Intel has announced a new series of 10th generation desktop CPUs, and as expected, a number of new Z490 motherboards are now available with the necessary chipsets for rigs equipped with these processors. While each motherboard developer now has many models to choose from, MSI's lineup of Z490 motherboards outperforms the competition with better features at comparable prices.

If you are not a motherboard expert, it can be tough to know which MSI Z490 to choose. This buyer's guide will detail what to look for when buying a motherboard and which MSI Z490 board is the best choice in which price range.

Newer desktop processors like the Intel Core i9-10900K have more cores and consume more power than previous generations, so a motherboard with a powerful voltage regulator module (VRM) that can supply enough power to the CPU to allow for overclocking and more A motherboard with a powerful voltage regulator module (VRM) that can supply sufficient power to the CPU is required to enable overclocking, etc.

To keep things as stable as possible, you want to aim for a motherboard that not only has a high number of phases, but also has good heat generation measures. A VRM with a high number of phases can more reliably and safely withstand being pushed to its limits than one that does not, and the cooling system prevents the heat that builds up during overclocking from affecting the efficiency (and thus the performance) of your rig.Z490 GODLIKE, Z490 ACE, Z MSI's premium Z490 lineup, consisting of the Z490 GODLIKE, Z490 ACE, and Z490 Unify, all feature 16 phases in the VRM and active cooling systems, including heatsink fans. Additionally, they feature MOSFETs rated at 90A for maximum power delivery to the CPU.

If you are planning to overclock, high-quality power delivery and cooling system should be your top priority.

Other important considerations are the maximum RAM speed supported by the motherboard; the faster the RAM, the faster the system can process large amounts of data from games without slowing down, resulting in higher frame rates and a smoother overall experience! The RAM speed is also important for the overall experience. For this reason, we recommend investing in a motherboard that supports higher memory frequencies. Most Z490 motherboards support up to 4600 MHz, with some supporting up to 5000 MHz.

Overall, it is best to choose a motherboard that supports the highest possible memory frequency. Even if you do not currently plan to obtain RAM that can take advantage of this support, it will come in handy in the future when top-notch RAM becomes available at a more affordable price.

Although current Intel 10th generation processors do not actually support PCIe Gen 4, all MSI Z490 motherboards will have the necessary hardware to run the board with PCIe Gen 4 gear once CPUs that work with PCIe Gen 4 are available on board. This means that no matter which Z490 motherboard you purchase from MSI, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of a PCIe Gen 4 graphics card and SSD if you plan to upgrade your processor in the future. [Connectivity to the Internet and peripherals is often just as important as in-game performance, so it is advisable to choose a motherboard that scores well on these fronts. the absolute network speed you get with an MSI Z490 motherboard is an impressive 10GbE LAN which is a very impressive 10GbE LAN. However, this is only available on the flagship MSI Z490 GODLIKE model; 2.5GbE LAN is available on all other MSI Z490 models, and Wi-Fi 6 support is a standard feature on all Wi-Fi enabled boards.

As for I/O peripheral connectivity, MSI's Z490 GODLIKE supports Thunderbolt 3, as does the ITX-oriented MSI MEG Z490I Unify. Furthermore, even though the Z490 chipset does not support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, MSI has included an ASMedia USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 chip on select Z490 boards to achieve 20 Gbps speeds. Finally, all MSI Z490 motherboards come with a front USB Type C connection.

If your budget is unlimited and you are willing to spend as much as it takes to get the best motherboard, choose the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE. Between the incredible 16-phase VRM with full active cooling, 5000 MHz memory frequency support, full PCIe Gen 4 support, and great Internet and I/O connectivity, the Z490 GODLIKE is a motherboard that offers unparalleled performance. It is priced at $750.

If you are looking for a premium motherboard without the luxury, the MSI MEG Z490 Ace and Unify are strong choices. These motherboards have 2.5GbE LAN instead of 10GbE, a slightly lower supported RAM frequency (4800MHz instead of 5000MHz), and no Thunderbolt 3. In other respects, however, it is similar to the GODLIKE; the Ace has RGB lighting and sells for $400, while the Unify does not. As a result, Unify is $300 cheaper.

Flagship - MSI Z490 GODLIKE

MSI Z490 ACE/Unify

These inexpensive motherboards are still more than adequate to power and overclock the new top-notch CPUs on the market. The VRMs on boards at this level are 12 phase with MOSFETs ranging from 45-60A. Networking is all at the 2.5GbE level, with no Thunderbolt 3 support; Wi-Fi 6 is standard, but only on motherboards that support Wi-Fi connectivity. As mentioned earlier, all MSI Z490 motherboards, regardless of price or performance, support PCIe Gen 4, so there is no need to worry about the lack of this feature.

If Wi-Fi 6 is important to you, then the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI should be your choice. It brings the power of a strong mainstream motherboard to the table along with Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. This motherboard is priced at $270. If you don't mind sticking with Ethernet, you should opt for the MSI MAG Tomahawk, which is essentially the same board as the Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI except that the MOSFETs are powered down from 60A to 55A and Wi-Fi is not compatible. Retail price is $190.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI

MSI MAG Tomahawk

Even at the budget level, MSI's offerings are quite impressive. While the VRMs on these boards are less capable of delivering power than better models, they still have 12 cores, which is impressive. Additionally, 2.5GbE is available on the lower-priced models, as is a Type C connection on the front. [Those who want an affordable motherboard that supports the new 10th generation CPUs with aplomb will love the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus. Despite its low price, it delivers strong performance and a lot of bang for your buck. It is priced at $169.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus