OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

MSI Z590-A Pro review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£180CPU socket:LGA 1200Chipset:Intel Z590Form factor:ATX

MSI Z590-A Pro Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 2 expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI Z590-A Pro
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 56% of models
Score components

40%

6.7

Technical score

20%

6.7

Reviews score

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

9.1

User score

â–²Better than 56% of motherboards
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

â–²Better than 59%
6.7

Technical score

Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 62% of models
Score components

19%

6.8

Memory

16%

7.8

Platform

16%

6.6

Storage

15%

6.4

Network

13%

5.5

Ports

8%

4.7

Expansion

8%

8.5

Power & Cooling

5%

7.0

Audio

â–²Better than 62%
6.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models

6.7

Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

6.9

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
â–¼Worse than 70%
9.1

User score

User score
9.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 84% of models

70%

8.8

Rating

30%

9.8

Popularity

â–²Better than 84%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
  • msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
msi-z590-a-pro
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of motherboard MSI Z590-A Pro

Technical score
Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 62% of models
Score components:

19%

6.8

Memory

16%

7.8

Platform

16%

6.6

Storage

15%

6.4

Network

13%

5.5

Ports

8%

4.7

Expansion

8%

8.5

Power & Cooling

5%

7.0

Audio

6.7
Reviews score
6.7
User score
9.1
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

7.9
CPU socket
LGA 1200
This motherboard uses LGA 1200, which is less up-to-date than 61.9% of Motherboards and the same as 8.8% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
Chipset
Intel Z590
This motherboard uses Intel Z590, which is less capable than 50.2% of Motherboards and as capable as 2.3% of Motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR4
This motherboard uses DDR4, which is more modern than 13.4% of Motherboards and the same as 50.4% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
128 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.1% of motherboards and equal to 31.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
3,200 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 3,200 MT/s, which is lower than that of 63.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 11.2% of motherboards.
top speed with 11th Gen CPU
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
3
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 3 M.2 sockets, which is more than 65.1% of motherboards and equal to 18.9% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
1x PCIe 4.0 x4, 2x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 1x PCIe 4.0x4, 2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, which is faster than 67.3% of Motherboards and the same as 0.8% of Motherboards.
one slot requires 11th Gen CPU.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
6
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 53.5% of motherboards and equal to 31.2% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
JBOD excluded from RAID-level set
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is more than 55.2% of motherboards and equal to 35.7% of motherboards.
requires 11th Gen Intel CPU
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 40.5% of motherboards and equal to 26.8% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x0/x4, which is more generous than 51% of Motherboards and the same as 9.6% of Motherboards.
Depends on CPU.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
x16/x4.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
8
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.6% of motherboards and equal to 30.3% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
16
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 16 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 61.3% of motherboards and equal to 10% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 48.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.7% of motherboards and equal to 33% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is more than 82.1% of motherboards and equal to 17.7% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
2.5 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.4% of motherboards.
LAN controller
Intel I225-V
This motherboard has a Intel I225-V LAN controller, which is faster than 90.1% of Motherboards and equal to 4.2% of Motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC897
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC897, which is higher-end than 20.2% of Motherboards and the same as 29.9% of Motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
97 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 97 dB, which is lower than that of 65.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 16.9% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
6
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 6 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 87% of motherboards and equal to 13% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
12+2+1
This motherboard has 12+2+1 VRM phases, which is more than 72.5% of motherboards and equal to 1.9% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.9% of motherboards and equal to 44.8% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
8
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 8 fan headers, which is more than 82.2% of motherboards and equal to 15% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
3 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 3 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 77.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 22.2% of motherboards.
Show more

MSI Z590-A Pro vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    requires 11th Gen Intel CPU
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 2.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (8 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    8 vs 5.5
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12+2+1 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    12+2+1 vs 10
  • 23.0% higher user score
    User score
    9.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 84% of models

