{"id":122484,"date":"2025-03-19T02:23:57","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T00:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prohoster.info\/blog\/novosti-interneta\/novaya-statya-obzor-msi-meg-z890-ace-vysokoklassnaya-plata-pochti-bez-izlishestv"},"modified":"2025-03-19T02:23:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T00:23:57","slug":"novaya-statya-obzor-msi-meg-z890-ace-vysokoklassnaya-plata-pochti-bez-izlishestv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prohoster.info\/en\/blog\/news\/novaya-statya-obzor-msi-meg-z890-ace-vysokoklassnaya-plata-pochti-bez-izlishestv","title":{"rendered":"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft urged users to recycle old PCs and upgrade to Windows 11 | ProHoster","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

In the lineup of MSI motherboards, the highest-class products belong to the MEG series \u2014 MSI Enthusiast Gaming. This series offers three products for LGA1851 processors: the MEG Z890 Godlike \u2014 an extremely expensive motherboard packed with various features; the MEG Z890 Unify-X, a platform designed for extreme overclocking; and the MEG Z890 Ace, which is also a premium product but doesn't include any overly extravagant features. Today, we'll focus on this motherboard.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

However, let's clarify right away: despite this, the MSI MEG Z890 Ace is not a cheap motherboard. Its recommended price is $660, and it comes equipped with a 10 Gb\/s wired network controller, Wi-Fi 7, and 15 USB ports with speeds exceeding 10 Gb\/s on the rear panel, among many other features, indicating that this is not a mass-market product, but a premium motherboard aimed at a niche of high-performance enthusiasts. Moreover, it is specifically tailored for those who prefer Intel processors, even though the top CPU from this company's latest lineup significantly lags behind its competitor's performance.<\/p>\n

The latest generation of MSI motherboards has turned out to be quite successful. We have already reviewed MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi<\/a><\/noindex>, MSI MPG Z890 Carbon<\/a><\/noindex> and Z890 Gaming Plus WiFi<\/a><\/noindex>, and all three boards demonstrated both a quality implementation of the CPU power scheme and effective memory handling, allowing for very high frequencies of DDR5 modules when overclocked. However, the MSI MEG Z890 Ace stands a notch above, and thus, we can expect even more pleasant surprises from it. So let's proceed to a practical introduction.<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/a><\/noindex>#<\/a><\/noindex>Specifications and Bundle<\/p>\n

Based on the price of the MSI MEG Z890 Ace, this motherboard directly competes with the Asus Maximus Z890 Hero and Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master. Indeed, these three motherboards are quite similar in features. However, the MSI variant offers certain advantages. Unlike the Asus motherboard, it includes a 10 Gb\/s network controller, and compared to the Gigabyte board, it features a more robust power delivery system, a second PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and more USB ports.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

