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MSI · LGA 1700 · Z790

MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi II

ATX · DDR5 · 4 DIMMs · 19-phase VRM · Wi-Fi 7

Quality
92
VRM
99
Value
27
Amazon
$650
MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi II
View MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi II Gallery in high resolution
$650
Unavailable Updated 2 months ago
Overall91.6
VRM99.0
Chipset94.0
Expansion / storage93.0
Connectivity81.0
Audio91.0
Quality / price26.8
$650 on Amazon Motherboard table Compare this motherboard

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Written analysis

MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi II at a glance

The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi II uses the ATX form factor, LGA 1700 socket, and Z790 chipset. This is a high-end platform with the feature headroom expected in an enthusiast gaming or productivity build.

Memory support is DDR5 across 4 DIMM slots, with up to 256 GB and rated overclocked speeds up to 7800 MT/s. XMP / EXPO memory-profile support is recorded for easier tuning.

Best fit: a premium gaming or creator build that will use the stronger VRM, storage, and I/O rather than simply needing a compatible socket.

Power delivery

The calculated VRM score is 99.0, placing the power delivery in the ultra high-end class. The board lists 19 CPU power phases, 105 A power stages in a 19+1+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 2. That is appropriate for sustained high-power CPUs and aggressive tuning when case airflow and VRM cooling are also adequate.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 93.0: exceptionally well equipped . The platform supports PCIe 5.0. Physical expansion includes 2 ×16 slots, and 1 ×1.

On-board storage consists of 5 M.2 slots and 6 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 22110, 2280, 2260. That is enough NVMe capacity for a multi-drive gaming or creator setup without immediately relying on an add-in card.

Connectivity and rear I/O

The connectivity score is 81.0, rated strong . Wireless networking is Wi-Fi 7 ; wired networking is Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN at up to 2500 Mbps. Bluetooth 5.4 is included. The recorded USB provision is 10 rear connections and 7 front-panel connections. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.1. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 91.0. This is an ultra-premium onboard implementation based on Realtek® ALC4080 Codec, aimed at users who want strong analogue output without immediately adding a USB DAC. The rear panel has 5 analogue jacks. Optical S/PDIF is present for digital audio equipment.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 91.60, a premium result. It makes sense when the build will use its stronger VRM and richer connectivity; otherwise a lower-tier board may deliver the same CPU performance for less.

At the recorded Amazon price, the quality-to-price score is 26.8. This is a feature-first premium purchase; compare nearby boards if several flagship extras would go unused.

Board data

Full specifications

Platform, expansion, storage, rear I/O, internal headers, networking, audio, and board controls in one sheet.

General

Manufacturer
MSI
Motherboard
MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi II
Chipset / socket
Z790 / LGA 1700
Form factor
ATX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$650
Availability
Unavailable
Price updated
2 months ago

VRM

CPU phases
19 (105 A)
Power design
19+1+1
EPS connector
2

Memory

Type / slots
DDR5 / 4 DIMMs
Max capacity / OC
256 GB / 7800 MT/s
Per DIMM
64 GB
XMP / EXPO
Yes

PCIe

Supported version
PCIe 5.0
x16 physical
2
x16 Gen 5
1
x16 Gen 4
1
x1 physical
1
x1 Gen 3
1

Storage

M.2 slots
5
M.2 lengths
22110, 2280, 2260
SATA ports
6

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.1 · 4K 60Hz
DisplayPort
No
USB-C DisplayPort
No

USB

Rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10 Gbps
6
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 10 Gbps
1
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C 20 Gbps
1
Front USB 2.0
4
Front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Front USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C 20 Gbps
1

Networking

Ethernet
Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN
LAN ports
1
LAN speed
2500 Mbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi bandwidth
320MHz
Bands
2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
Bluetooth
5.4

Audio

Chipset
Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
Analog jacks
5
Gold-plated jacks
No
Optical S/PDIF
Yes
Spatial audio
No

Buttons

BIOS flashback
No
Clear CMOS
Yes
Q-Flash Plus
No
Smart button
Yes
Onboard start / reset
No

