Z390 remains to be a bit of a mystery release, as it is such a small step upwards with merely adding native USB 3.1 Gen 2 and WIFI, that and it's better optimized on the VRM area to deal with the new 8-core processors.

The MSI MEG X399 rocked our socks when it appeared, taking the place of the MSI MPOWER range topper and doing so with huge performance and an excellent feature set. A serious contender for the best of the X399 motherboards.

We used the MSI MEG Z390 Ace as our testbed for Intel's Core i9-9900K so if you've read that you'll see similar results here. Overclocking was fairly painless and from here on in we'll be aiming for 5GHz but seeing just how little voltage is needed to get there with our CPU with every board we test.

The board is pretty, well-built, and carefully designed, and it lights up like Infinity Christmas if you've got the requisite LED light strips and a clear case side panel. But the most important thing the MEG Z390 ACE does is give Intel's latest processor, the most impressive mainstream chip I've...

Highly builder-friendly; Robust power delivery for pushing Core i9-9900K to its limits; Unique "infinite regression" RGB panel; Built-in I/O shield; Deep overclocking features; Impressive integrated audio

Three M.2 slots, but only one with heatsink; Light on built-in RGB LEDs (besides Infinity panel); Pricey, even for a Z390 board; No video outs for integrated graphics

Intel tends to introduce new chipsets whenever it launches processors, and the recent launch of the 9th Generation Core line is no exception. Compared to the 8th Gen-contemporary Z370 chipset, the Z390 chipset represents just a slight tweak to the formula. It integrates a USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller for up to 10Gbps ports and Intel Wireless-AC with support for up to gigabit Wi-Fi speeds. Not all motherboards will ship with full access to everything listed in the chipset's spec sheet, but the $290 MSI MEG Z390 ACE has all of the important boxes checked, with a few extras ticked for good measure. That's not to mention MSI's inclusion of a unique "Mystic Light Infinity" panel that should intrigue PC builders looking for quirky new angles on in-case bling. If you want to go the deluxe route in your next PC build/upgrade with a 9th Gen Core i9 processor, and tweak it, too, this is the board to get. A Monochromatic Monster Mobo The MEG Z390 ACE is an MSI Enthusiast Gaming model. (That's...

If you have any intention of getting an Intel Core i9-9900K, now or in the near future, MSI's MEG Z390 ACE is one of the few motherboards capable of letting it really shine.

Highly builder-friendly; Robust power delivery for pushing Core i9-9900K to its limits; Unique "infinite regression" RGB panel; Built-in I/O shield; Deep overclocking features; Impressive integrated audio

Three M.2 slots, but only one with heatsink; Light on built-in RGB LEDs (besides Infinity panel); Pricey, even for a Z390 board; No video outs for integrated graphics

Having been reviewing motherboards for more than 10 years, I've seen the quality gap between the most popular manufacturers diminish with each product cycle to a point where you really need to nitpick to make decisions about which board to go with vs. another option.

The MSI MEG Z390 ACE motherboard is where my i9-9900K lives. I purchased both the motherboard and the CPU from B&H. Thanks to the friendly people at B&H, I received both items safe and on time.

During Computex 2018 we were exposed to a new product line from MSI called MEG or the MSI Enthusiast Gaming with their flagship motherboard called the X399 Creation. The motherboard had a great overall design that would lay the groundwork for a unified product line with similar graphic treatments,...

Discrete RGB LED; Black and Silver Color Scheme; Excellent UEFI Menus; Custom Audio System; Included HB SLI Bridge; AC Wireless Onboard; Infinity RGB LED Display; Excellent Overclocking; Dedicated AIO and CPU Fan Headers; Game Boost

No PS/2 ports; Missing onboard video connection; Lots of stuff sticking up on the back of the board; Game Boost overvoltage

Discrete RGB LED Black and Silver Color Scheme Excellent UEFI Menus Custom Audio System Included HB SLI Bridge AC Wireless Onboard Infinity RGB LED Display Excellent Overclocking Dedicated AIO and CPU Fan Headers Game Boost

No PS/2 ports Missing onboard video connection Lots of stuff sticking up on the back of the board Game Boost overvoltage

The MSI Z390 ACE sits below the MSI Z390 Godlike in the company's product stack and has plenty to shout about including a trio of M.2 slots, a well built power delivery, and as many USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports as you could ever need.