MSI Z390i Gaming Edge AC Mini ITX Motherboard with Built-in Wi-Fi

The MSI Z390i Gaming Edge AC is a Mini-ITX motherboard designed for compact gaming builds, offering robust performance, essential features, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Here’s an overview of its key features and capabilities:

Design and Build Quality

The Z390i Gaming Edge AC features a compact Mini-ITX form factor, making it suitable for small form factor (SFF) builds while maintaining a solid build quality. It typically comes in a sleek black design with subtle accents, designed to fit into various gaming setups. Despite its small size, MSI ensures the motherboard uses high-quality components for durability and stable performance.

Performance and Compatibility

Compatible with Intel’s 9th and 8th generation Core processors (Coffee Lake and Coffee Lake Refresh), the Z390i Gaming Edge AC delivers strong performance for gaming and productivity tasks. It supports high-speed DDR4 memory up to 4500 MHz (OC), providing sufficient bandwidth for multitasking and intensive applications. The motherboard’s VRM design and cooling solutions are optimized to handle the power demands of enthusiast-grade CPUs.

Connectivity and Expansion

The Z390i Gaming Edge AC offers comprehensive connectivity options for its size:

• USB Ports: Multiple USB ports, including USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports, ensure fast data transfer speeds and support for various peripherals.
• Storage: Dual M.2 slots support NVMe SSDs for ultra-fast storage performance, alongside SATA 6Gb/s ports for additional storage devices and RAID configurations.
• PCIe Slot: One PCIe 3.0 x16 slot allows for a graphics card or other expansion cards, maximizing flexibility in a compact form factor.

Audio and Networking

The motherboard integrates premium audio components with the Realtek ALC1220 codec and Nahimic audio enhancer, delivering immersive and high-fidelity sound quality for gaming and entertainment. Networking capabilities include:

• Wi-Fi: Integrated Intel Wireless-AC 9560 module provides dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections.
• LAN: Intel Gigabit Ethernet LAN controller offers stable and low-latency wired networking, suitable for gaming and high-speed data transfers.

BIOS and Software

MSI’s BIOS on the Z390i Gaming Edge AC offers a user-friendly interface with essential system tuning options. Users can adjust CPU and memory settings, monitor system parameters, and update firmware conveniently. MSI provides software utilities such as:

• MSI Dragon Center: Centralized control hub for system monitoring, fan control, and basic system optimization.
• Mystic Light: Allows users to customize RGB lighting effects across compatible components and peripherals, enhancing the visual appeal of the compact gaming setup.

MSI Exclusive Features

The Z390i Gaming Edge AC includes exclusive MSI technologies to enhance functionality and user experience:

• Mystic Light RGB: Customizable RGB lighting with various effects and colors, allowing users to personalize their gaming setup.
• Audio Boost: Enhances audio output with improved sound clarity and fidelity, providing a more immersive gaming and entertainment experience.

Aesthetic and Customization

With its compact size and sleek design, the Z390i Gaming Edge AC is ideal for gamers and enthusiasts who prefer a smaller form factor without compromising performance and features. Its minimalist design and RGB lighting compatibility allow for customization options to match different gaming themes and setups.

Summary

The MSI Z390i Gaming Edge AC is a compact Mini-ITX motherboard that offers strong performance, essential features, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for gaming and productivity. With its solid build quality, comprehensive connectivity options, and support for Intel’s 9th and 8th generation Core processors, it provides an excellent foundation for building a powerful and compact gaming PC. It’s an ideal choice for users seeking a balance of performance, connectivity, and compact design in their gaming setup.