MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X Motherboard Review

MSI is known for its exceptional gaming products and comprehensive support for computer overclockers and enthusiasts. Today, we present the MEG Z890 Unify-X motherboard, a perfect example of a product designed for the most demanding users. Among a long list of latest components, the tested motherboard supports the latest Intel Core Ultra 200 processors and the fastest DDR5 memory modules with a clock driver.

Let’s begin with a long list of specifications and features, and I will describe the most important ones.

Specifications and Features of the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X

The MSI ENTHUSIAST GAMING (MEG) series sets the new standard for gaming excellence, offering raw power and precision engineering with sophisticated design philosophy. Each product in the series is crafted to meet the highest standards of gaming performance and elegance, making it the ultimate gaming experience that every gamer dreams of.

With mythological power, divine imagery, and ancient lore woven into every aspect of the product line, the MEG series delivers an immersive and captivating gaming experience that is unmatched in sophistication and performance. It transcends being just a collection of products; it represents the pinnacle of gaming luxury, revolutionizing the gaming world and becoming the top choice for discerning gamers worldwide.

Key Features

Intel Z890 Chipset Specifications

The Z890 is the flagship Intel chipset for the new desktop processors, so we can expect the best device support and features. Below, you can see the simplified chipset diagram with marked new features. We have more PCIe lanes and M.2 SSD PCIe lanes in general, an integrated sensor hub, higher DDR5 support – up to 6400MT/s and CUDIMM support (overclocking frequencies are much higher), better support for AI technologies and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which were available on earlier motherboards, but as an additional option.

MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X Specifications

The Z890 Unify-X is in the ATX format, like most OC series motherboards, as it has enough space for a robust power section and all the additional features that may help break overclocking records. The motherboard features a 20+2+1+1 VRM design and utilizes the best components available in desktop motherboards. The CPU power delivery is based on a 110A Smart Power Stage, the best solution on desktop motherboards.

The motherboard has a typical 24-pin and two 8-pin power connectors for the CPU, chipset, and RAM, as well as an optional 8-pin power connector for additional devices like a PCIe slot support and a 6-pin power connector for front-panel USB-C charging.

The motherboard supports all desktop Core Ultra processors and DDR5 RAM up to 9600MT/s+. Anything above 8600MT/s will use the clock driver, so in other words, it will be CUDIMM. We could run quick tests at 10000MT/s, but our test components showed instability. On the other hand, 9600MT/s was fully stable, and the motherboard with the tested official BIOS has multiple RAM OC profiles to try out. I recommend checking some of them, as I found better stability than with some XMP profiles, like the hidden 9466MT/s profile used in the TEAMGROUP XTREEM DDR5 CUDIMM series.

The motherboard features six fast M.2 sockets, with two supporting PCIe 5.0 x4 and four supporting PCIe 4.0 x4. It also has six SATA6G ports, which are more than enough for most users. All storage supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 modes. All M.2 sockets are equipped with large heatsinks with easy-release functionality.

Modern high-end motherboards rarely give us a PCIe slot setup for multiple graphics cards or other demanding devices. Surprisingly, the Z890 Unify-X offers a PCIe configuration that is more commonly found in modern creator motherboard series. We have one top-speed PCIe slot at PCIe 5.0 x16 and one PCIe 5.0 x8 slot, while the other slots support PCIe 4.0 mode. I’m still glad to see a 16+8 slot setup with a double space between them, as if someone plans to use this motherboard for a home AI server or other projects, such as Folding@Home, they can use two fast graphics cards at nearly full speed. Most competitive motherboards offer 16+4, 16+0, or 8+4 setups. While 8+8 was already a standard some years ago, it’s not so apparent with the latest generation of motherboards. If we use the second M.2 PCIe 5.0 socket, PCIe slots will have limited PCIe lanes to 8+4 respectively.

The power design is strong enough to handle every desktop CPU at much higher voltages than standard. However, this is an extreme overclocking scenario that only a few users will consider.
We couldn’t hear any coil whine or other noises from the motherboard itself under high load. All voltages were perfectly stable, and we experienced no issues with the settings we tried. However, we can be disappointed if we buy this motherboard with a popular air or water cooling system. It’s not because of the motherboard itself, as it’s incredible, but the new CPU generation doesn’t overclock well, and the Unify-X won’t help us much. In the best-case scenario, we will stabilize a CPU at one ratio higher, so from a typical 5.5- 5.6 GHz P-core frequency on the most popular 265K CPU, we can achieve 5.6- 5.7 GHz. It’s still not guaranteed as it highly depends on the CPU.

