Z790 PROJECT ZERO w/ 4x DDR5 Slots, 4x M.2 Slots, 7.1 Audio, 2.5Gb LAN, Wi-Fi 7, Back-Connector Design
Product Info

MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO Motherboard
The Z790 PROJECT ZERO features a unique back-connect design that reduces the complexity of cable management, resulting in a neater and more aesthetically pleasing appearance for the system. It’s compatible with Intel 14th /13th/ 12th Processors, supports DDR5, and comes equipped with a 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 7 solution. This makes it an excellent choice among ATX motherboards.
- Supports 14th, 13th & 12th Gen Intel® Processors for Socket LGA 1700
- DDR5 Memory: up to 7200+(OC) MHz
- Enhanced Power Design: 14+1+1 Duet Rail Power System, dual 8-pin CPU power connectors, Core Boost, Memory Boost
- Lightning Fast Game Experiences: PCIe 5.0 slot, Lightning Gen 4 x4 M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Premium Thermal Solution: Extended Heatsink Design and M.2 Shield Frozr are built for high performance system and non-stop works
- Audio Boost: Reward your ears with studio grade sound
- High Quality PCB: 6-layer PCB made by 2oz thickened copper and server grade level material

Features

COOLING
- Extended Heatsink
The extended heatsink enlarges the surface of heat dissipation, ensuring even high- end processors to run in full speed - M.2 Shield Frozr
Keeps M.2 SSDs safe while preventing throttling, making them run faster - Heavy Plated VRM Heatsink
The VRM heatsink covers the upper MOS and helps dissipate the heat - 7W/mK Thermal Pad & Additional Choke Pad
The high quality 7W/mK MOSFET thermal pads and extra choke thermal pads ensure all cores run at high performance levels
OPTIMIZED FOR WATER COOLING
Designed to support popular All-In-One & customized water cooling solutions. A dedicated water pump PIN header supports up to 3A giving you full control of the water pump. A "keep out zone" allows for an easy, perfect fit.

Control In One Click
MSI motherboards let you manage speeds and temps for all your System and CPU Fans in BIOS and software. You can also set up to 4 temperature targets, to adjust the fan speeds automatically.
FROZR AI COOLING
FROZR AI COOLING tech detects CPU & GPU temperatures and automatically adjusting fan duty cycles of the system fans to a proper value by adopting MSI Al ENGINE.
Fan Auto Detect
MSI Fan Headers automatically detect fans running in DC or PWM mode for optimal tuning of fan speeds and silence. Hysteresis also makes your fans spin up so your system stays silent, no matter what.
POWER
DOUBLE POWER CONNECTORS
Two 8-Pin Power Connectors deliver reliable power, even with Overclocked Multi-Core Processors.
14+1+1 DUET RAIL POWER SYSTEM
Unleash and sustain maximum performance with an aggressive VRM design built with digital CPU power system. Combining 8 + 8-pin power connectors and exclusive Core Boost technology, Z790 PROJECT ZERO is ready to sustain heavy gaming loadings.
- 14 PHASE CORE POWER DR.MOS (55A)
- 1 PHASE GT POWER
- 1 PHASE AUX POWER
THE GROUNDING STRUCTURE OF POWER PHASES
The grounding structure of power phases is the MSI's exclusive design. This patented design enables to suppress the electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by the power phases and helps to efficiently conduct heat to the copper plane with grounding properties.

DIY FRIENDLY
- Windows® 11 Certified
- Pre-Installed I/O Shield
- XL Clip
- EZ Debug LED
- Keep Out Zone
BACK-CONNECT DESIGN
The Z790 PROJECT ZERO features a back-connect design, which relocates the motherboard power, CPU power, fan pins, SATA, and other interfaces to the back of the motherboard. This allows for simpler cable management, while also providing a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance for the system.
SYSTEM SAVER
Run into trouble when updating your BIOS or somehow corrupted it? Don’t worry, MSI motherboards offer multiple options to successfully boot your system again. Flash the BIOS with only a connected power supply by following a few steps. CPU and memory not required.

