MSI BIOS update introduces support for PCIe 4.0 GPUs and SSDs on Z490 motherboards

MSI is about to release a BIOS update enabling support for PCIe 4.0 on all Z490 motherboards when paired with 11th Gen Core desktop processors. Thanks to the PCIe 4.0 support, users will be able to benefit from the extra performance offered by PCIe 4.0 compatible devices, including NVMe M.2 SSDs and graphics cards. 

Certain requirements have to be met to enable PCIe 4.0 support on the Z490 motherboards. Some of those requirements include a PCIe 4.0 ready external clock generator, lane switch, Re-Driver, PCIe slots, PCIe 4.0 PCB layout, and dedicated M.2 connectors.

According to MSI, all of their Z490 motherboards meet these requirements, meaning that all MSI Z490 motherboards will support PCIe 4.0. The following table lists all motherboards and respective BIOS versions enabling support for PCIe 4.0:

Motherboard	BIOS version
MEG Z490 Godlike	7C70.v17
MEG Z490 Ace	7C71.v17
MEG Z490 Unify	7C71.vA7
MEG Z490I Unify	7C77.v16
MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi	7C73.v17
MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi	7C79.v16
MPG Z490M Gaming Edge WiFi	7C76.v27
MPG Z490 Gaming Plus	7C75.vA6
MAG Z490 Tomahawk	7C80.v17
Z490-A Pro	7C75.v27

To update the MSI Z490 motherboard BIOS, users should follow the instructions presented by MSI on the support page of the respective product.

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KitGuru says: Do you own an MSI Z490 motherboard? Will you be upgrading your BIOS to take advantage of new Intel CPUs and PCIe Gen 4? 

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