MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi ProSeries Motherboard (Supports 12th/13th/14th Gen Intel Processors, LGA 1700, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, M.2, 2.5Gbps LAN, USB 3.2 Gen2, HDMI/DP, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, ATX)
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
This is a no-nonsense DDR5 board for 13th and 14th Gen Intel builders who want solid power delivery without paying the gamer tax for RGB and premium audio.
The 14+1+1 55A VRM setup easily handles 250W Intel chips without thermal throttling. The cost-cutting on the ALC897 audio codec and the buggy Intel i225-V LAN chip hold it back. It makes sense if you use the built-in Wi-Fi 6E and an external USB DAC, but wired network users will get frustrated by the cold-boot disconnects.
If you need premium onboard audio and reliable wired networking, step up to the MSI PRO Z790-A WIFI which features the ALC4080 codec and a better LAN chip.
Regret Score™
Low RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- 14+1+1 55A power stages handle a Core i9-13900K without VRM thermal throttling
- Supports DDR5 memory overclocking up to 7000 MHz with a 6-layer 2oz copper PCB
- Includes four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for massive NVMe storage expansion
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 provide fast wireless connectivity right out of the box
- Flash BIOS button lets you update for 14th Gen CPUs without needing an older processor installed
Cons
- DDR5 memory training causes boot times exceeding 60 seconds on older BIOS versions
- Uses the decade-old Realtek ALC897 audio codec with no optical S/PDIF output
- Intel i225-V 2.5Gb LAN controller occasionally drops connection, requiring a full system reboot to fix
- SATA ports face vertically instead of horizontally, making clean cable management difficult
Dimension Scores
14+1+1 55A DrMOS setup handles a 250W i9-13900K without thermal throttling.
Wi-Fi 6E and four M.2 slots are great, but the decade-old ALC897 audio codec is a major letdown.
Offers PCIe 5.0 for the GPU and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, though vertical SATA ports are annoying.
Click BIOS 5 is easy to navigate, but aggressive auto-voltages on memory overclocks require manual tweaking.
Best For
- Productivity builds using an i7-13700K or i5-13600K in a windowless case
- Users who rely on external USB DACs instead of motherboard audio
- Builders needing four M.2 NVMe drives for heavy video editing storage
Not Recommended For
- Audiophiles plugging high-impedance headphones directly into the rear I/O
- Overclockers trying to push dual-rank DDR5 memory past 6600 MT/s
- Impatient users who expect sub-10 second cold boot times
Watch Out For
- The Intel i225-V wired LAN controller has a known bug where it drops the connection on cold boots, forcing you to restart the PC to get internet back.
- Memory training on DDR5 kits takes forever—expect to stare at a black screen for up to a minute before seeing the MSI logo unless you enable 'Memory Context Restore' in BIOS.
- The CMOS battery is hidden under the primary PCIe 5.0 slot, meaning you have to remove your graphics card just to clear the BIOS manually.
- MSI auto-sets the CPU VDDQ voltage to 1.45v at 6600 MT/s, which runs hot and can cause instability during memory stress tests.
Full Specifications
| RAM | DDR5 |
| ASIN | B0BHBP8CS2 |
| Brand | msi |
| Color | Information Not Available |
| Series | PRO |
| Platform | Windows 11 |
| CPU Model | Pentium |
| Processor | pentium |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Model Name | PRO |
| Item Weight | 2.51 pounds |
| Chipset Type | Intel Z790 |
| Manufacturer | MSI |
| Memory Speed | 7000 MHz |
| Item model number | Z790-P WIFI |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Memory Clock Speed | 7000 MHz |
| Product Dimensions | 12 x 9.6 x 2.5 inches |
| Compatible Processors | Intel Core 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen Processors, Intel Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR5 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12 x 9.6 x 2.5 inches |
What Buyers Say
DDR5 memory training dominates the initial setup, with cold boots taking upwards of 60 seconds on factory BIOS revisions. Past the boot screen, the 14-phase VRM runs exceptionally cool, keeping a 24-core i9-13900K in the low 40s (Celsius) at idle. The primary friction point is the Intel i225-V 2.5G LAN controller, which drops the wired connection on cold boots and requires a full system restart to fix. Audio quality draws heavy criticism because the ALC897 chip lacks the dynamic range of modern codecs. You are strictly paying for the 55A power delivery and four M.2 slots, not luxury I/O.
“Took 2 minutes to boot the first time and I thought it was dead, plus the ethernet just randomly quits until I restart, but it runs my 13700k perfectly fine once it's actually in Windows.”
