Z890 or Z790? Choosing the Right Motherboard for Your Next Build
Motherboards
Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2) (also called Arrow Lake) feature a brand-new architecture that’s designed from the ground up for efficiency, granting you access to more features than ever before. They boast up to 24 cores, a 36MB Smart Cache, an on-chip NPU, and Intel Xe Graphics to accelerate creative workloads with QuickSync.
Of course, a new architecture often calls for a new chipset and socket – Z890 and the LGA1851 socket.
MSI’s range of Z890 motherboards is designed to leverage the efficiency, performance potential, and features of the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. From top-tier enthusiast motherboards to more value-oriented options, gamers, overclockers, artists, and other professionals should be able to find exactly what they need in this lineup.
Z890 vs. Z790 Chipset: What’s the Difference?
Aside from the fact that the Z890 chipset is currently the only chipset that supports Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, it also boasts a few technical improvements over its predecessor, Z790.
One of the most noticeable changes in this new chipset is memory support.
The Z890 chipset supports ONLY DDR5 memory, while the Z790 chipset supported both DDR5 and DDR4 memory. That said, Z890 boasts support for cutting-edge CUDIMM DDR5 memory kits — allowing for much higher memory speeds and better stability at those speeds!
Added PCIe bandwidth is another discernible improvement to Z890 (compared to Z790).
Although both chipsets boast a total of 48 PCIe lanes, 8 out of the 48 lanes on Z790 are limited to PCIe 3.0 speeds. The Z890 chipset, on the other hand, drops the PCIe 3.0 lanes, and instead adds four PCIe 5.0 lanes and PCIe 4.0 lanes each.
So, what do all these numbers mean to you as the end user?
For one, it allows the platform to offer much better extensibility, like MSI’s Z890 products with up to 6 on-board M.2 slots. The additional bandwidth also allows for handy features like faster built-in LAN, faster Wi-Fi, full Thunderbolt 4 speeds, more USB ports, etc.
In addition to the 8 faster PCIe lanes on the Z890 platform, you’ll find some other improvements coming to MSI’s range of Z890 motherboards. From tool-free PC building features to a shiny-new BIOS interface, we have a few aces up our sleeve for this generation of motherboards EZ DIY Features: Make PC Building Easy Again
Building PCs is fun, but pulling out your screwdriver for the simplest task or wrestling with a part trying to get it out never feels great. With MSI’s Z890 lineup, we’re introducing EZ DIY for an effortless PC building experience.
These features were engineered to build, monitor, and set up your brand-new PC with as little as one hand, one finger, one glance, one click, and one step. For example, Z890 motherboards offer completely tool-less removal and installation of your NVMe M.2 SSD. This allows you to swap out your storage or install an additional drive with your bare hands. No screwdriver required!
You can find a more comprehensive look at MSI’s EZ DIY features here.
Unveiling MSI Click BIOS X: A Next-Gen BIOS Interface for Next-Gen Hardware
As Intel‘s processors evolve and grow more complex over time, older BIOS interfaces have become a bit too limiting. It forces us to pick between hiding away key options or making everything too complex/cluttered. What’s more, the visual design has started to look dated.
You’ll see the MSI Click BIOS X rolling out with MSI’s Z890 motherboards. Not only does it offer a modern UI/UX for a far better experience, but it also now closely matches (visually) your product choices.
- Click BIOS X EZ Mode: The overhauled EZ Mode interface gives you a ton of information without cluttering the UI, with quick access to CPU, NPU, and Memory OC settings, quick toggles, and a comprehensive overview of your system information.
- AI Boost for Z890: Intel’s Arrow Lake processors boast an on-chip NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to handle light AI tasks. The AI Boost feature can overclock this NPU to gain up to 27% better AI performance!
- A redesigned Hardware Monitor interface helps you set precise fan curves, and keep a close eye on your hardware.
We give you a closer peek at MSI Click BIOS X in our article here.
Introducing MSI Z890 Motherboards for Intel Core Ultra Desktop Processors (Series 2)
MSI’s range of Z890 motherboards come equipped with the innovative features, top-notch build quality, and clever engineering that sets us apart. You’ll find the most premium options to more value-oriented options in the MSI Z890 lineup – allowing you to find the perfect motherboard for your Intel Core Ultra PC.
The entire Z890 lineup from MSI supports Lightning Gen5 (PCIe 5.0) on both the PCIe slot as well as at least one M.2 slot. They’re ready to handle the best hardware on shelves today and more powerful options in the future.
