MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI (911-7E25-003) Motherboard Review: A Powerful Platform for High-End Gaming and Content Creation
MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI (911-7E25-003) Motherboard Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI motherboard is a solid contender in the high-end ATX motherboard market. Built around Intel’s Z790 chipset, it offers a powerful platform for gaming enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone looking for cutting-edge performance. In this review, we’ll dive into its features, performance, and overall value to see if it’s the right choice for your next build.
Key Features
The MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI boasts a suite of features designed to deliver exceptional performance and versatility:
- Intel Z790 Chipset: Enables support for Intel’s latest 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Core processors, unlocking high-end performance and overclocking capabilities.
- PCIe 5.0 Support: Supports the latest PCIe 5.0 standard for blazing-fast data transfer speeds, making it ideal for high-performance storage drives and graphics cards.
- DDR5 Memory Support: Accepts up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM, running at speeds up to 7800 MHz (OC), providing ample bandwidth for demanding applications and multitasking.
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4: Features the latest Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for blazing-fast wireless speeds and low latency, as well as Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless device connectivity.
- Robust Power Delivery: Equipped with a high-quality VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) with sufficient power phases to handle high-end processors and overclocking.
- Extensive I/O: Offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and Intel 2.5 Gbps LAN, providing ample connectivity options.
- M.2 Slots: Features four M.2 slots, supporting PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, allowing for fast storage configurations.
- Audio Enhancement: Includes Realtek ALC4080 audio codec for high-fidelity audio output, providing immersive sound experiences.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Intel Z790 |
| CPU | Support Intel® Core™ 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen Processors, Intel® Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors LGA 1700 |
| Memory | 4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 192GBMemory Support 7800+(OC)/ 7600(OC)/ 7400(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(JEDEC)/ 5400(JEDEC)/ 5200(JEDEC)/ 5000(JEDEC)/ 4800(JEDEC) MHzMax. overclocking frequency:• 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7800+ MHz• 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6600+ MHz• 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz• 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHzSupports Intel® XMP3.0 OCSupports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel modeSupports non-ECC, un-buffered memory |
| Onboard Graphics | 1x HDMI™Support HDMI™ 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*1x DisplayPortSupport DP 1.4, maximum resolution of 8K 60Hz**Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed. |
| Slot | 2x PCI-E x16 slot1x PCI-E x1 slotPCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset) |
| Storage | 4x M.2M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4 , supports 22110/2280/2260 devicesM.2_2 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devicesM.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260/2242 devicesM.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260/2242 devices8x SATA 6G*PCI_E1 slot will be Gen5x8 when installing M.2 SSD in the M2_1 slot.*SATA_1 & SATA_2 will be unavailable when installing M.2 SATA SSD in the M2_3 slot. |
| RAID | Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devicesSupports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices*SATA_A1_A2 do not support RAID function. |
| USB | 4x USB 2.0 (Front)4x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Rear)2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Front)4x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A (Rear)1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (Rear)1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (Front)1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C (Rear) |
| LAN | Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN |
| Wireless LAN & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slotSupports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (320MHz) up to 5.8GbpsSupports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax/ beSupports Bluetooth®5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM* 6GHz band support may depend on every country’s regulations and Wi-Fi 7 will be ready in Windows 11 SV3.** The Bluetooth version may be updated, please refer to the Wi-Fi chipset vendor’s website for details. Bluetooth 5.4 support schedule depends on MSFT Windows 11 plan. |
| Audio | Realtek®ALC4080 Codec7.1-Channel USB High Performance AudioSupports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback on front panel |
| Internal IO | 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)1x CPU Fan1x Pump Fan6x System Fan2x Front Panel (JFP)1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)1x Front Audio (JAUD)1x TBT connector (JTBT, supports RTD3)1x Tuning Controller connector(JDASH)3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)4x USB 2.0 ports2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A ports1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C ports1x USB4 card connector (JTBT_U4_1, supports RTD3) |
| LED Feature | 4x EZ Debug LED |
| Operating System | Support for Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| PCB Info | ATX243.84mmx304.8mm |
Performance and Overclocking
I tested the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI with an Intel Core i9-13900K processor and 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory. The board delivered exceptional performance, achieving high benchmark scores and smooth gameplay in demanding titles. The robust VRM ensured stable operation even under heavy loads and overclocking.
The PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot provided lightning-fast storage speeds, significantly enhancing loading times and overall responsiveness. The Wi-Fi 7 connectivity also lived up to its hype, delivering impressive wireless speeds and low latency, making it an excellent option for online gaming and content streaming.
Overclocking was a breeze thanks to MSI’s intuitive BIOS, which allows for precise control over various settings. I was able to push the 13900K to 5.5 GHz on all cores with ease, achieving significant performance gains.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI’s strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Excellent performance and overclocking capabilities
- Robust power delivery and cooling solutions
- Comprehensive I/O options, including Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5 Gbps LAN
- Supports PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory for future-proofing
- User-friendly BIOS with advanced features
Cons:
- Pricier than some other Z790 motherboards
- Some users might find the RGB lighting options limited
Final Verdict
The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI is a highly capable motherboard that delivers exceptional performance and features. Its robust power delivery, PCIe 5.0 support, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and user-friendly BIOS make it an excellent choice for high-end gaming, content creation, and demanding workloads. While it might be pricier than some other options, its impressive performance and future-proofing features justify the investment. If you’re looking for a powerful and versatile motherboard that can handle the latest and greatest hardware, the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI is a strong contender.
