MSI VS ASUS
MSI VS ASUS
Hey everyone! I'm planning to go with the 13th gen i9 but I'm struggling to pick a mobile game. I'm going for an all-black and gold theme with a full water cooler setup, and MSI has the colors you want. I've used Asus before, but mostly MSI lately. I'm comparing the MSI MEG Z790 ACE and the Asus ROG Maximax Z790 Extreme. If you have MSI IDs, that would be helpful too. I'd prefer Asus if I can, but MSI has the exact look you like. Any suggestions would be great!
The choice of motherboard influences the selection of PSU quite a bit. Across all major manufacturers, performance differences are minimal, yet quality varies. Your preference seems to lean toward the Ace model, which is solid for its price range. If aesthetics matter less, neither Ace nor the alternatives really stand out, though the Ace does offer some appealing features. For serious overclocking, newer models like Z690 Unify-X, Dark, Tachyon, and Apex provide better support due to their channel designs and upcoming updates. If you're only using them at full speed, the higher-end options are costly compared to more affordable alternatives such as Z790 Taichi and Z790 Carbon.
the meg psu matches the ace moba colors but i’m keeping it simple, no overclocking. my setup is a samsung g8 monitor and the usb c pass isn’t important to me. i’m planning to wait and upgrade to something better like a 4090 or ti version. i also want to check the z690 dark and maybe the z790 for future-proofing, though it’s not essential. i’m building a full loop system and won’t change much for a while, so i’m aiming for higher-end components without breaking the bank. thanks!
Absolutely, I'm open to AMD as well. Intel has been my go-to for a while now. I've set up several AMD systems for others and even do work myself. I'll keep an eye out for more details before deciding. Thanks!
This socket is no longer supported, so upgrading to a newer chipset won’t extend its lifespan. The main distinction between the Z690 and Z790 lies in added USB 3 20Gb port and additional PCIe lanes, but using those extra lanes isn’t practical on high-end builds. If you’re not overclocking and your budget is around $300, the Z690 Master is a solid choice—it lacks top-speed memory support but isn’t critical if you’re not pushing 6000MT/s. The Z690 Carbon offers similar features for about $350, with RGB lighting, while the Z690 Force is a white variant. For top-tier performance, the Dark model exists but is challenging to justify unless you’re targeting extreme memory speeds and high-frequency cores.
ASUS offers guides for overclocking, while MSI focuses more on other areas.
The dark appears to be my choice if I decide to go intel, thank you!