MSI
MSI Z790ACE Gaming Motherboard DDR5 LGA 1700
★★★★★
8KThunderbolt 4USB-C
E-ATX Z790 motherboard with dual Thunderbolt 4, five M.2 slots, and extreme 24+1+2 phase power delivery.
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Overview
Key Features
Supports 12th/13th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron processors for LGA 1700 socket
Supports DDR5 Memory, Dual Channel DDR5 7800+MHz (OC)
Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports: Thunderbolt USB-C at true 40 Gb/s speeds, 8K display support, Daisy-Chaining and Multi-Port Accessory Architecture provide reliable connectivity and better user experience
Extreme Power Design: 24+1+2 phases power design with 105A Smart Power Stage and dual CPU power connectors are ready to unleash the maximum performance
Maximum 5 x M.2 Connectors: Onboard quintuple M.2 connectors including one PCIe 5.0 solution for the maximum storage performance. The double-sided Shield Frozr design keeps M.2 SSDs safe while preventing throttling, making them run faster
Specifications
CPU Socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Intel Z790
Supported Processors
12th, 13th, 14th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, Celeron
Memory Type
DDR5, Dual Channel
Max Memory Speed
DDR5 7800+ MHz (OC)
Max Memory Capacity
128 GB
Power Phases
24+1+2 (105A Smart Power Stage)
M.2 Slots
5 (1x PCIe 5.0)
Thunderbolt
Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (40 Gbps)
LAN
2.5 Gbps Ethernet
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Form Factor
E-ATX
Dimensions
12 x 10.9 x 2.5 inches
Operating System
Windows 11
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports deliver true 40 Gbps speeds with daisy-chaining and 8K display support
- Five M.2 slots including one PCIe 5.0 connector provide extensive high-speed storage expansion
- Massive 24+1+2 phase power design with 105A smart power stages handles heavy overclocking loads
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 Gbps LAN cover both wireless and wired high-speed networking
- Double-sided Shield Frozr M.2 heatsinks prevent SSD thermal throttling under sustained workloads
👎 Cons
- E-ATX form factor requires a larger case and limits build options compared to ATX boards
- DDR5-only memory support means existing DDR4 kits cannot be reused
- Premium flagship pricing places it well above mid-range Z790 alternatives
- Dual CPU power connectors may require additional cables not included with all power supplies
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Intel processor generations does this motherboard support?
The MEG Z790 ACE supports 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core processors using the LGA 1700 socket, including Core i9, i7, i5, i3, Pentium Gold, and Celeron chips.
What is the maximum memory capacity and speed supported?
The board supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory across dual channels, with overclocking support up to DDR5 7800+ MHz.
Does this motherboard have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
Yes, it includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 built in, so no additional wireless adapter is needed.
How many M.2 SSD slots are available, and is PCIe 5.0 supported?
There are five M.2 connectors, with one supporting PCIe 5.0 for maximum SSD performance. All M.2 slots feature MSI's Shield Frozr double-sided heatsink design to prevent thermal throttling.
What form factor is this motherboard?
The MEG Z790 ACE is an E-ATX motherboard measuring 12 x 10.9 inches, so you will need a case that supports E-ATX or larger boards.
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