As a result, it is quite difficult to make any reasonable claims about the specifications of the MEG Z890 Ace. Some may not like the presence of only one wired network controller, but this seems more like a nitpick, although some more affordable MSI boards do indeed have two network controllers. Even so, MSI has equipped this board with up-to-date technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
MSI MPG Z890 Ace<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Supported Processors<\/strong><\/td>\nIntel Core Ultra 200, LGA 1851<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chipset<\/strong><\/td>\nIntel Z890<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Memory Subsystem<\/strong><\/td>\n4 \u00d7 DIMM, up to 256 GB with speeds up to DDR5-9200+
Support for UDIMM and CUDIMM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expansion Slots<\/strong><\/td>\n1 \u00d7 PCI Express x16 (up to 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes)
1 \u00d7 PCI Express x16 (up to 8 PCIe 5.0 lanes)
1 \u00d7 PCI Express x16 (4 PCIe 4.0 lanes)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Storage interfaces<\/strong><\/td>\n1 \u00d7 M.2 (2260\/2280\/22110) with support for PCI Express x4 5.0
1 \u00d7 M.2 (2260\/2280) with support for PCI Express x4 5.0
2 \u00d7 M.2 (2260\/2280) with support for PCI Express x4 4.0
1 \u00d7 M.2 (2260\/2280) with support for PCI Express x4 4.0 and SATA 6 Gb\/s
4 \u00d7 SATA 6 Gb\/s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Local Area Network<\/strong><\/td>\n1 \u00d7 Marvell AQC113CS, 1\/2.5\/5\/10 Gb\/s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wi-Fi<\/strong><\/td>\nIntel Killer BE1750x Wi-Fi 7, 802.11 a\/b\/g\/n\/ac\/ax\/be, 2.4\/5\/6 GHz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio subsystem<\/strong><\/td>\nRealtek ALC4082 codec (7.1) + ESS ES9219Q DAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Internal Interfaces<\/strong><\/td>\n8 \u00d7 Fan\/Pump
1 \u00d7 4-pin RGB 12V
3 \u00d7 3-pin ARGB 5V
1 \u00d7 SPI TPM
1 \u00d7 EZ-Conn Header
1 \u00d7 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (20 Gb\/s)
2 \u00d7 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (5 Gb\/s, 4 ports)
2 \u00d7 USB 2.0 (4 ports)
1 \u00d7 TB Header
1 \u00d7 F-Audio
2 \u00d7 thermal probe connector
1 \u00d7 flow sensor connector<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rear Panel Interfaces<\/strong><\/td>\n11 \u00d7 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A (10 Gb\/s)
2 \u00d7 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (10 Gb\/s)
2 \u00d7 Thunderbolt 4\/USB4 (40 Gb\/s)
1 \u00d7 HDMI
1 × RJ-45
2 × Wi-Fi antenna
1 × S\/PDIF Out
2 × 3.5 mm audio
Clear CMOS Button
Flash BIOS Button
Smart Button<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Form Factor<\/strong><\/td>\nATX, 305 × 244 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price<\/strong><\/td>\nFrom 90,000 RUR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/center> \t\t\t\t
<\/center> <\/p>\n

Intel has designed its Arrow Lake processors to be chosen more for workstations rather than gaming systems. The MEG Z890 Ace seems to align well with this demand. The board allows connectivity for a large number of solid-state drives, features a high-speed network controller, offers a wide array of high-speed USB ports for external devices, and supports bifurcating PCIe 5.0 processor lines into two PCIe x16 slots, allowing for the installation of two high-performance graphics cards that can be used for computational tasks or neural network work.<\/p>\n

The accessory kit that comes with the MEG Z890 Ace motherboard seems to align with its professional purpose. There are no playful accessories, only essential items useful for building a PC. In addition to the usual set of paper guides and stickers, four SATA cables, and a Wi-Fi antenna, there's an additional stand for mounting M.2 drives with a key for installation, a USB flash drive with drivers, two thermocouples, splitters, and extenders for connecting various LED strips, as well as an extension cable designed to simplify the connection of case buttons and indicators to the motherboard.<\/p>\n

Among all these wires, there's one particularly interesting item: the 1-to-3 EZ Conn-Cable V2 \u2014 it brings together USB 2.0, a fan connector, and an A-RGB connector, allowing you to connect this entire bundle of wires to a single port on the motherboard, which in some cases simplifies the connection of maintenance-free liquid cooling systems and cable management within the case.<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/a><\/noindex>#<\/a><\/noindex>Design and Features<\/p>\n

The first thing that draws attention to the MEG Z890 Ace is its appearance. While the trend has shifted towards strict, monochrome boards in black or white tones, this MSI motherboard goes against the grain. The monochromatic design is broken up by golden accents in the form of lines and logos on the heatsinks, giving it an Eastern rather than a Western aesthetic. Additionally, the board features RGB lighting \u2014 a glowing dragon on the rear panel cover and the Ace logo on the SSD heatsink. As a result, the MEG Z890 Ace may come across as a bit too 'cheerful,' which may not appeal to all users, especially those seeking a platform for a high-performance workstation.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

However, despite its ambiguous appearance, the MEG Z890 Ace is perceived as a high-end and quality product. There has been no compromise on materials: the heatsinks and covers are clearly crafted from aluminum without any skimping, plus the board even includes a backplate, which is quite rare. Overall, the cooling system that MSI has implemented for the CPU power supply looks more than convincing and commands respect.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

