This article covers MEG Z790 GODLIKE w.

Overview

MSI's MEG Z790 GODLIKE is a flagship E-ATX motherboard built around the Intel Z790 chipset, designed for Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Core processors on the LGA 1700 socket. It pushes the boundaries with quad DDR5 memory slots supporting up to 192GB, overclocking beyond 7800MHz, and a dual PCIe 5.0 x16 configuration that future-proofs storage and GPU expansion. Seven M.2 slots dominate the storage side—one is a direct CPU PCIe 5.0 x4 lane. Network connectivity is equally premium: a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port alongside a 2.5GbE port, plus an onboard Thunderbolt 4 controller (JHL8540) for 40Gbps external I/O and 8K display support. The audio subsystem features a dedicated ESS DACHPA DAC driving 7.1-channel surround sound. This is unequivocally a high-end enthusiast board. It targets overclockers, hard-core gamers, and workstation builders who demand every last bit of bandwidth and stability, and aren't afraid to pay a premium for it.

Compatibility Guide

The socket is LGA 1700, compatible with Intel Core i9/i7/i5/i3 from 12th Gen (Alder Lake), 13th Gen (Raptor Lake), and 14th Gen (Raptor Lake Refresh). Memory is limited to DDR5 non-ECC unbuffered DIMMs; DDR4 is not supported. Four slots allow up to 192GB, with official support up to DDR5-7800+ (1DPC 1R OC). Expansion includes two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots direct from CPU, plus additional PCIe 4.0/3.0 lanes from the chipset. Storage: 7 M.2 slots (1x PCIe 5.0 x4, 4x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA) plus 6 SATA 6Gbps ports. Note shared bandwidth: using M.2_4 (PCIe 5.0) halves PCIe slot 2 to x8; populating M.2_5 with a SATA mode SSD disables SATA ports 5–8. RAID 0/1/5/10 supported for both NVMe and SATA. Form factor is E-ATX (305 x 288 mm), requiring a case built for wide boards. Power connectors: one 24-pin ATX, two 8-pin EPS, and one 6-pin PCIe. A quality 850W PSU or higher is recommended for a fully loaded high-end build.

Product Info

Released in late 2022, the MEG Z790 GODLIKE remains MSI's crown jewel for Z790. The retail price hovers around ¥250,000 in Japan (~$1,700 USD). Warranty is 3 years standard. Key specs: Intel Z790 chipset, LGA 1700 support up to 14th Gen, DDR5-7800+ OC, 7 M.2 slots, dual PCIe 5.0 x16, Thunderbolt 4, 10GbE + 2.5GbE LAN, ESS DACHPA audio (7.1ch). The VRM is robust enough to handle an overclocked Core i9-14900K without breaking a sweat. Active cooling on the chipset heatsink ensures thermal stability during heavy workloads.

Best Use Cases

Top-tier gaming rigs: Pair with an i9-14900K and an RTX 4090 for the highest frame rates. Dual PCIe 5.0 slots allow multi-GPU setups or a fast Gen5 SSD in slot 1 and GPU in slot 2. Seven M.2 slots mean near-infinite fast storage. Content creation workstations: For video editors, 3D artists, and compilers that need large RAM and fast storage. 192GB of DDR5, Thunderbolt 4 external RAID, and 10GbE networking make short work of big files. Overclocking enthusiasts: The board is tuned for memory and CPU overclocking, with extensive BIOS options and hardware-level controls. DDR5-7800+ is realistically achievable with good hardware. Who should NOT buy this: If you're building a mid-range gaming PC (i5 + RTX 4060), this board is overkill. Opt for a B760 or a budget Z790 board instead. Also, if your case cannot fit E-ATX, avoid this board.

Things to Consider

Price is the biggest barrier—around ¥250,000 / $1,700 is more than many complete PCs. Budget builders should look at Z790-A PRO or TOMAHAWK series. The E-ATX size restricts case compatibility; triple-check your case's maximum motherboard size. Resource sharing can catch you off guard: populating the M.2_4 slot (PCIe 5.0) halves the second PCIe x16 slot to x8. Using certain M.2 slots disables SATA ports—plan your storage layout early. The Thunderbolt 4 port supports up to 40Gbps for Thunderbolt devices, but USB4 devices are limited to 20Gbps. Competitors like the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO and GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS XTREME offer similar features but at different price points. The GODLIKE stands out with its 10GbE LAN and Thunderbolt 4 out of the box. Make sure your CPU cooling and PSU are adequate—the board itself doesn't consume much, but the platform will. ## FAQ
Q: Can I use this motherboard with an Intel Core i5-13600K or i7-13700K? A: Yes, any LGA 1700 CPU from 12th/13th/14th Gen will work. However, the premium cost of this board is wasted on mid-range CPUs. You'd be better served by a mid-tier Z790 or B760 board for those processors. Q: Does this board support DDR4 memory? A: No, it supports DDR5 only. For DDR4, you'll need a DDR4 variant like the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4. Q: What are the M.2 slot restrictions I should know about? A: The M.2_4 slot uses CPU lanes that share bandwidth with the second PCIe x16 slot—if M.2_4 is occupied, PCI_E2 runs at x8. The M.2_5 slot shares lanes with SATA ports 5-8; populating it disables those SATA ports. Always check

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: MSI
  • Seller: New Oriental Technology
  • Fulfilled by: New Oriental Technology
  • ASIN: B09XZQLLSR
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.