The same is true for RAM overclocking, which is highly limited by the quality of the memory controller. All processors allow you to use RAM at 8600MT/s and Gear 2 mode. Most will run at 8800MT/s and Gear 2, but I often see that even 8800MT/s can be a problem. Then we jump onto Gear 4 mode and may be stuck between 9333MT/s and 10000MT/s. The top 1% of CPUs will likely run at the magical 10,000 MT/s when ambient cooling is used. One of the CPUs we use for testing can reach 10,000 MT/s, and it’s only in combination with specific RAM kits.

I’m glad to see the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec, featuring improved components and a dedicated audio area on the PCB. Although higher-series motherboards often utilize the ALC4000 series codecs, I frequently observe that manufacturers use older codecs and conceal them under the HD Audio naming, or limit the component quality. With the Unify-X, we get all the best. Although overclockers typically don’t prioritize audio quality, most enthusiasts strive for the best.

The new Intel series lacks native USB4 controllers, unlike the latest AMD motherboards. However, all Z890 motherboards support Thunderbolt 4, which is compatible with USB4 devices. Thunderbolt 4 is a better option for some users, providing more functionality. Most users won’t see a difference. The Z890 Unify-X features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which operate at 40 Gbps when paired with a Thunderbolt 4 device and at 20 Gbps with USB-C devices. We wish it could support 40 Gbps mode with USB-C devices, as some, even older, MSI motherboards could do that.

Like all high-end OC motherboards, the Unify-X has a BIOS flashback and Clear CMOS button on the back I/O. It also has all the buttons on the Tuning Controller. It would still be great if the power and reset buttons were directly on the motherboard, but MSI decided to have them only on the controller. The controller also gives us the option to overclock using ratios or BCLK. Some of the options can be set in the motherboard’s BIOS. The debug LED display is available on the motherboard and the controller. We could say that everything is easily accessible and is where we would expect it.

MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X Features

Extreme DDR5 Memory OC	The top-notch R&D design and exclusive 2 DIMM solution for an even clearer DDR5 memory signal to deliver the world class memory performance.
Wi-Fi 7	The latest wireless solution with a new 320MHz channel, achieving a maximum transmission speed of 5.8Gbps, which is 2.4 times faster than Wi-Fi 6/6E.
Ultra Power +	The ultimate power solution with Direct 20+2+1+1 phases, 110A SPS, and OC Engine unleashes maximum CPU performance.
Frozr Design	Direct Touch Cross Heat-pipe, Aluminum Cover, Double-sided M.2 Shield Frozr, Metal Backplate and Frozr AI software ensure the utmost performance with low temp.
Dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports	Dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports Thunderbolt™ 4 brings Thunderbolt to USB-C at true 40 Gb/s speeds, 8K display support, Daisy-Chain, Multi-Port Accessory Architecture and USB 4.0 compliant.
5G Network Solution	Featuring premium 5G LAN to deliver better network experience.
Onboard 6x M.2 Connectors	Sextuple M.2 connectors with Lightning Gen 5 solution. Double- sided M.2 Shield Frozr keeps M.2 SSDs safe while preventing throttling, making them run faster.
EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II	The new tool-less design makes installing or removing your M.2 SSD and Shield Frozr much easier
EZ PCIe Release	A simple press of a button to effortlessly lock or unlock the PCIe slot, simplifying the installation and removal of the graphics card.
Lightning Gen 5	The latest PCIe 5.0 solution with up to 128GB/s bandwidth for maximum transfer speed.
Audio Boost 5	Isolated audio with a high-quality audio processor & amp for the most immersive gaming experience.

The list of Features is available on MSI’s website.

The Unify-X features easy installation and access, including quick M.2 SSD installation, effortless main PCIe card installation and removal, simple WiFi antenna connection, easy-to-manage BIOS, and other convenient features, making our lives easier.

MSI wanted to make something extraordinary without any weak points, so each component is above average in the worst case. The LAN option is a good example. It’s not the fastest NIC, but 5 Gbps with gaming improvements makes it significantly better than 2.5 Gbps NICs used in most gaming series motherboards. So, it’s not the best, but it’s evidently above the average, even amongst high-end models, and it’s a fantastic option for gamers.