Additional information

Memory notes
Supports un-buffered memory. Max overclocking frequency varies by configuration: 1DPC 1R up to 7800+ MHz, 1DPC 2R up to 6600+ MHz, 2DPC 1R up to 6400+ MHz, and 2DPC 2R up to 5600+ MHz.
Display notes
Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
Expansion notes
PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU) PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset) PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
M.2_1
4.0 4 · 2280, 2260 · From CPU
M.2_2
5.0 4 · 22110, 2280, 2260 · From CPU — PCI_E1 slot will be Gen5x8 when installing M.2 SSD in the M2_2 slot.
M.2_3
4.0 4 · 2280, 2260 · From Chipset
M.2_4
4.0 4 · 2280, 2260 · From Chipset
M.2_5
4.0 4 · SATA · 2280, 2260 · From Chipset
USB notes
Supports a USB4 add-in card via the JTBT_U4_1 header (supports RTD3).
Audio notes
7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio. Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback on front panel.
Networking notes
The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot. Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, up to 5.8Gbps. Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax. Supports MLO, 4KQAM. 6GHz band support may depend on every country’s regulations and Wi-Fi 7 will be ready in Windows 11 SV3. The Bluetooth version may be updated, please refer to the Wi-Fi chipset vendor's website for details. Bluetooth 5.4 support schedule depends on MSFT Windows 11 plan.
Button notes
The I/O panel includes a feature listed as 'Flash BIOS / Clear CMOS'.
Fan / RGB headers
1 CPU · — OPT · 1 AIO · 5 chassis · 3 ARGB · 1 RGB
Other headers
Front audio · System panel · TPM · Thunderbolt
Dimensions
30.5 cm x 24.4 cm

Extracted notes sit here. Official manufacturer copy is at the bottom of the page.

Amazon

Price history

Nearby quality

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VRM fit

VRM-appropriate CPUs

LGA 1700 processors whose TDP sits in this board’s VRM window. Socket match is required; chipset extras still matter on sTR5. This is a power-delivery filter, not a ranked CPU guide.

Open LGA 1700 CPUs in the CPU table

Discussion

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Vendor copy

Official manufacturer data

Raw manufacturer text kept for reference. Structured specs above are extracted from this copy and are the source for scores and tables.

Memory

4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 256GB
Memory Support 7800+(OC)/ 7600(OC)/ 7400(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(JEDEC)/ 5400(JEDEC)/ 5200(JEDEC)/ 5000(JEDEC)/ 4800(JEDEC) MHz
Max. overclocking frequency:
• 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7800+ MHz
• 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6600+ MHz
• 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz
• 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz

Supports Intel® XMP3.0 OC
Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory

Graphics

1x HDMI™
Support HDMI™ 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*
*Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.

Expansion slots

2x PCI-E x16 slot
1x PCI-E x1 slot
PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)

Storage

5x M.2
M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devices
M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4 , supports 22110/2280/2260 devices
M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devices
M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devices
M.2_5 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260 devices
6x SATA 6G
*PCI_E1 slot will be Gen5x8 when installing M.2 SSD in the M2_2 slot.

USB

4x USB 2.0 (Front)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
6x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Rear)
1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Rear)
1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Front)

Internal I/O

1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
1x CPU Fan
1x Pump Fan
5x System Fan
1x EZ Conn-header (JAF_1)
2x Front Panel (JFP)
1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
1x Front Audio (JAUD)
3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
1x USB4 card connector (JTBT_U4_1, supports RTD3)
4x USB 2.0 ports
2x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports

Rear I/O

Flash BIOS / Clear CMOS
USB 5 Gbps (Type-A)
USB 10Gbps (Type-A)
2.5G LAN
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Audio Connectors
Smart Button
HDMI™
USB 10Gbps (Type-C)
USB 20Gbps (Type-C)
Optical S/PDIF Out

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7 Solution
The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot
Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (320MHz) up to 5.8Gbps
Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax
Supports Bluetooth® 5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM

* 6GHz band support may depend on every country’s regulations and Wi-Fi 7 will be ready in Windows 11 SV3.
** The Bluetooth version may be updated, please refer to the Wi-Fi chipset vendor's website for details. Bluetooth 5.4 support schedule depends on MSFT Windows 11 plan.

Audio

Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio
Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback on front panel

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