MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI DDR5 ATX Motherboard (Intel Z790, LGA 1700, PCIe 5.0 x16, 4× M.2 PCIe 4.0, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Intel 2.5GbE, USB 20Gbps Type-C, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4)

The MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI is an ATX motherboard built on the Intel® Z790 chipset for the LGA 1700 socket, designed to serve as a foundation for Intel® Core™ desktop systems spanning 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen processors, while also supporting Intel® Pentium® Gold and Celeron® processors compatible with the same socket. From a platform standpoint, this places it squarely in the modern Intel desktop ecosystem, where the focus is on enabling high-performance CPUs, contemporary DDR5 memory, fast PCIe storage, and flexible I/O. MSI’s specification set for this model emphasizes broad compatibility and strong connectivity in areas that matter most for real-world builds: memory headroom, NVMe expansion, a current-generation GPU slot, high-speed USB including 20Gbps Type-C, and integrated wireless.

Starting with the chipset and CPU support, Intel Z790 is positioned as a mainstream-to-enthusiast desktop chipset for LGA 1700. MSI lists support for Intel® Core™ 14th/13th/12th Gen processors in addition to Pentium® Gold and Celeron® options. That range gives builders flexibility when planning upgrades: the same board can be used for anything from a cost-optimized office or light workstation configuration up to a higher-end gaming or productivity build. The board itself does not lock you into one specific CPU tier; instead, you choose your performance based on CPU selection and cooling, then pair it with DDR5 and storage appropriate to your workload.

Memory is one of the major reasons builders choose a DDR5 Z790 platform, and MSI’s specification reflects that. The PRO Z790-P WIFI provides four DDR5 DIMM slots with a maximum memory capacity of 256GB. MSI also publishes a detailed memory speed support list that includes JEDEC speeds as well as overclocked targets up to DDR5-7000+ (OC). In addition, MSI specifies maximum overclocking frequency guidance based on common DIMM population scenarios: 1DPC 1R can reach up to 7000+ MHz, 1DPC 2R up to 6600+ MHz, 2DPC 1R up to 6400+ MHz, and 2DPC 2R up to 5600+ MHz. This matters because memory stability and top-end frequency can depend heavily on whether you run one or two sticks per channel and whether the modules are single-rank or dual-rank. MSI also lists Intel® XMP 3.0 support, Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode, and non-ECC unbuffered memory—this is the standard DDR5 desktop configuration expected by most consumer DDR5 kits. The practical takeaway is simple: the board supports high DDR5 capacity, and it exposes the tools and compatibility needed to run XMP memory kits at rated speeds where the CPU + kit combination allows it.

Graphics support is provided in two ways: through the main PCIe slot for discrete GPUs and through rear display outputs for CPUs that include integrated graphics. MSI lists onboard graphics outputs as 1× HDMI™ supporting HDMI™ 2.1 with HDR and a maximum resolution of 4K at 60Hz, plus 1× DisplayPort supporting DP 1.4 with a maximum resolution of 4K at 60Hz. MSI also notes that these are available only on processors featuring integrated graphics and that graphics specifications can vary depending on the CPU installed. That caveat is important for accuracy in product listings: if a build uses a CPU without an iGPU, these outputs will not be active, and the system will need a discrete GPU for display. For builds that do include an iGPU-capable Intel CPU, these ports provide a reliable baseline for display connection, troubleshooting, or even running an iGPU-only workstation where a discrete GPU is not required.

For discrete GPU and add-in card expansion, MSI lists “3x PCI-E x16 slot” and “1x PCI-E x1 slot,” with the lane wiring specified as follows: PCI_E1 is Gen PCIe 5.0 supporting up to x16 from the CPU, PCI_E3 is Gen PCIe 4.0 supporting up to x4 from the chipset, and PCI_E2 and PCI_E4 are Gen PCIe 3.0 supporting up to x1 from the chipset. This layout aligns with how most Z790 ATX builds are actually used: the primary CPU-connected slot is intended for the graphics card at full x16 bandwidth, while chipset lanes provide connectivity for additional devices such as capture cards, sound cards, NICs, or storage adapters. PCIe 5.0 x16 readiness on the primary slot is a key platform attribute for current and future GPU generations, while the remaining slots offer the flexibility needed for a typical ATX system that mixes a GPU with one or more extra PCIe devices.

