[SOLVED] MSI MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI DDR4 vs Asus ROG STRIX Z690-A GAMING WIFI D4

[bloodroses]

I am looking at building a system with a 12900k shortly. Which of these motherboards is preferred?
MSI MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
Asus ROG STRIX Z690-A GAMING WIFI D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard

The costs are close enough to not be of concern. Has anyone had experience with both, and did you have any issues to prefer one over the other? This can also include the general MSI vs Asus experience between the brands as well. This is the closest I found for a comparison sheet between the two on one page:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/comp...AMING_WIFI_D4/BHitems/1668939-REG_1666738-REG

The only thing that seems to really stand out between the two boards is the expansion slots:
MSI
1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (x16 mode)
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode)
1 x PCIe 3.0 x1
vs Asus
1 x PCIe 5.0 x16
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16
1 x PCIe 3.0 x1

The biggest uses I am looking at are for gaming and VMs. I may switch to Unraid at some point and have Windows running inside a VM. Multiple video cards are a possibility (not xfire/sli) as a result.

 

[Lutfij]

If it's for gaming, you have no need for a multi GPU setup, in fact you're advised to get the highest performing card your wallet will allow, that way you worry less about your PSU requirements and consequently heat dump. If you do end up upgrading the GPU in the future, you'll see that swapping a newer GPU for the one that's on the system is worthwhile.

Intel® 12th Gen Processors
1 x PCIe 5.0/4.0/3.0 x16 slot*

Intel® Z690 Chipset**
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode)*
1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
* Please check PCIe bifurcation table in User Guide Chapter 1 // support site.
** Supports Intel® Optane Memory H Series on PCH-attached PCIe slot

from here;
https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-a-gaming-wifi-d4-model/spec

They are the same board, the only difference is the missing PCIe slot on the Asus, the rear I/O panel, their aesthetics and the obvious change in the brand name. Outside of that, they are identical.

 

[bloodroses]

If it's for gaming, you have no need for a multi GPU setup, in fact you're advised to get the highest performing card your wallet will allow, that way you worry less about your PSU requirements and consequently heat dump. If you do end up upgrading the GPU in the future, you'll see that swapping a newer GPU for the one that's on the system is worthwhile.


from here;
https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-a-gaming-wifi-d4-model/spec

They are the same board, the only difference is the missing PCIe slot on the Asus, the rear I/O panel, their aesthetics and the obvious change in the brand name. Outside of that, they are identical.

With the multi-gpu, I'd only be considering it if running Unraid to where the second card would be used for a second VM (or for Plex in a docker). Gaming wise, I'm not a real heavy AAA gamer, and will probably stick with my 1060 6gb for gaming until at least the 4000 series nvidia or amd (or intel) equivalent gpus. CPU grunt is currently more important to me right now (along with case HD storage, but I've got that covered already).

Thank you with the info on this so far regarding the motherboards. I was originally leaning towards the MSI board, but wasn't sure if there would be a reason to avoid it. So far there appears to be none.