Our value pick for Z890
MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi
The Tomahawk formula on Intel: the features that matter, none of the halo tax, at a price a whole build can absorb.
Our verdict
The Tomahawk does on Intel what made the name on AMD: all the connectivity that matters - dual Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, a Gen5 M.2 - and none of the halo tax. It is the default board for a sensible Core Ultra build. Step up to the Taichi Lite only if you need six M.2 slots or overclocking headroom.
Best for: The 90% case: a Core Ultra gaming build that wants modern I/O and no wasted spend.
Skip it if: You plan aggressive overclocking - the modest VRM is the board's known limit.
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi
Intel Z890 · LGA1851 · ATX · DDR5
$229.99last verified price - stock has been patchy
Tracked range: $198.81 - $229.99
Today's price is at or near the lowest we have tracked - a reasonable time to buy.
Chipset
Z890
Socket
LGA1851
Form factor
ATX
RAM
4x DDR5 to 192GB
Full specifications
| CPU Support | Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1851 |
| Chipset | Intel Z890 |
| Power Design | 16+1+1+1 Duet Rail Power System with 90A Smart Power Stages |
| Memory | 4x DIMM, Dual Channel DDR5, up to 256GB, up to 9200+ MT/s (OC) |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 2x PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| M.2 Slots | 4 total: 1x M.2 Gen5 x4 (128Gbps), 3x M.2 Gen4 x4 (64Gbps) |
| SATA Ports | 4x SATA 6Gbps |
| Rear USB | 10 ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (40Gbps), 1x USB 10Gbps Type-C, 3x USB 10Gbps Type-A, 4x USB 5Gbps Type-A |
| Networking | Intel Killer E5000B 5G LAN + Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750x, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC1220P codec, 7.1-channel HD Audio with Audio Boost 4 |
| Form Factor | ATX (304.8mm x 243.84mm) |
Transcribed from the manufacturer's official spec sheet - always confirm details there before buying.
Why buy it
- Dual Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7 and 5G LAN at a midrange price
- Four M.2 slots (one Gen5) plus tool-free EZ-DIY touches
- The default recommendation shape: spend the savings on CPU or GPU
Think twice if
- 16+1+1+1 VRM is modest - not the board for heavy overclocking
- No RGB and functional MAG styling: sensible, not exciting
- First-party stock has been patchy lately - check the live price
What reviewers say
The FPS Review
8.9/10Praised as a mid-range Z890 board delivering excellent value, with solid performance, robust cooling, and tool-free EZ-DIY installation features. Noted that while the Frozr cooling performed acceptably, they have seen better cooling on other boards in this price class.
Full review ↗Tech4Gamers
8.5/10 - Recommended AwardCalled it excellent value for combining DDR5-9200 support, dual Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 7, 5G LAN, and MSI's EZ-DIY conveniences at its price. Cautioned that the relatively modest 16+1+1+1 VRM limits heavy overclocking and the board lacks RGB lighting.
Full review ↗PC Guide
4.5/5Rated it Excellent as a feature-packed, future-proof board with PCIe 5.0, WiFi 7, and user-friendly touches like easy-release clips and an integrated I/O shield. Noted it is still a rather expensive motherboard that may be overkill for budget builds, and lacks a rear power button.
Full review ↗Build around it
A full build starting from this board - picks computed from our live catalog, matched to the board's budget class.
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
The strongest gaming CPU we track for LGA1851 - score 93/100 at ~$312.
GPU
NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti
The best score-per-dollar in our GPU data - matches the value play this board is. Score 72/100 at ~$370.
RAM
Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5-6400 CL32 32GB (2x16GB)
DDR5-6400 CL32, 2x16GB - the cheapest kit on the Z890 sweet spot at ~$278. Faster kits are mostly wasted money here.
Case
Phanteks XT PRO
Takes ATX with 435mm of GPU clearance - an airflow pick at ~$60.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CPUs does the MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi support?
It uses the Intel Z890 chipset on the LGA1851 socket. That means Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) desktop CPUs. Check any specific pairing with our free bottleneck checker before you buy.
What RAM should I put in the MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi?
It takes DDR5 in 4 slots (up to 192GB). The sweet spot on Z890 is DDR5-6400 - faster kits cost more for little real-world gain. Our RAM advisor picks a kit for your exact use.
Will the MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi fit my case?
It is an ATX board. Our case finder filters cases by the form factors they actually take.
How much does the MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi cost?
The last first-party price we verified was $229.99. Across our tracking it has ranged from $198.81 to $229.99. The price on the retailer page is the real one.
Prices are from our latest first-party retailer check and change constantly - always confirm on the product page. Reviewer citations are attributed and linked; we summarize, they tested. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.