MSI MEG Z890 Ace Review
Conclusion
Conclusion
If you’ve read another of our Z890 reviews you can skip this paragraph. It bears repeating though. Like the rest of the Z890 motherboards we’re looking at today, we’re largely considering the MSI Z890 MEG Ace in a vacuum. We understand that there is a possibility this will be the only use of this particular socket, so the upgrade path might be a dead end. We also know the Z890 isn’t offering loads that isn’t already available on current Z790 platforms. They are, however, the only way you can use a Intel Core Ultra processor. We have to judge them on those merits.
One thing has been clear for a while with new motherboard releases. Both Intel and AMD have honed their chipset production to a fine level. The primary difference between the majority of motherboards is how they look, and what features you’re getting. Performance tends to, and again we’re speaking in generalities, be the same across our testing.
The MSI Z890 MEG Ace certainly has you covered if you want to maximise your connectivity. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports sit with 22 regular USB ports of varying types, giving you a grand total of 5 Type-C ports and 19 Type-A. Even I, who owns both a wheel and HOTAS setup, won’t come close to running out of ports. It isn’t only in the USB department that the MEG Ace leaves us slack-jawed. You have wireless networking of the WiFi 7 variety thanks to the Intel Killer BE1750x controller. 320MHz channel giving you a peak of 5.8 Gbps transmission rates is staggering fast for a wireless connection. If you want more than that the MEG Ace has a Marvel AQC113CS 10G LAN. Throughput is not an issue.
Performance testing was generally on a level with the other Z890 motherboards we’re reviewing today. It’s worth noting, however, that when the Ace really did well it spanked the opposition. Both Factorio and Blender, two tests which measure the consistency of performance, were dominated by the latest MSI MEG offering. As you saw on the previous two pages there is a thermal price to pay, but nothing remotely bad or even worth noting. It is noteworthy because its the lowest of the bunch we have, but in comparison to a Z790 and Intel 14th Gen setup, it’s frostier than a snowman.
The MSI Z890 MEG Ace is aimed squarely at those of you for whom connectivity is the primary concern. It is festooned with sufficient headers to keep everyone happy, and enough high speed storage slots that you’ll never be left waiting. When it’s good it’s excellent and wins our OC3D Gamers Choice Award.
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