PROTECTION
SOLID PIN DESIGN
The 4-pin, 8-pin, and 24-pin power connectors of MSI motherboards are all designed with solid pins. The solid pin design allows for a more stable transmission of 12V power to the CPU, even when handling high current loads.
ADVANTAGES OF SOLID PIN POWER CONNECTORS:
- Improved Stability: Larger contact area enhances stability during power delivery
- Low Impedance: Solid pins offer low impedance, enabling efficient power flow
- Strong Durability: The solid pin design ensures strong durability, capable of withstanding demanding conditions
- Suitable for high-current applications
ANTI-CORROSIVE STAINLESS STEEL IO SHIELD
An extra layer of sponge materials along with corrosive resistance IO Shield to help improve static electricity and reduce electromagnetic radiation noise from the system as well as much more durable compare to traditional IO Shields.

EXPANSION
DOUBLE BANDWIDTH WITH LIGHTNING USB 3.2 GEN 2X2 20Gbps!
The Z790 PROJECT ZERO motherboards offer a wide variety of options to connect and boost your USB devices, offering never before seen USB 3.2 speeds up to 20Gb/s when connecting the Rear USB Type-C port.
USB Front Type-C Port
The Z790 PROJECT ZERO motherboards support USB Front Type-C that allows gamers to connect with the latest USB devices.
LIGHTNING GEN 5 PCI-E SLOT WITH STEEL ARMOR
Doubling over the previous generation, the bandwidth of a x16 interface can reach 128GB/s.

SMT PCIE 5.0 SLOT
The advanced SMT(Surface Mount Technology) PCIE slot diminish interference and electrical noise, fully support the PCI-E 5.0 signal.
MSI STEEL ARMOR: REINFORCED, HEAVY SOLDERED CONNECTIONS
Secure to the motherboard with extra solder points and support the weight of heavy graphics cards.
FAST AND FUTURE-READY STORAGE
MSI PROJECT ZERO series motherboards support all the latest storage standards, which allows users to connect any ultra-fast storage device. Start games faster, load levels faster and have a real advantage over your enemies.
MEMORY
EASY OVERCLOCKING WITH XMP PROFILE
The XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles) in MSI BIOS are tested and certified by MSI OC LAB. It is easy to enable with auto power settings to get the best memory speed and stability.
LATEST DDR5 MEMORY WITH SMT SLOT
A huge step of DDR performance enhancement with the latest DDR5 memory. Combines with dedicated SMT (Surface Mount Technology) welding process and MSI Memory Boost technology, the Z790 PROJECT ZERO is ready to deliver the world class memory performance.
The advanced SMT welding process reduces the defect rate of slot solder joints, electromagnetism, and interference. Combining with exclusive Memory Boost technology allows MSI motherboards to deliver the clean and pure high-frequency DDR5 signal.
BIOS
CLICK BIOS 5
Get more from a loaded BIOS designed for ease of use. Fine-tune the motherboard for gaming performance, efficiency, or overclocking world records!

MSI Center App
MSI brand new MSI Center unifies a suite of MSI software utilities into a single centralized application. Take control of advanced motherboards features and unleash endless possibilities.
- Mystic Light RGB Lighting
- MSU True Color
- User Scenarios
- Hardware Monitoring
- Profile Setting
- Fan Center
- System Diagnostics

EXCLUSIVE UI OF AIDA64 EXTREME
MSI Motherboards provide 60 days free trial of AIDA64 Extreme - MSI Edition App. AIDA64 Extreme is an application for system information, diagnostics and benchmarks. With this app, you can monitor the detailed hardware and software information on PC and save it to file in multiple formats such as CSV and HTML.

Audio Boost
- High Performance Audio Codec
- High Quality Audio Capacitors
- High Quality 3.5mm Audio Jacks
- Isolated Audio Signal Paths
- De-Pop Protection Circuitry
ISOLATED ANALOGY STRUCTURE FOR AUDIO CONNECTORS
To provide clear voice, MSI develops a unique structure – Isolated Analogy Structure. The external metal framework of the audio connectors is separated from the internal layout, which ensures the sound quality crisp.
MYSTIC LIGHT
Add all the Color you want! Mystic Light Extension pin header provides an intuitive way to control additional RGB strips and other RGB peripherals added to a system, without needing a separate RGB controller.
- A-RAINBOW V2 supports 5V Addressable RGB Gen1 / Gen2 devices
- AMBIENT LINK supports external synchronized lighting theme works with compatible lighting devices
- RGB supports 12V RGB devices
LIGHTNING GEN 4 PCI-E Slot With STEEL ARMOR
MSI lightning Gen 4 PCI-E represents the bandwidth of a x16 interface (up to 64GB/s) that has doubled compared to the previous generation.

