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MSI Computer Motherboards

MSI logoMicro-Star International Co., Ltd. (commonly known as MSI) is a Taiwanese multinational information technology corporation headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. It designs, develops and provides computer hardware, related products and services, including laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, all-in-one PCs, servers, industrial computers, PC peripherals, car infotainment products, among other products. MSI is another well-known brand in the world of computer hardware, particularly recognized for its motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, and other gaming-related products. Here's an overview of MSI's motherboard offerings:

Quality and Reputation

  • MSI is renowned for producing high-quality motherboards that cater to a wide range of users, from gamers to content creators.
  • They are known for their attention to detail, durability, and performance, especially in the gaming sector.

Gaming Series

  • MSI MPG Series (Performance Gaming): This series is designed for gamers who want a balance of performance and affordability. These motherboards often come with features such as RGB lighting, multiple PCIe slots for GPUs, and enhanced audio.

  • MSI MAG Series (Arsenal Gaming): The MAG series is aimed at gamers who prioritize durability and reliability. These boards often feature military-grade components and efficient cooling solutions.

  • MSI MEG Series (Enthusiast Gaming): The MEG series is MSI's top-of-the-line offering, catering to enthusiasts and high-end gamers. These motherboards feature premium components, advanced VRM designs for overclocking, extensive RGB lighting, and advanced connectivity options.

  • MSI PRO Series: The PRO series is designed for professionals and businesses, offering stability, reliability, and essential features for productivity-focused builds.

Features

  • Dragon Center: MSI provides the Dragon Center software, offering a centralized hub for system monitoring, RGB lighting control, fan speed adjustment, and more.

  • Mystic Light RGB: Similar to Asus Aura Sync, MSI's Mystic Light RGB ecosystem allows users to synchronize RGB lighting effects across compatible components and peripherals.

  • Military Class Components: MSI often uses "Military Class" components in their motherboards, which are high-quality and durable components designed to meet MIL-STD-810G standards for ruggedness.

BIOS and Software

  • MSI offers a user-friendly BIOS interface, allowing users to easily tweak settings for overclocking, fan control, and system monitoring.

  • BIOS Flashback: Similar to Asus, many MSI motherboards feature BIOS Flashback, which allows for BIOS updates without a CPU or memory installed.

Connectivity

  • MSI motherboards typically come with a range of connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB Type-C, M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, SATA ports for traditional hard drives, and PCIe slots for expansion cards.

  • High-end models often include built-in Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and even 10Gb Ethernet for fast networking.

 

Compatibility

  • MSI motherboards are compatible with a wide range of CPUs, including Intel and AMD processors. However, as always, it's crucial to check compatibility with specific CPU generations.

  • MSI often provides clear compatibility information on their website for CPUs, memory modules, and other components.

MSI motherboards, in particular, have garnered a strong reputation in the industry. They are known for their robust build quality, innovative features, and excellent performance. MSI offers a wide range of motherboards catering to different segments of users, from casual PC users to hardcore gamers and overclockers. Their motherboard lineup covers various platforms, including Intel and AMD, and includes options for both desktop and gaming laptops.

Pros

  • Quality and Durability: MSI motherboards are built with high-quality components, providing a solid foundation for stable and reliable performance. They undergo rigorous testing to ensure durability and long-term reliability.
  • Innovative Features: MSI is also known for offering cutting-edge features to its motherboards, catering to the needs of gamers and enthusiasts. This includes features like advanced overclocking tools, high-speed connectivity options, and specialized software for system optimization.
  • Gaming Focus: MSI’s gaming motherboards are designed with features specifically tailored for gamers. They often include reinforced PCIe slots, enhanced audio capabilities, RGB lighting options, and gaming-oriented software.
  • Aesthetics: These motherboards generally have attractive designs and customizable RGB lighting, making them visually appealing for users who prioritize aesthetics in their builds.

