The MSI MEG Z890 ACE is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more individual specification victories than its competitor. While both boards share a significant number of identical features, the MSI MEG Z890 ACE holds the most impactful advantage in storage capacity, offering 20% more M.2 slots than the Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP. This increased connectivity provides a clear edge for users prioritizing high-density internal storage configurations for their system builds.

Users who require maximum drive expansion should choose the MSI MEG Z890 ACE to take advantage of its superior M.2 slot count. Conversely, the Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP is the better selection for those who prioritize network throughput, as it features a LAN specification that is 100% better than the alternative. Selecting between these two motherboards depends entirely on whether your specific workflow demands more local storage or faster wired networking capabilities.