MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard Review

Returning to the top side of the board, we find the 4-pin SYS_FAN2 connector in the upper left corner for connecting case fans. Another 4-pin connector, SYS_FAN3, is located below and to the left of the processor socket. It is also used for connecting case fans.

In the upper right corner there is a pair of 4-pin connectors CPU_PWR1 and PUMP_SYS1 for connecting the processor cooler and the liquid cooling system pump, respectively.

From top to bottom on the right side there is a 4-pin SYS_FAN1 for case fans , 4-pin JRGB2 and 3-pin JARGB_V2_3 for lighting , as well as 4 EZ DEBUG LEDs for indicating errors in specific components.

Following the previously mentioned ATX 24-pin are JUSB_C1 and JUSB_3 for the USB-C and USB-A ports on the front panel.

Below that are four SATA connectors for storage devices and another 4-pin SYS_FAN5 for case coolers.

The bottom side contains:

• JBAT1 – BIOS reset jumper;
• JFP1 and JFP2 for front panel indicators and buttons;
• JCI1 – case opening sensor;
• JPTM1 – ​​TRM module connector;
• JARGB_V2_2, JARGB_V2_1 – for backlight ;
• JDP1 – service connector
• SYS_FAN4 – for case cooler;
• EZ Conn (JAF_1) – a proprietary connector that connects power and backlight cables for coolers;
• JUSB1 and JSUB2 – for connecting USB-A 2.0 on the front panel;
• JDASH1 – Tuning Controller connector;
• JTBT5_1 – connector for connecting a Thunderbolt 5 expansion card;
• JBD1 – purpose not specified;
• JPD1 – purpose not specified;
• JRGB1 – for backlight;
• JAUD1 – for connecting audio on the front panel.

The lower left corner, separated by a yellow stripe, represents the sound system, which is represented by high-quality Japanese capacitors, a headphone amplifier , and a Realtek ALC897 codec for 7.1-channel sound reproduction.

All this is complemented by an Intel Killer E5000B network controller for 5 Gbps internet connection and an Intel Killer BE1750x wireless module with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. This combination underlines the board’s gaming credentials, as it not only provides a high-speed connection but also ensures stability when using both modes simultaneously thanks to intelligent network analysis.

The rear panel is equipped with a wide range of ports, which are already protected by a metal panel out of the box. These include:

• 1 x DisplayPort;
• 1 x USB-A 2.0 (for BIOS update);
• 1 x 5G LAN;
• 2 x USB-A 10 Gbps;
• 1 x 3.5 audio input for microphone;
• 1 x 3.5 audio output for headphones/speakers;
• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 40 Gbps;
• 1 x HDMI;
• 3 x USB-A 5Gbps;
• 2 x USB-A 10 Gbps;
• 1 x USB-C 10Gbps;
• 1 x Optical Audio Out (S/PDIF);
• 1 x Wi-Fi 7 Antenna Connector;
• 1 x Bluetooth 5.4 Antenna Connector.

In addition, there are a couple of buttons for clearing CMOS and flashing BIOS.

Peculiarities

Like the previously reviewed models, the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard boasts a variety of exciting features and technologies designed to simplify the process of connecting, configuring, and overclocking components.

The MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI is an LGA1851 socket motherboard designed for PC builds with 2nd generation Intel Core Ultra processors. While not the most powerful available, its 12+1+1+1 power supply with 60A power modules still allows for overclocking the processor and RAM without the risk of damage. Specifically for this purpose, this model features a wide range of software tools, allowing even inexperienced users to perform these operations quickly and safely. It also features an improved heat dissipation system, which positively impacts system stability.

Another advantage of the board is its well-thought-out design, which includes informative markings and different connector colors, a number of offset ports for more convenient connection, quick-release mounts for drives and their heatsinks, as well as markings for M.2 slots, a reinforced frame for the main PCI-e slot and a button for easy removal of the video card.

Additionally, the model boasts a robust level of protection, including grounding for the power ports, anti-corrosion coating on the rear connectors, and TVS diodes on electronic components to reduce excess voltage. Furthermore, the board features a set of special protection features to prevent excess current from flowing to all key components, and its solid-contact connectors guarantee a stable power supply to the processor, regardless of load.