Cons

  • BIOS Updates: Some users have reported occasional issues with BIOS updates, which could lead to compatibility problems or other system-related issues. However, MSI usually addresses these problems through regular updates.
  • Customer Support: While MSI’s customer support has improved over the years, some users may still encounter challenges in getting timely and satisfactory support.

Featured Products

MSI Motherboard
Think of the best gaming motherboard as the foundation for your future PC. Your motherboard dictates what your gaming PC can and can not do. It also tells what components you should buy since not all PC parts fit into all motherboards. A good motherboard should ideally provide you with worry-free gaming lasting multiple CPU and GPU generations.

#1: Best overall Intel motherboard: MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi

MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi

If you are looking for a premium motherboard that can handle the latest Intel 13th generation processors, the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is a great choice. This motherboard has everything you need for a high-end gaming or enthusiast system, such as:

Performance: The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi features a 19+1+1 phase power delivery system with dual 8-pin connectors, a direct touch heat pipe, and an extended heatsink to ensure stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU. It also supports DDR5 memory up to 7600+ MHz for 1DPC 1R and up to 5600+ MHz for 2DPC 2R, allowing you to take advantage of the fast memory speeds and large capacities of the new platform. The motherboard also has five M.2 slots, four of which are PCIe 4.0 x4 and one of which is PCIe 5.0 x4, giving you plenty of options for high-speed storage devices. The motherboard also has a Debug Code LED, a Smart Button, a Flash BIOS button, and a Clear CMOS button to help you with overclocking and troubleshooting.

Design: One of the best gaming motherboards has a sleek and elegant design with a heavy black colour scheme and some silver and white accents. The motherboard has a three-quarters heatsink that covers most of the PCB and provides effective cooling for the M.2 slots and the VRM components. The motherboard also has RGB lighting on the chipset heatsink, the I/O cover, and the audio section, which can be controlled by the MSI Mystic Light software. The motherboard also has a pre-installed I/O shield and a reinforced PCIe slot for easy installation and durability.

Connectivity The MSI MPG Z790 Car

Connectivity: The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi has a rich array of connectivity options for both internal and external devices. The motherboard has 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes and 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU, allowing you to connect multiple graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, or other PCIe devices. The motherboard also has a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1/2/2x2 ports and headers, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port on the rear panel that supports up to 20 Gbps of data transfer. The motherboard also has Intel 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and reliable network connectivity. The motherboard also has 7.1-channel audio with a Realtek ALC4080 codec, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and gold-plated audio jacks for immersive sound quality.

Software: The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi comes with a USB flash drive that contains the drivers and software for the motherboard. The software includes the MSI Dragon Center, which is a comprehensive utility that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The software also includes the MSI Creator Center, which is a dedicated tool for content creators that allows you to adjust the system performance, fan speed, and network priority according to your workflow. The software also includes the MSI App Player, which is a virtualization tool that allows you to run Android apps and games on your PC.

Pros:

•  Excellent performance and overclocking potential;

•  Sleek and elegant design with RGB lighting;

•  Rich connectivity options for both internal and external devices;

•  Comprehensive and user-friendly software;

Cons:

•  Expensive compared to other Z790 motherboards;

•  Only one PCIe 5.0 slot;

•  Limited number of PCIe slots due to the large number of M.2 slots;

The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is a motherboard that offers a lot of features and capabilities for gamers and enthusiasts who want to build a powerful and future-proof system with the latest Intel 13th-generation processors. It has a premium design, a robust power delivery system, a fast and flexible storage solution, and a rich connectivity suite. It also has a comprehensive and user-friendly software package that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is not a cheap motherboard, but it is worth the investment if you want the best overall Intel motherboard.

