MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
- Chipset:
- Z790
- Socket:
- LGA1700
- Form Factor:
- ATX
- Network:
- WiFi 6E + 2.5G LAN
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Manufacturer: MSI Last updated: September 11, 2026
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi Review
The MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi extends MSI's popular Tomahawk line to the LGA1700 platform's Z790 chipset, giving mid-range builders a PCIe 5.0 GPU slot and solid VRM at a mainstream price.
MSI's specification pages do not list an exact VRM phase count for this board, but it is rated for sustained 13th/14th Gen Intel i7 and i9 operation at stock and moderate overclocked settings. Four DDR5 DIMM slots support current LGA1700 memory configurations with overclocking support for 12th/13th/14th Gen Intel processors. Expansion includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the GPU. Storage covers multiple M.2 slots supporting NVMe drives. A 2.5Gb LAN controller handles wired networking, paired with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Audio uses MSI's standard Realtek implementation. Against the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi in this batch, the MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi offers MSI's Frozr thermal design at a typically lower price, giving buyers a choice between the two brands at a similar feature tier.
Power Delivery and VRM Design
MSI's specification pages do not list an exact VRM phase count for this board, but it is rated for sustained 13th/14th Gen Intel i7 and i9 operation at stock and moderate overclocked settings.
Memory Support
Four DDR5 DIMM slots support current LGA1700 memory configurations with overclocking support for 12th/13th/14th Gen Intel processors.
Expansion and Storage
Expansion includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the GPU. Storage covers multiple M.2 slots supporting NVMe drives.
Connectivity
A 2.5Gb LAN controller handles wired networking, paired with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Audio uses MSI's standard Realtek implementation.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi in this batch, the MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi offers MSI's Frozr thermal design at a typically lower price, giving buyers a choice between the two brands at a similar feature tier.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Mainstream LGA1700 builders who want MSI's Frozr thermal design
- Builds that don't need flagship-tier VRM headroom
Not for
- Enthusiasts who want Thunderbolt 4 or dual LAN
- New builds better served by the newer Core Ultra Series 2 platform
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity
| Model Number | MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
Platform and CPU compatibility
| Platform | Intel |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 |
| Chipset | Z790 |
| Newest CPU Family Supported | Core 14th Gen |
| Oldest CPU Family Supported | Core 12th Gen |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Memory Slots | 4 |
| Max Memory | 256 GB |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Capacity | 256 GB |
| Max Rated Memory Speed | 7200 MT/s |
| ECC Memory Support | None |
Expansion & Connectivity
| M.2 Slots | 4 |
|---|---|
| PCIe 5.0 Support | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Onboard | Yes |
Physical fit
| Board Width | 243.84 mm |
|---|
M.2 storage
| M.2 Slots Onboard | 4 |
|---|---|
| M.2 PCIe 5.0 Slots | 0 |
| M.2 PCIe 4.0 Slots | 4 |
| M.2 CPU Attached Slots | 1 |
Other storage
| SATA Ports | 7 |
|---|
PCIe expansion
| PCIe x16 Slots | 2 |
|---|---|
| Primary Graphics Slot Gen | PCIe 5.0 |
Rear USB
| Rear USB4 or TB Ports | 0 |
|---|---|
| Rear USB 20Gbps Ports | 1 |
| Rear USB 10Gbps Ports | 5 |
| Rear USB 5Gbps Ports | 4 |
| Rear USB 2.0 Ports | 0 |
Internal headers
| Front USB-C Header Speed | 10Gbps |
|---|---|
| Fan and Pump Headers | 8 |
| ARGB Headers | 3 |
Power delivery
| Vcore Power Stages | 16 |
|---|---|
| Power Stage Current Rating | 90 A |
| EPS 12V Configuration | Two 8-pin |
Builder features
| POST Code Display | No |
|---|---|
| BIOS Flashback | Yes |
| Tool Free M.2 Retention | Yes |
Network and audio
| Max Ethernet Speed | 2.5 Gbps |
|---|---|
| Ethernet Port Count | 1 |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Audio Codec | Realtek ALC4080 |
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/2.5G LAN/Wi-Fi 6E)?
Key specs for the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi: Chipset Z790, Socket LGA1700, Socket Type LGA1700, Max Memory Capacity 256 GB, Form Factor ATX, VRM 16+1+1 phases, 90A SPS.
Will the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/2.5G LAN/Wi-Fi 6E) work with my current setup?
The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/2.5G LAN/Wi-Fi 6E) lists Socket is LGA1700. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/2.5G LAN/Wi-Fi 6E) best suited to?
Best suited to: Mainstream LGA1700 builders who want MSI's Frozr thermal design; Builds that don't need flagship-tier VRM headroom.
What are the drawbacks of the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/2.5G LAN/Wi-Fi 6E)?
Not the best fit for: Enthusiasts who want Thunderbolt 4 or dual LAN; New builds better served by the newer Core Ultra Series 2 platform.
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