• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Motherboard

MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI

Translate from : MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI

The technical specifications:

• SOCKET: LGA1851
• CPU (MAX SUPPORT): Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2)
• CHIPSET: Intel Z890
• DDR5 MEMORY: Up to 9200 MHz
• MEMORY CHANNEL: Dual Channel
• DIMM SLOTS: 4
• MAX MEMORY (GB): 256 GB
• PCI-E X16: 3
• PCI-E X4: 0
• PCI-E X1: 0
• SATAIII: 4
• RAID: 0/1/5/10
• M.2 SLOTS: 5
• LAN: 1x 2.5G I226V, 1x 5G Intel Killer E5000B.
• Wi-Fi: Intel Killer BE 1750x Wi-Fi 7
• AUDIO: Realtek ALC1220P CODEC
• FORM FACTOR: ATX
• SLI: No
• CROSSFIRE: No
• OPERATING SYSTEM: Support for Windows 11

About MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI

The MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is an ATX motherboard for LGA1851, designed for Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs, and supports up to 256GB of high-speed DDR5 RAM. For expandability, it features multiple PCIe slots, a whopping 5 M.2 slots, and robust cooling solutions such as the M.2 Shield and extended heatsinks. In terms of networking, it delivers Wi-Fi 7, dual LAN, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for versatile connectivity.

The MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI features a sleek, black design with carbon fiber-inspired details for a modern and exclusive look. The motherboard is equipped with extended heatsinks and MSI's Frozr AI Cooling, which ensures efficient heat dissipation even under heavy loads. M.2 Shield Frozr protects and cools SSDs, while powerful VRM heatsinks with thermal pads ensure stability for overclocking. Overall, the design combines both aesthetics and functionality, resulting in a motherboard with high performance and reliable cooling.

The CPU socket and VRM part of the MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is very robust: the motherboard uses the LGA1851 socket for Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs. The VRM power design is “Direct 20+1+1+1” phases — i.e. 20 phases for the CPU core, 1 for system agent (SA), 1 for GT, and 1 additional phase. Each CPU phase has a Smart Power Stage of 110 A, which provides high current capacity and good margin for both normal operation and overclocking. The heatsinks around the VRM modules are large and connected with heat-conducting heat-pipes and thermal pads, ensuring effective heat dissipation.

MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is equipped with multiple PCIe slots that provide flexibility for both graphics cards and expansion cards. The primary slot is a fully reinforced PCIe 5.0 x16, providing maximum bandwidth for the latest graphics cards. In addition, there are additional PCIe 4.0 slots that can be used for additional cards such as sound cards, network cards or storage solutions. MSI has also integrated Steel Armor on the most important slots for increased durability and protection against twisting. Overall, a solid and future-proof platform is ensured for both gaming and demanding work tasks.

The MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is equipped with 4 DDR5 DIMM slots, supporting up to 256 GB of RAM in dual channel configuration. The motherboard can reach extremely high speeds of up to DDR5-9200+ MHz via XMP profiles, making it suitable for enthusiasts who want to exploit the full potential of fast RAM modules. It is compatible with non-ECC unbuffered RAM and also supports unbuffered ECC modules, although without active ECC error correction. This provides a combination of capacity, speed and flexibility for both gaming and heavy workloads.

MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI features an integrated Audio Boost 5 audio system that utilizes a dedicated audio chipset to deliver clean and detailed sound. The motherboard uses premium audio capacitors and a shielded audio area to minimize electrical noise. It also includes a built-in dedicated AMP that can drive demanding gaming headsets and high-impedance headphones. The combination ensures a rich, clear and balanced audio experience, suitable for games, movies and music.

The MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is equipped with a whopping five M.2 slots, one of which runs on PCIe 5.0 x4 for the fastest NVMe SSDs, while the others support PCIe 4.0 x4 and provide plenty of space for additional storage. All M.2 slots are covered by M.2 Shield Frozr heatsinks, which help keep temperatures down and ensure stable performance. In addition, the motherboard offers four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, so you can still connect traditional SSDs and HDDs. This combination provides both high speed and storage flexibility.

The MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI offers a comprehensive rear panel with everything you need for both gaming and productivity. Here you will find a whopping 10x USB 10Gbps Type-A ports and 1x USB 10Gbps Type-C, complemented by 2x Thunderbolt 4 for lightning-fast data transfer and display connection. There are both 2.5G LAN and 5G LAN, along with antenna ports for the built-in Wi-Fi. For graphics output there is HDMI, while the audio side is covered by complete audio connectors and optical S/PDIF out. In addition, practical functions such as Flash BIOS Button, Clear CMOS Button and a Smart Button are included directly on the I/O panel.

Price

It has been possible to find the MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI from MSI, with a price tag of 3627,- DKK.

If you want to read more about the MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI from MSI, you can click on the banner above.

Conclusion

When you gather all the impressions about the MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI, it quickly becomes clear that we are dealing with a motherboard that is aimed directly at the discerning user and enthusiast who wants a platform without compromise. With this model, MSI has managed to combine a modern, stylish design with carbon fiber-inspired details, large cooling profiles and a layout that is both functional and elegant. This results in a motherboard that not only looks good in a high-end setup, but is also built to handle heavy loads without compromising on stability.

Looking at the VRM section, it is impressive to see a 20+1+1+1 setup with 110A SPS, making the motherboard extremely suitable for overclocking. This means that even the most power-hungry Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors can be powered without any problems, and the large heatsinks ensure that temperatures are kept down. Compared to competitors in the same price range, such as the ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming or the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master, the MSI delivers a similar or better VRM setup, making it a strong choice for overclockers.

On the RAM front, it's also impressive that the motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 with speeds up to 9200+ MHz. This puts it at the absolute top when it comes to memory frequencies, which is a clear advantage for users who want to push performance to the limit. The fact that the motherboard accepts both non-ECC and unbuffered ECC modules without active error correction provides flexibility, although professionals would probably want full ECC support.

The PCIe section is solid with a fully reinforced PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for graphics cards as well as multiple PCIe 4.0 slots for expansion cards. Here, the MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is in line with its competitors in the segment, where PCIe 5.0 is still limited to one slot, but that is still more than enough for most gamers and creators. Five M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0 x4, allow for building a massive storage solution, and the combination with SATA ports provides a perfect balance between speed and compatibility.

The audio side, on the other hand, is an area where MSI could have done a little more. The Audio Boost 5 with ALC1220 codec is still a good solution, delivering clear sound with a built-in AMP for demanding headsets, but several competitors in the same price range have started to switch to newer solutions like the ALC4080. Therefore, this feels like an area where MSI is playing a little more conservatively. However, for most gamers, the audio experience will be more than adequate.

When we look at the I/O panel, the motherboard really shines through. A full 10 USB 10Gbps Type-A ports, along with USB-C and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, provide a flexibility that few competitors can match in the same price range. Added to this are 2.5G LAN, 5G LAN and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring maximum network performance, both wireless and wired. MSI has also included features such as Flash BIOS Button, Clear CMOS and a Smart Button, making everyday life easier for both enthusiasts and regular users who want stability and ease of use.

Price-wise, the motherboard lands at around 3627 DKK, which clearly places it in the high-end segment. Compared to its competitors, the price is roughly on par, but you get a very complete package. For users who want the latest technologies such as DDR5-9200+, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7, dual LAN with 5G and 2.5G, and Thunderbolt 4, the price is reasonable. But it is important to emphasize that this model is probably more than the average gamer will need – and therefore it is primarily aimed at enthusiasts and users who want some of the best on the market.

The pros are many: strong VRM, comprehensive cooling solutions, five M.2 slots, impressive RAM support, advanced networking, and one of the best I/O selections in its class. The cons are few but worth mentioning: the audio chipset could be more modern, the price is high, and the overall feature set may be overkill for the average user.

Compared to the ASUS ROG Strix and Gigabyte Aorus in the same price range, the MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI is very strong, especially on network and USB connections, while the audio side is a bit of a letdown. But overall, it delivers an extremely strong and well-balanced solution that will satisfy even the most demanding enthusiasts. Which makes us end up with a score of 9 out of 10.

Benefits

• Strong VRM setup
• Five M.2 connections
• Wifi 7
• 2.5G+5G LAN
• Many USB-A and USB-C connections
• Exclusive design
• Great cooling
• Supports high frequency and RAM capacity

Disadvantages

• “only” ALC1220
• High price

Score: 9