MSI MPG X870i EdgeTi Evo Wi-Fi Review: Best Mini-ITX AM5 Motherboard

Designed for small form factor builds, this mini-ITX board delivers PCIe 5.0 support, DDR5 memory, and Wi-Fi 7 capability.

Hardware by Tanvir Kabbo on Oct 06, 2025

MSI MPG X870i EdgeTi Evo Wi-Fi has been one of the most requested motherboards in recent times. This high-end mini-ITX motherboard boasts an impressive feature set, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts of small form factor systems and performance-focused PC builders.

Since its initial appearance at Computex earlier this year, several updates and refinements have been made to the board, and it's now ready for release.

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Unboxing and Included Accessories

The motherboard package includes an add-in card that provides additional connectivity and features necessary to get your system running smoothly. This includes a Sarda port, a USB Type-C header, and a USB 3.2 Type-A header that connects to the USB Type-C connector. The add-in card also supports the included antenna for built-in Wi-Fi 7.

You'll also find documentation and stickers for easy setup, an easy-connect cable combining a 3-pin 5V addressable RGB and PWM fan connection, an additional USB 3.2 Type-A header cable, and a USB flash drive containing chipset drivers and software.

Front panel extension cables simplify the connection of all your front panel wiring. In contrast, a set of SATA cables accommodates 2.5-inch SSDs or 3.5-inch hard drives. Finally, a set of screws is included for the three M.2 slots on the motherboard.

Motherboard Layout and Features

The MSI MPG X870i EdgeTi Evo Wi-Fi features a compact and efficient layout. In the corner of the board, you'll find a front panel audio header, a 3-pin 5V addressable RGB header on the mezzanine card, a USB 2.0 header for legacy devices, and a front panel header for lights and switches.

Along the top edge, near the DIMM slots, there's the easy connector header, three PWM fan headers, and headers for optional sensors. Power delivery includes an 8-pin EPS connector and a 24-pin main power connector. The board features two DDR5 DIMM slots, supporting up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds of around 8000 MT/s.

The motherboard features a single full-size PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and a robust VRM design with an 8+2+1 phase setup, utilizing 110A smart power stages. An actively cooled VRM heatsink ensures stable power delivery, which is crucial for such a densely packed mini-ITX layout.

Add-In Card and M.2 Storage

The included add-in card supports multiple features, including two solder ports, a USB Type-C connector, and additional USB headers. It slots into the motherboard easily, similar to installing RAM. On the back of the motherboard, there's an additional M.2 slot with a backplate retention system for the VRM heatsink.

In total, the board supports three M.2 drives: a PCIe Gen5x4 M.2 two-slot on the main board, a PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 slot on the rear, and another PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 slot integrated into the add-in card. The motherboard features a 12-layer PCB to efficiently manage the dense hardware.

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Rear I/O and Connectivity

There are a lot of high-speed connection choices on the back I/O. It has an HDMI 2.1 port, five USB 10Gbps Type-A ports, two USB Type-C 40Gbps USB4 connectors that enable DisplayPort Alt, one USB Type-C 10Gbps port, and 5Gb Ethernet.

Additionally, the device features antenna connectors for Wi-Fi 7, a BIOS flashback button, a clear CMOS button, line-out and microphone jacks, and optical/SPDIF audio ports.

Design Changes and Build Observations

Compared to the initial Computex version, the final pre-production model features white slots and connectors, replacing the all-black design. The only difference between this pre-production model and the retail version is that the solder ports on the retail board will be white instead of black.

We're seeing a trend toward more capable ITX boards with robust features. While this board lacks 10Gb Ethernet—a feature becoming increasingly common—it has a compact design and feature set that make it ideal for small-form-factor builds. The white color is also beneficial for building in tight spaces, as it improves visibility of headers and connectors.

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Final Thoughts

The MSI MPG X870i EdgeTi Evo Wi-Fi is a great mini-ITX motherboard that has a lot of high-end capabilities without being too big. It is one of the most flexible ITX boards on the market because of its add-in card architecture, many ports, and active cooling options. The board is priced at $399 and will be available in November 2025.

For anyone building a small-form-factor system, this motherboard offers a perfect combination of performance, expandability, and thoughtful design. MSI has delivered an excellent solution for enthusiasts looking to pack powerful hardware into compact builds.

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