#2: Best overall AMD motherboard: MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming

MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming

If you are looking for a reliable and affordable motherboard that can support the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, the MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is a great option. This motherboard has everything you need for a midrange gaming or enthusiast system, such as:

Performance: The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming features a 14+2+1 phase power delivery system with dual 8-pin connectors, a direct touch heat pipe, and an extended heatsink to ensure stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU. It also supports DDR5 memory up to 7800+ MHz for 1DPC 1R and up to 6600 MHz for 2DPC 2R, allowing you to take advantage of the fast memory speeds and large capacities of the new platform. The motherboard also has four M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0 x4 and three of which are PCIe 4.0 x4, giving you plenty of options for high-speed storage devices. The motherboard also has a Debug Code LED, a Smart Button, a Flash BIOS button, and a Clear CMOS button to help you with overclocking and troubleshooting.

Design The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a sleek

Design: The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a sleek and elegant design with a black colour scheme and some white accents. The motherboard has a three-quarters heatsink that covers most of the PCB and provides effective cooling for the M.2 slots and the VRM components. The motherboard also has a pre-installed I/O shield and a reinforced PCIe slot for easy installation and durability. The motherboard does not have integrated RGB lighting, but it has two RGB headers for attaching your own RGB gear if you prefer.

Connectivity: The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a rich array of connectivity options for both internal and external devices. The motherboard has 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes and 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU, allowing you to connect multiple graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, or other PCIe devices. The motherboard also has a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1/2/2x2 ports and headers, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port on the rear panel that supports up to 20 Gbps of data transfer. The motherboard also has Intel 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and reliable network connectivity. The motherboard also has 7.1-channel audio with a Realtek ALC1200 codec, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and gold-plated audio jacks for immersive sound quality.

Software: The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming comes with a USB flash drive that contains the drivers and software for the motherboard. The software includes the MSI Dragon Center, which is a comprehensive utility that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The software also includes the MSI Creator Center, which is a dedicated tool for content creators that allows you to adjust the system performance, fan speed, and network priority according to your workflow. The software also includes the MSI App Player, which is a virtualization tool that allows you to run Android apps and games on your PC.

Pros:

•  Reliable and affordable motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors;

•  Sleek and elegant design with white accents;

•  Rich connectivity options for both internal and external devices;

•  Comprehensive and user-friendly software;

Cons:

•  No integrated RGB lighting;

•  Acceptable but dated audio codec;

•  Only one PCIe 5.0 slot;

The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is a motherboard that offers a lot of features and capabilities for gamers and enthusiasts who want to build a midrange system with the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. It has a reliable and affordable design, a robust power delivery system, a fast and flexible storage solution, and a rich connectivity suite. It also has a comprehensive and user-friendly software package that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is not a flashy motherboard, but it is a solid and sensible choice for your AM5 build.

#3: Best Z790 motherboard: MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi

If you are looking for a balanced and versatile motherboard that can support the latest Intel 13th-generation processors, the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is a great option. This motherboard has everything you need for a high-performance gaming or enthusiast system, such as:

Performance The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi featu

Performance: The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi features a 16+1+1 phase power delivery system with dual 8-pin connectors, a direct touch heat pipe, and an extended heatsink to ensure stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU. It also supports DDR5 memory up to 7200+ MHz for 1DPC 1R and up to 6000+ MHz for 2DPC 2R, allowing you to take advantage of the fast memory speeds and large capacities of the new platform. The motherboard also has four M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0 x4 and three of which are PCIe 4.0 x4, giving you plenty of options for high-speed storage devices. The motherboard also has a Debug Code LED, a Smart Button, a Flash BIOS button, and a Clear CMOS button to help you with overclocking and troubleshooting.

Design: The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a sleek and elegant design with a black colour scheme and some white accents. The motherboard has a three-quarters heatsink that covers most of the PCB and provides effective cooling for the M.2 slots and the VRM components. The motherboard also has a pre-installed I/O shield and a reinforced PCIe slot for easy installation and durability. The motherboard does not have integrated RGB lighting, but it has two RGB headers for attaching your own RGB gear if you prefer.