Retail Packaging and Accessories

The motherboard arrived in a retail package. The box is not so big, considering all the accessories. Inside, we will find a Tuning controller, EZ Wi-Fi antenna, USB drive, cable stickers, four SATA cables, EZ front panel connector, 1 to 3 EZ Conn-Cable (V2), 1 to 2 RGB extension cable, ARGB extension cable, two thermistor cables, EX M.2 Clip II Remover, four EZ M.2 Clips II, M.2 screw and standoff set, Shout Out flyer, quick installation guide, European Union regulatory notice, and of course the motherboard.

Everything is well protected and looks high-end. The package also suggests that inside is an exceptional product, and after opening the box, it shouts with a “MADE TO SHATTER RECORDS” sign.

Below is a gallery showing what to expect after opening the box.

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A Closer Look at the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X

The Z890 Unify-X features a unique design, which means it doesn’t share the PCB or power section with any other model. We can count on it to be one step ahead of every other MSI Z890 motherboard in terms of overclocking and RAM support. It still shares many modern features with the whole new MSI motherboard series.

MSI utilized large heatsinks that did not interfere with potential cooling options or other devices. Installing a large AIO cooler with an LCD shouldn’t be a problem. Everything is easily accessible, and most heatsinks can be removed without the need for tools.

RAM is also easy to access. There are two memory slots with improved support for high-speed modules. The motherboard supports UDIMM and CUDIMM modules up to 9600MT/s+. As mentioned, how well it will work depends heavily on the CPU and RAM used.

The heatsink design is eye-catching and looks professional. I appreciate how MSI incorporated mirror-finish elements without excessive RGB illumination. There is still a thin backlight on the IO cover, which looks good during work. It’s unfortunate that when we install a graphics card, it’s difficult to determine if the design indicates X, V, or anything else, and most users opt for a discrete graphics card that covers most of the lower half of the motherboard.

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The motherboard is compatible with every ATX-size PC case. However, many users who opt for the Unify-X will likely use spacious, enthusiast-grade PC cases or bench tables. Proper airflow is highly recommended for overclocking, as it allows components to breathe.

The motherboard has seven fan headers—one CPU, two combo for a pump or system fans, and four for system fans. All can be controlled in the BIOS or MSI software. This is enough for a large custom liquid cooling setup with multiple fans connected.

The Unify-X uses large heatsinks and high-performance thermal pads. Under all M.2 heatsinks, we will find thermal pads for double-sided SSD cooling, which is a very rare feature, even in high-end motherboards.

The motherboard also has an aluminum backplate with thick thermal pads on the back of the VRM area. Although unnecessary, the backplate affects the temperatures under load and may improve overclocking results during extended high loads.

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The Z890 chipset features a single-die design, which generates minimal heat, allowing a small heatsink to efficiently cool it. The Unify-X’s chipset heatsink is not directly connected to the large M.2 heatsink, but still transfers part of the heat to the larger surface of the M.2 heatsink. There were no issues with the stability or temperatures of the used components, so we can confirm they work well.

Below are additional close-ups of the motherboard’s integrated circuits (ICs). There are no surprises, except for the 5 Gbps Intel Killer LAN and Intel Killer WiFi 7 controller, which are rarely seen together on gaming motherboards.

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UEFI BIOS and Software

BIOS/UEFI

The new motherboard series’ BIOS/UEFI differs significantly from previous generations, but it remains user-friendly. We can find a long list of options if we are into manual settings. The Z890 BIOS is kept in colors to match the motherboard series design.

The motherboard arrived with an older BIOS, so we updated it to version 1A43. While I write this article, a newer version is already available, but it doesn’t add anything related to performance or overclocking; it fixes some minor issues.

The BIOS offers two modes: an easy mode for users who prefer basic settings and an advanced mode for those who want to adjust everything or require specific settings for their work.

