With the new 12th Gen Intel CPUs and the Z690 chipset that Intel launched with them being released. It also means that we get to check out the latest motherboard designs. This time around Intel only focused on the high performance focused CPUs so most of the options that came out were gaming, overclocking, or high-end workstation focused. The first board that came in was from MSI which was one of their gaming focused boards, the MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi. Today I’m going to check out what features they have included with this board and check out how the Z690 Carbon WiFi performs with the new i9-12900K as well. I’m also going to take a look at the MAG Coreliquid C280 AIO cooler that MSI sent over as well for LGA1700 testing. Let’s dive in!
Product Name: MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi
Review Sample Provided by: MSI
Written by: Wes Compton
Amazon Affiliate Link: HERE
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Specifications |
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Processor |
Supports 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors 1 Processor socket LGA1700 |
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Chipset |
Intel® Z690 Chipset |
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Memory |
4x DDR5 memory slots, support up to 128GB1 Supports 1R 4800 MHz (by JEDEC & POR) Max. overclocking frequency: 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 6666+ MHz 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 4000+ MHz 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 4000+ MHz Supports Intel® XMP 3.0 OC Supports Dual Controller Dual-Channel mode Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory |
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Expansion Slots |
3x PCIe x16 slots -PCI_E1 & PCI_E2 slots (From CPU) -Support PCIe 5.0 -Support x16/ x0, x8/ x8 -PCI_E3 slot (From Z690 Chipset) -Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 |
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Onboard Graphics |
1x HDMI 2.1 with HDR port, supports a maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz1/ 2 1x DisplayPort 1.4 port with HBR3, supports a maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz1/ 2 Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics.Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed. |
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Multi-GPU |
Supports AMD® CrossFire™ Technology |
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Storage |
4x SATA 6Gb/s ports - SATA5~8* (From Z690 Chipset)1 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports - SATAA & SATAB (From ASMedia ASM1061) 5x M.2 slots (Key M) M2_1 slot (From CPU) Supports PCIe 4.0 x4 Supports 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices M2_2 slot (From Z690 Chipset) Supports PCIe 4.0 x4 Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices M2_3 slot (From Z690 Chipset) Supports PCIe 4.0 x4 Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices M2_4 slot (From Z690 Chipset)1 Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 Supports SATA 6Gb/s Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices M2_5 slot (From Z690 Chipset) Supports PCIe 4.0 x4 Supports SATA 6Gb/s Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices M2_2~5 support Intel® Optane™ Memory Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology for Intel Core™ processors SATA7 will be unavailable when installing M.2 SATA SSD in the M2_4 slot. |
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Raid |
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 , RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices |
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USB |
Intel® Z690 Chipset
USB Hub-GL850G
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Audio |
Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
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Lan |
1x Intel® I225V 2.5Gbps LAN controller |
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WiFi & Bluetooth |
Intel® Wi-Fi 6E module
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Internal Connectors |
1x 24-pin ATX main power connector 2x 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors 6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors 5x M.2 slots (M-Key) 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C connector 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports) 2x USB 2.0 Type-A connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports) 1x 4-pin CPU fan connector 1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector 6x 4-pin system fan connectors 1x Front panel audio connector 2x System panel connectors 1x Chassis Intrusion connector 1x Clear CMOS jumper 1x TPM module connector 1x TBT connector (supports RTD3) 1x Tuning Controller connector |
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LED Feature |
1x EZ LED Control switch 4x EZ Debug LED 1x 2-Digit Debug Code LED 1x 4-pin RGB LED connector 2x 3-pin RAINBOW LED connectors 1x 3-pin CORSAIR LED connector |
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Back Panel Ports |
USB 2.0 DisplayPort 2.5G LAN Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Audio Connectors Flash BIOS Button HDMI USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C Optical S/PDIF Out |
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Dimensions |
ATX Form Factor 12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm) |
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Mounting |
9 mounting holes |
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Operating System |
Support for Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit |
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Box Content |
Motherboard Wi-Fi Antenna |
