MSI MEG Z390 ACE review

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The motherboard follows a standard ATX form factor (30.5 x 24.4cm). The motherboard is located in the high-end range of the Core 9000 desktop processor product stack. 

Img_6536
Size ATX
Chipset Intel Z390
Memory 4 x DDR4 up to 4500+(OC)
Multi-GPU CrossFireX, 2 x SLI
Expansion PCIe 3.0 x16 (CPU): 2 (x16/x0, x8/x8)
PCIe 3.0 x16 (Chipset): 1 (up to x4)
PCIe 2.0 x1 (Chipset): 3
Storage 2 x M.2 (NVMe x4 or SATA 6Gbps)
6 x SATA 6Gbps
Networking Intel Gigabit Ethernet
2x2 AC Wi-Fi
Audio Realtek 1220


The board is built using the proper components, assuring high reliability and a long life-span. Some interesting features are 802.11ac Wi-Fi, triple M.2 as well as an intricate LED system and three PCIe Express x16 slots.

 

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The I/O back panel reveals 3.1/3.0/2.0 ports. The audio unit has special noise-reducing capacitors and shielding on top of that Realtek ALC1220 chip . You will spot one 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet jack (unfortunately MSI did not opt the new 2.5 Gbps Realtek NIC). Lacking is a PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port. Included are optical S/PDIF out port and five analog audio jacks. The two buttons to the left are clear CMOS and BIOS flashback.
  1. Clear CMOS Button
  2. USB 2.0 Ports
  3. Killer E2500 Gigabit LAN
  4. Wi-Fi /Bluetooth Antenna Connectors
  5. HD Audio Connectors
  6. BIOS FLASHBACK+ Button
  7. USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports Type A+C
  8. USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports
  9. USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports
  10. Optical S/PDIF-Out

 Img_6538


Included with the motherboard are the regulars including; manuals, driver CDs, SATA cables and a rear I/O plate. We received the WIFI version, and you probably guessed it, it has WIFI, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MU-MIMO Rx, 2.4GHz/ 5GHz (160MHz) up to 1.73Gbps Supports Bluetooth® 2.1, 2.1+EDR, 3.0, 4.0, 5 which is nice. 

Img_6539

 

The board has 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots which can be arranged in these slot configurations with graphics cards:

  • 1-way mode - x16 / x0 / x4
  • 2-way mode - x8 / x8 / x0
  • 3-way mode - x8 / x4 / x4

As you can see, these are PCI Express Gen 3.0 configurations, that's okay for regular graphics card setups up-to 2-way SLI/Crossfire. The motherboard comes with two 8-pin power connectors. You'll get four DIMM slots that can be used for dual-channel memory. Up-to 4500 MHz supported in OC mode. Please do check compatible memory and thus the QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

USB wise this is included:

Intel Z390 Chipset

  • 6 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (4 Type-A ports on the back panel, 2 Type-C internal connectors)
  • 8 x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (4 Type-A ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB 2.0 connectors)

ASMedia ASM1042 Chipset

  • 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports available through the internal USB connectors

ASMedia ASM3142 Chipset

  • 2 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1x Type-A, 1x Type-C) on the back panel

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