Question 1

What are the best CPU and RAM options to pair with the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard for optimal gaming performance?

Accepted Answer

For the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R, pairing it with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 or i9 processor will give you excellent gaming performance thanks to their higher core counts and clock speeds on the LGA 1700 socket. DDR5 RAM at 5600 MHz or higher is ideal here, as the motherboard supports the latest DDR5 memory, which boosts overall system responsiveness and game load times.

If you're on a budget, a 12th Gen i5 with 16GB of DDR5 RAM can still handle most games well, though faster RAM and CPUs make a noticeable difference in CPU-heavy titles. Keep in mind that going beyond 32GB for gaming offers diminishing returns, so prioritizing speed over capacity usually makes more sense. Also, check MSI’s site for any BIOS updates that improve compatibility with newer CPUs.

Question 2

What long-term reliability issues or common hardware failures have users encountered with the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard?

Accepted Answer

There haven’t been widespread reports of long-term reliability issues or common hardware failures specifically with the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard. Its core components like the digital power design and extended heatsinks are built to handle high-end 12th and 13th Gen Intel CPUs reliably. That said, like many Z790 boards, a BIOS update might be needed to ensure smooth compatibility and stability with newer processors, especially 14th Gen Intel CPUs.

One thing to keep in mind is that high-performance motherboards with multiple M.2 slots, like this model, can sometimes have thermal throttling if proper cooling isn’t maintained. The M.2 Shield FROZR helps here, but if you’re running several NVMe drives at full load, additional case ventilation will improve long-term performance and component longevity.

Question 3

How do I properly install and update the MSI Center software and drivers after setting up the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard?

Accepted Answer

To install and update MSI Center and the drivers for your MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI motherboard, start by visiting MSI's official website and downloading the latest MSI Center software specifically for your model. After installing the software, use the built-in utilities to check for driver updates, ensuring all key components like chipset, LAN, and Wi-Fi are up to date for optimal performance and stability.

Keep in mind that some updates, especially BIOS or major driver packages, may require a system restart and could reset certain settings. It's also a good idea to update the BIOS if you plan on using newer 14th gen Intel processors, as the motherboard supports 12th and 13th gen out of the box but might need an update for full compatibility.

Question 4

How does the gaming performance at 1080p on the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard compare to that of the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming motherboard?

Accepted Answer

For gaming at 1080p, the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming will deliver very similar performance since both support 12th and 13th Gen Intel CPUs and DDR5 memory. The main bottleneck at this resolution is usually the GPU, so the motherboard choice won’t significantly impact frame rates, but the MSI’s robust power design and extended heatsinks ensure stable performance under load.

If you’re looking for extra features like advanced audio, more USB ports, or refined BIOS options, the ASUS board might edge out slightly, but for raw gaming performance, they’re close. Just make sure your BIOS is updated, especially if you're using newer Intel processors, as that can influence system stability and compatibility more than the motherboard model itself.

Question 5

What accessories and cables are included in the box with the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard for a smooth out-of-box setup?

Accepted Answer

The MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI R motherboard box typically includes essential accessories like SATA cables, an I/O shield, an M.2 screw set, and Wi-Fi antennas to ensure you can connect storage devices and set up wireless networking right away. This means you’ll have what you need out of the box for a basic build without needing to grab extra cables.

Keep in mind that while these accessories cover most standard connections, specialized cables like USB headers or RGB extensions might not be included and would require separate purchase if your build demands them. Also, if you’re installing a high-end cooling solution or multiple M.2 SSDs, double-check that your case and components support those additions smoothly.

Question 6

How many memory slots does the MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI motherboard have and what is the maximum memory it supports?

Accepted Answer

The MSI Z790 GAMING PLUS WIFI motherboard has 4 memory slots and supports a maximum memory of 192GB.

CPU Socket Type	LGA 1700
CPU Type	Celeron / Intel Core 12th Gen (LGA 1700) / Intel Core 13th Gen (LGA 1700) / Pentium Gold

Number of Memory Slots	4x288pin (DDR5)
Memory Standard	DDR5 7200+(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(JEDEC)/ 5400(JEDEC)/ 5200(JEDEC)/ 5000(JEDEC)/ 4800(JEDEC)
Maximum Memory Supported	192GB
Channel Supported	Dual Channel
Memory Feature	Max. overclocking frequency: - 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7200+ MHz - 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6600+ MHz - 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz - 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz Supports Intel XMP3.0 OC Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory

PCI Express 5.0 x16	PCI_E1 slot (From CPU) Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x16
PCI Express 4.0 x16	PCI_E3 supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
PCI Express 3.0 x16	PCI_E4 supports up to PCIe 3.0 x1
PCI Express x1	PCI_E2 supports up to PCIe 3.0 x1

Serial ATA (SATA)	6 x SATA 6Gb/s
M.2	2 x M.2 (Support PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) / 2 x M.2 (Support PCIe 4.0 x4)
SATA RAID	Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices

Audio Chipset	Realtek ALC897
Audio Channels	7.1-Channel High Definition Audio

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Max LAN Speed	2.5Gbps
Wireless LAN	Intel Wi-Fi 6E The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (160MHz) up to 2.4Gbps Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3 ** Bluetooth 5.3 will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 and Windows 11.

Onboard USB	4 x USB 2.0 ports 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A ports 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C ports
Other Connectors	1 x CPU Fan 1 x Pump Fan 6 x System Fan 2 x Front Panel (JFP) 1 x Chassis Intrusion (JCI) 1 x Front Audio (JAUD) 1 x Tuning Controller connector (JDASH) 2 x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2) 2 x RGB LED connector (JRGB) 1 x TPM pin header (Support TPM 2.0) 1 x USB4 card connector (JTBT_U4_1, supports RTD3)

Form Factor	ATX
LED Lighting	4 x EZ Debug LED
Dimensions (W x L)	12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin	1 x Power Connector (ATX_PWR) 2 x Power Connector (CPU_PWR)

Item#: N82E16813144637