MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk Max Wi-Fi PZ

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk Max Wi-Fi PZ is an ATX-form-factor motherboard designed for AMD AM5 processors, pairing the X870 chipset with a broad feature set suited to modern desktop builds. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, and its RGB lighting and easy BIOS reset via a dedicated button add a degree of convenience for builders. A three-year warranty accompanies the board, and MSI has also included HDMI 2.1 output for display connectivity.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 256 GB of DDR5 RAM across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with base speeds reaching 5600 MHz and overclocked frequencies supported up to 8400 MHz. Expansion is handled by a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot along with a PCIe x4 and a PCIe x1 slot, while four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors provide substantial storage flexibility, including support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. The rear I/O includes two USB 4 40 Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, complemented by a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 2.0 connections, and the onboard audio solution delivers 7.1-channel output with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

Pros

Includes two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, covering high-speed peripheral and device connectivity needs
Four M.2 sockets alongside four SATA 3 connectors provide substantial storage expansion without sacrificing flexibility
Wi-Fi 7 support covers the full range of modern wireless standards up to 802.11be
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 8400 MHz across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB
Eight fan headers give considerable control over system cooling across the board
A TPM connector, easy BIOS reset button, and three-year warranty add practical reliability and security features

Cons

No dual BIOS means there is no automatic fallback if a firmware update fails
ECC memory is not supported, which limits use in workloads requiring error-corrected RAM
Only a single HDMI output is available for display connectivity, with no DisplayPort or other video outputs
RAID 0+1 is not supported, reducing some advanced storage configuration options
No PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 x16 slots are present beyond the single PCIe 5.0 slot, limiting multi-card expansion at lower PCIe generations

Who is this for?

This motherboard is well-suited to enthusiast desktop builders working with AMD AM5 processors who want room to grow — particularly those planning to push memory with DDR5 overclocking up to 8400 MHz or build out a multi-drive storage setup across four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors. The presence of two Thunderbolt 4 and two USB 4 40Gbps ports makes it a strong fit for users who regularly connect high-bandwidth peripherals such as external SSDs, docking stations, or professional audio and video interfaces. Content creators and power users who also need reliable wireless connectivity will benefit from the integrated Wi-Fi 7 support and Bluetooth 5.4, rounding out a well-equipped platform for demanding, connectivity-heavy workflows.

Who is this NOT for?

Users requiring ECC memory support for error-corrected workloads — such as those in scientific computing, data integrity-sensitive applications, or entry-level server environments — will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. Similarly, anyone needing multiple display outputs for a multi-monitor setup driven directly from the motherboard will be limited, since only a single HDMI 2.1 port is available with no DisplayPort or other video connectors. The lack of dual BIOS also makes it a less comfortable choice for users who frequently experiment with firmware updates and want an automatic fallback option if something goes wrong.

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 X870E Tomahawk Max Wi-Fi PZ is built around the AM5 socket and is compatible with the X870 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 304.8 mm wide and 243.8 mm tall. It supports a full range of wireless standards through its integrated Wi-Fi module, spanning Wi-Fi 4 through to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and includes Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX is not supported. The board features HDMI 2.1 output and includes RGB lighting, a clear CMOS button for easy BIOS resets, and is noted as easy to overclock, while dual BIOS is not available. There is a single CPU socket, no integrated graphics or integrated CPU, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

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	✕

This motherboard supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. The native RAM speed tops out at 5600 MHz, while overclocking allows frequencies to reach up 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 offers a well-rounded selection of connectivity, headlined by two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, alongside a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports. Three additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and four USB 2.0 ports round out the USB lineup, while USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C are absent. Display output is handled by a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors present. Wired networking is covered 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 2 ports (through expansion)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	0
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 generous, with four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage, while SATA 2, mSATA, and U.2 sockets are not present. For USB expansion headers, the board provides four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 header, though USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 expansion headers are absent. Cooling is well catered for with eight fan headers, and a TPM connector is also included for security module support.

Expansion slots:

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

The board's expansion slot configuration centers on a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the primary graphics card or other full-bandwidth add-in cards, with no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots present. Additional expansion is provided through one PCIe x4 slot and one PCIe x1 slot, while PCIe x8 and legacy PCI slots are not included.

Audio:

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

The onboard audio solution delivers 7.1-channel output with a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, supported by two analog audio connectors on the rear panel. An S/PDIF Out port is also present for digital audio passthrough to compatible external devices.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations, offering a range of options for balancing storage performance, capacity, and redundancy. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk Max Wi-Fi PZ is a well-specified AM5 motherboard that covers most of what a serious desktop builder could ask for — from Wi-Fi 7 and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports to extensive DDR5 overclocking headroom and four M.2 sockets for storage flexibility. Its connectivity suite is genuinely broad, and the eight fan headers, TPM connector, and three-year warranty reflect a board built with long-term usability in mind. Certain limitations — notably the absence of ECC support, dual BIOS, and multi-display output — mean it is better matched to enthusiast and content creation builds than to workstation or heavily redundancy-focused environments. For users building a capable, connectivity-rich AMD platform without those specific requirements, this board represents a thorough and feature-complete foundation.