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MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi Review | 107 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£180
  • Avg. price in US: ~$200
  • CPU socket: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Intel Z790
  • Form factor: ATX

MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

8.9

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%

8.8

Technical Score

10.0%

9.0

User score

Excellent
8.8

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%

9.2

Memory

16.0%

8.8

Platform & Features

16.0%

8.8

Storage

15.0%

9.6

Network

13.0%

8.9

Ports & USB

8.0%

6.1

Expansion

8.0%

8.8

Power & Cooling

5.0%

9.7

Audio

Excellent
9.0

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%

8.5

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(690)
amazon
4.1
(553)
amazon
1.0
(1)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(677)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(574)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 8.7
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    7.6

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    10

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    10

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    6.6

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    10

    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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is a mid-range ATX motherboard designed for Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen processors on the LGA 1700 socket, featuring a robust 16+1+1 phase power design with 90A Smart Power Stages. It supports high-speed DDR5 memory up to 7200+ MHz (OC) and includes a primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for next-gen graphics cards, alongside four Lightning Gen 4 M.2 slots equipped with Shield Frozr heatsinks. Key pros include excellent thermal management via extended heatsinks and 7W/mK pads, 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and a premium Realtek ALC4080 audio codec. However, common cons include the lack of a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot on the standard model and reported historical driver installation issues for the Intel 2.5G Ethernet controller.

Technical Specifications of MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi

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%

9.2

Memory

16.0%

8.8

Platform & Features

16.0%

8.8

Storage

15.0%

9.6

Network

13.0%

8.9

Ports & USB

8.0%

6.1

Expansion

8.0%

8.8

Power & Cooling

5.0%

9.7

Audio

8.8
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a technical score of 8.84 points, which is higher than that of 94.9% 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%

8.5

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(690)
amazon
4.1
(553)
amazon
1.0
(1)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(677)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(574)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.0
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a user score of 8.97 points, which is higher than that of 81% 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.
10
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 79.9% 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%

8.9

Overall score

40.0%

9.6

Price

9.1
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a quality-to-price ratio of 9.1 points, which is higher than 99.5% 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 1700
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi uses the LGA 1700 CPU socket, which is more advanced than that of 55% of motherboards and equal to that of 22.7% of motherboards.
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 Z790
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi uses the Intel Z790 chipset, which is more advanced than that of 77.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.5% 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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

?
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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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

256 GB
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports up to 256 GB of memory, which is more than 82.8% of motherboards and equal to 16.5% of motherboards.
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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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

5,600 MT/s
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports memory speeds up to 5600 MT/s, which is higher than that of 68.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.7% 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

4
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 4 M.2 sockets, which is more than 84% of motherboards and equal to 10.7% 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

3x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4/SATA
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi offers 3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA for M.2 slot interfaces, which is faster than that of 74.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.9% 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

7
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 7 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 84.7% of motherboards and equal to 0.7% of motherboards.
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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 31.8% of motherboards and equal to 68.2% of motherboards.
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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
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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

1
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 1 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is more than 68.6% of motherboards and equal to 26.6% 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

1
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 1 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is more than 55.6% of motherboards and equal to 35.3% of motherboards.
runs at x1 mode
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

0
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 0 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 59.5% of motherboards and equal to 40.5% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
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
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi uses x16 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is less flexible than that of 86.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 9.3% of motherboards.
Depends on slot/M.2 population.
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

yes
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports PCIe bifurcation. 39.1% of motherboards support this feature.
x8/x8.
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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

10
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 10 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 75.6% of motherboards and equal to 15.7% 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

17
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 17 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 72.1% of motherboards and equal to 10.8% 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

2
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 2 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 84.3% of motherboards and equal to 12.3% 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

3
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 3 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 84.6% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
includes internal USB-C header.
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

1
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is more than 81.7% of motherboards and equal to 18.1% of motherboards.
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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

2.5 Gbps
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.5% of motherboards.
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

?
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

1
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 1 RJ45 ports, which is equal to 85.6% 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

yes
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.9% of motherboards support this feature.
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)

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which is newer than that of 72.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 16.6% of motherboards.
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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 ALC4080
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi uses the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 90.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.4% 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
headphone amp on front panel.
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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 49.8% of motherboards and equal to 36.8% of motherboards.
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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

16
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 16 VRM phases, which is more than 78.4% of motherboards and equal to 3.2% 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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