Common Praise
- 14+1+1 power phases keep VRM temperatures well within safe limits even under heavy multi-core loads
- Four M.2 slots provide massive storage expansion without needing PCIe add-in cards
- Flash BIOS button works flawlessly for updating to 14th Gen CPU support
- Wi-Fi 6E speeds are consistently fast and stable
Common Complaints
- Intel i225-V ethernet controller drops connection on cold boots
- DDR5 memory training causes agonizingly slow boot times
- Realtek ALC897 audio codec is a decade old and lacks optical out
- CMOS battery is blocked by the primary PCIe slot
Ownership Tips
- Enabling 'Memory Context Restore' in the BIOS is mandatory if you want boot times under 30 seconds.
- The Intel LAN issue often persists through driver updates; using the built-in Wi-Fi is much more reliable.
- Auto-voltages for RAM over 6400 MT/s are set way too high (1.45v), requiring manual undervolting for stability.
- The M.2 Shield Frozr heatsink only covers the top drive, so you need to buy aftermarket heatsinks for the other three slots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this support 14th Gen Intel CPUs out of the box?
You will likely need a BIOS update first. You can use the Flash BIOS button on the rear I/O with a USB stick—no CPU required.
Why is my PC taking over a minute to boot?
DDR5 memory training is notoriously slow on this board. Updating to the latest BIOS and enabling 'Memory Context Restore' cuts boot times down to about 15 seconds.
Can I run DDR5-7200 memory on this?
Technically yes, but users report instability past 6600 MT/s with dual-rank kits. Stick to 6000 or 6400 MT/s for a plug-and-play XMP experience.
Does it have an optical audio port?
No, the rear I/O only has standard 3.5mm audio jacks driven by a basic Realtek ALC897 chip.
Are the SATA ports angled?
No, the SATA ports point straight up from the motherboard, which can make routing thick SATA cables awkward in tight cases.
Does the primary M.2 slot share PCIe lanes with the GPU?
No, the top M.2 slot runs on dedicated CPU lanes, so your graphics card will stay at full PCIe 5.0 x16 speed.
Buying Guide
You are looking at a barebones workhorse board that prioritizes CPU power delivery over luxury add-ons. The Z790 chipset gives you CPU overclocking and plenty of PCIe lanes for four M.2 drives, but MSI cut costs on the audio chip and networking to keep the price under $200. If you use a USB audio interface and connect via Wi-Fi 6E, you will never notice the downgrades. If you plug high-impedance headphones directly into the back or rely on a wired ethernet connection, those cost-cutting measures will annoy you daily.
14+1+1 55A VRM
Think of this as the engine's fuel pump. A 14-phase system ensures a power-hungry chip like the i9-14900K gets clean, stable electricity without overheating the motherboard.
Realtek ALC897 Audio
This is the chip that translates digital sound to your headphones. The ALC897 is a budget part from a decade ago, meaning your games and music will sound flatter than they would on a premium board.
Flash BIOS Button
This lets you update the motherboard's software using just a USB stick and a power supply. It is a lifesaver if you buy a newer 14th Gen CPU that the factory software doesn't recognize yet.
Alternatives
If you want better onboard audio and a more reliable wired network chip, look for a Z790 board featuring the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec and a Realtek 2.5G LAN controller instead of the Intel i225-V.
You Might Also Like
JetKVM KVM Over IP ATX Extension Board, ATX Power Control Board- Only for Jet KVM Accessories Boot from Shutdown, Crash Recovery
$0-$49This is an ATX form factor power control board designed for JetKVM accessories, enabling remote PC power state management and simultaneous front panel button use.
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Motherboard & TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) Ryzen 7000 ATX Gaming Motherboard
$150-$299This bundle offers two ATX motherboards: the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II for AM4 Ryzen 3000/5000 CPUs with DDR4 RAM, and the TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi for AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs with DDR5 RAM.
Game Motherboard Fit for ASROCK B650E PG-ITX WiFi B650 AM5 Motherboard Support Ryzen 7800X3D 7600/X 7950X 7700/X CPU 2xDDR5 128GB Hyper M.2 Mini-ITX
Price range unavailableThis KUETFBVC motherboard listing presents highly contradictory specifications, including a BGA 1023 socket and AMD 480 chipset, making it unsuitable for any modern Ryzen AM5 CPU.
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync)
This is a premium-feeling AM4 board with beefy VRMs and WiFi 6E, perfect for squeezing the last drop of performance out of a Ryzen 5000 series CPU.