Question 1

Is this board Windows 11 ready?

Accepted Answer

I had no issues installing a fresh copy of Windows 11. No Win10 first needed. Just be sure to have drivers saved in a folder on the same thumb drive you use for the install so that you can load things like the RAID driver if you're using that feature.

Question 2

If I accidentally press the flash BIOS button while plugging in a USB does it flash the BIOS?

Accepted Answer

Just google MSI bios button to see how it works my friend. Many times google is easier. The short answer for they lazy, is no it wont.

Question 3

Is the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R motherboard a good choice for a streaming-focused PC build with the latest Intel processors?

Accepted Answer

The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R is a solid choice for a streaming-focused build using the latest Intel processors. It supports 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs and offers features like DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and quad M.2 slots that help maintain high performance and quick data access, which are important for streaming workloads.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you plan to use a 14th Gen Intel CPU, a BIOS update may be necessary. Also, its integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN provide fast, stable network connectivity—key for smooth streaming. Just ensure your cooling solution matches your CPU’s thermal needs to avoid throttling during long streaming sessions.

Question 4

Is this board compatible with Intel's new 14th gen processors?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is, I bought specifically because it does, hope this helps.

Question 5

what is the model, everywhere else this board shows as ddr4? I can't find the ddr5 version elsewhere.

Accepted Answer

There are two versions:

MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI (the DDR5 version with no mention of 'DDR' in the model name)

MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 (which specifically mentions DDR4 in the model name).

Specifically, the one where you posted this question is the DDR5 version. You can also verify this under the 'Specs' > 'Memory' section.

Question 6

What is the warranty coverage for the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R motherboard, and how responsive is MSI’s RMA support for resolving hardware issues?

Accepted Answer

The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R motherboard typically comes with a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty that covers hardware defects and failures. MSI’s warranty service generally requires registering the product on their website and filing an RMA through their support system. Their support tends to be responsive, but turnaround times can vary depending on your location and the issue’s complexity.

If you’re considering ongoing support, MSI’s RMA process may involve shipping the motherboard to a service center, which can add some downtime compared to onsite warranties offered by other brands. It’s useful to keep your purchase receipt handy, as they usually require proof of purchase for warranty validation. For any BIOS updates or compatibility fixes, their support site is fairly well maintained, which helps minimize support calls.

Question 7

After installing the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R, which drivers and software should I install first to ensure full compatibility with Windows 11?

Accepted Answer

Start by installing the chipset drivers from MSI’s official support page to ensure your motherboard communicates properly with Windows 11. Then, move on to the network drivers, especially for the 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 6E, so you can get online and download any further updates or utilities like Dragon Center for system monitoring and BIOS flashing.

If you’re using a 14th generation Intel CPU, remember that a BIOS update might be required before everything runs smoothly, so keep an eye on MSI’s site for the latest firmware. Also, the Lightning USB 20G ports may need specific drivers to reach full speed, so double-check those after initial setup to get the best performance out of your peripherals.

Question 8

How does the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R motherboard's gaming performance at 1080p compare to the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Both motherboards will deliver very similar gaming performance at 1080p since they support the same 12th/13th Gen Intel CPUs and DDR5 memory, which are the main drivers for frame rates at this resolution. The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI offers strong features like PCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E, so it won’t bottleneck your GPU or CPU in typical gaming setups.

That said, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI may include more premium VRM cooling or additional connectivity options, which could benefit overclocking or future-proofing but won’t translate into noticeable FPS differences in most gaming scenarios. If your focus is purely on gaming at 1080p, the choice between these two mostly comes down to price and personal preference for the BIOS interface or extras.

Question 9

What is the typical power consumption and thermal design power (TDP) of the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI R motherboard under heavy multitasking or gaming loads?

Accepted Answer

The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard itself doesn’t have a specified power consumption or TDP listed because those values mostly depend on the CPU and components you pair with it. The board is designed to support up to 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors with efficient power delivery, so its own power draw is relatively modest compared to your CPU or GPU under heavy multitasking or gaming.

That said, the motherboard’s VRM and cooling solutions can handle demanding setups without thermal issues, especially when paired with proper case airflow. If you use high-end CPUs that draw more power, the board’s thermal design works to prevent throttling, but your overall system heat will largely come from the processor and graphics card rather than the motherboard alone.

Question 10

is DDR3 memory supported?

Accepted Answer

No, DDR3 memory is not supported. The motherboard supports DDR5 memory.

CPU Socket Type	LGA 1700
CPU Type	Supports 13th / 12th Gen Intel Core Processors, Intel Pentium Gold, Celeron Processors

Number of Memory Slots	4x288pin (DDR5)
Memory Standard	Supports 1R 5600 MHz (by JEDEC & POR) - 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 6800+ MHz - 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz - 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz - 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz Supports Intel XMP3.0 OC Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Maximum Memory Supported	192GB
Channel Supported	Dual Channel
Memory Performance Profile	Intel XMP 3.0

PCI Express 5.0 x16	PCI_E1 slot (From CPU) - Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x16
PCI Express 4.0 x16	PCI_E3 slot (From Z790 Chipset) - Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
PCI Express x1	PCI_E2 slot (From Z790 Chipset) - Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x1

