MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard Review

We continue our review of MSI motherboards, and in this review, we’ll be taking a look at the MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI. Its key features include compatibility with 2nd-generation Intel Core Ultra processors, support for DDR5 9200 MHz RAM, a powerful 16+1+1+1 power delivery system, Frozr Guard heatsinks for effective cooling, high-speed ports and interfaces including PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, 5G LAN, and Wi-Fi 7, an updated CLICK BIOS X interface, a high level of security, and built-in intelligent overclocking tools. All of this is complemented by an attractive design and support for EZ DIY technology, which significantly simplifies assembly.

Technical specifications

• Chipset:  Intel  Z890
• Form factor:  ATX
• Dimensions:  305 x 244 mm
• Socket:  LGA 1851
• Supported processors:  2nd generation Intel Core Ultra
• Integrated graphics (only for processors with integrated graphics, specifications may vary depending on the processor model):
  • 1 x HDMI 2.1 with a maximum resolution of 4K at 120 Hz
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4 with DP 2.1 support with a maximum resolution of 4K at 120 Hz or 8K at 60 Hz
• Audio:
  • Realtek ALC1220
  • 7.1-channel sound
  • S/PDIF
• Network controller:
  • Intel Killer E5000B 5G LAN
  • Intel Dual Band Wireless BE200 (Wi-Fi7 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be (2.4/5/6 GHz) + Bluetooth 5.4)
• RAM:
  • 4 x DDR5
  • two channels (CUDIMM / UDIMM)
  • up to 256 GB
  • frequency up to 9200 MT/s (XMP)
• Expansion slots:
  • 1 x PCI-e x16 Gen5 (from processor )
  • 1 x PCI-e x4 Gen4 (from chipset)
  • 1 x PCI-e x4 Gen4 (from chipset)
• Storage connectors:
  • 4 x SATA 6.0 Gbps
  • 4 x M.2 ports:
    • PCI-e x4 Gen5 (from the processor) for 2280/2260 devices
    • PCI-e x4 Gen4 (from the processor) for 22110/2280/2260 devices
    • PCI-e x4 Gen4 (from chipset) for 2280/2260/2242 devices
    • PCI-e x4 Gen4 / SATA (from chipset) for 2280/2260/2242 devices
• RAID support:  0, 1, 5, 0, 10 for SATA and M.2 NVMe devices
• Motherboard power supply:
  • 1 x ATX 24-pin
  • 2 x 8-pin EPS12V
  • 1 x 8-pin PCIe
• Rear panel connectors:
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button
  • 1 x BIOS flash button
  • 3 x USB-A 10 Gbps
  • 4 x USB-A 5 Gbps
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4 40 Gbps
  • 1 x USB-C 10Gbps
  • 1 x 5G LAN
  • 1 x 3.5 audio input for microphone
  • 1 x 3.5 audio output for headphones/speakers
  • 1 x Optical Audio Out (S/PDIF)
  • 1 x  HDMI
  • 1 x Wi-Fi 7 Antenna Connector
  • 1 x Bluetooth 5.4 Antenna Connector
• USB ports:
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (front)
  • 4 x USB 5Gbps Type A (rear)
  • 2 x USB 5Gbps Type A (front)
  • 3 x USB 10Gbps Type A (rear)
  • 1x USB 10Gbps Type C (rear)
  • 1x USB 20Gbps Type C (front)
• Thunderbolt:
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (rear)
  • 40 Gbps with Thunderbolt devices
  • 20 Gbps with USB 4 devices
  • 10 Gbps with USB 3.2 devices
  • fast charging up to 15W
  • video up to 8K
  • connect up to 3 Thunderbolt 4 or 5 Thunderbolt 3 devices through a single port
• Internal connectors:
  • 1 x Thunderbolt5 card connector (JTBT5)
  • 1 x Power connector (ATX_PWR)
  • 2 x Power Connector (CPU_PWR)
  • 1 x Power Connector (PCIE_PWR 8-pin)
  • 1 x CPU Fan Connector
  • 1 x (Pump_Sys Fan)
  • 6 x System Fan Connectors
  • 1 x ARGB+FAN+USB 2.0 Header (JAF_2)
  • 2 x Front Panel Connector (JFP)
  • 1 x Chassis Intrusion Sensor Connector (JCI)
  • 1 x Front Audio Connector (JAUD)
  • 1 x Temperature sensor connector (T_SEN)
  • 3 x Addressable V2 RGB LED Connector (JARGB_V2)
  • 1 x RGB LED connector (JRGB)
  • 1 x TPM connector (Support TPM 2.0)
  • 4 x USB 2.0 ports
  • 2 x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
  • 1 x USB 20Gbps Type C ports
• Wireless and Bluetooth Network:
  • Intel Killer BE1750x Wi-Fi 7
  • The wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot
  • MU-MIMO TX/RX 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (320 MHz), up to 5.8 Gbps
  • 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be
  • Bluetooth 5.4, MLO, 4KQAM

Packaging and assembly

The MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard is packed in a dark-colored cardboard box.

