MSI MEG X870E ACE MAX Motherboard Review: ACE Returns On AMD’s AM5 With Supercharged Design, & Zen 6-Ready

MSI MEG X870E ACE MAX - Unboxing & Close Up Inspection

The MSI MEG X870E ACE MAX motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is an MEG-class product, which refers to MSI Enthusiast Gaming. The packaging also lists down a few features such as support for PCIe 5.0 (GPU/NVMe), DDR5 & Overclocking.

The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard, such as the 18+2+1 Duet Rail power system, an Ultra Connect IO with USB 40G, 10G+5G LAN, full-speed WiFi7, Frozr design heatsinks across the motherboard, a 64 MB BIOS, and a DIY-Friendly design.

Opening the box, you are greeted with a quote that reads "Ascendant Crafted Excellence. The ACE series has gone through various iterations, and the ACE MAX aims to be the best of them.

Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. This includes:

• 1 x EZ Wi-Fi Antenna
• 1 x Cable Sticker
• 4 x SATA Cables
• 1 x EZ Front Panel Cable
• 1 to 3 EZ Conn-Cable (V2)
• 1 to 3 ARGB Gen2 Extension Cable
• 2 x Thermistor Cables
• 1 x USB Drive
• 1 x EZ M.2 Clip II Remover
• 3 x M.2 Screws
• Quick Installation Guide
• European Union Regulatory Notice

With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package.

The MSI MEG X870E ACE MAX motherboard is an enthusiast-grade ATX offering that measures 243.84 x 304.8 mm. The motherboard comes with the iconic black and gold theme and features a gorgeous look.

The MSI MEG series contains two enthusiast offerings, the flagship GODLIKE and the Ultra-Enthusiast ACE series. The first ACE was launched with the Intel Z390 series, and the first AMD "ACE" was released with the X570 series. Since then, the ACE series has become a staple of MSI's high-performance showcase & has received various upgrades. While the ACE initially didn't launch for the 800-series AM5 boards, the new ACE MAX not only excels beyond the Intel Z890 offering but also offers support geared towards the next-gen Zen lineup.

The board uses the LGA 1718 socket to support AMD Ryzen "AM5" processors. The socket works with Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000G, and Ryzen 9000 CPUs and will also support future generations of AM5 Ryzen chips that are supported by the platform.

Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.

These slots are rated to support XMP/EXPO profiles up to 8400 MT/s speeds with Ryzen 9000 CPUs. Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position, so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. Each slot is also combined with a reinforced design to ensure signal integrity remains good while keeping the slots durable for long-term usage. The full QVL list can be found here.

The MSI MEG X870E ACE MAX motherboard features an 18+2+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX)  phase Duet Rail power delivery that utilizes the Renesas RAA 229620 PWM controller & R2209004 HBD  S2408E2W (110A) stages for the VCore.

The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the AM5 socket. The board uses an 8-layer NPG-170D server-grade PCB with 2oz thickened copper.

The VRMs receive ample cooling from the Frozr Thermal solution. MSI has done an exceptional job for the ACE MAX in improving its VRM heatsink with the new wavy fin design that includes two direct-touch cross heatpipes. Underneath the VRM heatsink are 9.0W/mK Thermal pads, which transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink.

The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8-pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 300 Watts of power. The AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs are very power-hungry, with the maximum target power going above 220W for the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X/X3D CPUs.

You can see the heatsink fins for the top-most heatsink and the IO-side heatsink featuring an extended design for higher dissipation capabilities. The overall structure looks really good with its black coating.

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Expansion includes three PCI Express slots (2 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 1x Gen 5.0x4) and five M.2 slots. The PCIe 4.0 x4 slot shares bandwidth with the M.2 Key E slot. If the M.2 slot is occupied, the PCIe slot will downgrade to x2 mode. Or you can run the PCIe slot at x4 mode, but that disables the M.2_1 slot.

• 2x PCI-E x16 slot
• 1x PCI-E x4 slot
• PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
• PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x8 (From CPU)
• PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x4 (From CPU)

PCI_E1 & PCI_E2 slots

• Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x16/ x0 or x8/ x8 (For Ryzen 9000/ 7000 Series processors)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x8/ x0 (For Ryzen 8700/ 8600/ 8400 Series processors)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4/ x0 (For Ryzen 8500/ 8300 Series processors)
• PCI_E3 & M.2_1 share the bandwidth. M.2_1 will run at x2 speed when installing the device in the PCI_E3 slot. You can switch the PCI_E3 slot to x4 in the BIOS, but this will disable the M.2_1 slot.

The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot, and the MSI also features its EZ PCIE release mechanism, which provides for a seamless removal of graphics cards. Just push the EZ release button, and you can remove the graphics card with ease.

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The motherboard also has a vast array of M.2 slots, all of which are featured under dedicated heatsinks.

The primary M.2 Shield Frozr heatsink is the bigger one and provides better cooling to a Gen5 M.2 SSD. This has the same EZ release mechanism and comes with a magnetic lock that delivers power to the LEDs for the "ACE" logo on the front.

One of the larger heatsinks also works as a cover plate for the motherboard's lower portion. The plate comes with a large "ACE" emblem and reads "Push and Lift" on the left-hand side. This is part of the EZ DIY solution. You need to remove the plastic sticker from the thermal pads before installing a new SSD for proper heat transfer. It's also fairly easy to install back as the latches have magnetic locks that secure the panel in place.

• 5x M.2
• M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
• M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
• M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 22110/2280 devices
• M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
• M.2_5 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280 devices
• 4x SATA 6G

Info:

• M.2_1:
• Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4 (For Ryzen 9000/ 7000 Series processors)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 (For Ryzen 8000 Series processors)
• M.2_2:
• Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4 (For Ryzen 9000/ 7000 Series processors)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 (For Ryzen 8700/ 8600/ 8400 Series processors)
• The M2_2 slot will be unavailable when using Ryzen™ 8500/ 8300 Series processors.
• M.2_1 & PCI_E3 share the bandwidth. M.2_1 will run at x2 speed when installing the device in the PCI_E3 slot. You can switch the M.2_1 slot to x4 in the BIOS, but this will disable the PCI_E3 slot.
• USB 40Gbps Type-C ports & M2_2 share the bandwidth. USB 40Gbps Type-C ports will run at x2 speed when installing the device in the M2_2 slot. You can switch M.2_2 to x4 in the BIOS, but this will disable the USB 40Gbps Type-C ports.

The X870E PCH is housed beneath a large heatsink with the MEG emblem. The whole plate features a nice gold and black color scheme and has a reflective touch.

The motherboard offers two RGB accent zones. First is the I/O cover, which has the "Dragon" logo, and the second is the M.2 SSD cover, which has the "ACE" logo. These can be turned off or customized using MSI's Mystic Light software through its MSI Center application.

Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support 4 different storage devices at once. The motherboard also has a vast array of USB ports on the back, which include 9 USB 10 Gbps Type-A, 2 USB 10 Gbps Type-C, and 2 USB 40 Gbps Type-C ports.

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MSI uses a 7.1 CH HD audio design with the latest Realtek ALC4082 CODEC, and an ESS9219Q DAC. The full list of connectors on the motherboard is as follows.

• 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
• 2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
• 1x Power Connector(PCIE_PWR 8pin)
• 1x Front Type-C Quick Charge Connector(PD_PWR1)
• 1x CPU Fan
• 2x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan)
• 5x System Fan
• 1x EZ Conn-header (JAF_2)
• 2x Front Panel (JFP)
• 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
• 1x Water Flow connector
• 1x Front Audio (JAUD)
• 2x Thermal Sensor connectors(T_SEN)
• 1x Tuning Controller connector(JDASH)
• 3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
• 1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
• 1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
• V-check point
• 2x Direct OC Jumper (JBCLK)
• 4x USB 2.0 ports
• 4x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
• 1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports

MSI is using the latest WIFI 7 Module to power wireless connectivity with the full 320MHz bandwidth and Bluetooth 5.4. In terms of Ethernet, the board offers a 10 Gbps LAN port (AQC113CS) and a 5 Gbps LAN port (Realtek 8126).

The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:

• USB 10Gbps (Type-A)
• Flash BIOS Button
• Clear CMOS Button
• Smart Button
• 10G LAN
• 5G LAN
• Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
• HD Audio Connectors
• HDMI 2.1 Port
• USB 40Gbps (Type-C)
• USB 10Gbps (Type-C)
• USB 10Gbps (Type-A)
• Optical S/PDIF-Out

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