MEG Z890 GODLIKE:
The GODLIKE name is widely known for its impressive capabilities and pushing the envelope further than ever before. The MEG Z890 GODLIKE is the perfect embodiment of the MEG brand, giving enthusiasts, overclockers, and gamers the perfect platform to work their magic.
With its gorgeous design, Dynamic Dashboard III display, and the EZ Link Hub to simplify connecting your front panel, fan, and many other headers, the MEG Z890 GODLIKE exudes power and performance at first glance. It also comes bundled with two powerful add-in cards to extend the MEG Z890 GODLIKE’s capabilities even further: the M.2 XPANDER-Z SLIDER GEN5 and Thunderbolt 5 add-in cards.
(MEG Z890 GODLIKE)
The MEG Z890 GODLIKE now features a whopping 30-phase VRM (26 + 2 + 1 + 1) with 110A Smart Power Stages to handle even the most extreme overclocks with the best that Intel has to offer this generation. It also boasts a 10-layer server-grade, ultra low loss PCB with 2oz copper traces for added stability and reliability.
Handling all this power requires an innovative thermal design, which the MEG Z890 GODLIKE delivers with its Frozr Guard system. It combines an Aluminum Cover, a Wavy Fin array VRM Heatsink, a Cross Heat-pipe design, a double-sided M.2 Shield Frozr, and an enlarged Chipset Heatsink for effective heat dissipation.
Networking is also on a GODLIKE tier with this board, featuring Dual 10G + 5G LAN for unparalleled connectivity. You can also easily enjoy Gigabit+ speeds with on-board Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, supporting up to 320MHz channels and speeds of up to 5.8Gbps.
The MEG Z890 GODLIKE boasts support for up to a whopping 8 high-speed M.2 slots (2x Gen 5.0 x4 + 4x Gen 4.0 x4 + 2x Gen 5.0 x4 with included M.2 expander card). Like other Z890 motherboards from MSI, the GODLIKE comes equipped with an additional on-board 8-pin PCIe power connector to provide supplemental power to multiple, high-end GPUs for maximum stability.
Of course, the MEG Z890 GODLIKE also features every EZ DIY feature, including EZ M.2 Clip II, EZ Magnetic M.2 Shield Frozr II, EZ Antenna, and EZ PCIe Release.
MEG Z890 ACE
If you want to take a step down from the MEG Z890 GODLIKE with its large E-ATX form factor, the MEG Z890 ACE is a great option for enthusiasts who want it all, but in an ATX size. It features all the EZ DIY features from its elder sibling above to ensure an easy build experience.
The MEG Z890 ACE features a 24+2+1+1-phase Duet Rail Power System (DRPS) VRM consisting of 110A Smart Power Stages and an 8-layer server-grade PCB. Its power delivery system is overbuilt to handle anything you can throw at it from an overclocking point of view.
(MEG Z890 ACE)
You can leverage the full performance potential of Intel’s Core Ultra 9 CPUs with the MEG Z890 ACE – without any compromises.
It also features 10G LAN, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, and Thunderbolt 4 for matchless networking and connectivity. The MEG Z890 ACE is ready to handle even the most demanding GPUs thanks to the on-board supplemental PCIe 8-pin power connector – ensuring stability when running even the most demanding AI workloads.
You’ll also find support for a front panel USB Type-C 20Gbps port with Power Delivery up to 60W to charge your modern smartphones and tablets.
MEG Z890 UNIFY-X
Although Intel’s new processors give you access to improved DDR5 memory speeds, running 4 sticks of memory can still hold your speeds back. In fact, a 2-slot memory design is the best choice for extreme overclocking.
The MEG Z890 UNIFY-X is designed for avid overclockers who have a singular focus – smashing world records. Fun fact: we’ve tested speeds of DDR5-9600 and above running perfectly stable!
A few EZ DIY features on the MEG Z890 UNIFY-X, like the EZ PCIe Release and the 2-digit error code display will also come in handy for overclockers looking to quickly troubleshoot boot issues. The EZ Tuning Controller is yet another useful tool in the MEG Z890 UNIFY-X’s arsenal. It allows you to tweak OC parameters, reset CMOS, load into a fail-safe mode, and retry your OC settings with a single click.
(MEG Z890 UNIFY-X)
The MEG Z890 UNIFY-X features an 8-layer server-grade, ultra low loss PCB, a 24-phase (20+2+1+1) Direct Out VRM with 110A Smart Power Stages, and only 2 DDR5 slots for maximum stability and ultra-high speeds. It is designed to let your hardware fly, and push the envelope further than it’s ever been pushed.
