Maxsun is not a well-known model to many within the U.S., however fans in Japanese markets know its AMD-, Nvidia-, and Intel-based merchandise starting from motherboards and graphics playing cards to solid-state drives and reminiscence modules. Right here, we’re trying out the corporate’s Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi, an Intel LGA 1700 motherboard that per Maxsun’s naming conference makes use of the MicroATX (“M”) type issue and helps DDR5 (“D5”). The board has essentially the most M.2 storage sockets you will discover in MicroATX—a complete of 5—plus 4 SATA ports, built-in Wi-Fi 6E and a couple of.5Gbps Ethernet, a finances audio codec, and twin (entrance and rear) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C ports. With a present MSRP of $249.99, it is a comparatively costly possibility amongst MicroATX Z790 motherboards. But when “all of the M.2 storage you possibly can mount within the least area” is your factor, it is price it.
Design, CPU, and Reminiscence
The Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi sits on a multi-layer black PCB with black slots and sockets and silver accents for the voltage regulator module (VRM), M.2, and chipset heatsinks. The stark distinction is impartial bordering on bland, particularly because it lacks built-in RGB parts, but it surely ought to slot in with most construct themes. Distinctive to a board at this worth level, the VRMs are actively cooled, which is useful because the configuration is not notably strong.
The restrict of 4 SATA ports and two PCI Categorical enlargement slots could possibly be a turnoff for customers who’ve heavy investments in SATA-based storage or plan to put in plenty of playing cards, and I might have preferred to see a state-of-the-art PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket. Nonetheless, whereas the design will not precisely soar out of your chassis, it has all the pieces you want for a well-rounded PC.
The Terminator helps Intel’s twelfth and thirteenth Gen LGA 1700 processors, together with the flagship Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS. The eight 50A Metallic Oxide Semiconductor Subject-Impact Transistors, or MOSFETs, devoted to the processor are a bit anemic, however nonetheless managed to deal with our CPU with out a difficulty throughout testing. The actively cooled heatsinks saved the ability bits beneath working nicely inside specification, even with overclocking, however they do are likely to get scorching with sustained multi-threaded masses. If you happen to’re pushing a high-end processor, make sure your chassis additionally has efficient airflow as this board lets the CPU run on the increased 253-watt (W) energy restrict with out leaping again to 125W.
Reminiscence help is listed as much as DDR5-7000+ (OC), which is on the low finish for the Z790 platform however nicely previous the candy spot so far as worth and efficiency. A lot previous DDR5-6000 to -6400, you are spending large bucks for tiny efficiency beneficial properties. If you happen to want lots of RAM, the board’s restrict of 192GB is loads for even essentially the most hardcore residence customers.
Our DDR5-5600 and DDR5-6000 kits had been completely steady by setting the interior XMP profile. You have to be clear to run higher-speed reminiscence if you happen to keep on with the QVL checklist for assured help.
Format and Inner Connectors
Beginning within the prime left nook, we spy 8-pin (required) and 4-pin EPS connectors to energy the processor. On both sides are two giant VRM heatsinks linked through a 6mm warmth pipe to chill the ability elements hiding beneath. As talked about, you will discover a small fan on the VRMs to assist the heatsinks. The fan was inaudible over ambient noise, which is greater than we will say for different boards with lively cooling. With the board promoting full 253W help for high-end processors, each little bit helps. The left VRM heatsink options Terminator branding, whereas you will discover the Maxsun identify on the chipset heatsink.
Persevering with to the proper, we run into 4 RAM slots with the locking mechanism at prime. Above them are the primary two of six 4-pin fan/pump headers. All these headers help PWM- and DC-controlled units. The web site and handbook do not seem to checklist their output, so it is most secure to imagine 1A/12W every, as overloading these headers might completely injury your motherboard. Management over these headers is dealt with by the BIOS.
At higher proper is a two-character debug LED to assist troubleshoot POST points. If you happen to expertise an issue throughout the POST course of, the LED shows a price similar to the place the difficulty is.
Transferring down the proper fringe of the motherboard, we discover all three RGB headers—two 3-pin ARGB and one 4-pin RGB. Management over these units is dealt with by the BIOS or the MaxsunLED app which you’ll be able to obtain from the web site. Beneath is the 24-pin ATX connector to energy the board, a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C port, and a 19-pin front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) header. You will additionally see one of many 5 M.2 sockets, squeezed vertically into this area. MicroATX motherboards have solely a lot actual property!
Audio, Growth, Storage, and Rear I/O
Within the backside left nook is a totally uncovered audio part, together with the Realtek ALC897 codec and 4 yellow capacitors devoted to audio. Sadly, you will not discover the audio separation line to cut back EMI (electromagnetic interference) that is frequent on different boards. The ALC897 is a finances codec, however many customers will nonetheless discover it completely acceptable.
