On the testbench this week is MSI’s Halo product for Z790 motherboards, the boldly-named Godlike MAX. This large E-ATX (12 x 12.2-inch) board presents the most effective {hardware} cash affords on a desktop-class SKU. For about $1,200, you get the most effective the platform has to supply, together with a class-leading seven M.2 sockets (one PCIe 5.0), a high-end audio resolution with built-in AMP/DAC, Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) ports, quick networking with a ten GbE port and Wi-Fi 7, and naturally, a premium look (together with RGBs) match for a top-of-the-line providing.
MSI has launched a number of refresh boards, together with our Godlike MAX ($1,299 MSRP), a Carbon MAX Wi-Fi ($499), Edge Ti MAX Wi-Fi ($399.99), the Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi ($299.99), the funds Professional Z790-A MAX Wi-Fi ($279) and the Z790 Ace MAX ($699.99) we not too long ago reviewed. Loads of refresh boards can be found within the MSI Z790 product stack, although the corporate is lacking up to date Micro ATX and Mini-ITX choices.
The up to date Godlike MAX brings native 14th Gen CPU help out of the field and Wi-Fi 7 on prime of all of the options. Energy-wise, the VRMs are among the many most sturdy for the platform. Together with the overkill cooling functionality, it could simply deal with processors just like the Intel Core i9-14900K, it doesn’t matter what cooling technique. Along with the {hardware} updates, MSI additionally refreshed the looks a bit with a “…crystal minimize sample inside black mirrors…” and extra RGB lighting on the rear IO and alongside the underside M.2 heatsink. It’s an enchancment because it’s all tastefully applied. Exterior of that, it isn’t a lot completely different than the unique Z790 Godlike and is extra of an iterative refresh than what we’d really think about ‘new.’
Under, we’ll dig into the main points of the board and see the way it performs with the brand new Intel Core i9-14900K processor and in opposition to a number of different new Z790 motherboards. Does it have an opportunity of constructing our greatest motherboard checklist? Learn on to determine that out, however earlier than we get into that, we’ll begin by itemizing the specs from the MSI web site.
Specs: MSI MEG Z790 Godlike MAX
| Socket | LGA1700 |
| Chipset | Z790 |
| Type Issue | E-ATX (12.2 x 12-inches) |
| Voltage Regulator | 28 Part (26x 105A SPS MOSFETs for Vcore) |
| Video Ports | (2) Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C |
| Row 5 – Cell 0 | (2) Mini DisplayPort (enter ofr TB passthrough) |
| USB Ports | (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Sort-C (20 Gbps) |
| Row 7 – Cell 0 | (4) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) |
| Row 8 – Cell 0 | (3) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) |
| Row 9 – Cell 0 | (2) USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) |
| Community Jacks | (1) 2.5 GbE |
| Row 11 – Cell 0 | (1) 10 GbE |
| Audio Jacks | (5) Analog + SPDIF |
| Legacy Ports/Jacks | ✗ |
| Different Ports/Jack | ✗ |
| PCIe x16 | (1) v5.0 x16 |
| Row 16 – Cell 0 | (1) v5.0 x8 (disabled when M.2_4 in use) |
| PCIe x8 | ✗ |
| PCIe x4 | ✗ |
| PCIe x1 | ✗ |
| CrossFire/SLI | AMD Multi-GPU help |
| DIMM Slots | (4) DDR5 7800+(OC), 192GB Capability |
| Row 22 – Cell 0 | 1DPC 1R Max velocity as much as 7800+ MHz |
| Row 23 – Cell 0 | 1DPC 2R Max velocity as much as 6800+ MHz |
| Row 24 – Cell 0 | 2DPC 1R Max velocity as much as 6400+ MHz |
| Row 25 – Cell 0 | 2DPC 2R Max velocity as much as 6000+ MHz |
| M.2 Sockets | (1) PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) / PCIe (as much as 110mm) |
| Row 27 – Cell 0 | (3) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (as much as 80mm) |
| Row 28 – Cell 0 | (2) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe + SATA (as much as 80mm) |
| Row 29 – Cell 0 | (1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (as much as 110mm) |
| Row 30 – Cell 0 | Helps RAID 0/1/5/10 |
| SATA Ports | (6) SATA3 6 Gbps (Helps RAID 0/1/5/10) |
| USB Headers | (1) USB v3.2 Gen 2×2, Sort-C (20 Gbps) |