Indeed, this cooling solution has much to impress. Firstly, it includes two copper heat pipes with direct contact technology. Secondly, one of the heatsinks is constructed using the techniques of quality CPU coolers \u2014 it consists of a stack of thin aluminum plates, soldered to the base, rather than just an aluminum block with fancy cutouts. And thirdly, the entire system is assembled from not two, as is typically the case, but three radiators that surround the CPU socket in a 'U' shape.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

Perhaps the use of highly efficient thermal pads with a thermal conductivity of 9 W\/(m\u2219K) doesn't need to be mentioned \u2014 it's an obvious detail (to be fair, it's worth noting that the 'gold standard' for motherboards are simpler thermal pads with a thermal conductivity of 7 W\/(m\u2219K)). Additionally, the backplate also plays a role in dissipating heat from the CPU power circuit \u2014 it contacts the FR4 of the board in the VRM area through a similarly highly efficient thermal interface.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

All this magnificence is designed to dissipate heat from the CPU power circuit, which can be considered one of the most powerful versions of VRM on LGA1851 motherboards, as its peak current can reach an astounding 2640 A. It consists of 16 phases distributed across the power rails for the CPU core (VCORE), system agent (VCCSA), graphics core (VCCGT), and the PCIe controller with other auxiliary components (VNNOAN). The main part of this circuit \u2014 the voltage supply to the CPU core \u2014 is managed by the Renesas RAA229134 PWM controller. It operates 12 channels with dual power stages Renesas R2209004 in each. It is precisely due to such a number of these components, each rated for a maximum current of 110 A, that the colossal power of the entire VRM is achieved. However, the characteristic of these assemblies is not only in their high power. They are also distinguished by their belonging to the Smart series, which means they feature real-time monitoring of current and temperature.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

As for the other circuits, they are managed by another PWM controller \u2014 the Renesas RAA229131. It implements one phase each in the VCCGT and VNNOAN circuits and two phases in the VCCSA circuit. Simpler Renesas RAA20075R0 power assemblies are used in these circuits, with a maximum current of 75 A.<\/p>\n

Thus, MSI did not cut corners on the VRM in this motherboard, but rather aimed to implement a robust, stable, and long-lasting solution that will be sufficient not only for Arrow Lake but also for future Intel processors compatible with the LGA1851 socket. Therefore, it is no surprise that alongside high-quality power elements from Renesas, the power converter is equipped with titanium chokes and solid-state capacitors made from conductive polymer.<\/p>\n

It is also worth noting that the 8-pin 12V power connectors for the VRM are relocated on the MEG Z890 Ace to the DIMM slots. This is an unconventional placement, but it is quite convenient when assembling the system, as access is not hindered by any heatsinks on the board, the CPU cooler, or the power supply (when it is mounted at the top of the case).<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

Speaking of circuit design, it's important to mention that the MSI MEG Z890 Ace is built on an eight-layer PCB, which features not only an increased thickness of the copper layers but also the use of thermally stable fiberglass epoxy laminates. This is significant not for fire safety, but because such PCBs are less prone to deformation when heated and provide better reliability in long-term operation with temperature fluctuations.<\/p>\n

Moreover, eight-layer motherboards usually feature more interference-resistant layouts for DIMM and PCIe 5.0 slots, making such motherboards suitable for overclocking purposes. In fact, the MSI MEG Z890 Ace promises high performance when overclocking memory. The compatibility list provided by the manufacturer includes information about this motherboard's functionality with DDR5-9200 modules. This is a very good result for a motherboard with four DIMM slots, whose importance cannot be overstated. The thing is, high-speed memory is a critical component specifically in the LGA1851 platform, as it helps partially neutralize the drawbacks of the memory controller of the Arrow Lake family.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

When it comes to PCIe slots, the MSI MEG Z890 Ace features three of them, all mechanically configured as PCIe x16, but they offer a different set of lanes. The first and second slots share 16 processor PCIe 5.0 lanes, meaning they operate in x16\/x0 or x8\/x8 modes depending on whether the second slot is in use. The third slot, however, is connected to the chipset and receives only four PCIe 4.0 lanes from it. MSI has not skimped on the structural reinforcement of all three slots with Steel Armor metal frames, which is quite necessary since modern motherboards employ surface mount technology for slot soldering, failing to provide adequate rigidity. The additional reinforcement helps support the weight of large graphics cards with powerful cooling systems and prevents damage during installation and removal.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

