MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC vs Gigabyte GA-Z270-HD3
These are different generations and different sizes, so the choice is mostly about your case and CPU. The MSI MPG Z390I is a current-enough Mini-ITX Z390 board for a small build with a 9th-gen Intel chip; the Gigabyte GA-Z270-HD3 is an older ATX Z270 board for a full-size build with a 6th or 7th-gen chip. No prices were given for either board, so compare live store prices on Deal.ai before buying.
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MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC
MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC Motherboard
Choose the MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC if you are building a small Mini-ITX system around a 9th-gen Intel CPU and want built-in Wi-Fi.
Pros
- Small Mini-ITX footprint fits compact cases
- Z390 chipset supports 8th and 9th-gen Intel CPUs
- Built-in Wi-Fi saves a slot and an adapter
- Video outputs support up to 4096 x 2304
What separates them
| MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC | Gigabyte GA-Z270-HD3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Mini-ITX | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 | Intel Z270 |
| CPU generation | 8th and 9th-gen Intel Core (LGA 1151) | 6th and 7th-gen Intel Core (LGA 1151) |
| Memory slots | 2 | 4 |
| Max RAM | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Expansion slots | One PCIe x16 (single-card ITX layout) | PCIe x16 plus PCIe and PCI slots |
| Multi-GPU | None | CrossFire support |
| Wireless | Built-in Wi-Fi (AC in the model name) |
Price history
- MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC: lowest $91.00 on Nov 2 at ergio controles.
- Gigabyte GA-Z270-HD3: lowest $250.00 on Nov 2 at Amazon.
Prices at every store
MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC
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- ergio controlesCheck price at ergio controles
- Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
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Gigabyte GA-Z270-HD3
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- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
Specs compared
| Spec | MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC | Gigabyte GA-Z270-HD3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX | ATX |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 | Socket LGA1151 |
| RAM Type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Motherboard Socket Type | LGA 1151 | — |
| Motherboard Chipset | Intel Z390 | — |
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-ITX | — |
| Motherboard Model | MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC | — |
| Motherboard Series | MPG GAMING EDGE AC | — |
| Manufacturer | MSI | — |
| CPU Compatibility | Pentium Gold, Celeron | — |
What reviewers say
MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC
- 4.2 / 513 ratings
Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings.
What people mention
- Form factorPraisedBuyers like that it packs a full Z390 feature set into a Mini-ITX board.
- Wi-FiPraisedOnboard wireless is seen as a plus for small builds.
- Memory slotsCriticised
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a small build?
- The MSI MPG Z390I. It is Mini-ITX, so it fits compact cases that the ATX Gigabyte board cannot.
- Which supports newer CPUs?
- The MSI. Z390 takes 8th and 9th-gen Intel Core chips; the Gigabyte Z270 tops out at 7th-gen.
- Can I put 64 GB of RAM in the MSI?
- No. It has two slots and a 32 GB maximum. The Gigabyte board has four slots and supports 64 GB.
- Do I need a graphics card with either?
- Only if your CPU lacks integrated graphics. The MSI lists onboard video outputs; the Gigabyte lists HDMI, DVI and VGA ports.
- Is the MSI worth more than the Gigabyte?
- It depends on the live price gap. The MSI buys you a newer chipset, Wi-Fi and a smaller size; the Gigabyte buys you more slots and RAM capacity.