MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Gaming Motherboard
Bottom line: The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Gaming Motherboard: Dual Twin Turbo M.2 slots with M.2 Shield Frozr hit up to 32 GB/s SSD speeds; main trade-off: LGA 1200 socket ties you to 10th Gen Intel, a short upgrade runway.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Dual Twin Turbo M.2 slots with M.2 Shield Frozr hit up to 32 GB/s SSD speeds
- ✓ 2.5G LAN plus Gigabit LAN and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast wired and wireless
- ✓ Dual-channel DDR4 up to 128GB at 4800MHz across four DIMM slots
- ✓ Core Boost with dual CPU power connectors for steady 10th Gen power delivery
Cons
- ✗ LGA 1200 socket ties you to 10th Gen Intel, a short upgrade runway
- ✗ DDR4-only platform with no path to faster DDR5 memory
- ✗ Full-size ATX board too large for Mini-ITX or SFF cases
- ✗ Board only; needs a separate LGA 1200 CPU, RAM, and cooler
Manufacturer description
Powered by Intel 10th Gen Core processors, the MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS is built for gamers who want to focus on the game, whether it’s for fun or for competition. Extended Heatsink Design, Core boost, and M.2 Shield Frozr pack a punch. A USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C port, M.2 Shield Frozr and 2.5G LAN provide the latest in connectivity.
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Gaming Motherboard using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the motherboards category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the motherboards category before committing. 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 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.
Key Features
- Supports 10th Generation Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron Processors for LGA 1200 socket
- Supports dual channel DDR4 memory up to 128GB (4800MHz)
- Twin Turbo M.2 with M.2 Shield Frozr delivers transfer speeds of up to 32 GB/s for ultra-fast SSDs
- Core Boost technology combines optimized power circuit layouts, double CPU power connectors, and a digital power design which allows for precise and steady current delivery to the CPU
- On-board 2.5G LAN plus Gigabit LAN with with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Pre-installed I/O Shielding for convenience and protection from electrostatic discharge
Full Specifications
| Brand | msi |
|---|---|
| Turbo | Yes |
| Weight | 2.5g |
| USB 2.0 | 6 |
| Platform | Windows 10 |
| CPU Model | Pentium |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Model Name | MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS |
| Chipset Type | Intel |
| Connectivity | USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | MPG Z490 Gaming Plus |
| Chipset Family | Z490 |
| Mfr Part Number | MPG Z490 Gaming Plus |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Ports | 15 |
| Total Usb Ports | 15 |
| Processor Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Total PCIe Ports | 5 |
| Total SATA Ports | 6 |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Full listing title | MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, CF, Dual M.2 Slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5G LAN, DP/HDMI, Mystic Light RGB) |
Ready to buy?
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, CF, Dual M.2 Slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5G LAN, DP/HDMI, Mystic Light RGB) 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.
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