What To Know
- Their latest offerings, the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F, are two of the most powerful and feature-packed motherboards on the market.
- In benchmark tests, they exhibit similar levels of CPU and memory performance, with the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi slightly edging out the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F in some areas.
- Both the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F are exceptional motherboards that offer a wide range of features and excellent performance.
The release of Intel’s 13th generation Raptor Lake CPUs has sparked an intense rivalry among motherboard manufacturers, with MSI and ASUS leading the charge. Their latest offerings, the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F, are two of the most powerful and feature-packed motherboards on the market. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key differences between these two titans and determine which one reigns supreme.
Key Features and Specifications
Socket and Chipset
Both motherboards feature the LGA 1700 socket, compatible with Intel’s 12th and 13th generation Core processors. They also come equipped with the Intel Z790 chipset, offering support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory.
Expansion Slots
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi boasts a total of five PCIe slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x16, two PCIe 4.0 x16, and two PCIe 3.0 x1. The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F, on the other hand, offers four PCIe slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x16, one PCIe 4.0 x16, and two PCIe 3.0 x1.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, with speeds ranging from 4800MHz to 6600MHz. However, the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi offers more flexibility with its support for EXPO and XMP memory profiles.
Storage Options
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi offers seven SATA 6Gb/s ports and four M.2 slots, while the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F provides eight SATA 6Gb/s ports and four M.2 slots. Both motherboards support PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs.
Connectivity
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi excels in connectivity, featuring a 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F also offers a 2.5GbE LAN port, but it only supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Aesthetics and Lighting
Both motherboards boast stunning aesthetics, with the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi featuring a sleek carbon fiber design and RGB lighting. The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F, on the other hand, showcases a more vibrant design with customizable RGB lighting and an integrated OLED display.
BIOS and Overclocking
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi and ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F both provide comprehensive BIOS options for advanced users. They offer a wide range of overclocking and tuning parameters, allowing enthusiasts to maximize the performance of their systems.
Performance Comparison
In terms of performance, both motherboards deliver exceptional results. In benchmark tests, they exhibit similar levels of CPU and memory performance, with the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi slightly edging out the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F in some areas. However, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F offers better storage performance due to its additional SATA port.
Value and Pricing
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is priced slightly higher than the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F. However, it offers a more comprehensive feature set, including support for EXPO memory profiles, additional PCIe slots, and superior connectivity options.
Recommendations: The Winner’s Circle
Both the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F are exceptional motherboards that offer a wide range of features and excellent performance. If you value flexibility, connectivity, and aesthetics, the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is the ideal choice. However, if you prefer a more budget-friendly option with strong storage capabilities, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F is a solid contender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A: Both motherboards offer extensive overclocking options, but the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi has a slight edge due to its support for EXPO memory profiles.
Q: Does the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F support DDR4 memory?
A: No, both motherboards only support DDR5 memory.
Q: Which motherboard offers better RGB lighting options?
A: The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F has more customizable RGB lighting options, including an integrated OLED display.
Q: Does the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi have a BIOS flashback button?
A: Yes, the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi features a BIOS flashback button for easy BIOS updates.
Q: Which motherboard is better for multi-GPU setups?
A: The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi offers more PCIe slots, making it a better choice for multi-GPU configurations.