MSI STEEL ARMOR
MSI PCI Express Steel Armor slots are secured to the motherboard with extra solder points and support the weight of heavy graphics cards. When every advantage in games counts, Steel Armor shields the point of contact from electromagnetic interference.
Rear I/O:

Compatibility
Supports 14th, 13th & 12th Gen Intel® Core™ / Pentium® / Celeron® Processors for Socket LGA 1700
Note: Requires a Project Zero compatible case for full compatibility.
System Requirements
- Windows® 11 / 10, 64 bit
Specifications
Make and Model | MSI Z790 PROJECT ZERO Motherboard |
---|---|
Part Number | Z790 PROJECT ZERO |
Windows® Support | Windows® 11 / 10, 64 bit |
CPU Support | 13th & 12th Gen Intel® Core™ / Pentium® / Celeron® processors for Socket LGA 1700 |
Chipset | Intel® Z790 Chipset |
CPU Socket | Socket LGA 1700 |
Memory | 4x DDR5, Maximum Memory Capacity 192GB (4x 48GB) Overclocked Memory Support: 7200+ / 7000 / 6800 / 6600 / 6400 / 6200 / 6000 / 5800 MHz Stock Clocked Memory Support: 5600 / 5400 / 5200 / 5000 / 4800 MHz Maximum Overclocking Frequency: Supports Dual-Channel mode Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory |
Onboard Graphics* | 1x HDMI v2.1 port (up to 4K UHD @ 60Hz) 1x DisplayPort v1.4 port (up to 4K UHD @ 60Hz) * Available only on Processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary based on the CPU. |
Expansion Slots | 3x PCI-E x16 slots: PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 x16 slot PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 x1 slot (Electrical) PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 x4 slot (Electrical) 1x PCI-E x1 slot |
Storage | 4x M.2 Slots: M.2_1: PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 22110/2280/2260/2242 devices M.2_2: PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices M.2_3: PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices M.2_4: PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devices 6x SATA III 6Gbps ports |
USB | Rear USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps) Type C port 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) Type A ports 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 (5Gbps) Type A ports 4x USB 2.0 (480Mbps) Type A ports Front Panel USB Ports: |
LAN | Intel® 2.5Gbps Ethernet Chipset 1x 2.5Gbps RJ45 LAN port |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 Chipset* Supports WiFi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) w/ MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (320MHz) up to 5.8Gbps Supports IEEE-802.11be* / ax / ac / n / g / b / a The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot* 6GHz band support may depend on every country’s regulations and Wi-Fi 7 support requires the Windows® 11 SV3 Upgrade or higher. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.4* w/ MLO, 4KQAM * The Bluetooth version may be updated, please refer to the Wi-Fi chipset vendor's website for details. Initially supports Bluetooth v5.3. Bluetooth 5.4 support requires the Windows® 11 SV3 Upgrade or higher. |
Audio | Realtek® ALC897 Codec: 7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio Rear Audios: 1x Front Audio (JAUD) port on Motherboard |
Rear I/O Ports | 1x HDMI v2.1 port (up to 4K UHD @ 60Hz) 1x DisplayPort v1.4 port (up to 4K UHD @ 60Hz) 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps) Type C port 6x 3.5mm Audio jacks 1x 2.5Gbps RJ45 LAN port2x Wireless Antenna ports 1x Flash BIOS Button |
Internal I/O Connectors | 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR) 2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR) 1x CPU Fan 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI) 1x Front Audio (JAUD) 2x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)2x RGB LED connector(JRGB) 1x TPM pin header (Supports TPM 2.0) 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) Type C port via 1x USB 3.2 Connector4x USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps) Type A ports via 1x USB 3.2 Connector 4x USB 2.0 (480Mbps) ports via 2x USB 2.0 Connectors 1x USB 4 Card Connector (JTBT_U4_1, supports RTD3) |
LED Indicators | 4x EZ Debug LEDs |
Form Factor | ATX Form Factor |
Dimensions (LxW) | 243.84 x 304.8mm |
Weight | N/A |