MSI MEG Z890 Godlike Motherboard Review

The current trend in motherboard design is to minimize the number of expansion slots.  While this should reduce the overall size of a motherboard the extra space is being reallocated for M.2 storage solutions.  Most devices that require an expansion slot have been replaced with USB versions including many of the onboard features that nobody really uses anymore.

Deep down I know that modern systems only need a single expansion slot but there is  something about a high-end build that just feels wrong without the option to add expansion cards if you need them.

Back plates have become the norm with modern motherboard designs and help to reinforce the PCB while also distributing excess heat from several motherboard components including the primary VRM.

From a design perspective I really like how both sides of the Z890 Godlike feature the same graphical style and that the branding is carried through giving this product a very complete look and feel.

Sadly, with the backplate installed we can no longer see how the various expansion slots are wired up but, there are other ways to find that out.

The large opening in the backplate is to allow access for heatsink installation.  You will notice only one set of mounting holes and an otherwise extremely clean PCB design.

Dual power connectors supply power creating a 110A Smart Power Stage to control 26 phases of CPU Vcore, DRPS and SPS,  2 phases for AS Power, a single phase for GT Power and the final phase for VNNAON power.  The 26+2+1+1 Duet Rail Power System is designed to deliver ultra performance under any system load.

You can see the Wavy fin radiator and heatpipe array near the top of the motherboard connected to the extremely dense heatsink block adjacent to the primary motherboard I/O

The dual power connectors are located in the upper right of the PCB near the memory sockets with plenty of room for cable access.  One thing I find especially nice about the MSI MEG Z890 Godlike is that the VRM cooler has been built using the FROZR Design which was made popular by the extremely efficient heatpipe cooling arrays found on high-end MSI Gaming and Overclocking graphics cards.

Speaking of power, there are a total of five power sockets on the Z890 Godlike.  Two 8-pin sockets for the CPU VRM, the main 24-pin socket is angled at 90 degrees followed by 2 more 8-pin power sockets to help support USB and PCI Express power loads.  These are also at 90 degrees to provide that Project Zero stealth look without actually having the power connections on the reverse of the motherboard.