The Intel Z490 Overview: 44+ Motherboards Examined
by Gavin Bonshor on April 30, 2020 10:00 AM ESTMSI MEG Z490I Unify
Not content with just the ATX sized Z490 Unify, MSI has opted to release a mini-ITX version too, with the MSI MEG Z490I Unify. Following the same all-black theme but more condensed into a small form factor, the Z490I Unify incorporates an 8-phase CPU power delivery, with two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and includes a Thunderbolt 3 Type-C port on the rear panel. It also has a 10-layer PCB which is superb for a mini-ITX motherboard.
Being the only mini-ITX board at launch from MSI, it has opted to release it under its MEG enthusiast-level range under the Unify series. With this brings its subtle all-black design with a small MSI Dragon at the bottom of the rear panel cover, with a combined chipset and M.2 heatsink at the bottom. It has a single full-length PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, with two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, one on the front and one located on the rear of the board. This adds onto the four straight-angled SATA ports which include support for RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 arrays. It is using an 8-phase power delivery for the CPU with high-end 90 A ISL power stages, with a single 8-pin 12 V ATX power input for the CPU.
On the rear panel is a Thunderbolt 3 compliant USB Type-C port, which does offer support for DisplayPort 1.4 too. Also featured is a single USB 3.2 G2 10 Gbps Type-A, two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Powering the five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output is a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec, while a Realtek RTL8125B 2.5 G Ethernet port and Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface provides wireless networking as well as BT 5.1 device support. For users looking to leverage the Intel integrated graphics onboard the 10th Gen Comet Lake desktop chips, there's an HDMI and DisplayPort video output.
The MSI MEG Z490I Unify represents the enthusiast-level small form factor market. It has all the bells and whistles expected from a top-level mini-ITX model with Thunderbolt 3 support, dual PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and benefits from Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.1, and a 2.5 G Ethernet controller. MSI hasn't provided pricing at this time.
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DanNeely - Thursday, April 30, 2020 - link
I really hate when new articles are inserted below the lead spot because it's hit or miss if I ever notice them. I missed this one during several visits to the site and only found it when Google suggested it in response to a search I made.Jedibeeftrix - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
agreed, i found this by accident, and check AT twice or more a day.sunshinerevans55 - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
I basically make about $12,000-$18,000 a month online. It’s enough to comfortably replace my I was amazed how easy it was after I tried it . This is what I’ve been doing old jobs income, especially considering I only work about 10-13 hours a week from home… www.iⅭash68.ⅭomYB1064 - Monday, May 4, 2020 - link
This must have taken some writing. Kudos to the author(s). A good one stop article for anybody planning on going the Intel route. Intel seem to be adept at packaging old milk (not wine) in a new bottle. At least increase the number of PCIe lanes...boozed - Monday, May 4, 2020 - link
I recommend using the RSS feed, then you get everything and you get it chronologically.Exodite - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - link
+1 on RSS!The "magazine layout" that plagues many sites and makes it impossible to distinguish between old articles, new articles and commercials can thankfully still be avoided through RSS.
Wardrop - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Funny that ASRock are the only manufacturers to have a mATX X570 motherboard for AMD's platform, yet for Intel they're the only one's NOT to have a mATX motherboard.Beaver M. - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - link
You mean they are relevant again, because they have fixed their stereotypical USB issues?Marlin1975 - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
So in other words a re-spin of previous chipset with little to no real useful extra features but will require a new board. Classic intel. This is one of many reasons my last system was Intel and my new system is AMD now.Unless you are a intel fanboy why keep supporting this?
regsEx - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
New networking controllers, support for PCIe 4 CPUs (RKL-S that will be released in future).Some boards also have USB Gen 2x2 support with external ASMedia controller. I know no any X570 board with USB Gen 2x2 support. Only Gen 2x1.