Maxsun is not a well-known model to many within the U.S., however fans in Japanese markets know its AMD-, Nvidia-, and Intel-based merchandise starting from motherboards and graphics playing cards to solid-state drives and reminiscence modules. Right here, we’re trying out the corporate’s Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi, an Intel LGA 1700 motherboard that per Maxsun’s naming conference makes use of the MicroATX (“M”) kind issue and helps DDR5 (“D5”). The board has essentially the most M.2 storage sockets you may discover in MicroATX—a complete of 5—plus 4 SATA ports, built-in Wi-Fi 6E and a couple of.5Gbps Ethernet, a finances audio codec, and twin (entrance and rear) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C ports. With a present MSRP of $249.99, it is a comparatively costly possibility amongst MicroATX Z790 motherboards. But when “all of the M.2 storage you may mount within the least house” is your factor, it is price it.
Design, CPU, and Reminiscence
The Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi sits on a multi-layer black PCB with black slots and sockets and silver accents for the voltage regulator module (VRM), M.2, and chipset heatsinks. The stark distinction is impartial bordering on bland, particularly because it lacks built-in RGB components, nevertheless it ought to slot in with most construct themes. Distinctive to a board at this worth level, the VRMs are actively cooled, which is useful because the configuration is not significantly sturdy.
The restrict of 4 SATA ports and two PCI Specific growth slots might be a turnoff for customers who’ve heavy investments in SATA-based storage or plan to put in a variety of playing cards, and I’d have preferred to see a state-of-the-art PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket. Nonetheless, whereas the design will not precisely bounce out of your chassis, it has the whole lot you want for a well-rounded PC.
The Terminator helps Intel’s twelfth and thirteenth Gen LGA 1700 processors, together with the flagship Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS. The eight 50A Steel Oxide Semiconductor Subject-Impact Transistors, or MOSFETs, devoted to the processor are a bit anemic, however nonetheless managed to deal with our CPU with out a difficulty throughout testing. The actively cooled heatsinks stored the facility bits beneath operating properly inside specification, even with overclocking, however they do are inclined to get sizzling with sustained multi-threaded hundreds. In case you’re pushing a high-end processor, ensure your chassis additionally has efficient airflow as this board lets the CPU run on the greater 253-watt (W) energy restrict with out leaping again to 125W.
Reminiscence assist is listed as much as DDR5-7000+ (OC), which is on the low finish for the Z790 platform however properly previous the candy spot so far as worth and efficiency. A lot previous DDR5-6000 to -6400, you are spending large bucks for tiny efficiency good points. In case you want numerous RAM, the board’s restrict of 192GB is loads for even essentially the most hardcore house customers.
Our DDR5-5600 and DDR5-6000 kits had been completely secure by setting the interior XMP profile. You need to be clear to run higher-speed reminiscence if you happen to follow the QVL listing for assured assist.
Structure and Inside Connectors
Beginning within the high left nook, we spy 8-pin (required) and 4-pin EPS connectors to energy the processor. On either side are two giant VRM heatsinks related through a 6mm warmth pipe to chill the facility parts hiding under. As talked about, you may discover a small fan on the VRMs to assist the heatsinks. The fan was inaudible over ambient noise, which is greater than we will say for different boards with lively cooling. With the board promoting full 253W assist for high-end processors, each little bit helps. The left VRM heatsink options Terminator branding, whereas you could find the Maxsun title on the chipset heatsink.
Persevering with to the correct, we run into 4 RAM slots with the locking mechanism at high. Above them are the primary two of six 4-pin fan/pump headers. All these headers assist PWM- and DC-controlled gadgets. The web site and guide do not seem to listing their output, so it is most secure to imagine 1A/12W every, as overloading these headers might completely injury your motherboard. Management over these headers is dealt with via the BIOS.
At higher proper is a two-character debug LED to assist troubleshoot POST points. In case you expertise an issue through the POST course of, the LED shows a worth similar to the place the difficulty is.
Transferring down the correct fringe of the motherboard, we discover all three RGB headers—two 3-pin ARGB and one 4-pin RGB. Management over these gadgets is dealt with via the BIOS or the MaxsunLED app which you’ll be able to obtain from the web site. Under is the 24-pin ATX connector to energy the board, a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C port, and a 19-pin front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) header. You will additionally see one of many 5 M.2 sockets, squeezed vertically into this house. MicroATX motherboards have solely a lot actual property!
Audio, Enlargement, Storage, and Rear I/O
Within the backside left nook is a completely uncovered audio part, together with the Realtek ALC897 codec and 4 yellow capacitors devoted to audio. Sadly, you will not discover the audio separation line to cut back EMI (electromagnetic interference) that is widespread on different boards. The ALC897 is a finances codec, however many customers will nonetheless discover it completely acceptable.
