MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is an ATX motherboard designed for Intel's LGA 1851 platform, pairing the Z890 chipset with a broad feature set suited to modern desktop builds. It supports up to 256 GB of DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with standard speeds up to 4800 MHz and overclocked profiles reaching 9200 MHz. The board includes RGB lighting, a clear CMOS button for straightforward BIOS resets, and a three-year warranty.

Connectivity is a notable strength of this board, with rear I/O offering two USB 4 40 Gbps ports alongside two Thunderbolt 4 ports, plus USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C outputs and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. Wireless is handled by a Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) adapter with Bluetooth 5.4, while a single RJ45 port covers wired networking. Storage options include four M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support, and an expansion layout headlined by one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots. Audio is provided through a 7.1-channel solution with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio and S/PDIF output.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all major preceding Wi-Fi standards, with Bluetooth 5.4 also built in
Four M.2 sockets provide ample room for fast storage expansion without relying on adapters
Two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports offer high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 9200 MHz across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB
Full RAID support covering levels 0, 1, 5, and 10 gives flexibility for both performance and redundancy storage setups
Eight fan headers allow for detailed cooling control across a wide range of system configurations

Cons

No dual BIOS means there is no built-in fallback if a firmware update causes issues
ECC memory is not supported, limiting use in workloads that require error-correcting RAM
Only a single HDMI output is available for display, with no DisplayPort or other video outputs
No USB 2.0 rear ports and no PS/2 connector may inconvenience users with older peripherals
RAID 0+1 is not supported, narrowing storage configuration options for users who rely on that specific setup

Who is this for?

This board is well-matched for users building a high-end desktop system on Intel's LGA 1851 platform who want room to grow — particularly those who benefit from four M.2 sockets and broad RAID support for demanding storage configurations. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and two USB 4 40Gbps ports makes it a strong fit for content creators and power users who regularly connect fast external devices or high-bandwidth peripherals. Those looking to push memory performance will also find value here, given the board's support for DDR5 overclocking up to 9200 MHz and a maximum capacity of 256 GB across four slots.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require ECC memory support for error-sensitive workloads — such as scientific computing or data-critical server tasks — will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. The lack of a dual BIOS makes it a less comfortable choice for users who frequently experiment with BIOS updates or aggressive overclocking without a safety net. Additionally, those needing multiple display outputs for a multi-monitor setup will find the single HDMI port limiting, as there are no DisplayPort or additional video outputs available.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	Z890
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 Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is built around a single LGA 1851 socket and is compatible with the Z890 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 304.8 × 243.8 mm. It supports overclocking and includes RGB lighting, along with a clear CMOS button for easy BIOS resets, though it does not feature a dual BIOS setup. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is built in alongside backward-compatible Wi-Fi standards going back to Wi-Fi 4, and Bluetooth 5.4 is also present, though aptX is not supported. Video output is available via an HDMI 2.1 port, but the board carries no integrated graphics or integrated CPU. The board does not support integrated graphics, carries no integrated CPU, and comes backed by a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	4800 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9200 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. Standard RAM speeds top out at 4800 MHz, while overclocked profiles can reach 9200 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.najlepsze

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	0
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 well-rounded USB selection, including three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, with no USB 2.0 or Gen 1 Type-C ports present. At the faster end, two USB 4 40 Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports are available, while USB 4 20 Gbps, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and Thunderbolt 3 are absent. Display output is limited to a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors included. Networking is handled by one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on this board.

Connectors:

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

Internal connectivity is handled through four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, while SATA 2 and U.2 sockets are not present, and there is no mSATA connector. Expansion headers cover two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports for adding front-panel connectivity. Cooling is well catered for with eight fan headers on board, and a TPM connector is also included for security module support.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	2
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board's expansion slot layout centers on one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, covering the primary needs for discrete graphics and high-bandwidth add-in cards. Older PCIe generations — including PCIe 3.0, 2.0, and the original PCIe standard — are not represented, nor are any PCIe x1, x4, or x8 slots, and there are no 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 solution supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, indicating a clean audio signal with low background noise. Two analog audio connectors are available on the rear panel, and an S/PDIF Out port is included for digital audio passthrough to external receivers or DACs.

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 (1+0) configurations, covering the most common setups for both performance-oriented and redundancy-focused storage arrangements. RAID 0+1, however, is not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is a well-specified ATX motherboard for the LGA 1851 platform that delivers a compelling mix of connectivity and expandability for serious desktop builds. Its standout strengths lie in its Wi-Fi 7 support, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and DDR5 overclocking headroom up to 9200 MHz, making it a capable foundation for power users and content creators who demand fast data throughput and future-ready wireless. Some limitations — notably the absence of ECC support, dual BIOS, and multiple display outputs — mean it is better suited to enthusiast desktop use than workstation or multi-display environments. Overall, the Z890 Tomahawk WiFi represents a thorough and feature-rich option for those building a high-performance Intel system with an eye on modern connectivity standards.