MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and X870 chipset, designed for DDR5 memory configurations. It ships with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 integrated, alongside an HDMI 2.1 output and RGB lighting. A dual BIOS implementation and a dedicated clear CMOS mechanism are both included, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

On the connectivity side, the board provides two USB 4 40Gbps ports paired with two Thunderbolt 4 ports at the rear, complemented by USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C outputs and four USB 2.0 ports. Internally, four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors handle storage expansion, while RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations are supported. Expansion slots cover one PCIe 5.0 x16, one PCIe 4.0 x16, and one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. The onboard audio section delivers a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio with 7.1-channel output and an S/PDIF port, and eight fan headers are available for system cooling management.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations down to Wi-Fi 4, covering a wide range of wireless use cases
Two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports at the rear provide high-bandwidth connectivity for fast external devices
Four M.2 sockets offer substantial NVMe storage expansion without consuming SATA slots
Dual BIOS and a dedicated CMOS reset mechanism add a layer of resilience when experimenting with settings or recovering from a failed flash
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 8400 MHz across four slots, with a maximum supported capacity of 256GB
Eight fan headers give considerable flexibility for building a well-cooled system

Cons

ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use in workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No DisplayPort output is available, limiting video output to a single HDMI 2.1 port
RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 configurations are not supported, restricting storage redundancy options
Only one RJ45 port is present, with no secondary wired network interface
No USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 rear port is available despite a single internal header of that type being present

Who is this for?

This board is well-matched to users building a high-end AM5 desktop system who want room to grow — particularly those planning to run fast DDR5 memory with overclocking headroom up to 8400 MHz and multiple NVMe drives across four M.2 sockets. The presence of Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 40Gbps makes it a strong fit for users who rely on high-bandwidth peripherals and wireless connectivity. The dual BIOS, easy CMOS reset, and overclock support also make it a practical choice for enthusiasts who regularly tune system settings and need a safety net when doing so.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require ECC memory support for data-sensitive or workstation-grade tasks will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is entirely absent. It is equally a poor fit for those needing multiple display outputs, since only a single HDMI 2.1 port is available with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA alternatives. Additionally, anyone looking to build a compact system will find the ATX form factor too large, and users who depend on a second wired network interface for redundancy or multi-network setups will be limited by the single RJ45 port.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	X870
form factor	ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	243.8 mm
width	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi uses the AM5 socket paired with the X870 chipset and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 304.8 mm wide by 243.8 mm tall. It supports a full range of wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and earlier standards down to Wi-Fi 4, alongside Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX audio is not included. Video output is handled via an HDMI 2.1 port, while integrated graphics and an integrated CPU are both absent. The board features RGB lighting, a dual BIOS setup, and a straightforward CMOS reset mechanism, and it also supports overclocking adjustments. A three-year warranty is provided.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8400 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board accommodates DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, supporting up to 256GB in total capacity. Native RAM speeds reach 5600 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure to 8400 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	2
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	2
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O panel offers a varied USB lineup, including two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and four USB 2.0 ports. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, and Thunderbolt 3 are not present. Video output is limited to a single HDMI port, as DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA connectors are absent. Networking is handled by one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports included.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	4
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well-stocked, with four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage — no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA connectors are present. USB expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, and four USB 2.0 ports, all accessible through internal connectors. A TPM header is included, and eight fan headers provide ample options for cooling management.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board provides three full-length expansion slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16, one PCIe 4.0 x16, and one PCIe 3.0 x16. There are no PCIe 2.0 x16, PCIe x8, PCIe x4, PCIe x1, or legacy PCI slots included.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The onboard audio supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB. Two analog audio connectors are available, and a S/PDIF Out port is included for digital audio output.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✓
Supports RAID 5	✕
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 configurations for storage arrays, while RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi is a feature-dense ATX motherboard that covers most of what an AM5 enthusiast build demands — from Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity to substantial DDR5 overclocking headroom and a four-slot M.2 configuration. The dual BIOS and CMOS reset provisions add practical resilience for users who push system settings, while the broad USB port selection across both rear and internal headers ensures flexibility for a wide range of setups. Its limitations — notably the absence of ECC memory support, a single HDMI-only video output, and just one wired network port — mean it is better suited to enthusiast desktop builds than to workstation or multi-display environments. For users building a capable, connectivity-rich AM5 system with room for future expansion, this board presents a well-rounded and cohesive feature set.