| Row 33 – Cell 0 | (2) USB v3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) |
| Row 34 – Cell 0 | (2) USB v2.0 (480 Mbps) |
| Fan/Pump Headers | (10) 4-Pin (CPU, Pump, System followers) |
| RGB Headers | (3) aRGB (3-pin) |
| Row 37 – Cell 0 | (1) RGB (4-pin) |
| Row 38 – Cell 0 | (1) ARGB+FAN |
| Diagnostics Panel | (1) Debug LED, |
| Row 40 – Cell 0 | (1) EZ Debug LED (4 LEDs) |
| Inside Button/Change | Energy and Reset buttons |
| SATA Controllers | ✗ |
| Ethernet Controller(s) | (1) Marvell AQC113CS-B1-C (10 GbE) |
| Row 44 – Cell 0 | (1) Intel 2.5 GBps |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7 (2×2 be, MU-MIMO, MLO 2.4/5/6 GHz, 320 MHz, BT 5.4) |
| USB Controllers | Genyses Logic GL3590, GL3523, GL850 |
| Row 47 – Cell 0 | Intel JHL8540 |
| HD Audio Codec | Realtek ALC4082 + ESS ES9280AQ Combo DAC/HPA |
| DDL/DTS | ✗ / ✗ |
| Guarantee | 3 Years |
Contained in the Field of the MEG Z790 Godlike MAX
Together with the motherboard, MSI features a ton of equipment. Not solely do you get the fundamentals (SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, and EZ M.2 clips), however the board additionally comes with the cool and helpful M-Imaginative and prescient Dashboard – a 4.5-inch full-color IPS LCD panel gadget that connects by way of USB Sort-C port and is used to observe system operations (tuning, energy/reset), system info ({hardware} monitor, and so forth.). It additionally shows the climate, a system clock, is a media controller, and permits hot-key customization. It’s one of many extra distinctive and helpful add-ons when you prefer to tweak and monitor your PC however don’t need to take up priceless area in your primary show. Under is an entire checklist of the included equipment.
- Fast set up information
- Shout out flyer
- Cable stickers
- (4) EZ M.2 clips
- (2) Thermistor cables
- EX Entrance panel cable
- (2) DP to Mini-DP
- ARGB & Fan extension Y-cable
- 1 to 2 RGB LED extension Y-cable
- 1 to three ARGB Gen2 extension cable
- Rainbow RGB LED extension cable
- (6) SATA cables
- M-Imaginative and prescient Cable
Design of the Godlike MAX
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The design of the Z790 Godlike MAX is just like the non-Max. It’s nonetheless an enormous ATX-size board that measures at least 12 inches on either side. It’s a bit greater than different flagship boards (round 11 inches vast), so be sure your chassis has room for it and any potential cable administration issues that may come up. Exterior of that, the 8-layer PCB nonetheless sports activities the black-on-black design however adjustments the accents with the crystal slicing sample on the rear IO backside M.2 heatsinks, illuminated by the RGB LEDs hidden under. The up to date look is an enchancment on an already handsome design.
Beginning within the prime left nook, we’d usually begin with the 8-pin EPS connectors. They aren’t situated right here, however are over to the fitting, above the DRAM sockets. Right here, we get a greater take a look at the outsized aluminum VRM heatsinks hidden underneath the RGB function. The highest VRM heatsink, using MSI’s Wavy Fin design, connects to the bigger heatsink by means of a sizeable direct contact heatpipe. Collectively, it retains the spectacular energy supply under working nicely inside spec underneath any regular scenario.
Shifting previous the clear socket space, we run into 4 unreinforced DRAM slots with their locking mechanism on the underside. I prefer to see these on prime so it’s simpler to swap RAM with a video card put in, however most received’t discover this to be an issue. MSI lists help as much as DDR5-7800 and capability as much as 192 GB. The velocity is similar as the unique Z790 Godlike. On this board, we couldn’t run out of the DDR5-8000 equipment (anticipated), nor our DDR5-7200 equipment. Whereas neither was on the checklist, I used to be hopeful the DDR5-7200 equipment would work, however it’s not on the QVL checklist both and didn’t cross stress exams. In the end, solely our DDR5-6000 equipment labored by simply setting the XMP profile. Persist with MSI’s QVL checklist for assured help.