Easy Mode

Advanced Mode – System Status

Advanced Mode – Advanced

Advanced Mode – Overclocking

Advanced Mode – MSI Performance Preset

Advanced Mode – Hardware Monitor

Advanced Mode – Smart Button

Advanced Mode – Security

Advanced Mode – Boot

Advanced Mode – Save and Exit

MSI Software – MSI Center

The MSI Center software includes RGB adjustment, fan control, diagnostic and hardware monitoring, AI Engine, user profiles, and many more. I’m glad to see everything in one easy-to-use panel. We can install everything we need and skip everything we don’t want. Every application works as a separate module, but can be started from the MSI Center.

The RGB worked with the most popular RAM brands, like G.Skill and Kingston. Less popular, like KLEVV or V-Color, also worked fine.

Fan control works without issues and can be easily managed by the software.

Test Setup and Performance of the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X

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CPU and Memory Performance

Synthetic memory tests show that promised memory improvements with the latest microcodes don’t work as expected. The Unify-X performs well, even better than some recently tested motherboards; however, our tests, conducted nearly half a year ago, show that older microcodes were faster.
For comparison purposes, all the results were obtained using the 6400MT/s memory kit, so we can expect significantly better bandwidth if we use high-frequency CUDIMM. The motherboard supports all available CUDIMM memory kits, with a maximum speed of 9600 MT/s. RAM scales well on the new Intel generation up to at least 8800-9000MT/s, which is the limit for Gear 2 on most popular motherboards. 9200MT/s is possible for the top 1% of processors, while our below-average 265K can achieve 9066MT/s with Gear 2 but struggles with anything above 9600MT/s with Gear 4.

AIDA64 CPU tests show that the Z890 Unify-X with the latest microcode performs significantly better than other Intel motherboards tested within the past few weeks or months. Improvements are even up to 20%. The Unify-X performs well in all CPU tests, including those not listed in our review.

AIDA64 FPU tests suggest similar improvements with the latest microcode, as well as the high performance of the MSI Z890 Unify-X, which outperforms all other Intel motherboards in AIDA64 CPU and FPU tests.

The results of additional tests show better scores on the Unify-X side, mainly in rendering tests.

In the PCMark 10 Applications benchmark, the Z890 Unify-X performs great and scores significantly better than other Z890 motherboards.

Gaming Performance

Gaming benchmarks yield similar results across all Z890 motherboards. If we used the same microcodes, differences would be close to the margin of error, so the user’s experience would be similar in all cases. The tests show that the Z890 Unify-X motherboard performs well.

Used processors greatly affect popular games. The Core Ultra series isn’t the fastest option, but the results are still pretty good. The latest microcode improves results in most new games, while FPS are lower in some, like Far Cry 6.

Storage Performance

M.2 SSD

The M.2 performance has been tested using the Kingston FURY Renegade G5 4TB NVMe PCIe 5.0 x4 SSD. The maximum bandwidth is around 13.3GB/s, which is more than expected for Intel chipsets, but still less than we can see on the latest AMD chipsets. On the other hand, low-queue random operations are up to 20% faster than those on motherboards with AMD chipsets. Overall, the M.2 performance is pretty good.

USB

Since the Z890 chipset doesn’t have a native USB4 controller, we use Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 tunneling to perform USB tests. Our USB SSD performs well, and longer tasks have no problems.
There is also a surprise. Specifications indicate a 20 Gbps limit for USB devices connected to the Thunderbolt 4 ports, while our USB4 SSD can operate in 40 Gbps mode. The bandwidth is slightly lower due to the slower M.2 SSD, but it still achieves speeds comparable to those of 40 Gbps TB4 ports tested with other motherboards.

Network Performance

LAN

The Z890 Unify-X uses Intel 5 Gbps LAN, which performs as expected. Since reaching or passing the maximum throughput is impossible, around 4,850 Mbps appears to be an excellent result. We also had no problems with connection stability during extended work periods.

WiFi

WiFi results depend heavily on the environment, and the test room is far from perfect: it has thick walls and multiple networks, which limit the bandwidth.

Since the WiFi network is limited, we will skip this test as it wouldn’t show hardware possibilities. However, we can confirm that we achieved speeds of over 900 Mbps and low latency in some quick tests.

Power Consumption

Above, you can see our results for the whole test rig. It’s a typical high-end PC. The Unify-X uses less power than other ATX models with the same chipset.

