Packaging & Accessories: 8 out of 10
On the one hand MSI does indeed keep upping their game and pushing the limits of what one should expect a ‘mainstream’ motherboard to offer. Helping make USB flash drives instead of including a disc for the drivers. Their ‘EZ-Plug’ front header adapter that not only matches but exceeds ASUS’ ground breaking Q-Adapter. Giving all their M.2 slots the EZ M.2 treatment and including extras? MSI does all that and includes all that not just their enthusiast grade ‘MEG’ lineup but their mainstream MPG line. MSI even include a ‘stock’ WiFi antenna that does not suck and is actually good enough to satisfy the needs of most buyers and custom system builders. Sadly, they sometimes go too far outside the norm and until they include adapters for their new ‘EZ Antenna’ headers we are going to ding them 2 points. Which is a shame as this is the first mainstream motherboard that came so close to perfection.
Layout & Aesthetics: 22 out of 25
This is easily the best looking Carbon to date. It is elegant, it is stylistic, it is highly flexible… and on the aesthetic side of things we have zero complaints. It is also arguably the best thought out Carbon to date as well. Yes. The refinements are tangible and while one could argue the merits of an including PCIe adapter vs. swapping out the existing 20Gbps USB IC for a 40Gbps one the end result is you do get a lot of performance with very few compromises. With that said… MSI should have swapped the PCIe 5.0 and topmost PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot. That change would have been much more sensible than what the third revision demands you do. The same is true for the less than perfect first try at ‘EZ’ WiFi headers. It needs work. Mix in the still MIA power+reset buttons on the board itself and MSI still have room for improvement. Still way above average for a mainstream motherboard… but still room for improvement.
Build Quality & Warranty: 27 out of 30
MSI has always prided themselves on having their Carbon line offer top notch build quality at midrange pricing and the new WiFi MAX II version is no exception. Sure, we do wish that they went full overkill and included a 20+1+2 configuration for their VRMs… but 19 phases with 105amp DR.MOS’ers is insanely overbuilt for the needs of the mainstream buyer. The same is true for the heatsinks, the M.2 ports, and generally speaking everything but the WiFi headers – whose mediocrity sticks out like a sore thumb. Mix in a very good, if typical length, warranty and one has to be looking for “issues” to complain about.
Value: 33 out of 35
The mainstream corner of the Z790 marketplace is absolutely cut-throat and this insane market pressure is reflected in the Z790 Carbon MAX WiFi II. Put simply you get a lot, and we mean a lot, of bang for your buck with this motherboard. So much so only, pardon the pun, Edge (Max) cases are where the Carbon MAX WiFi II would not be a great bordering on excellent choice. Even then the Carbon MAX WiFi II still would be a good choice. As such, if you can live with the less than perfect WiFi+BT issue the Carbon MAX WiFi II will offer you some of the best overall value, in the mainstream market, going today.
Final Score: 90 out of 100
With its combination of robustness, cutting edge features, and an excellent BIOS the new MSI MPG Z790 Carbon MAX WiFi II does indeed improve upon a successful blueprint that was the Z790 Carbon. Be it for a custom overclocked build, a showcase build, or just a build that you don’t want to have to mess with for 5 or more years… the Z790 Carbon MAX WiFi II has you covered. Just be aware of the WiFi driver and connector issue that comes along for the ride, as that is the only thing that tarnishes an otherwise sterling example of what a mainstream motherboard should be, should do, and should offer 2024 buyers.