Other advantages of the board include EZ DEBUG LEDs for error indication, a wide range of wired and wireless interfaces, including Thunderbolt 4, USB 4, 5G LAN, S/PDIF, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, and its membership in the DIY 2.0 family, guaranteeing compatibility and easy connection of all peripherals. Furthermore, the device supports up to 256 GB of RAM, with an overclocked frequency reaching 9200 MHz, and has three M.2 drive slots, including a PCI-e 5.0 slot for data transfer rates of up to 128 Gbps.

The MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard’s software deserves special attention, allowing for quick and easy CPU and RAM overclocking. It also supports AI technologies that automatically optimize PC performance (AI ENGINE), improve network stability (AI LAN MANAGER), assist with fan configuration (FROZR AI COOLING), and boost neural processing unit (AI BOOST) performance. Additionally, it features the GAME BOOST control panel for one-click CPU overclocking, the CPU Lite Load Control panel for manual parameter adjustments with real-time CPU thermal monitoring, and a range of RAM overclocking technologies (XMP, Memory Extension Mode, and MSI Memory Boost).

In summary, the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI is a well-designed motherboard with a robust power delivery system, high levels of protection, excellent cooling, and plenty of ports for building a powerful gaming PC . It also offers a range of useful technologies that allow you to quickly and safely overclock your hardware without worrying about damage or instability.

Software and BIOS

The MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI features the updated MSI Click BIOS X, which we’ve covered in our previous reviews. Its main features include a more intuitive interface and new features for safe system overclocking.

Additionally, the model supports the proprietary MSI Center utility for managing and monitoring not only the board but also other components and peripherals. Our regular readers will be familiar with it from previous MSI reviews, so there’s no need to reiterate.

In particular, you can find useful information about the MSI Click BIOS X shell and MSI Center in the reviews of the MSI MAG X870E TOMAHAWK WIFI and MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI motherboards .

Testing

Connecting the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI board is straightforward and doesn’t present any complications, so you can start using the device immediately after assembling your PC.

To verify functionality, we’ll run a series of tests, and we’ll do them twice. First, with base performance settings, and then in the overclocked MSI Performance mode. The scores are slightly higher in the second test, indicating that overclocking is indeed working, and we accomplished it with just a couple of clicks in the BIOS. It’s worth noting that you can achieve even better results using the MSI Extreme or MSI Unlimited modes, but proceed with caution.

The next stage of testing is evaluating the RAM speed. My setup includes two 16GB XPG Lancer Blade DDR5-6000 RGB memory modules with a base frequency of 4800 MHz and an overclocked frequency of 6000 MHz, which we again performed via the BIOS using the XMP1 profile. The XMP tool automatically evaluates memory performance and increases its frequency after first testing for errors. This process results in optimal settings that maximize RAM performance without the risk of crashing. The screenshots above show the results for both base and overclocked modes, confirming the board’s ability to boost RAM performance. Again, to do this, you’ll need to enter the BIOS and enable the XMP profile. In our case, we were only able to raise the frequency to 6000 MHz, as this is the maximum value of the RAM used. However, the board supports modules up to 9200 MHz, which means the performance level can increase by another third.

The final stage of testing was measuring the XPG Gammix S70 Blade’s drive speed . The results matched the specifications, meaning the board didn’t throttle the SSD’s performance . Temperatures remained within acceptable limits, confirming the effectiveness of the included heatsinks.

Conclusion

The MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI is a motherboard with a good price-performance ratio, perfect for building a gaming PC. It’s also ideal for users who don’t plan on extreme overclocking but want to safely experiment with CPU and memory performance.

Its advantages include a striking and attractive design, a robust power supply, and effective cooling. Additionally, the model supports up to 256 GB of DDR5 RAM at 9200 MHz, has three PCI-e slots, supports up to three M.2 drives, and boasts a wide range of modern interfaces and ports.

All of the above is complemented by a high level of security, a well-thought-out design, convenient software for monitoring and configuration, as well as compatibility with other MSI components.