Connectivity: The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a rich array of connectivity options for both internal and external devices. The motherboard has 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes and 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU, allowing you to connect multiple graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, or other PCIe devices. The motherboard also has a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1/2/2x2 ports and headers, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port on the rear panel that supports up to 20 Gbps of data transfer. The motherboard also has Intel 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and reliable network connectivity. The motherboard also has 7.1-channel audio with a Realtek ALC4080 codec, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and gold-plated audio jacks for immersive sound quality.

Software The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk W

Software: The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi comes with a USB flash drive that contains the drivers and software for the motherboard. The software includes the MSI Dragon Center, which is a comprehensive utility that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The software also includes the MSI Creator Center, which is a dedicated tool for content creators that allows you to adjust the system performance, fan speed, and network priority according to your workflow. The software also includes the MSI App Player, which is a virtualization tool that allows you to run Android apps and games on your PC.

Pros:

•  Balanced and versatile motherboard for Intel 13th-generation processors;

•  Sleek and elegant design with white accents;

•  Rich connectivity options for both internal and external devices;

•  Comprehensive and user-friendly software;

Cons:

•  No integrated RGB lighting;

•  Only one PCIe 5.0 slot;

•  VRM heatsinks could be better;

The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is a motherboard that offers a lot of features and capabilities for gamers and enthusiasts who want to build a high-performance system with the latest Intel 13th-generation processors. It has a balanced and versatile design, a robust power delivery system, a fast and flexible storage solution, and a rich connectivity suite. It also has a comprehensive and user-friendly software package that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is not a cheap motherboard, but it is worth the price if you want the best Z790 motherboard.

 

#4: Best midrange Intel motherboard: MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4

MSI PRO B760 P WIFI DDR4

If you are looking for a budget-friendly and reliable motherboard that can support the latest Intel 13th generation processors, the MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 is a great option. This motherboard has everything you need for a midrange gaming or enthusiast system, such as:

Performance The MSI PRO B760 P WIFI DD

Performance: The MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 features a 10+1+1 phase power delivery system with dual 8-pin connectors, a direct touch heat pipe, and an extended heatsink to ensure stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU. It also supports DDR4 memory up to 3200 MHz for 1DPC 1R and up to 2666 MHz for 2DPC 2R, allowing you to take advantage of the fast memory speeds and large capacities of the new platform. The motherboard also has four M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 4.0 x4 and three of which are PCIe 3.0 x4, giving you plenty of options for high-speed storage devices. The motherboard also has a Debug Code LED, a Smart Button, a Flash BIOS button, and a Clear CMOS button to help you with overclocking and troubleshooting.

Design: The MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 has a sleek and elegant design with a black colour scheme and some silver accents. The motherboard has a three-quarters heatsink that covers most of the PCB and provides effective cooling for the M.2 slots and the VRM components. The motherboard also has a pre-installed I/O shield and a reinforced PCIe slot for easy installation and durability. The motherboard does not have integrated RGB lighting, but it has two RGB headers for attaching your own RGB gear if you prefer.

Connectivity: The MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 has a rich array of connectivity options for both internal and external devices. The motherboard has 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes and 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU, allowing you to connect multiple graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, or other PCIe devices. The motherboard also has a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1/2/2x2 ports and headers, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port on the rear panel that supports up to 20 Gbps of data transfer. The motherboard also has Intel 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and reliable network connectivity. The motherboard also has 7.1-channel audio with a Realtek ALC1200 codec, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and gold-plated audio jacks for immersive sound quality.

Software The MSI PRO B760 P WIFI DDR4 c

Software: The MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 comes with a USB flash drive that contains the drivers and software for the motherboard. The software includes the MSI Dragon Center, which is a comprehensive utility that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The software also includes the MSI Creator Center, which is a dedicated tool for content creators that allows you to adjust the system performance, fan speed, and network priority according to your workflow. The software also includes the MSI App Player, which is a virtualization tool that allows you to run Android apps and games on your PC.