In the course of the board are two PCI Categorical enlargement slots and the remaining 4 M.2 sockets. The highest PCIe slot makes use of reinforcement to guard in opposition to shearing and EMI, connects by the CPU, and helps as much as PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds. The underside slot, an open-ended x4 connector that sources bandwidth by the chipset, peaks at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds. When you’ll discover solely two slots, it’s best to have sufficient bandwidth so as to add extra units through PCIe enlargement.
4 of the 5 M.2 sockets are blended in and across the PCIe slots. All 5 M.2 sockets run as much as PCIe 4.0 x4 modes and help solely PCI Categorical modules. (SATA-bus M.2 units will not work in these M.2 slots.) The handbook would not point out any lane sharing or conflicts, so in principle, it’s best to have the ability to run all these concurrently. A lot of the sockets match as much as 80mm modules apart from M.2_2/3, which permits bigger drives as much as 110mm. Remember that solely the highest socket (M.2_1) comes with a heatsink. In case you have any hot-running drives, you will wish to add your personal heatsinks to forestall thermal throttling (particularly on PCIe 4.0 x4 drives).
Alongside the underside fringe of the board are a number of headers, together with a further USB 2.0 header, three 4-pin fan headers, COM and TPM ports, front-panel audio, and front-panel headers. Lastly, you will discover the 4 vertically mounted SATA ports. If you wish to achieve redundancy or pace by storage, these ports help RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 modes.
The rear I/O of this Maxsun board includes a preinstalled I/O plate with grey labels on a white background. The 9 USB ports right here must be sufficient for many customers. You will discover a quick USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C port, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Kind-A ports, and 5 classic USB 2.0 (480Mbps) ports. HDMI and DisplayPort connectors for built-in video output sit subsequent to a handy clear-CMOS button to reset the BIOS. On the networking aspect are 2.5GbE Realtek and Intel Wi-Fi 6E antenna connections. Final is the audio stack containing 5 analog plugs and the SPDIF out. Nothing is out of the bizarre right here, however nothing is lacking, both.
A Transient Take a look at the UEFI BIOS and Utilities
The Maxsun BIOS is helpful and has all of the choices you want, although it will not win any awards. To start with, it lacks the Simple (or EZ) Mode of different motherboard makers; all the pieces is “superior mode” with headings listed throughout the highest. The BIOS comes with a black background with a portal or door picture; its white textual content and yellow headers make it straightforward to learn. You will discover loads of choices to tweak, as many as you will discover from the “large 4” board companions; it simply omits their refined appears to be like and Simple Mode.
The Essential part is generally informative, displaying BIOS, processor, and RAM information together with present system particulars, together with CPU and VRM temps, fan speeds, voltages, and extra.
The Superior part is the place to configure your {hardware}. From the CPU to the community, graphics, and USB, you will discover it right here. Not pictured is the Energy part that offers with hibernation and the way the system responds to power-off and power-on conditions.
A Turbo part presents all of your choices for tweaking the efficiency of the processor and RAM. Right here you possibly can set XMP modes for RAM and manually tweak speeds and timings. For the processor, loads of choices can be found, together with voltage and frequency changes, offsets, and extra.
Finally, the Maxsun BIOS works superb however lacks the maturity of different BIOSes, at the very least by way of look. The first board companions current customers extra refined UEFIs. However this should not be a deal-breaker as you will discover all of the performance wanted to tweak this board to the restrict.
Maxsun would not present a lot in the best way of utilities. All I might discover on the web site was the MaxsunLED app to manage appropriate RGB LEDs hooked up to the built-in headers. In any other case, further software program is nonexistent.
The MaxsunLED app I discovered obtainable for obtain is generally not written in English: I used to be in a position to make out as much as eight LED modes and pace and brightness changes through sliders, but it surely was in any other case unreadable for me. You’ll be able to enter a customized coloration in hexadecimal or RGB.
Verdict: A Strong Shot at Competing With the Large Boards
Maxsun’s Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi provides customers one other legitimate small-form-factor possibility within the Intel Z790 area—the one possibility for these trying to leverage lots of M.2 storage. Its black-and-white look blends in with most construct themes however would not present any built-in RGB lighting. Efficiency was a plus, because the board, surprisingly, bypasses Intel specs and runs up the turbo restrict to 253W for our Core i9-13900K with out dropping down. Primarily, you are solely restricted by your CPU cooling.
So far as rivals go, MSI’s entries within the MicroATX area are in B760 type (such because the $179.99 MAG B760M Mortar Wi-Fi). Asus sells the Prime Z690M-Plus Wi-Fi for $205.99 and Gigabyte the Z790M Aorus Elite AX for about $50 extra. All are legitimate decisions, however the Maxsun’s ample M.2 storage is its biggest promoting level. Its look is unexciting and it might be extra interesting with a worth lower, however the Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi fills a helpful MicroATX area of interest.
