msi
MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) M.2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 DDR4 HDMI DP CFX Dual Gigabit LAN ATX Z390 Gaming Motherboard
Bottom line: The MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151 ($179.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 06:15 UTC): Supports Intel 8th/9th Gen up to Core i9-9900K on LGA1151; main trade-off: LGA1151 (300-series) caps CPU upgrades at Intel 9th Gen.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Supports Intel 8th/9th Gen up to Core i9-9900K on LGA1151
- ✓ Dual-channel DDR4 rated up to 4400 MHz (OC) with DDR4 Boost
- ✓ Turbo M.2 with PCIe Gen3 x4 for full-speed NVMe SSDs
- ✓ Intel USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller plus HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
Cons
- ✗ LGA1151 (300-series) caps CPU upgrades at Intel 9th Gen
- ✗ M.2 is PCIe Gen3 x4; no PCIe Gen4 storage support
- ✗ Multi-GPU listed as 2-way AMD CrossFire only; no NVIDIA SLI listed
- ✗ Only Windows 10 64-bit listed as a supported operating system
Manufacturer description
The MSI Z390-A PRO is an ATX Z390 motherboard for Intel 8th and 9th Gen LGA1151 builds. It supports processors from the Core i9-9900K, i7-9700K and i5-9600K down to Pentium Gold and Celeron chips. That makes it a sensible base for a Coffee Lake gaming PC, whether you are building new or keeping an older system running. Memory runs in dual-channel DDR4 at up to 4400 MHz when overclocked, with MSI DDR4 Boost for signal stability. For storage, the Turbo M.2 slot uses a PCIe Gen3 x4 interface, so NVMe SSDs run at full speed. Intel USB 3.1 Gen 2 comes from Intel's own controller, and you get HDMI…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) M.2 USB 3.1 Gen 2… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro motherboards category. msi's retro motherboards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for retro motherboards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MSI Z390-A PRO support the Intel Core i9-9900K?
Yes. MSI lists support for the 9th Gen Core i9-9900K, i7-9700K and i5-9600K, along with 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron processors on the LGA1151 socket.
What is the maximum RAM speed on the MSI Z390-A PRO?
The board runs dual-channel DDR4 at up to 4400 MHz when overclocked. Speeds that high depend on your CPU's memory controller and your RAM kit. Check the MSI memory QVL for kits that have been validated.
Can I use an NVMe SSD with this motherboard?
Yes. The Turbo M.2 slot uses a PCIe Gen3 x4 interface, so NVMe SSDs run at full speed. It does not support PCIe Gen4 drive speeds.
Does the MSI Z390-A PRO support dual graphics cards?
It supports 2-way AMD CrossFire through its steel-armored PCIe slots. NVIDIA SLI is not listed in the product specifications.
Key Features
- Supports 9th i9-9900K, i7-9700K, i5-9600K and 8th Generation Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket
- Supports dual channel ddr4 memory, up to 4400(oc) MHz
- Turbo M.2: PCI-E gen3 x4 interfACe maximizes performance for NVME SSDS
- Core boost, 8+4 pin CPU power connector, ddr4 boost
- Built for reliable operation
- Operating system - Support for windows 10 64-bit
Full Specifications
| Brand | msi |
|---|---|
| Turbo | Yes |
| USB 2.0 | 6 |
| Platform | Windows 10 |
| CPU Model | Pentium |
| Multi-gpu | With steel armor pci-e slots. Supports 2-way amd crossfire |
| Turbo M.2 | PCI-E gen3 x4 interfACe maximizes performance for NVME SSDS |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1151 |
| Model Name | Z390-A PRO |
| Chipset Type | Intel Z390 |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | Z390-A PRO |
| Built-In Media | Gaming motherboard, cables and connectors, quick setup guide |
| Chipset Family | Intel Z390 |
| Item Type Name | Z390-A PRO |
| Mfr Part Number | Z390-A PRO |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Ports | 17 |
| Total Usb Ports | 12 |
| Processor Socket | LGA 1151 |
Ready to buy?
MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) M.2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 DDR4 HDMI DP CFX Dual Gigabit LAN ATX Z390 Gaming Motherboard is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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