Using the elevated measurement of ATX after which some, we run into the primary two (of SEVEN!) M.2 sockets hiding underneath the heatsink. These two sockets help as much as 80mm gadgets with speeds as much as PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps). Alongside the highest edge, above these two M.2 sockets, are the primary two (of 11) whole 4-pin fan/pump headers. We discover the rest of the headers alongside the fitting and backside edges of the board. Every header helps PWM and DC-controlled gadgets with the CPU and System followers default to auto, whereas the pump headers default to PWM management. Energy output varies on the ports, however there’s a whole lot of it. CPU_FAN1 and SYS_FAN1-7 output 2A/24W, whereas the 2 pump headers (PUMP_FAN1-2) gives 3A/36W. Briefly, there are many headers and energy to help no matter cooling resolution you select.
Subsequent are the 2-character debug LEDs and the EZ debug LEDs within the nook. Each of those present info throughout the POST course of. If there’s an issue, one shows an in depth code whereas the issue space (CPU, VGA, RAM, Boot) stays lit on the EZ debug function however lacks particulars. Mixed, these ought to present sufficient info for troubleshooting POST/Boot issues.
Crawling down the fitting edge are a number of further headers and connectors, all protruding horizontally and serving to with cable administration. Working our manner down, we first run right into a 3-pin ARGB header. You’ll discover two extra alongside the underside edge and a 4-pin ARGB header. Management over these gadgets is managed by means of the Mystic Mild software, which you may get by means of the MSI Middle software. Subsequent, we run into three extra 4-pin fan headers, the 24-pin ATX energy lead, a 6-pin PCIe energy connector to allow 60W PD charging functionality, and at last, two entrance panel Sort-C ports, each working at 20 Gbps speeds. The highest connector of those two (JUSB6) is the 60W-capable port.
Energy supply on the Z790 Godlike MAX is similar because the non-MAX model. Energy travels down from the EPS connector(s) onto a Renesas RAA229131 controller to the 26x 105A Renesas RAA22010540 SPS MOSFETs in a teamed configuration. The two,730A out there for the CPU continues to be probably the most I can recall seeing on a motherboard and certainly received’t get in the way in which of any kind of overclocking, together with utilizing LN2 (liquid nitrogen).
The underside half of the board is the place a lot of the M.2 sockets reside, together with tons of headers, connectors, and even a number of switches. The audio part on the left homes a Realtek ALC4082 codec and ESS ES9280AQ combo DAC/HPA. That is the flagship codec for the platform and continues to be one of many higher audio implementations out there on a motherboard.
Shifting on to the M.2 sockets, 5 are hidden under the heatsinks on this space. For particulars on their bandwidth, see the specs above. What’s value mentioning right here is how these break down. When the M2_4 (the PCIe 5.0 x4 socket) is populated, PCI_E2 (the second PCIe slot) is unavailable. In the event you’re utilizing a SATA- or PCIe-based drive in M2_5, SATA ports 5-8 are unavailable, leaving you with simply two functioning SATA ports out there. The PCIe slots combined in among the many M.2 sockets are easy. Each use reinforcement and PCIe 5.0. The highest slot helps as much as x16 speeds, however each run at PCIe 5.0 x8 speeds when the second slot will get populated. The one concern with this configuration is an absence of slots for a number of growth playing cards. Final, alongside the fitting edge, are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (10 Gbps) headers and 6 SATA ports.
Throughout the underside of the board are a number of uncovered headers, all vertical. You’ll discover the same old and fairly a bit extra: further USB ports, RGB headers, fan headers, customized water cooling headers (for stream and temperatures), energy/reset buttons, and extra. Under is an entire checklist from left to proper.
- Entrance panel audio
- 4-pin RGB
- 3-pin ARGB
- (6) 4-pin fan/pump headers
- (2) 2-pin temperature headers
- (2) USB 2.0 headers
- Energy/Reset buttons
- BIOS/LED/M switches
- M-Imaginative and prescient connector
- Entrance panel
The rear IO plate on the Z790 Godlike comes preinstalled to the motherboard. It has a black background with light-grey labels on the ports, making them comparatively straightforward to learn. There are a complete of 10 USB ports: two Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C (40 Gbps, passes video as nicely), seven 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, one Sort-C) ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Sort-C port. On the left are three buttons: Clear CMOS, BIOS Flash, and the Good button. The latter is programmable, letting you employ it to do issues like reset the PC, boot into Secure Mode, management followers and lighting, and so forth. Across the USB ports are the Marvell 10 GbE and Intel 2.5 GbE ports. Off to the fitting are the 2 Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C ports and the Mini-DisplayPort inputs for video. Final however not least are the Wi-Fi antenna connections and the five-plug plus SPDIF audio stack.
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