MSI Pro Z890-A WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Pro Z890-A WiFi is an ATX-form-factor motherboard designed for Intel's LGA 1851 platform, pairing the Z890 chipset with a broad set of connectivity and expansion features suited to demanding desktop builds. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, and includes HDMI 2.1 output for display connectivity. The board carries a three-year warranty and ships with RGB lighting and overclocking support built in.

On the memory side, the board provides four DDR5 slots across a dual-channel configuration, capable of reaching up to 256 GB at stock speeds of 6400 MHz or up to 9200 MHz when overclocked. Storage options include four M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. The rear I/O delivers two USB 4 40 Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, while expansion slots cover one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots. Audio is handled by a 7.1-channel solution with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio and S/PDIF output.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) along with all previous Wi-Fi generations, providing broad wireless compatibility
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports offer high-bandwidth connectivity options on the rear I/O
Four M.2 sockets combined with four SATA 3 connectors give substantial storage flexibility
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 9200 MHz, and the board accommodates up to 256 GB across four slots
Onboard audio delivers 7.1-channel output with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio and an S/PDIF Out port
RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support allows for a variety of storage redundancy and performance configurations

Cons

No dual BIOS means there is no automatic fallback if a firmware update fails
ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for error-sensitive workloads
Only a single HDMI 2.1 output is available for display, with no DisplayPort or additional video outputs
No easy CMOS reset functionality, which can complicate BIOS recovery in certain situations
USB 2.0 and PS/2 ports are absent from the rear I/O, which may affect compatibility with older peripherals

Who is this for?

This board is a strong fit for users building a high-end desktop system on Intel's LGA 1851 platform who want room to grow. The combination of Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 40Gbps ports makes it well-suited to users who rely on fast wireless connectivity and high-bandwidth peripherals such as external SSDs or high-resolution displays. The four M.2 sockets, broad RAID support, and DDR5 overclocking headroom up to 9200 MHz also make it a practical choice for content creators or professionals handling large datasets who need both storage flexibility and memory throughput. The eight fan headers and overclocking support further appeal to enthusiasts who want detailed thermal control over their system.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require ECC memory support for error-corrected workloads — such as those in scientific computing or data-critical server environments — will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. The lack of a dual BIOS and no easy CMOS reset also makes it a less forgiving choice for users who frequently experiment with aggressive BIOS settings or are less experienced with firmware recovery. Additionally, those needing multiple display outputs from the board itself will be constrained by the single HDMI 2.1 port and the complete absence of DisplayPort, making it a poor match for multi-monitor setups that rely solely on integrated video output.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	Z890
form factor	ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✕
Has dual BIOS	✕
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	243.8 mm
width	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI Pro Z890-A WiFi is built around a single LGA 1851 socket paired with the Z890 chipset and comes in the standard ATX form factor, measuring 304.8 mm wide by 243.8 mm tall. It supports the full range of modern wireless standards through its integrated Wi-Fi, spanning Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and includes Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX is not supported. An HDMI 2.1 output is available for display connectivity, and the board supports overclocking and features RGB lighting. It does not include integrated graphics or an integrated CPU, and there is no dual BIOS or easy CMOS reset functionality. The board carries a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board features four DDR5 memory slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting a maximum capacity of 256 GB. Standard RAM speeds top out at 6400 MHz, with overclocked operation reaching up to 9200 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	2
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	2
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O offers a well-rounded USB lineup, including two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, Thunderbolt 3, USB Gen 1 Type-C, USB 2.0, or PS/2 ports present. Display output is handled by a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors available. Network connectivity is provided through one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA ports included.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	2
M.2 sockets	4
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Storage connectivity is handled by four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA options present. For expanding USB connectivity via headers, the board provides two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two additional USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. Cooling is well catered for with eight fan headers on board, and a TPM connector is also included for security module support.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	2
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board provides three full-length PCIe slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots included.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The onboard audio solution supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, alongside an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio passthrough. Two analog audio connectors are available on the board.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✓
Supports RAID 5	✓
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 (1+0) configurations, covering a range of performance and redundancy setups. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI Pro Z890-A WiFi is a well-specified ATX motherboard that covers the essentials of a modern Intel LGA 1851 build while pushing into more demanding territory with its connectivity and storage provisions. Its Wi-Fi 7 support, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and four M.2 sockets position it clearly toward users who prioritize fast data transfer and flexible storage expansion. The DDR5 overclocking ceiling and broad RAID support add further depth for performance-oriented and content-focused builds. Where it shows restraint — namely the absence of ECC memory support, dual BIOS protection, and multi-display output — those gaps are unlikely to concern its intended audience. For users building a capable, connectivity-rich desktop system on the Z890 platform, this board presents a cohesive and feature-complete option.