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MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk Review | 107 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£130
  • Avg. price in US: ~$180
  • CPU socket: LGA 1151
  • Chipset: Intel Z390
  • Form factor: ATX

MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

6.4

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

6.1

Technical Score

10.0%

9.1

User score

Good
6.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

6.9

Memory

16.0%

7.5

Platform & Features

16.0%

6.0

Storage

15.0%

5.3

Network

13.0%

4.2

Ports & USB

8.0%

2.8

Expansion

8.0%

7.8

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.5

Audio

Good
9.1

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

9.9

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(384)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(392)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 4.6
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.5

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    5.5

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    4.6

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    4.9

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk is an ATX motherboard designed for 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core processors, featuring the LGA 1151 socket and Z390 chipset with a 9-phase VRM. It supports up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM at overclocked speeds of 4400MHz and includes dual M.2 slots (one with Shield Frozr), six SATA 6Gb/s ports, and dual Intel Gigabit LAN. Main pros include its highly competitive pricing, industrial aesthetic with an integrated I/O shield, and solid gaming performance that often matches more expensive rivals. However, potential cons include entry-level Realtek ALC892 audio, mediocre application performance compared to higher-end boards, and limited VRM thermal headroom which may cause throttling during extreme Core i9 overclocking.

Technical Specifications of MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

6.9

Memory

16.0%

7.5

Platform & Features

16.0%

6.0

Storage

15.0%

5.3

Network

13.0%

4.2

Ports & USB

8.0%

2.8

Expansion

8.0%

7.8

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.5

Audio

6.1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a technical score of 6.07 points, which is lower than that of 55.4% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

9.9

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(384)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(392)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a user score of 9.13 points, which is higher than that of 85.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
9.9
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a popularity of 9.9 points, which is higher than 79.7% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

6.4

Overall score

40.0%

9.8

Price

7.4
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.4 points, which is higher than 50.6% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The brand that makes the motherboard.
When it matters: When you have a brand preference for support, BIOS, or build quality.

Importance: MEDIUM

MSI
CPU socket
What it is: The socket type the motherboard is built to support.
When it matters: When you need the motherboard to match a specific CPU.

Importance: HIGH

LGA 1151
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk uses the LGA 1151 CPU socket, which is less advanced than that of 70.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 13.8% of motherboards.
300-series / v2 revision.
CPU platform

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Chipset
What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

Importance: HIGH

Intel Z390
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk uses the Intel Z390 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 60.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.1% of motherboards.
Form factor
What it is: The physical size standard of the motherboard, such as ATX or Micro-ATX.
When it matters: When you need the board to fit a specific case size.

Importance: HIGH

ATX
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has the ATX form factor, which is more versatile than that of 47.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 52.2% of motherboards.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the board to match a certain memory platform.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: DDR5

DDR4
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk uses DDR4 memory, which is newer than that of 13.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 51% of motherboards.
Memory slots
What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4

4
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.5% of motherboards and equal to 72.5% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

128 GB
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.4% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
requires BIOS update for full capacity
Memory channels
What it is: The memory channel configuration supported by the motherboard platform.
When it matters: When memory bandwidth matters for your build.

Importance: MEDIUM

2
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports 2 memory channels, which is more than 0.2% of motherboards and equal to 92.5% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
What it is: The highest officially supported memory speed for the motherboard.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=6400 MT/s

4,400 MT/s
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports memory speeds up to 4400 MT/s, which is lower than that of 51.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 3% of motherboards.
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N. of M.2 sockets
What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=3

2
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 2 M.2 sockets, which is more than 30.8% of motherboards and equal to 34.6% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

Importance: HIGH

2x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk offers 2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA for M.2 slot interfaces, which is slower than that of 67.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 3.8% of motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

6
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 52.6% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
some SATA ports disabled with certain M.2 use
Supported RAID levels
What it is: The RAID modes officially supported by the motherboard storage platform.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple drives in a RAID setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

0/1/5/10
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 31.8% of motherboards and equal to 68.2% of motherboards.
JBOD excluded from RAID-level set
NVMe RAID support
What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

Importance: LOW

yes
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 5.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want the newest high-bandwidth expansion slots.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is equal to 68.5% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 4.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for modern expansion cards.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is equal to 55.6% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 3.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need more full-length expansion slots.

Importance: MEDIUM

3
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 3 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 82.8% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

Importance: HIGH

x16/x4/x1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk uses x16/x4/x1 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is more flexible than that of 71.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 7.5% of motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support PCIe bifurcation. 61% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8

6
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 6 USB ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.2% of motherboards and equal to 32.9% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=14

14
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 14 USB ports (including headers), which is fewer than 51.8% of motherboards and equal to 12.9% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=1

1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.4% of motherboards and equal to 48.8% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB-C ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C connectivity across the whole build.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=2

1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 1 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 21.3% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want very fast USB-C connectivity on the rear I/O.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is equal to 81.6% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.5GbE

1 Gbps
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 50.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 49.1% of motherboards.
dual 1GbE ports
LAN controller
What it is: The model of onboard Ethernet controller used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you compare networking hardware quality and features.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk uses the Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT LAN controller, which is more advanced than that of 55.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.2% of motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
What it is: The number of wired Ethernet ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need one or more wired network connections.