The front panel displays the model name and lists its features. The back panel features an image of the device and a more detailed list of its features.

Inside the box, the board is carefully packed in an antistatic bag and secured with cardboard molds. Included are a Wi-Fi antenna, two SATA cables, a USB flash drive with drivers, an EZ Conn extension cable for connecting MSI cooling systems to the JAF connector, an M.2 installation key, a front panel extension cable, two EZ M.2 Clips II quick-release fasteners, a branded sticker pack, a welcome card, a regulatory document, and instructions.

Appearance

The MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI is an ATX motherboard measuring 305 x 244 mm. It features a dark matte finish. Its six-layer, high-copper construction improves heat dissipation and ensures stable signal transmission across high-speed interfaces . It features decorative patterns including dots, dashes, the logo, and the series name. The latter are applied in bright green fluorescent paint, giving the board the striking design characteristic of MAG series components.

Besides the interesting design, the front panel also catches the eye with its impressive Frozr Guard cooling system, which includes six heatsinks. One of them covers the chipset, two cover the VRM area, and the remaining three cover the M.2 drive slots.

The back panel isn’t particularly interesting, but it does contain a couple of important details. First, the screws for securing the heatsinks are located here. Second, there are white markers indicating where extra spacers may be located in the case; these need to be removed to avoid damaging the board. Third, all mounting holes are coated and double-shielded.

Returning to the front panel, we see the LGA 1851 processor socket in the center, which supports 2nd-generation Intel Core Ultra processors. Above and to the left of it are the aforementioned heatsinks, concealing the processor’s power supply. One of them has been enlarged, further covering the connectors on the back of the board and increasing the cooling surface area. Both heatsinks are secured with screws and use 7 W/(m∙K) thermal conductivity pads as a conductive layer.

The power supply system is designed using a 16+1+1+1 design, with 16 phases dedicated to the core, one to the graphics core, one to the system agent, and one to the VNNAON. Additionally, the device features dual connection connectors and a 90A power module for each core phase channel, making it not only suitable for powerful Intel Core Ultra processors but also ensures stable operation under overclocking.

To the left of the socket are four RAM slots. This motherboard supports DDR5 memory with a total capacity of up to 256 GB and a maximum bandwidth of 9200 MT/s in XMP overclocking mode. For dual-channel operation, install every other RAM module, starting from the right side of the board. The slots are marked as a guide.

Four M.2 drive slots are provided, each with a heatsink. The top slot receives lanes from the processor, supports PCI-e 5.0, and is the fastest. This allows for a substantial heatsink, dissipating heat not only upwards but also downwards thanks to an additional thermal interface. Furthermore, installing memory in this slot is tool-free, as both the heatsink and the drive are equipped with quick-release mounts. The heatsink installed here is called the EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II, and the quick-release mount is the EZ M.2 Clip II.

The next slot is also powered by the processor, but supports PCI-e 4.0 drives. Its heatsink is secured with screws, making it less convenient to remove. Furthermore, this slot will be blocked by the graphics card , so it will likely be rarely used.

The final two slots are located next to each other . They’re always easy to reach, so they’re also equipped with quick-release drive and heatsink mounts. Incidentally, they share the latter. They’re powered by the chipset and support PCI-e 4.0. Furthermore, the fourth slot is compatible with SATA SSDs .

To the left of the middle and lower M.2 slots is another heatsink, concealing the chipset. Like the others, it features thermal padding for improved heat dissipation.

The MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI has three PCI-e slots. The top one supports PCI-e 5.0 and receives 16 lanes from the processor. It’s designed to house a graphics card, so it’s equipped with the familiar Steel Armor II metal frame for reinforcement and protection against electrostatic interference. It also features a special EZ PCIe Release mount with a button located in the RAM area, making removing the graphics card much easier when using massive tower coolers. The remaining two slots operate at PCI-e 4.0 speeds via the chipset and are not protected by metal protection.

The motherboard is powered using a 24+8+8 configuration. The main 24-pin ATX connector is located in its usual position on the right. Two 8-pin EPS12V connectors have been moved above the RAM slots, making them much easier to access. Additionally, to ensure stable power delivery to all PCI-e devices, a third PCIE_PWR1 connector has been added to the board, positioned downwards. This configuration is designed for high-performance models and ensures proper operation even during overclocking.