Storage is a strong point of this model’s published specification. MSI lists four M.2 slots: M.2_1 is sourced from the CPU and supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 with device length support including 22110/2280/2260/2242; M.2_2 is sourced from the chipset supporting up to PCIe 4.0 x4 and supports 2280/2260/2242; M.2_3 and M.2_4 are chipset-sourced and support up to PCIe 4.0 x4, with SATA mode support, and the same 2280/2260/2242 lengths. In addition, MSI lists 6× SATA 6G ports. RAID support is also explicitly stated for both SATA storage devices and M.2 NVMe storage devices (RAID 0/1/5/10 for each category as listed). For many users, this means the board can comfortably support multiple high-speed NVMe drives—such as one OS/application drive, one game/library drive, and one or two scratch/work drives—while still leaving SATA ports for large-capacity HDDs or SATA SSDs. This is particularly relevant for creators and professionals who want separate storage volumes for OS, active projects, cache, and archive, or gamers who want multiple NVMe drives for installation space without juggling external storage.

USB configuration is another practical area where the spec provides clear value for listing accuracy. MSI lists rear USB as 4× USB 2.0 and front USB as 4× USB 2.0, plus 2× USB 5Gbps Type-A on the rear and 4× USB 5Gbps Type-A on the front. It also lists 1× USB 10Gbps Type-A on the rear, 1× USB 10Gbps Type-C on the front, and 1× USB 20Gbps Type-C on the rear. In real builds, the combination of a 20Gbps rear Type-C and a 10Gbps front Type-C can be particularly useful: the rear 20Gbps port is ideal for high-speed external SSDs and fast docks, while the front USB-C header enables modern PC cases with USB-C front I/O to operate at meaningful speeds rather than being limited to basic USB 2.0 functionality. Meanwhile, the presence of multiple USB 2.0 ports and headers is practical for low-bandwidth peripherals, RGB controllers, AIO coolers, and internal USB-based devices that still require USB 2.0 headers.

Networking is specified with Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN and Intel® Wi-Fi 6E, with the wireless module pre-installed in the M.2 Key-E slot. MSI also lists Bluetooth® 5.3 and includes notes indicating Wi-Fi 6E 6GHz availability may depend on country regulations and will be ready in Windows 11, and that Bluetooth 5.3 readiness depends on OS build (Windows 10 build 21H1 and Windows 11 as listed). For users, this means you get both fast wired networking for stable low-latency connections and a modern wireless solution for situations where Ethernet is inconvenient or as a backup connection. 2.5GbE can materially improve LAN transfer speeds when paired with compatible switches/NAS devices, and Wi-Fi 6E can help in congested environments by opening up 6GHz where supported.

Internally, MSI lists a wide set of headers that shape the overall build experience: 24-pin ATX power plus 2× CPU power connectors, headers for CPU fan, pump fan, and 6× system fans, plus front panel headers, chassis intrusion, front audio, a tuning controller connector (JDASH), multiple RGB headers (2× addressable V2 and 1× standard RGB), TPM header for TPM 2.0 support, and USB headers corresponding to the front USB ports listed. These details matter because they determine how many fans you can connect directly, how you manage RGB/ARGB devices, and how many internal USB devices can be supported without add-on hubs. MSI also lists “4x EZ Debug LED,” which is a useful troubleshooting feature when diagnosing boot issues during assembly or upgrades—especially valuable for builders who may cycle through memory kits, GPUs, or storage devices.

Physically, the board is listed as ATX with PCB dimensions of 243.84 mm × 304.8 mm, and MSI lists operating system support for Windows® 11 64-bit and Windows® 10 64-bit. With the above combination of DDR5 capacity support, PCIe 5.0 primary expansion, four Gen4-class M.2 slots, high-speed USB including 20Gbps Type-C, Intel 2.5GbE, and integrated Wi-Fi 6E/Bluetooth 5.3, the PRO Z790-P WIFI is positioned as a strong “core platform” motherboard: it aims to cover the major functional needs of a modern LGA 1700 build without requiring external add-in cards for networking or storage expansion in typical scenarios. The result is an ATX board that can scale from clean professional desktop setups to high-storage, high-connectivity enthusiast systems—so long as the builder pairs it with an appropriate LGA 1700 CPU, DDR5 kit, and the storage/GPU configuration they need.