Importance: LOW

2
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 2 RJ45 ports, which is more than 85.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.5% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes onboard Wi-Fi hardware instead of requiring a separate adapter.
When it matters: When you want wireless networking without adding an extra card.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 49.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Optional Key E module slot only.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: The supported Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7.
When it matters: When you care about wireless speed and router compatibility.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)

N/A
Show more
Audio codec
What it is: The onboard audio codec used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When sound quality from the built-in audio matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Realtek ALC892
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk uses the Realtek ALC892 audio codec, which is less advanced than that of 80.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 8.5% of motherboards.
Audio channels
What it is: The audio channel configuration supported by the onboard sound solution.
When it matters: When you want surround sound from the motherboard audio outputs.

Importance: LOW

Good value: 7.1

7.1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
What it is: The signal-to-noise ratio of the onboard audio solution.
When it matters: When you care about cleaner onboard audio output.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=120 dB

120 dB
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has an audio SNR of 120 dB, which is higher than that of 55% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.5% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
What it is: Shows whether the onboard audio path includes dedicated headphone amplification for harder-to-drive headsets.
When it matters: When you use harder-to-drive headphones from the onboard audio.

Importance: LOW

yes
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
What it is: The number of rear 3.5mm audio jacks on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more analog audio connection options.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5

5
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 49.8% of motherboards and equal to 36.8% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
What it is: The number of power-delivery phases used by the motherboard VRM.
When it matters: When you care about CPU power delivery and overclocking headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=12

8+1
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 8+1 VRM phases, which is fewer than 66.1% of motherboards and equal to 1.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
What it is: The number of CPU power connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you care about power delivery for higher-end CPUs.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=2

2
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.6% of motherboards and equal to 45.3% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
What it is: The number of headers available for case or CPU fans.
When it matters: When your build uses several fans.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

7
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has 7 fan headers, which is more than 72.7% of motherboards and equal to 9.5% of motherboards.
Pump header
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes a dedicated header designed for a liquid-cooling pump.
When it matters: When you build with an AIO or custom liquid cooling loop.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a pump header. 23.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
What it is: The maximum current the dedicated pump header can supply.
When it matters: When you want to make sure the pump header can power your cooling setup.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2 A

2 A
MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk supports up to 2 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 43.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 33.4% of motherboards.
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MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk vs the average motherboard

  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster USB-A ports for storage or accessories.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.3 vs 1
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    What it is: The number of wired Ethernet ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you need one or more wired network connections.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.2 vs 1
  • Integrated I/O shield
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.1% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
    What it is: Shows whether the rear I/O shield comes pre-mounted on the motherboard instead of being installed separately.
    When it matters: When you want an easier motherboard installation process.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.1% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    What it is: The number of CPU power connectors on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you care about power delivery for higher-end CPUs.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=2

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    What it is: The number of internal USB 3.2 Gen1 headers for front-panel Type-A ports.
    When it matters: When your case has front USB-A ports to connect.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.2 vs 1
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x4/x1 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
    When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x4/x1 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.x16/x4/x1 vs x16/x1
  • 2 more fan headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more fan headers than the average motherboard (7 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.
    What it is: The number of headers available for case or CPU fans.
    When it matters: When your build uses several fans.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more fan headers than the average motherboard (7 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.7 vs 5
  • 1 more RGB headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    What it is: The number of 4-pin RGB headers available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to connect more standard RGB lighting devices.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.2 vs 1
  • Integrated I/O shield
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.1% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x4/x1 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
  • 2 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (120 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
  • 2 more fan headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more fan headers than the average motherboard (7 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.
  • 1 more RGB headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.

Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z390 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • No BIOS flashback support
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • Fewer BIOS update options
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer BIOS update options than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, Windows app vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app). The average motherboard offers UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app BIOS update methods.
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 2 fewer rear USB ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
  • 4 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
  • 1 fewer total USB connections
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer total USB connections than the average motherboard (14 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has older HDMI version than the average motherboard (1.4 vs 2.1). The average motherboard supports HDMI 2.1.
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    dual 1GbE ports
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • More basic audio codec
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more basic audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC892 vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.
  • 1 fewer ARGB headers
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • Fewer VRM phases
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer VRM phases than the average motherboard (8+1 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z390 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
    When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z390 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel Z390 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    dual 1GbE ports
    What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.5GbE

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 2 fewer rear USB ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=8

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.6 vs 8
  • No BIOS flashback support
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard can update BIOS without needing a fully installed or supported CPU to boot first.
    When it matters: When you may need to update BIOS before the system can boot.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
    What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
    When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 4 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want more standard USB ports with faster transfer speeds.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=4

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.0 vs 4
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
    What it is: Shows whether the external Wi-Fi antenna is included with the motherboard package.
    When it matters: When the board has Wi-Fi and you want it ready to use right away.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
Total
Platform & Features
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
384 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
392 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk?

  • Excellent value for money and one of the most affordable Z390 boards
  • Solid gaming performance that punches above its price point
  • Industrial aesthetic with a high-quality integrated I/O shield
  • Dual Intel Gigabit Ethernet ports are a rare premium feature at this price
  • Strong set of onboard headers, including seven 4-pin fan connectors
  • Includes a substantial M.2 heatsink (Shield Frozr) for cooling NVMe drives

What customers dislike about MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk?

  • Underpowered VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) for extreme i9-9900K overclocking
  • Onboard audio uses the older Realtek ALC892 codec instead of the premium ALC1220
  • No front-panel USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C header
  • Secondary and tertiary PCIe x16 slots only run at x4 and x1 speeds
  • Weaker application and productivity performance compared to more expensive rivals
  • Slightly slower than average M.2 read speeds noted in some benchmarks

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