 243.84 x 304.8mm
- PCIe & M.2: 3x PCIe [x16] (2x Gen 5, 1x Gen 4), 1x M.2 PCIe 5 (x4), 4x M.2 PCIe 4 (x4)
- Memory speed: Up to 9200 MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
Whilst not quite as ridiculously premium as the MEG series, this MPG Carbon board comes with a plethora of connectivity options and an impressive direct 20+1+1+1 (110A) power design. On top of this you also get the fetching aesthetic design of the MPG series, in particular the Mystic light RGB lets you control the RGB of your internal components, case fans, and external peripherals all from one bit of software, and keep a uniform theme.
The BIOS is the same Click BIOS X that you get in the MEG range (in terms of functionality, though it has the MPG aesthetic) which can be split between EZ Mode and Advanced Mode depending on your level of expertise with tweaking settings and personal preferences.
The I/O includes a 5G LAN port, a 2.5G LAN port, and HDMI 2.1, two USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort, a huge ten USB-A (10Gbps) ports and another four USB-A (5Gbps), plus four USB 2.0s. You get three PCIe x16 slots on the board, plus five M.2 slots for storage.
The gaming workhorse
- Socket: LGA 1851
- Chipset: INTEL Z890
- Form Factor: ATX Form Factor; 243.84 x 304.8mm
- PCIe & M.2: 3x PCIe [x16] (1x Gen 5, 2x Gen 4), 1x M.2 PCIe 5 (x4), 3x M.2 PCIe 4 (x4)
- Memory speed: Up to 9200 MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
The MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK is the best Z890 choice out there for the average gamer who wants to do a bit of overclocking on their new Core Ultra 200 CPU, but doesn’t necessarily need every additional feature or can’t afford to break the bank in the process. That being said, the Tomahawk isn’t a budget board: it still comes with WiFi 7 and three PCIe x16 slots, four M.2 slots, and a plethora of USB sockets. The ethernet is limited to a 5Gbps socket, but most people won’t have a bandwidth that exceeds this anyway. The VRAM power staging is 16+1+1+1 (90A SPS).
Other features include a similar Frozr Design cooling on the M.2 shielding and heatsinks to that on the MEGs. You don’t get the same extensive BIOS features as you do on these premium boards but you still get EZ overclocking functionality.
The all-white gaming pick with Mystic Light RGB
- Socket: LGA 1851
- Chipset: INTEL Z890
- Form Factor: ATX Form Factor; 243.84 x 304.8mm
- PCIe & M.2: 2x PCIe [x16] (1x Gen 5, 1x Gen 4), 1x PCIe [x1] 1x M.2 PCIe 5 (x4), 4x M.2 PCIe 4 (x4)
- Memory speed: Up to 9200 MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
Another MPG board, but this time a more mid-range option; this one doesn’t have the same high-end VRMs as the CARBON does, instead coming with the same 16+1+1+1 (90A SPS) as the MAG TOMAHAWK above, as well as two PCI-E x16 slots, one PCI-E x1 slot, and less 10Gbps capable USB-A ports (five instead of ten, but it has 5Gbps ones to make up the difference). It’s limited to a single 5Gpbs LAN port as well.
What it does have however is a very fetching white and silver design, the same Frozr shielding as the Carbon, extended and enlarged heatsink design, and 7W/mK MOSFET thermal pads, plus the same advanced Mystic Light RGB.