8
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has 8 fan headers, which is more than 82.3% of motherboards and equal to 15.2% 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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

3 A
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports up to 3 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 76.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 23.2% of motherboards.
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MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi vs the average motherboard

  • 2 more M.2 sockets
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.4 vs 2
  • 2x more maximum memory capacity
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.256 GB vs 128 GB
  • 3 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (4 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.4 vs 1
  • 1 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
    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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.1 vs 0
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.10 vs 8
  • Newer CPU socket
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.LGA 1700 vs LGA 1151
  • 1 more rear USB-C ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.2 vs 1
  • Newer CPU socket
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.
  • Integrated I/O shield
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.1% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • 2x more maximum memory capacity
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
  • 21.7% higher maximum RAM speed
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a higher maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (5,600 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.
  • 2 more M.2 sockets
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
  • 3 more SATA 3 connectors
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (7 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • 1 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
  • 3 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
  • 1 more rear USB-C ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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 more total USB-C connections
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
  • 2 more total USB connections
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (17 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
  • 1 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does not. 49.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Supports Bluetooth
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 47% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • Better audio codec
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC4,080 vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
  • More VRM phases
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (16 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
  • 3 more fan headers
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more fan headers than the average motherboard (8 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.
  • 1 more ARGB headers
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more ARGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • 1 A higher pump header current limit
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has a higher pump header current than the average motherboard (3 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.

Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/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 multi-GPU support
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi does not support multi-GPU, while the average motherboard does. 54.6% of motherboards support multi-GPU.
    Secondary slot is chipset-fed / reduced-width only.
  • Less flexible PCIe lane configuration
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has less flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    Depends on slot/M.2 population.
  • 1 fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
  • 1 fewer PS/2 ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer PS/2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PS/2 port/s.
  • 2 fewer USB 2.0 ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer USB 2.0 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 port/s.
  • No onboard RGB lighting
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.3% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • No multi-GPU support
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi does not support multi-GPU, while the average motherboard does. 54.6% of motherboards support multi-GPU.
    Secondary slot is chipset-fed / reduced-width only.
    What it is: Shows whether the board can run more than one graphics card in a supported multi-GPU configuration.
    When it matters: When you plan to run more than one graphics card.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi does not support multi-GPU, while the average motherboard does. 54.6% of motherboards support multi-GPU.
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/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.3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No onboard RGB lighting
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.3% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard itself includes built-in RGB lighting elements.
    When it matters: When you want lighting effects without adding extra strips first.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.3% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel Z790 vs Intel B860
  • 1 fewer PS/2 ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer PS/2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PS/2 port/s.
    What it is: The number of PS/2 ports on the motherboard rear I/O.
    When it matters: When you want support for older keyboards or mice.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer PS/2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PS/2 port/s.0 vs 1
  • Less flexible PCIe lane configuration
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has less flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    Depends on slot/M.2 population.
    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 Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has less flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.x16 vs x16/x1
  • 1 fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
    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

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.0 vs 1
  • 2 fewer USB 2.0 ports
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer USB 2.0 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 2.0 ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you use many basic USB peripherals.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi has fewer USB 2.0 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 port/s.0 vs 2
Total
Platform & Features
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
690 Reviews
amazon
4.1
553 Reviews
amazon
1.0
1 Reviews
United States
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4.4
677 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
574 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi?

  • High-performance power design (16+1+1 phases) capable of supporting i9 CPUs and overclocking
  • Generous storage options including four M.2 slots and seven SATA ports
  • Comprehensive connectivity featuring Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5G LAN, and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps)
  • User-friendly BIOS with intuitive navigation and easy flashing capabilities
  • Excellent build quality with robust heatsinks and an integrated I/O shield
  • Availability of both DDR4 and DDR5 variants to suit different budget or memory needs
  • Premium audio codec (Realtek ALC4080) providing high-quality sound

What customers dislike about MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi?

  • Network drivers are often not pre-installed, causing issues during initial Windows setup without internet
  • Potential quality control concerns with some units reported as Dead on Arrival (DOA) or experiencing stability issues
  • Potential bandwidth sharing where using certain M.2 slots may reduce the graphics card's PCIe lanes
  • Flimsy 'EZ Latch' mechanisms for M.2 drives reported by some users
  • BIOS update may be required for full out-of-the-box support of 14th Gen Intel processors
  • Some reports of unreliable Wi-Fi modules or underwhelming Wi-Fi antenna quality

Video reviews

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