MSI Z890 MEG ACE Motherboard Review

MSI‘s MEG Z890 ACE motherboard is here to deliver big on performance, wielding the formidable power of Intel’s Z890 chipset and engineered to extract every ounce of performance from 15th Gen Intel CPUs, which are actually the 1st Gen of the new Core Ultra processor series, and come with a new naming/numbering system.

This ATX motherboard is a masterpiece of engineering, meticulously crafted to cater to the desires of hardcore gamers and overclocking enthusiasts. At its heart beats the Z890 chipset, unlocking a new era of PCIe capabilities, amplified bandwidth for storage devices, and a refined power delivery system. This translates to full support for PCIe 5.0, paving the way for blistering data transfer speeds with the latest graphics cards and SSDs. While I loved the TOMAHAWK motherboard we also reviewed today, the ACE is designed to be much more high-end for those who want more extreme performance and connectivity, but of course, that will come with a greatly increased cost too.

MSI Z890 MEG ACE

MSI has engineered the MEG Z890 ACE with a robust 24+2+1+1 Duet Rail Power System, 110A Smart Power Stage, ensuring a stable and efficient power delivery to the processor, crucial for achieving and sustaining aggressive overclocks and boost clocks. Complementing this is a sophisticated thermal design, incorporating large heatsinks and strategically placed heat pipes to dissipate heat and maintain optimal operating temperatures effectively. This focus on thermal performance extends to the M.2 slots with M.2 Shield Frozr, keeping your high-speed SSDs cool for optimal performance.

Key Features

• Support Intel^® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) for LGA 1851 socket
• Supports DDR5 Memory, Dual Channel DDR5 9200+ MT/s (OC)
• Ultra Performance: 24+2+1+1 Duet Rail Power System, 110A SPS, OC Engine, dual 8-pin CPU power connectors, Core Boost, Memory Boost, 8-layer PCB made by 2oz thickened copper and server-grade level material.
• Frozr Guard: Wavy fin design, Direct Touch Cross Heat-pipe, MOSFET Baseplate, 9W/mK thermal pads, Double-Sided M.2 Shield Frozr and Frozr AI software ensure the utmost performance with low temperature.
• EZ DIY: EZ PCIe Release, EZ Magnetic M.2 Shield Frozr II, EZ M.2 Clip II and EZ Antenna.
• Ultra Connect: Dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports, 10G LAN, and Full-speed Intel^® Killer™ Wi-Fi 7 Solution – The latest solution for professional and multimedia use, delivering secure, stable, and high-speed networking and data transmission.
• Lightning Fast Game Experience: PCIe 5.0 slots, Onboard 5x M.2 Connectors with Lightning Gen 5 Solution, Front USB 20G with 60W USB Power Delivery.
• Audio Boost 5 HD: Ultimate audio solution with the latest premium ALC4082 audio processor combining ESS audio DAC and amplifier to deliver a breathtaking experience.

For more information, please visit the official product page here.

What MSI Had to Say

“Furnished premium aesthetics with its dark black finish and pale gold embellishes. Developed to unlock the full gaming potential of the Intel Core Ultra processor by combining elite hardware system support and premium durability, the MEG Z890 ACE is an outstanding ATX of Z890 platform for extreme settings in terms of overclocking the processor, DDR5 memory, and graphics card at the highest level.”