Serial ATA (SATA)	7x SATA 6Gb/s ports - SATA_1& SATA_5_6& SATA_7_8 (From Z790 chipset) - SATA_A1_A2 (From ASM1061)
M.2	1 x Key M (CPU) + 1 x Key M (PCIe/SATA) + 2 x Key M (PCIe) + 1 x Key E (WiFi/BT) 4x M.2 slots (Key M) M2_1 slot (From CPU) - Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 - Supports 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices M2_2 slot (From Z790 chipset) - Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 - Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices M2_3 slot (From Z790 chipset) - Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 - Supports up to SATA 6Gb/s - Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices M2_4 slot (From Z790 chipset) - Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 - Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices * SATA_1 will be unavailable when installing M.2 SATA SSD in the M2_3 slot.
SATA RAID	0/1/5/10

Audio Chipset	Realtek ALC4080
Audio Channels	7.1 Channels

MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI LGA 1700 Intel Z790 SATA 6Gb/s DDR5 ATX Motherboard

Unite as One

Supports Intel Core 12th & 13th Gen Processors

16+1+1 Duet Rail Power System with 90A SPS

Integrated Cooling Features

4 x DDR5 Dual Channel (7200 MHz OC)

Fortified PCI-e 5.0 x16

Gen4 M.2 Connectors

M.2 Shield Frozr

Wi-Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.2

Learn more about the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI

Customer Reviews of the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI

Warranty & Returns

Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information

Warranty

Return Policies

Manufacturer Contact Info

Recommended For

Spec Summary

LAN Chipset	1x Intel 2.5Gbps LAN controller
Max LAN Speed	2.5Gbps
Wireless LAN	Intel Wi-Fi 6E - The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot - Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz/ 5GHz/ 6GHz(160MHz) up to 2.4Gbps - Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax Wi-Fi 6E 6GHz may depend on every country’s regulations and will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 and Windows 11.
Bluetooth	Supports Bluetooth 5.2, FIPS, FISMA Bluetooth 5.2 will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 and Windows 11.

Onboard USB	1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C front panel connector (From Z790 chipset) 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (From Hub GL3523) - Support additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports 2x USB 2.0 Type-A connectors (From Hub GL850G) - Supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
Other Connectors	Fan Connectors 1x 4-pin CPU fan connector 1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector 6x 4-pin system fan connectors System Connectors 1x Front panel audio connector 2x System panel connectors 1x Chassis Intrusion connector 1x TPM module connector 1x Tuning Controller connector 1x TBT connector (Supports RTD3) Jumpers 1x Clear CMOS jumper 1x OC force enter BIOS jumper (Supports lower PCIe mode) LED Features 1x 4-pin RGB LED connector 3x 3-pin ARGB Gen2 LED connectors 4x EZ Debug LED

Form Factor	ATX
LED Lighting	RGB
Dimensions (W x L)	12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin	1x 24-pin ATX main power connector 2x 8-pin +12V power connectors

Attribute	Value
Best For	Building an ATX PC with a compatible Intel LGA 1700 processor, DDR5 memory, PCIe graphics, and multiple M.2 or SATA drives
Processor And Chipset	Intel Z790 chipset with an LGA 1700 socket; supports 12th- and 13th-generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors
Memory Configuration	Four DDR5 memory slots support up to 192GB of non-ECC, unbuffered dual-channel memory, with Intel XMP 3.0. Supported speeds depend on DIMM configuration: up to 6800+ MHz with one single-rank DIMM per channel, or up to 5600 MHz with two dual-rank DIMMs per channel
Expansion Slots	One CPU-connected PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one chipset-connected PCIe 4.0 slot operating up to x4, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
Storage And RAID	Four M.2 Key M slots support PCIe 4.0 x4 drives; one slot also supports SATA M.2 drives. Seven SATA 6Gb/s ports support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. Using a SATA M.2 drive in M2_3 disables SATA_1
USB And Rear I/O	Rear I/O includes USB-C at 20Gbps, USB-C at 10Gbps, eight USB-A ports (four at 10Gbps and four at 5Gbps), HDMI, DisplayPort, a 2.5Gbps RJ45 jack, five audio jacks, optical S/PDIF, two Wi-Fi antenna connectors, Clear CMOS, and Flash BIOS buttons. Internal headers support front-panel USB-C at 10Gbps, two additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and four additional USB 2.0 ports
Wired And Wireless Networking	Intel 2.5Gbps Ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6E with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands and speeds up to 2.4Gbps, plus Bluetooth 5.2
Audio	Realtek ALC4080 audio with 7.1-channel support, five audio jacks, and optical S/PDIF output
Cooling And Internal Headers	Fan connections include CPU, water-pump, and six system fan headers; includes extended heatsink design, M.2 Shield Frozr, and thermal pads. Additional headers include front-panel audio, system panel, chassis intrusion, TPM, tuning controller, and Thunderbolt
Power And Form Factor	ATX motherboard measuring 12 × 9.6 inches, with a 24-pin main power connector and two 8-pin 12V power connectors
Lighting And Build Features	One 4-pin RGB header, three 3-pin ARGB Gen2 headers, four EZ Debug LEDs, PCIe Steel Armor, pre-installed I/O shield, EZ M.2 clips, and a Flash BIOS button
Operating System Support	Supports Windows 11
Model Identifiers	MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI

Item#: N82E16813144567