Stability also necessitates an impressive, well-engineered thermal design, and the MEG Z890 UNIFY-X delivers with its Frozr Guard system. It boasts an Aluminum Cover, a robust VRM heatsink,a double-sided M.2 Shield Frozr, and an enlarged chipset heatsink, in addition to a Direct Touch Cross Heat-pipe for better heat dissipation.
You’ll also find on-board Intel Killer 5G LAN, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, and Thunderbolt 4 for unparalleled connectivity. It also offers front panel USB Type-C support for up to 60W Power Delivery (USB-PD). The space savings from eliminating two memory slots also allows the UNIFY-X to support SIX high-speed M.2 slots (1x Gen 5.0 x4 + 5x Gen 4.0 x4).
MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI
Of course, while the MEG Z890 motherboards offer the most premium platform for your Intel Core Ultra processors, the MPG lineup is where you get your bang-for-buck. The MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI carries the CARBON name proudly – offering the excellent balance between price, features, and quality that everyone’s come to expect of a CARBON motherboard from MSI.
(MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI)
The MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI borrows its power delivery from the UNIFY-X above, featuring a 23-phase (20+1+1+1) Direct Out VRM with 110A Smart Power Stages and an 8-layer server-grade PCB. You’ll also find an effective Frozr Guard thermal system with Aluminum Cover, VRM heatsink, a Direct Touch Heat-pipe, and chipset heatsink to keep your PC at peak performance for extended periods of time.
It also boasts dual 5G + 2.5G LAN as well as Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 for a flexible networking experience. The MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI also grants you access to Thunderbolt 4 connectivity to connect high-speed peripherals and Thunderbolt docks.
You can enjoy several EZ DIY features on the MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI as well, including EZ PCIe Release, EZ Magnetic M.2 Shield Frozr II, EZ Antenna, EZ M.2 CLIP II, and more!
MPG Z890 EDGE TI WIFI
If you’re looking for an all-white design that’s similar to the MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI above, the MPG Z890 EDGE TI WIFI will be the perfect pick. It comes with a 19-phase (16+1+1+1) Duet Rail Power System (DRPS) VRM consisting of robust 90A Smart Power Stages.
Although this power delivery system won’t be breaking any records soon, it is more than enough to handle any processor in Intel’s Arrow Lake lineup.
(MPG Z890 EDGE TI WIFI)
The MPG Z890 EDGE TI WIFI comes equipped with Intel Killer 5G LAN, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, and Thunderbolt 4 to give you access to ultra-fast, modern connectivity options without sacrificing a PCIe slot. You can also enjoy five (5) high-speed M.2 slots (1x Gen 5.0 x4 + 4x Gen 4.0 x4) – giving you more than enough storage options to avoid the dance of deleting and reinstalling games to free up space.
Like its other MSI Z890 siblings, the MPG Z890 EDGE TI WIFI boasts the latest Steel Armor II design on the primary PCIe 5.0 slot, which makes it 21% stronger compared to the last generation! With graphics card sizes and weights increasing over the past few years, fortifying your primary slot has become paramount.
MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI
The TOMAHAWK name has become synonymous with unparalleled value and build quality, and the MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI continues its legacy with a fantastic mix of premium features and components at a more affordable price.
The MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI is built to handle even the most powerful Intel Core Ultra desktop processors without breaking a sweat.
It boasts a robust power delivery system, featuring a 19-phase (16+1+1+1) VRM (DRPS) with 90A Smart Power Stages. It also uses a 6-layer server-grade PCB to offer excellent value without sacrificing stability.
(MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI)
The MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI’s innovative thermal design further enhances system stability with an Aluminum Cover and VRM heatsink — quickly wicking heat away from sensitive power delivery components to deliver clean, stable power to your hardware.
In addition to its impressive thermal design, the MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI boasts support for 4 high-speed M.2 slots (1x Gen 5.0 x4 + 3x Gen 4.0 x4). It also features Intel Killer 5G LAN, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, and Thunderbolt 4 with front panel Type-C support for up to 27W Power Delivery.
Explore Motherboards for Intel Core® Ultra™ Processors (Series 2)
Intel’s Arrow Lake processors offer an impressive efficiency leap over its 14th Generation predecessors. The processors now include an efficient on-chip NPU to handle some light AI workloads without hogging any GPU processing at all!
MSI’s Z890 lineup is designed around these new processors – enhancing them and giving gamers and professionals an unparalleled platform for a brand-new PC build. Find out more about MSI’s motherboards for Intel’s Core Ultra desktop processors (Arrow Lake) on our page here!