    70%

    8.8

    Rating

    30%

    9.8

    Popularity

    9.1 vs 7.4
  • More up-to-date socket
    This motherboard uses a more up-to-date socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1200 vs LGA 1151).
    LGA 1,200 vs LGA 1,151
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    6 vs 4
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    requires 11th Gen Intel CPU
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    This motherboard has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
    JTBT1 header
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (16 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    16 vs 15
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 3 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (6 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    6 vs 3
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • 2.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (8 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    8 vs 5.5
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12+2+1 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    12+2+1 vs 10
  • 1 A higher pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a higher pump header current than the average motherboard (3 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    3 A vs 2 A
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z590 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z590 vs Intel B860
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 2 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    2 vs 4
  • 18 dB lower audio SNR
    This motherboard has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (97 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    97 dB vs 115 dB
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 4x4, 2x PCIe 3x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    one slot requires 11th Gen CPU.
    1x PCIe 4.0x4, 2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 31.9% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,200 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    top speed with 11th Gen CPU
    3,200 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 8.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models

    6.7

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    6.9

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    6.7 vs 7.3
  • 8.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models

    6.7

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    6.9

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    6.7 vs 7.3
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z590 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z590 vs Intel B860
  • 31.9% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,200 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    top speed with 11th Gen CPU
    3,200 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 4x4, 2x PCIe 3x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    one slot requires 11th Gen CPU.
    1x PCIe 4.0x4, 2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • Less generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes less generously than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    Depends on CPU.
    x16/x0/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 2 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    2 vs 4
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 18 dB lower audio SNR
    This motherboard has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (97 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    97 dB vs 115 dB
  • No optical S/PDIF out
    This motherboard does not have optical S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does. 55.4% of motherboards include optical S/PDIF out.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Hands-on video, no verdict
Shop video
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
tomshardware.com
✓ explicit
18/10/2021
Lab test · Budget Z590 board
Verdict
The MSI MAG Z590-A Pro is a solid budget Z590 board that overclocks easily and games well, but its audio codec is older and its design is busy.
8.0
hardwareluxx.de
≈ estimated
05/07/2021
Hands-on test · Mainstream ATX board
Verdict
The MSI Z590-A Pro is a no-frills ATX board with 2.5GbE LAN and three M.2 slots, but its top M.2 only works with Rocket Lake chips.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI Z590-A Pro

  • Excellent value for a Z590 chipset with a low entry price point
  • Reliable VRM performance capable of handling i9 processors at stock or mild overclocks
  • Three M.2 slots (one with Gen 4 support) providing ample high-speed storage options
  • User-friendly BIOS with extensive customization and easy-to-use 'EZ Mode'
  • Features 2.5 GbE LAN and a 20Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port
  • Simple, clean aesthetic that fits well in most professional or gaming builds

What customers don't like about MSI Z590-A Pro

  • Lacks integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the base model
  • Only one of the three M.2 slots includes a thermal heatsink
  • Uses a dated or budget-level audio codec (Realtek ALC897)
  • PCB design/patterning may be visually 'busy' or divisive for some users
  • Occasional reports of PCIe slot or CPU compatibility issues during initial setup
  • Limited rear I/O connectivity compared to more premium Z590 alternatives

Verdict

The MSI Z590-A PRO is an ATX motherboard featuring the LGA 1200 socket, supporting 10th and 11th Gen Intel Core processors with a 12+2+1 Duet Rail power system and 8+4 pin power connectors. Key specifications include four DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 128GB at 5333MHz (OC), a primary PCIe 4.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor, and three M.2 slots, including one Lightning Gen4 x4 64Gb/s connector with Shield Frozr. Connectivity is headlined by an Intel 2.5G LAN controller, a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port (20Gbps), and dual display outputs (HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4). Main pros include a robust VRM for stable overclocking, high-speed 2.5G networking, and efficient thermal management with an extended heatsink design. However, notable cons include the lack of integrated Wi-Fi on the standard model, the use of a mid-tier Realtek ALC897 audio codec, and the fact that the primary M.2 slot is only functional when paired with an 11th Gen CPU.

Compare MSI Z590-A Pro with other products in the Motherboards category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of MSI Z590-A Pro and other products in the Motherboards category

No results found