Let’s return to the EPS12V and ATX 24-pin connectors. Between them is the EZ DIGI-DEBUG LED display and four EZ DEBUG LEDs. The first displays error codes, which can be deciphered using the manual, while the latter inform you about failures in a specific component, meaning you can identify the source of the problem with just a glance at the board.

The CPU_Fan1 connector for the CPU cooler, PUMP_SYS1 for the water-cooling pump, and SYS_Fan1 for case fans are also located here . Two more connectors, SYS_Fan2 and SYS_Fan3 for the coolers, are located above and below the power supply heatsink. Note that the pump connector supplies 36 W of power, the CPU cooler connector supplies 24 W, and all case fan connectors are rated for 12 W. Therefore, power from the cooling system must be connected strictly to the correct interfaces, otherwise they will not function.

To the left of the ATX 24-pin connector is the JAF_2 (EZ_Conn). This proprietary design combines the power and cooling fan LED cables, reducing the number of cables. Additionally, JUSB_3 and JUSBC1 connectors are located here for the front panel USB-A and USB-C ports. The latter, incidentally, supports 27W fast charging using the Power Delivery protocol. Next are four SATA connectors for storage devices.

The lower side is equipped with:

• JBAT1 – BIOS reset jumper;
• JFP1 and JFP2 for front panel indicators and buttons;
• J1 and J2 – purpose not specified by the manufacturer;
• JPTM1 – ​​TRM module connector;
• JDP1 – service connector;
• JARGB_V2_1, JARGB_V2_2 and JARGB_V2_3 – for backlighting ;
• SYS_FAN4, SYS_FAN5, SYS_FAN6 – for case coolers (12 W);
• JUSB1 and JSUB2 – for connecting USB-A 2.0 on the front panel;
• JTBT5_1 – connector for connecting a Thunderbolt 5 expansion card;
• JOC_FS1 — – safe boot jumper;
• JPD1 – purpose not specified by the manufacturer;
• JBD1 – purpose not specified by the manufacturer;
• JCI1 – case opening sensor;
• JRGB1 – for backlight;
• JAUD1 – for connecting audio on the front panel.

The lower left corner is occupied by the audio system, traditionally separated from the rest of the board by a yellow stripe. It houses high-quality Japanese-made audio capacitors, a headphone amplifier , and a Realtek ALC1220P codec for 7.1-channel audio.

Among other features, it’s worth noting the Intel Killer E5000B network controller with a maximum speed of 5 Gbps and the Intel Killer BE1750x wireless module with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. This configuration highlights the device’s gaming potential, as it not only ensures high data transfer speeds but also analyzes network conditions to ensure maximum stability when using both connection methods simultaneously.

The rear panel is equipped with interfaces, which are covered with a metal panel for protection and positioning accuracy. The list of connectors is as follows:

• 3 x USB-A 10 Gbps
• 4 x USB-A 5 Gbps
• 2 x Thunderbolt 4 40 Gbps
• 1 x USB-C 10Gbps
• 1 x 5G LAN
• 1 x 3.5 audio input for microphone
• 1 x 3.5 audio output for headphones/speakers
• 1 x Optical Audio Out (S/PDIF)
• 1 x HDMI

There are also buttons for clearing CMOS and flashing BIOS, as well as connectors for connecting antennas.

Peculiarities

The MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI is a motherboard with the LGA1851 socket, making it compatible with Intel Core Ultra processors. Its 16+1+1+1 power supply and 90A power stages not only support powerful components but also provide headroom for overclocking the processor and RAM. All the necessary features are built into the BIOS. The board is constructed with six layers of copper, improving heat dissipation and reducing interference with high-speed interfaces. It also features six heatsinks for cooling the drives, chipset, and power supplies. This alone is a real eye-catcher, but its advantages don’t end there.

Another important feature of the board is its well-thought-out design. By this, I mean the relocation of some connectors to more convenient locations, informative connector labels with different colors (the pump system, ARGB, and JAF_2 connectors are highlighted in white, while the 8-pin PCIe connector is gray), the presence of quick-release mounts for SSDs and their heatsinks, a button for easily ejecting PCI-e devices, and M.2 slot labels that allow you to identify their signal source. Furthermore, the main PCI-e slot has a metal frame, which strengthens it and eliminates electrostatic interference.