The trend of reducing the number of PCIe slots in favor of M.2 is evident in many flagship motherboards of recent generations, and the MSI MEG Z890 Ace is no exception. This board has five logically distinct M.2 slots for three PCIe slots, which is a notable layout. The first slot, adjacent to the CPU socket, supports PCIe 5.0 SSDs and is directly connected to the processor.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

The processor also controls the second M.2 slot, which is located below the first PCIe x16 slot, but it only supports PCIe 4.0 SSDs. The third slot, similar to the second, is oriented towards PCIe 4.0 drives, but the chipset is responsible for its operation. However, the fourth M.2 slot again supports PCIe 5.0 SSDs by utilizing the processor lanes, but it does not use them exclusively, as it takes them from the second PCIe x16 slot. This means that when a drive is installed in it, the first PCIe x16 slot will be forced to switch to x8 mode, while the second PCIe x16 slot will be limited to just four PCIe 5.0 lanes. However, MSI offers an alternative option: the fourth M.2 slot can be switched to chipset mode (in the BIOS settings), thus supporting no more than PCIe 4.0 SSDs, but this will not narrow the interface available for the graphics card. Finally, the fifth M.2 slot, like the third, works through the chipset and only supports PCIe 4.0 drives, but it has added support for SATA drives, which is not available in all other M.2 slots.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

All M.2 slots on the board are equipped with quality cooling. The first slot features an independent single-slot heatsink, while the other slots are covered by a common heat-dissipating plate. All these structures are secured with latches, and their effectiveness is unquestionable due to their impressive size. Thermal dissipation is also accounted for from the underside of the drives. In other words, the MEG Z890 Ace offers comprehensive cooling options for the drives. The only potential issue here is that the combined heatsink for the M.2 slots from the second to the fifth can only be removed after taking out the graphics card from the system, which might not always be convenient during upgrades.<\/p>\n

Flagship and expensive motherboards based on the Z890 chipset differ from more affordable options not only in the number of slots and the complexity of the cooling system. Boards like the MEG Z890 Ace are also notable for maximizing the capabilities of the logic chipset. In the examined motherboard, the chipset is pushed to its limits: out of 24 and 10 HSIO links for PCIe and USB respectively, 23 PCIe and 10 USB links are utilized. For instance, the available PCIe links are allocated to four PCIe 4.0 x4 interfaces for the third PCIe x16 slot and three M.2 drives; four SATA ports on the motherboard; plus three lanes support network controllers (4\u00d74 + 4 + 3 = 23).<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

The aforementioned network controllers are two in number. Firstly, the onboard 10 Gb\/s Marvell AQtion AQC113CS chip requires two PCIe 4.0 lanes to prevent the interface from becoming a bottleneck when operating at maximum capacity. Another lane is needed for the gaming Wi-Fi 7 adapter, Intel Killer BE1750X, which is based on the hardware of the Intel BE200 adapter and can deliver a maximum throughput of up to 5.8 Gb\/s. (In parentheses, we note that the gaming focus of this solution is primarily due to the software that can prioritize gaming traffic.)<\/p>\n

As for high-speed USB, the MSI MEG Z890 Ace is literally a record holder in their quantity. To increase the number of such ports, the developers resorted to the use of three additional USB hubs (Realtek RTS5429, Realtek RTS5420, and Genesys Logic GL3523), each of which splits a single chipset USB 3.2 Gen 2 port into four USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. As a result, from ten chipset ports with a throughput of 10 Gb\/s, there is a total of one 20 Gb\/s USB port, thirteen 10 Gb\/s USB ports, and four 5 Gb\/s USB ports. Additionally, this set includes two Thunderbolt 4\/USB4 ports implemented in the processor, resulting in a total of 20 high-speed USB ports on the MSI MEG Z890 Ace.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

