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MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic Review | 107 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£270
  • Avg. price in US: ~$280
  • CPU socket: LGA 2066
  • Chipset: Intel X299
  • Form factor: ATX

MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

6.5

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%

6.4

Technical Score

10.0%

7.5

User score

Good
6.4

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%

6.7

Memory

16.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

16.0%

6.5

Storage

15.0%

5.3

Network

13.0%

5.5

Ports & USB

8.0%

4.3

Expansion

8.0%

8.4

Power & Cooling

5.0%

9.2

Audio

Good
7.5

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%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

6.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(142)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.8
(9)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Very good
  • 5.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    9.0

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    5.5

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    4.6

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    2.5

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

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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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic is an ATX motherboard built on the Intel X299 chipset, specifically designed to support Intel Core X-series processors via the LGA 2066 socket. It features a distinctive all-white 'Arctic' aesthetic and boasts eight DDR4 DIMM slots supporting quad-channel memory up to 128GB at speeds exceeding 4266MHz (OC). Key connectivity includes four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots with 3-way SLI/CrossFire support, dual Turbo M.2 slots with Shield Frozr thermal protection, and a Turbo U.2 connector for high-speed NVMe storage. Main pros include its unique visual design, robust storage options with eight SATA 6Gb/s ports, and high-quality Audio Boost 4. However, notable cons include a lack of integrated Wi-Fi on the standard model and the fact that only two of the four PCIe x16 slots feature reinforced 'Steel Armor' shielding.

Technical Specifications of MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic

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%

6.7

Memory

16.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

16.0%

6.5

Storage

15.0%

5.3

Network

13.0%

5.5

Ports & USB

8.0%

4.3

Expansion

8.0%

8.4

Power & Cooling

5.0%

9.2

Audio

6.4
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a technical score of 6.39 points, which is higher than that of 51.2% 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%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

6.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(142)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.8
(9)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

7.5
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a user score of 7.45 points, which is lower than that of 65.1% 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.
6.2
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a popularity of 6.2 points, which is higher than 64.8% 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%

6.5

Overall score

40.0%

9.1

Price

7.3
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.3 points, which is higher than 46.1% 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 2066
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic uses the LGA 2066 CPU socket, which is more advanced than that of 51.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% 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 X299
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic uses the Intel X299 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 65.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
Show more
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

8
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 8 Memory slots, which is more than 94% of motherboards and equal to 5.7% of motherboards.
some CPUs use only 4 slots
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.4% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
capacity depends on supported CPU
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

4
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic supports 4 memory channels, which is more than 92.8% of motherboards and equal to 6.9% of motherboards.
some CPUs use only 2 channels
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

2,667 MT/s
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic supports memory speeds up to 2667 MT/s, which is lower than that of 77.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 1% of motherboards.
Show more
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

8
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 8 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 85.5% of motherboards and equal to 11.2% 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Intel VROC support
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

4
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 4 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 93.9% of motherboards and equal to 3.5% 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

?
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic supports PCIe bifurcation. 39.1% of motherboards support this feature.
x4/x4/x4/x4.
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

8
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.3% of motherboards and equal to 30.7% 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

1
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

2
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.8% of motherboards and equal to 32.8% 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is equal to 81.6% of motherboards.
10Gbps excluded.
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
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
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic uses the Intel I219-V LAN controller, which is more advanced than that of 41% of motherboards and equal to that of 14.2% 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

1
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

no
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 49.1% 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)

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 ALC1220
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic uses the Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 65.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 13% 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
supports up to 600Ω.
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

?
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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

6
MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has 6 fan headers, which is more than 50.3% of motherboards and equal to 22.3% 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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

?
Show more

MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic vs the average motherboard

  • 4 more memory slots
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    some CPUs use only 4 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

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.8 vs 4
  • 1 more U.2 sockets
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more U.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 U.2 socket/s.
    What it is: The number of U.2 connectors on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you use enterprise-style U.2 storage devices.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more U.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 U.2 socket/s.1 vs 0
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.2 vs 1
  • Includes dual BIOS
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes two BIOS chips for redundancy or recovery.
    When it matters: When BIOS safety and recovery matter to you.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Newer CPU socket
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2,066 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2,066 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.LGA 2066 vs LGA 1151
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster rear USB-C connectivity.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=1

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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
  • 4 more SATA 3 connectors
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 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

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.8 vs 4
  • Newer CPU socket
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2,066 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Includes onboard power button
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has an onboard power button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.7% of motherboards include an onboard power button.
  • Broader Windows support
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has broader Windows support than the average motherboard (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10). The average motherboard supports Windows 11, Windows 10.
  • 4 more memory slots
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
  • More memory channels
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more memory channels than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 memory channel/s.
  • 1 more U.2 sockets
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more U.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 U.2 socket/s.
  • 4 more SATA 3 connectors
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
  • 3 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 connections
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
  • Better audio codec
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1,220 vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
  • 1 more fan headers
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more fan headers than the average motherboard (6 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.

Total
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Audio
Power & Cooling
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • No integrated graphics support
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.4% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • 4 years older release date
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic is older than the average motherboard (2,017 vs 2,021). The average motherboard was released in 2,021.
  • 42% lower maximum RAM speed
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,667 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
  • 1 fewer HDMI outputs
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer HDMI outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 HDMI outputs.
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel X299 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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.
    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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic 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 X299 Tomahawk Arctic does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • No integrated graphics support
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.4% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard can output video from CPUs that include integrated graphics.
    When it matters: When you want video output without installing a graphics card.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.4% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    What it is: The number of 3-pin addressable RGB headers available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to connect more ARGB lighting devices.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.0 vs 2
  • 42% lower maximum RAM speed
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,667 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.
    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

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,667 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.2667 MT/s vs 4600 MT/s
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    What it is: The number of DisplayPort video outputs on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to connect compatible displays through the rear I/O.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.0 vs 1
Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Ports & USB
Network
Power & Cooling

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
142 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.8
9 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic?

  • Unique 'Arctic' white aesthetic, highly valued for clean or themed PC builds
  • Capable and stable overclocking performance, reaching 4.6GHz easily on high-end CPUs like the i9-7900X
  • Comprehensive feature set for its price, including an M.2 heatsink (Frozr), dual M.2 slots, and a U.2 port
  • User-friendly BIOS (Click BIOS 5) that is intuitive for both beginners and experienced users
  • Practical physical troubleshooting tools like onboard power/reset buttons, BIOS flashback, and a POST code debug LED
  • Good connectivity options, featuring 8 SATA ports and reinforced PCIe slots for heavy GPUs

What customers dislike about MSI X299 Tomahawk Arctic?

  • Underwhelming VRM design compared to MSI's higher-tier X299 gaming boards, making it less ideal for extreme or 'hardcore' overclocking
  • Relatively slow POST and boot times reported by some users even when using high-speed NVMe M.2 drives
  • Limited number of external USB ports on the rear I/O compared to competing or more premium boards
  • Only one internal USB 2.0 header, which may require a splitter for cases with multiple front-panel connections or RGB controllers
  • Vague manual instructions regarding complex configurations like specific RAID setups

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