Overclocking with the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X

Intel Core Ultra processors don’t overclock as high as the previous Intel generation, and we can expect about 5.6GHz P-cores and 5.0GHz E-cores for an above-average CPU. The best CPUs will give us about 100MHz more. The processor used again shows its average at best, and we couldn’t set 5.6GHz on all P-cores. The Unify-X allows us to manage all cores and their frequencies, so depending on the core quality, we can set the frequency between 5.4GHz and 5.7GHz. Ultimately, we could set all P-cores to 5.5-5.6GHz and all E-cores set to 4.9GHz, which gave us better performance than stock frequencies in the slightly above the default power limit range.

The Unify-X has no issues with overclocking or stability, and we couldn’t hear the so-called coil whine before or after overclocking. However, we can see that processors are generally disappointing in terms of their overclocking capabilities. Hopefully, we will see one more processor generation for the current motherboards.

The BIOS has four performance presets: Intel Default, MSI Performance, MSI Extreme, and MSI Unlimited settings. However, using liquid cooling and ambient temperatures, the MSI Unlimited Settings will result in overheating and thermal throttling. We could observe the same results using 280mm and 420mm AIO coolers, so the problem is not with the thermal capacity, but rather with transferring the heat from a tiny CPU die quickly enough.

The MSI Performance and MSI Extreme settings have the same power limits and give the same results. If we set the core automatic adjustment on our 265K CPU, both end up with average performance, like the Intel Default Settings. If we expect performance gains, I recommend using static core values, as this allows the motherboard to utilize power resources more efficiently and maintain the desired frequency.

RAM overclocking seems more exciting, but recent processors also appear to be inferior to those from the initial batches. Two out of three tested Core Ultra 7 265K CPUs couldn’t run at more than 8600MT/s Gear 2. One could run at 9066MT/s Gear 2. For some reason, it couldn’t even post at 9000MT/s Gear 2, but one ratio higher works perfectly fine. Considering it was working on another CPU, which could post at 9000MT/s Gear 2, but had problems passing any test, we assume it is related to the processors and not the MSI Unify-X. As you can see in the screenshot above, we can even approach 140GB/s, and it still has some headroom for further optimization.

We could stabilize 9600MT/s on our mediocre processor as high as MSI declares for a typical setup. The motherboard will remain with us for a longer period, so overclocking results will be updated once we find a better processor, as the motherboard is capable of reaching 10,000 MT/s+.

The Z890 Unify-X is a beast when it comes to overclocking. However, this excellent motherboard truly shines only on LN2 cooling, as the current generation of processors won’t let it fully reveal its potential. We can still enjoy high memory frequencies that aren’t possible on standard or regular gaming motherboards.

MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X – Test Rig

MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X – Test Rig

MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X – Test Rig

MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X – Test Rig

Conclusion

MSI delivered one of the best overclocking motherboards we reviewed – the Z890 Unify-X. It’s fantastic in every way, so it’s a shame it has to work with processors that barely overclock, and many of them have disappointing memory controllers. Unfortunately, we were unable to fully showcase the potential of the Unify-X.

Users who were unhappy with the last Unify-X model can be assured that the Z890 Unify-X is the best option available for overclocking the latest Intel processors. Any limitations won’t come from the motherboard’s side. With the latest BIOS/UEFI updates and performance improvements across the platform, we highly recommend it.

The Z890 Unify-X offers multiple handy overclocking tools and is well-equipped with the latest and fastest controllers, including Thunderbolt 4 and fast USB ports, enhanced networking for gaming, high-quality audio, and multiple M.2 sockets for the fastest SSDs. The list is quite long, and the Unify-X can easily replace the highest models in the overall usage, not only for gaming and overclocking. It also meets high standards for design, power delivery, cooling, and stability. It performed perfectly stably during the tests, and we experienced no issues with hardware compatibility.

The MSI Z890 Unify-X costs $662.99 in the Newegg online store and includes a free Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition game. It’s not cheap, but it still seems reasonable if we’re looking for a top overclocking motherboard with features unavailable in standard models. If we aren’t into overclocking, we can find something at half this price in MSI’s offer.

Anyone searching for the best Z890 motherboard should take a closer look at the MEG Z890 Unify-X. It’s one of the best-designed motherboards for the latest Intel processors, whether you’re an extreme overclocker, an avid gamer, or building a workstation. The MEG Z890 Unify-X is a highly recommended motherboard for the most demanding users and fully deserves our Approved Stamp!

Click the stamp for an explanation of what this means.

Bartosz Waluk – Woomack

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