MSI Z890 Gaming Plus WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Z890 Gaming Plus WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around Intel's LGA 1851 socket and the Z890 chipset, designed for users who want a capable platform with modern connectivity built in. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, and includes RGB lighting for those who want some visual customization in their build. The board carries a 3-year warranty and measures 304.8 mm × 243.8 mm, fitting standard ATX cases without issue.

On the memory side, the board provides four DDR5 slots across two channels, supporting up to 256 GB of RAM at stock speeds up to 4800 MHz and overclocked speeds reaching 9200 MHz. Expansion is handled through one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, complemented by four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. Rear I/O includes a USB 4 40 Gbps port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 in both Type-A and Type-C, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and a single RJ45 ethernet jack, rounding out a well-stocked connectivity lineup.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations back to Wi-Fi 4, ensuring broad wireless compatibility
Includes a USB 4 40Gbps port and a Thunderbolt 4 port for high-speed device connectivity
Four M.2 sockets provide ample room for fast storage devices without relying solely on SATA
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 9200 MHz, with four slots supporting up to 256 GB total
RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support gives meaningful flexibility for storage redundancy and performance configurations
Seven fan headers offer extensive cooling management for complex builds

Cons

No dual BIOS means there is no hardware-level fallback if a firmware update goes wrong
The clear CMOS function is not easily accessible, which can complicate BIOS recovery
ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No S/PDIF Out port restricts digital audio output options for users relying on optical connections
Only four SATA 3 connectors may feel limited for builds with multiple traditional hard drives or SSDs

Who is this for?

This motherboard is a strong fit for enthusiast desktop builders targeting Intel's LGA 1851 platform who want a feature-rich ATX foundation without unnecessary compromise. The combination of Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 makes it well suited for users who rely on fast wireless networking and high-bandwidth peripherals. The four M.2 sockets, PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and support for overclocked DDR5 memory up to 9200 MHz cater to those building high-throughput workstations or gaming rigs where storage and memory speed matter. RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support also makes it a reasonable choice for users managing multiple drives who want basic redundancy or performance configurations.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not well suited for users who require ECC memory support, such as those running data-sensitive or server-adjacent workloads where memory error correction is essential. The absence of a dual BIOS and an easy-to-use clear CMOS mechanism makes it a less comfortable choice for users who frequently experiment with BIOS settings or aggressive overclocking profiles and want a reliable hardware recovery option. Additionally, those needing legacy storage expansion through U.2 or mSATA connectors, or digital audio output via S/PDIF, will find this board lacking the necessary interfaces for their setup.

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 Z890 Gaming Plus WiFi uses an LGA 1851 socket paired with the Z890 chipset and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 304.8 mm × 243.8 mm. It accommodates a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity is well covered, with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) support spanning all generations back to Wi-Fi 4, alongside Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX is not supported. The board features an HDMI 2.1 output, RGB lighting, and overclocking support, while a dual BIOS setup and a dedicated clear CMOS button are absent. A 3-year warranty is included.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	4800 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

This board supports DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. Stock RAM speeds top out at 4800 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure up to 9200 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

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

The rear I/O panel offers a well-stocked USB lineup, including one USB 4 40Gbps port, one Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports; there are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, Thunderbolt 3, or USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports. Video output is handled by one HDMI output and one DisplayPort, while VGA and DVI connections are absent. Networking is covered by a single RJ45 port, and legacy input is supported through one PS/2 port. There are no eSATA ports on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	7
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	4
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is handled through four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA options present. Expansion headers allow for four additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. Cooling is well catered for with seven fan headers, and a TPM connector is also included on the board.

Expansion slots:

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

The board provides a total of four PCIe slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-bandwidth expansion, two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, and one PCIe x1 slot. There are no PCIe 2.0, PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots available.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	3

The board supports 7.1-channel audio and includes three analog audio connectors on the rear I/O. An S/PDIF Out port is not present.

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 configurations, covering a range of performance and redundancy needs. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI Z890 Gaming Plus WiFi is a well-specified ATX motherboard that covers most of what a serious Intel LGA 1851 platform build demands, from Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity to a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and four M.2 sockets for fast, flexible storage. DDR5 support with overclocking headroom up to 9200 MHz and a broad RAID configuration set further reinforce its credentials for users who want both performance and some degree of storage resilience. The lack of dual BIOS, ECC memory support, and S/PDIF output are real omissions that will matter to specific users, but for the enthusiast desktop builder who prioritizes modern connectivity and expandability on the Z890 platform, this board delivers a capable and coherent package.