MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard designed for AMD AM5 processors, pairing the X870 chipset with a broad set of connectivity and expansion features. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, making it well suited for builds that demand fast wireless throughput without additional adapters. The board ships with dual BIOS and an easy CMOS reset mechanism, reducing the risk of a failed firmware update leaving the system unbootable.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 256 GB of DDR5 across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a native maximum speed of 5600 MHz and overclocked support reaching 8400 MHz. Storage options include four M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and RAID 0, 1, and 10 support. The rear I/O delivers two USB 4 40 Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 2.0 connections, complemented by an HDMI 2.1 output. Audio is handled by a 7.1-channel codec rated at a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio, with S/PDIF output also present. Expansion slots consist of one PCIe 5.0 x16, one PCIe 4.0 x16, and one PCIe x1 slot, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations down to Wi-Fi 4, offering broad wireless compatibility
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports on the rear I/O provide high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals
Dual BIOS with an easy CMOS reset option reduces the risk of being left with an unbootable system after a failed firmware update
Four M.2 sockets combined with four SATA 3 connectors give considerable flexibility for storage configuration
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 8400 MHz across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB
The 7.1-channel audio codec is rated at a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio, which is a strong figure for onboard audio

Cons

ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No DisplayPort output is available, so display connectivity is restricted to the single HDMI 2.1 port
RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 configurations are not supported, narrowing storage redundancy options
There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 rear ports and no USB 4 20Gbps ports, leaving some mid-tier high-speed USB options absent
RGB lighting is absent entirely, which may be a drawback for builds where case illumination coordination is a priority

Who is this for?

This board is well matched to enthusiast desktop builders targeting the AMD AM5 platform who want room to grow, particularly those planning to push DDR5 memory with overclocked speeds up to 8400 MHz or load up multiple NVMe drives across four M.2 sockets. The presence of Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports makes it a strong fit for users who regularly connect high-bandwidth external devices such as fast storage arrays or professional docking stations. The full Wi-Fi 7 support and Bluetooth 5.4 also suit users who prefer a clean, cable-free desk setup without sacrificing wireless throughput.

Who is this NOT for?

Users requiring ECC memory support for error-sensitive workloads such as scientific computing or data integrity-critical applications will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. Those who depend on multiple display outputs will also encounter limitations, since the board offers only a single HDMI 2.1 port with no DisplayPort or other video outputs. Additionally, builders who need RAID 5 redundancy for larger storage arrays will need to look elsewhere, as only RAID 0, 1, and 10 are supported.

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 WiFi is built around the AM5 socket and X870 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 304.8 mm wide by 243.8 mm tall. It accommodates a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or onboard graphics. Wireless connectivity covers the full range from Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is also built in, though aptX audio codec support is not present. The board includes an HDMI 2.1 output and is designed with overclocking accessibility in mind. A dual BIOS setup is included alongside an easy CMOS reset option, providing a straightforward recovery path if a firmware update goes wrong. RGB lighting is absent, and the board carries a 3-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	✕

The board supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. The native maximum RAM speed is 5600 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure 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 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. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, or Thunderbolt 3 ports present. Video output is limited to a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors available. A single RJ45 port handles wired networking, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on the panel.

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 provisioned, with four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage, while SATA 2 and U.2 sockets are absent, and there is no mSATA connector. 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 headers. Cooling is supported by eight fan headers, and a TPM connector is present for security module attachment.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
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	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board provides three expansion slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots present.

Audio:

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

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

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 array setup, while RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi is a well-specified ATX motherboard for the AM5 platform that covers most of what a serious enthusiast builder would need, from Wi-Fi 7 and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports to four M.2 sockets and broad DDR5 overclocking headroom. Its dual BIOS design and easy CMOS reset add a layer of practical reliability that will be appreciated during aggressive tuning sessions. The absence of ECC support and limited display output options do place it outside the scope of certain professional workloads, but for a high-end desktop build centered on the X870 chipset, the MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi delivers a comprehensive and coherent feature set that suits its intended audience well.