15 ports out of these two dozen can be found on the motherboard's rear panel. This includes both Thunderbolt 4\/USB4 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (10 Gbps), and 11 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (10 Gbps). The integrated graphics in the processor can be utilized via the adjacent HDMI port or through Thunderbolt 4, which can operate in DisplayPort 2.1 mode (supporting UHBR20); in both cases, the maximum supported resolution reaches 8K at 60 Hz. Additionally, a wired network jack and two<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

The audio pathway deserves special attention. Despite MSI placing only two analog audio jacks and an S\/PDIF output on the rear panel of its flagship motherboard, the integrated sound functions as a fully-fledged USB sound card. It is based on the Realtek ALC4082 chip with a resolution of 32-bit\/384 kHz, enhanced by an external ESS ES9219 DAC with a signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB, capable of driving headphones with an impedance of up to 600 Ohms. Naturally, the entire audio pathway is implemented in accordance with best practices\u2014it is electrically isolated from the rest of the board, shielded with a metal enclosure, and features special WIMA audio capacitors.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

To implement active cooling of the PC, the motherboard includes eight four-pin fan connectors. One of them is designated for the CPU cooler and has an increased power of up to 24W. Additionally, two special connectors with a power of up to 36W are allocated for pumps. The remaining connectors have a maximum power of 12W. Any of these connectors allows monitoring fan speeds and controlling them via PWM or directly using voltage.<\/p>\n

The expanded capabilities of the MEG Z890 Ace can also offer RGB lighting options for the system. The motherboard can connect a 12V RGB strip of up to 2 meters in length, as well as three devices with addressable RGB lighting. In addition, there is an EZ Conn connector on the motherboard that is compatible with MSI MPG EZ120 proprietary fans, which also feature controllable RGB lighting. There are also illuminated elements on the motherboard itself. RGB LEDs are hidden under the proprietary dragon on the rear panel cover and under the 'Ace' inscription on the heatsink of the first M.2 slot.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

A rather ambiguous point in the design of the MSI MEG Z890 Ace is that this motherboard is designed to connect to five power cables from the power supply at once. In addition to the standard 24-pin connector and a pair of 8-pin CPU power connectors, there are two additional power connectors for power cables on the motherboard. The extra 8-pin connector at the bottom of the board is needed to support the increased power demands of graphics cards, powerful pumps\/fans, and RGB lighting. MSI recommends using it if the total 12V equipment powered by the board may consume more than 168W (that\u2019s the maximum specified output from the standard 24-pin connector). An additional 6-pin power connector is located on the right edge of the board next to the USB 3.2 Gen 2\u00d72 case port connector. Here, the extra power is utilized for its own purpose\u2014supporting 60W charging via the USB Type-C port on the front panel of the case. Without this connection, the power output of the port will be a maximum of 27W.<\/p>\n

All of this means that not all power supplies will work with the MSI MEG Z890 Ace. Its 8\/6-pin power connectors are spread across different points on the board, requiring four separate cables for connection (two 8-pin for CPU and two 8\/6-pin for GPU), which the power supply must accommodate.<\/p>\n

\"\ud83e\udd47Microsoft <\/p>\n

In conclusion, it should be noted that the MSI MEG Z890 Ace stands out from less expensive motherboards not only due to its rich features but also the array of tools for those who love to experiment with PCs. Firstly, it includes two independent BIOS chips, with selection done via a hardware switch. Secondly, the motherboard has power and reset buttons. Additionally, the rear panel features three more buttons \u2014 for offline firmware updates, BIOS reset, and a separate button with customizable functionality. Thirdly, MSI has incorporated test points on the MEG Z890 Ace for measuring key voltages with a multimeter. Fourth, the motherboard includes not only diagnostic LEDs but also a full-fledged POST code indicator to ease troubleshooting during system boot. Fifth, there are special jumpers for nitrogen cooling. And sixth, the motherboard has an independent Renesas RC26008 clock generator. This external clock generator provides a more precise BCLK reference signal for CPU clocking, as well as supports asynchronous clocking of CPU cores and PCIe\/DMI buses.<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/a><\/noindex>#<\/a><\/noindex>Test System<\/p>\n

The testing of the MSI MEG Z890 Ace was conducted on a system built from the following components:<\/p>\n