The board’s protective technologies don’t end there. It also features TVS diodes to protect electronic components from overvoltage, solid-contact power connectors for stable power delivery to the processor under any load, and a set of special features that prevent excess current from flowing to all key components, from the processor to the USB ports. Furthermore, the model features grounding for power components and a corrosion-resistant metal panel for the rear connectors, which also features separate protection for the audio connectors, designed to reduce interference and audio signal loss.

Useful features include the informative EZ DIGI-DEBUG LED display and EZ DEBUG LEDs, which let you identify any components that are malfunctioning. The model also boasts mounts for external antennas, a CMOS reset button, and quick BIOS updates from a flash drive, which can be performed simply by powering up the board.

The fact that this board belongs to the DIY 2.0 family deserves special mention. This means that all components are not only compatible with each other but also support easy connection. For example, the EZ_Conn connector allows you to connect both power and the cooling system’s lighting with a single plug. This means you’ll need fewer wires, meaning your build will look significantly more beautiful. Speaking of lighting, this model features one RGB and three ARGB connectors. The lighting can be controlled using the Mystic Light utility, allowing you to synchronize not only all components of your PC but also the lighting of your peripherals.

Let me remind you that the new product has a wealth of interfaces not only on the board itself but also externally. Of course, the presence of Thunderbolt 4, USB 4, 5G LAN, and S/PDIF for high-quality audio is a welcome addition. All this is complemented by Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, which are certainly a welcome addition.

It’s important to know that MSI motherboards offer not only advanced hardware but also powerful software. Specifically, this model features AI solutions that can optimize computer performance (AI ENGINE), improve network stability (AI LAN MANAGER), fine-tune fan settings (FROZR AI COOLING), and overclock the NPU (AI BOOST). Furthermore, the manufacturer has implemented the GAME BOOST control panel, allowing you to overclock your processor with just one click. If you’re not comfortable with automatic overclocking, you can manually adjust power settings using the dedicated CPU Lite Load Control control panel , which adjusts power settings based on the processor’s thermal parameters. This allows you to safely boost its performance. Furthermore, the device features a dedicated clock generator. generator , allowing you to experiment with this parameter as well.

Overclocking your processor isn’t the only way to improve system performance. Another option is to interact with your RAM, which features XMP profile support, Memory Extension Mode, and MSI Memory Boost technology. These features allow you to increase your RAM frequency without increasing latency or causing overall instability. As a reminder, this motherboard supports four RAM modules with a total capacity of 256 GB, and its overclocked frequency can reach up to 9200 MHz.

In addition to high-speed RAM, the model supports the installation of up to 4 M.2 drives, one of which supports PCI-e 5.0, i.e., it can provide data transfer speeds of up to 128 Gb/s.

Software and BIOS

The new generation of MSI motherboards features an updated BIOS shell called CLICK BIOS X. Compared to previous versions, it features a more intuitive interface and additional features.

In addition, the board supports the proprietary MSI Center application, which, among other things, contains a lot of useful tools for configuring, overclocking and monitoring the system.

We talked about CLICK BIOS X and MSI Center in our reviews of the MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WIFI and MSI MAG X870E TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboards , so I won’t repeat myself.

Testing

Connecting the motherboard is straightforward and straightforward. After assembly, the PC installs any missing drivers from the included USB flash drive, after which we begin evaluating the device’s capabilities.

Let’s start with some performance tests and see that the results are decent, but not the best. The reason is simple: the old NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card didn’t allow us to fully utilize the potential of our board and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor.

Next, let’s evaluate the RAM speed. In my case, I have two 16GB XPG Lancer Blade DDR5-6000 RGB RAM modules with a base frequency of 4800 MHz and overclocking support up to 6000 MHz. I performed this through the BIOS, using the XMP1 profile. As I mentioned earlier, this is an automatic performance boost tool that automatically selects parameters to increase the frequency without the risk of malfunctioning. The screenshots above show the difference in RAM speed between the base and overclocked modes. As a reminder, in my case, the frequency can only go up to 6000 MHz, although the model supports 9200 MHz modules, meaning the final speed could be up to a third higher.

Finally, we tested the XPG Gammix S70 Blade drive and found that read/write speeds matched the manufacturer’s claims, meaning the MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI didn’t undercut them. Furthermore, the drive’s temperature remained low, indicating that the included heatsinks performed well.

Conclusion

The MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI is an excellent motherboard for building a modern gaming PC with overclocking capabilities. It offers support for high-performance Intel processors, a powerful power supply, effective cooling, and a suite of software tools for intelligent overclocking. It also boasts a well-thought-out design, attractive appearance, robust protection, and a host of useful features that make it even more convenient and productive.