The MSI Ace is a horrible value for money if you don't care for a Debug Code LED
instead of 4 category (CPU/VGA/RAM/HDD) LEDs specifying the error , don't particularly need USB 3.1 front panel header, or plan on using over 3600 RAM divider , confirmed:
View attachment 222958
(translates to "back of board temp" , LinX is an AVX load)
View attachment 222960
https://ithardware.pl/testyirecenzje/msi_meg_z390_ace_test_plyty_glownej-7424-15.html
Power draw is listed around 200-215W in that test ; I'm not quite sure if it is whole system draw (idle is roughly 55-65W per the other graphs).
https://ithardware.pl/testyirecenzje/gigabyte_z390_aorus_pro_test_plyty_glownej-7423-17.html
As far as value for money goes:
At $290 the Ace is priced against the Taichi Ultimate (which is above the Taichi obviously) , Maximus Hero , and Aorus Master (which is above the Aorus Ultra). The Ace also notably only has 2 USB 3.1 gen 2 at the back panel (one type A and one type C). Aorus Pro WIFI could be one of the best midrange boards because it isn't cut down too far from the Ultra (which has the advantage of a better heatsink , ESS9118 at the audio section, USB 3.1 gen 2 front panel connector, 3rd M.2, + debug LED). The "Elite" board below the "Pro" and Pro WIFI drops the heatpipe , loses USB 3.1 gen 2 type C connector (only type-A), and goes with Apaq Taiwanese capacitors instead of the black Japanese FP caps. The Elite also seems to drop the temperature sensor and fan header count , so the $20 or so to step up from the Elite to the Pro WIFI is well worth it (per Newegg it's $10 for Elite to Pro so if you don't need WIFI that's an even better option). This is also the case when I checked prices in Europe.
If you compare the supposed midrange STRIX Z390-H for example, the IO at the back panel is pretty mediocre in comparison to the MSI/Gigabyte offerings and even their own Prime Z390-A. The Z390-H also has the unfortunate disadvantage of no auto overclocking capability, something that is present on the Z390-A and all other STRIX Boards in the Z390 lineup. It's a similar situation with the Asrock Phantom Gaming 6 , they haven't ditched D-Sub I hated in the Z370 version although it does have HDMI+DP instead of the DVI+HDMI combo. In addition, the Phantom Gaming 6 is technically a downgrade in power delivery from Z370 K6. The Z390 Pro Carbon also seems to have the anemic IO issue , the MPG Edge is a further downgrade overall despite a $190 price tag (~$10 less than the Pro Carbon on Newegg).
At $170-180 the Z390 Extreme4 isn't that compelling especially with the replacement of the PWM with the up9521, it isn't like the $120-150 the Z370 version ran when every other vendor was using 4 phase midrange VRMs with simply doubled up mosfets on boards up to ~$200 and absolute garbage at the $100-140 MSRP pricepoints. In fact the Z370 Extreme4 is $165 now ($10 MIR available to reduce it further) and the Z370 Fatal1ty ITX board is around $155-165 as well. The Z390 version of the Extreme4 is definitely not a board to buy at launch and I'd struggle with reasons to use it over a Z370 Extreme4 (required BIOS flashing for i7-9700K maybe).
At the lower price brackets: Similarly the Z390 Gaming Plus from MSI isn't that compelling in my opinion. It's missing the top VRM heatsink on at least one of the CPU Core phases (likely two) and the audio isn't shielded whatsoever. It still manages to MSRP at $150 / ~ €140 . The Z390 MAG Tomahawk should fare better at $160 / € 150 as it's a relatively minor price bump , one thing I definitely noticed was the presence of four USB 3.1 gen 2 at the back panel.
The ASUS TUF boards received an audio upgrade to ALC1220 , ALC892 is present on the MSI Z390 Tomahawk + Mortar (mATX), but the Gigabyte UD board still is stuck with ALC887 (try to go with Aorus boards if you go with Gigabyte, really) the Gaming X has ALC892 and until you get to the SLI PLUS you won't get ALC1220 on Gigabyte's lineup (which is understandable).
If you look at the older Z370s with power delivery capable for the new 9th gen CPUs:
Asus Maximus X Code runs $260 on Amazon & Microcenter's web shop , which is lower than the $270ish the Hero is costing
Gigabyte Z370 Gaming 7 runs $220 on Newegg / Amazon / Microcenter web shop
Asrock Z370 Taichi runs $220 ($210 after MIR) on Newegg / Amazon
Asrock Z370 Fatal1ty ITX runs around $150-160 on Newegg / Microcenter web shop
EVGA Z370 FTW is a mere $120 on Amazon , is about on par with the $160-170 Z390 cheaper boards --- this is an option for i7-9700K 8 core provided the power draw is lower
In short, I'd expect massive downward price swings on many boards after a few months (one fiscal quarter). If you decide to buy anything early make sure to get price protection from your credit card or something similar in nature. The price volatility should turn out to be quite high.
I'd expect them to be quite similar in performance. When an AVX load is introduced there might be differences due to the thermal characteristics at higher amperages but at the end of the day:
the Z370 Taichi uses 10 drivers with 10x Sinopower SM7341EHKP or Fairchild FDPC5030SG powerblocks (~90-92% efficient each)
the Z390 Taichi uses 5 doublers with 10x TI NExFET 87350 powerblocks (90% efficient up to ~25A each)