Pros:

•  Budget-friendly and reliable motherboard for Intel 13th-generation processors;

•  Sleek and elegant design with silver accents;

•  Rich connectivity options for both internal and external devices;

•  Comprehensive and user-friendly software;

Cons:

•  No integrated RGB lighting;

•  No PCIe 5.0 support;

•  Limited memory overclocking potential;

The MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 is a motherboard that offers a lot of features and capabilities for gamers and enthusiasts who want to build a midrange system with the latest Intel 13th-generation processors. It has a budget-friendly and reliable design, a robust power delivery system, a fast and flexible storage solution, and a rich connectivity suite. It also has a comprehensive and user-friendly software package that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 is not a high-end motherboard, but it is a good value for your money.

#5: Best midrange AMD motherboard: MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming

If you are looking for a budget-friendly and reliable motherboard that can support the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is a great option. This motherboard has everything you need for a midrange gaming or enthusiast system, such as:

Performance: The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming features a 12+2+1 phase power delivery system with dual 8-pin connectors, a direct touch heat pipe, and an extended heatsink to ensure stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU. It also supports DDR5 memory up to 7400+ MHz for 1DPC 1R and up to 6200+ MHz for 2DPC 2R, allowing you to take advantage of the fast memory speeds and large capacities of the new platform. The motherboard also has four M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0 x4 and three of which are PCIe 4.0 x4, giving you plenty of options for high-speed storage devices. The motherboard also has a Debug Code LED, a Smart Button, a Flash BIOS button, and a Clear CMOS button to help you with overclocking and troubleshooting.

Design The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a sle

Design: The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a sleek and elegant design with a black colour scheme and some white accents. The motherboard has a three-quarters heatsink that covers most of the PCB and provides effective cooling for the M.2 slots and the VRM components. The motherboard also has a pre-installed I/O shield and a reinforced PCIe slot for easy installation and durability. The motherboard also has RGB lighting on the chipset heatsink, the I/O cover, and the audio section, which can be controlled by the MSI Mystic Light software. The motherboard also has two RGB headers for attaching your own RGB gear if you prefer.

Connectivity The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a rich array of c

Connectivity: The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming has a rich array of connectivity options for both internal and external devices. The motherboard has 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes and 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU, allowing you to connect multiple graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, or other PCIe devices. The motherboard also has a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1/2/2x2 ports and headers, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port on the rear panel that supports up to 20 Gbps of data transfer. The motherboard also has Intel 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and reliable network connectivity. The motherboard also has 7.1-channel audio with a Realtek ALC1200 codec, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and gold-plated audio jacks for immersive sound quality.

The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is a motherboard that offers a lot o

Software: The Gaming Motherboard comes with a USB flash drive that contains the drivers and software for the motherboard. The software includes the MSI Dragon Center, which is a comprehensive utility that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The software also includes the MSI Creator Center, which is a dedicated tool for content creators that allows you to adjust the system performance, fan speed, and network priority according to your workflow. The software also includes the MSI App Player, which is a virtualization tool that allows you to run Android apps and games on your PC.

Pros:

•  Budget-friendly and reliable motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors;

•  Sleek and elegant design with RGB lighting;

•  Rich connectivity options for both internal and external devices;

•  Comprehensive and user-friendly software;

Cons:

•  No PCIe 5.0 slot for GPUs;

•  Limited number of PCIe slots due to the large number of M.2 slots;

•  Acceptable but dated audio codec;

The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is a motherboard that offers a lot of features and capabilities for gamers and enthusiasts who want to build a midrange system with the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. It has a budget-friendly and reliable design, a robust power delivery system, a fast and flexible storage solution, and a rich connectivity suite. It also has a comprehensive and user-friendly software package that allows you to monitor, optimize, and customize your system. The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming is not a high-end motherboard, but it is a good value for your money.