MSI Z390 PLUS ATX Motherboard – LGA1151, 8th/9th Gen Intel, 4×DDR4 128GB 4400 OC, 2×M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4, USB-C 10Gbps, Gigabit LAN, CrossFire | OPEN-BOX

Expert Features ~ OPEN-BOX

• Extended Heatsink Design for Sustained CPU Loads : MSI enlarges the PWM/VRM heatsink area and pairs it with an enhanced circuit layout so the board can dissipate power-stage heat more effectively when running higher-end 8th- and 9th-Gen Intel processors under sustained workloads.
• Core Boost Power Delivery Layout : Core Boost combines MSI’s digital power design with an optimized CPU power layout, helping deliver cleaner and more precise current to the processor when gaming, rendering, or tuning unlocked Intel CPUs.
• DDR4 Boost Isolated Memory Circuitry : MSI isolates the memory traces from surrounding motherboard circuitry to reduce electrical interference, improving signal integrity and helping high-frequency DDR4 remain stable when XMP or memory overclocking is enabled.
• Twin Turbo M.2 Storage Architecture : Two Key-M M.2 slots can each run NVMe storage at up to PCIe 3.0 x4, giving the board room for two high-speed SSDs without forcing everything through SATA.
• Flexible M.2 + SATA Storage Mixing : The first M.2 slot supports both PCIe NVMe and SATA M.2 drives, while the second handles PCIe/SATA M.2 as well. MSI documents the exact SATA-port sharing behavior so builders can plan multi-drive systems correctly instead of discovering disabled ports after installation.
• Intel CNVi Wireless Upgrade Ready : A separate M.2 Key-E slot is provided specifically for a compatible Intel CNVi wireless module, letting builders add supported Wi-Fi/Bluetooth capability without consuming a full PCIe slot.
• Intel Turbo USB 3.1 Gen2 : Rear 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C connections provide substantially higher bandwidth than conventional USB 3.1 Gen1, with MSI emphasizing stable high-speed device connectivity for fast external storage and peripherals.
• Audio Boost With Isolated Audio Design : The onboard Realtek audio platform is paired with MSI’s Audio Boost design philosophy, separating audio circuitry from noisy board signals to provide cleaner analog output for headphones, speakers, gaming, and media use.
• Dedicated Optical S/PDIF Output : The rear I/O includes S/PDIF, giving compatible receivers and digital-audio equipment a direct digital-output option instead of limiting the system to analog jacks.
• DIY-Friendly Header Placement : MSI deliberately keeps key pin headers, SATA connections, and USB connectors in installation-friendly zones, making cable routing and assembly easier when the board is already mounted inside the case.
• Pump Header + Multiple Fan Headers : A dedicated water-pump header, CPU-fan header, and four system-fan headers give builders considerably more cooling-control flexibility for air-cooled or liquid-cooled systems.
• Two-Way AMD CrossFire Support : The dual PCIe x16-length slot arrangement supports 2-way AMD CrossFire, allowing compatible multi-GPU configurations where that technology and software support are still relevant.
• Memory QVL + XMP Support : MSI combines a qualified-memory compatibility program with Intel XMP support, making it easier to choose validated kits and load their advertised performance profiles from BIOS instead of manually entering every memory parameter.
• BIOS Built for Tuning and Troubleshooting : MSI emphasizes an accessible BIOS with performance, configuration, and system-tuning options, giving both first-time builders and experienced users direct control over CPU, memory, storage, and system behavior.
• Neutral PRO-Series Industrial Design : Black, grey, and silver heatsinks with restrained architectural styling make the Z390 PLUS suitable for business, workstation, and gaming builds without locking the system into a loud pre-defined RGB aesthetic.

Expert Specs