In the course of the board are two PCI Specific growth slots and the remaining 4 M.2 sockets. The highest PCIe slot makes use of reinforcement to guard in opposition to shearing and EMI, connects via the CPU, and helps as much as PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds. The underside slot, an open-ended x4 connector that sources bandwidth via the chipset, peaks at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds. When you’ll discover solely two slots, you must have sufficient bandwidth so as to add extra gadgets through PCIe growth.
4 of the 5 M.2 sockets are combined in and across the PCIe slots. All 5 M.2 sockets run as much as PCIe 4.0 x4 modes and assist solely PCI Specific modules. (SATA-bus M.2 gadgets will not work in these M.2 slots.) The guide would not point out any lane sharing or conflicts, so in principle, you must be capable to run all these concurrently. Many of the sockets match as much as 80mm modules apart from M.2_2/3, which permits bigger drives as much as 110mm. Bear in mind that solely the highest socket (M.2_1) comes with a heatsink. In case you have any hot-running drives, you may need to add your individual heatsinks to stop thermal throttling (particularly on PCIe 4.0 x4 drives).
Alongside the underside fringe of the board are a number of headers, together with an extra USB 2.0 header, three 4-pin fan headers, COM and TPM ports, front-panel audio, and front-panel headers. Lastly, you may discover the 4 vertically mounted SATA ports. If you wish to acquire redundancy or pace via storage, these ports assist RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 modes.
The rear I/O of this Maxsun board incorporates a preinstalled I/O plate with grey labels on a white background. The 9 USB ports right here ought to be sufficient for many customers. You will discover a quick USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C port, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Kind-A ports, and 5 classic USB 2.0 (480Mbps) ports. HDMI and DisplayPort connectors for built-in video output sit subsequent to a handy clear-CMOS button to reset the BIOS. On the networking aspect are 2.5GbE Realtek and Intel Wi-Fi 6E antenna connections. Final is the audio stack containing 5 analog plugs and the SPDIF out. Nothing is out of the peculiar right here, however nothing is lacking, both.
A Temporary Have a look at the UEFI BIOS and Utilities
The Maxsun BIOS is helpful and has all of the choices you want, although it will not win any awards. To start with, it lacks the Simple (or EZ) Mode of different motherboard makers; the whole lot is “superior mode” with headings listed throughout the highest. The BIOS comes with a black background with a portal or door picture; its white textual content and yellow headers make it simple to learn. You will discover loads of choices to tweak, as many as you may discover from the “large 4” board companions; it simply omits their refined seems to be and Simple Mode.
The Major part is usually informative, displaying BIOS, processor, and RAM knowledge together with present system particulars, together with CPU and VRM temps, fan speeds, voltages, and extra.
The Superior part is the place to configure your {hardware}. From the CPU to the community, graphics, and USB, you may discover it right here. Not pictured is the Energy part that offers with hibernation and the way the system responds to power-off and power-on conditions.
A Turbo part presents all of your choices for tweaking the efficiency of the processor and RAM. Right here you may set XMP modes for RAM and manually tweak speeds and timings. For the processor, loads of choices can be found, together with voltage and frequency changes, offsets, and extra.
In the end, the Maxsun BIOS works fantastic however lacks the maturity of different BIOSes, at the very least when it comes to look. The first board companions current customers extra refined UEFIs. However this should not be a deal-breaker as you may discover all of the performance wanted to tweak this board to the restrict.
Maxsun would not present a lot in the way in which of utilities. All I might discover on the web site was the MaxsunLED app to manage suitable RGB LEDs connected to the built-in headers. In any other case, further software program is nonexistent.
The MaxsunLED app I discovered out there for obtain is usually not written in English: I used to be in a position to make out as much as eight LED modes and pace and brightness changes through sliders, nevertheless it was in any other case unreadable for me. You may enter a customized coloration in hexadecimal or RGB.
Verdict: A Strong Shot at Competing With the Large Boards
Maxsun’s Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi provides customers one other legitimate small-form-factor possibility within the Intel Z790 house—the one possibility for these trying to leverage numerous M.2 storage. Its black-and-white look blends in with most construct themes however would not present any built-in RGB lighting. Efficiency was a plus, because the board, surprisingly, bypasses Intel specs and runs up the turbo restrict to 253W for our Core i9-13900K with out dropping down. Basically, you are solely restricted by your CPU cooling.
So far as rivals go, MSI’s entries within the MicroATX area are in B760 kind (such because the $179.99 MAG B760M Mortar Wi-Fi). Asus sells the Prime Z690M-Plus Wi-Fi for $205.99 and Gigabyte the Z790M Aorus Elite AX for about $50 extra. All are legitimate selections, however the Maxsun’s ample M.2 storage is its best promoting level. Its look is unexciting and it will be extra interesting with a worth reduce, however the Terminator Z790M D5 Wi-Fi fills a helpful MicroATX area of interest.
