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MSI · LGA 1700 · Z790

MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi

ATX · DDR5 · 4 DIMMs · 16-phase VRM · 7

Quality
81
VRM
63
Value
53
Amazon
$290
MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi
View MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi Gallery in high resolution
$290
Available Updated 3 days, 8 hours ago Prime FBA
Overall81.0
VRM63.0
Chipset94.0
Expansion / storage93.0
Connectivity67.0
Audio88.0
Quality / price53.1
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Written analysis

MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi at a glance

The MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi uses the ATX form factor, LGA 1700 socket, and Z790-A 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 63.0, placing the power delivery in the upper mid-range class. The board lists 16 CPU power phases, 80 A power stages in a 16+1+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 2. It suits performance processors at stock; sustained extreme overclocking is not its main purpose.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 93.0: exceptionally well equipped . The platform supports PCIe 5.0. Physical expansion includes 3 ×16 slots, and 1 ×1.

On-board storage consists of 4 M.2 slots and 6 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 22110, 2280, 2260, 2242. 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 67.0, rated adequate . 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 8 rear connections and 7 front-panel connections. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 88.0. This is a high-end onboard implementation using Realtek® ALC4080 Codec, suitable for good headsets, powered speakers, and everyday content work. Optical S/PDIF is present for digital audio equipment.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 81.00, 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 53.1—a balanced value for its feature class.

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 PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi
Chipset / socket
Z790-A / LGA 1700
Form factor
ATX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$290
Availability
In stock
Price updated
3 days, 8 hours ago

VRM

CPU phases
16 (80 A)
Power design
16+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
3
x16 Gen 5
1
x16 Gen 4
1
x16 Gen 3
1
x1 physical
1
x1 Gen 3
1

Storage

M.2 slots
4
M.2 lengths
22110, 2280, 2260, 2242
SATA ports
6

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.1 · 4K 60Hz
DisplayPort
Yes · 1.4 · 8K 60Hz
USB-C DisplayPort
No

USB

Rear USB 2.0
2
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10 Gbps
3
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 Type-C 10 Gbps
1
Header USB 2.0
4
Header USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Header USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10 Gbps
1

Networking

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

Audio

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

Buttons

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

Additional information

Memory notes
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory. The maximum 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
HDMI supports HDR. Video outputs are 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). PCI_E4 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset).
M.2_1
4.0 4 · 22110, 2280, 2260, 2242 · CPU
M.2_2
4.0 4 · 2280, 2260, 2242 · Chipset
M.2_3
4.0 4 · SATA · 2280, 2260, 2242 · Chipset
M.2_4
4.0 4 · SATA · 2280, 2260, 2242 · Chipset
USB notes
Includes a USB4 card connector (JTBT_U4_1, supports RTD3) for an add-in card.
Audio notes
7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio
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/ be. 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.
Fan / RGB headers
1 CPU · — OPT · 1 AIO · 6 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® XMP 3.0 OC
Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory

Graphics

1x HDMI™
Support HDMI™ 2.1 with HDR, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*
1x DisplayPort
Support DP 1.4, maximum resolution of 8K 60Hz*
*Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed

Expansion slots

3x 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)
PCI_E4 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)

Storage

4x M.2
M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 22110/2280/2260/2242 devices
M.2_2 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
6x SATA 6G

USB

2x USB 2.0 (Rear)
4x USB 2.0 (Front)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
3x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Front)
1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Rear)

Internal I/O

1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
1x CPU Fan
1x Pump Fan
6x System Fan
2x Front Panel (JFP)
1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
1x Front Audio (JAUD)
1x Tuning Controller connector(JDASH)
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 10Gbps Type C ports

Rear I/O

DisplayPort
USB 2.0
2.5G LAN
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Audio Connectors
HDMI™
Flash BIOS Button
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps (Type-A)
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-A)
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps (Type-C)
S/PDIF-OUT

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7
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/ be

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 S/PDIF output

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