MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK Max Wifi DDR5 Intel Motherboard

The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk Max WiFi is a full-size ATX motherboard built on Intel's Z790 chipset for the LGA 1700 socket, supporting 12th and 13th Generation Intel Core processors as well as Pentium Gold and Celeron models. Designed for enthusiast gaming and high-performance builds, it pairs a capable VRM with modern connectivity standards to keep up with demanding workloads and the latest storage and networking technologies. At the heart of its power delivery is a 16-phase mirrored power arrangement using 90A Smart Power Stages (SPS), complemented by dual 8-pin CPU power connectors. This architecture is intended to deliver clean, stable power to high-core-count processors under sustained loads. MSI's Core Boost and Memory Boost technologies work alongside the power design to maximise headroom. For memory, the board provides four DDR5 UDIMM slots supporting up to 192GB of non-ECC unbuffered RAM. DDR5 JEDEC speeds are supported from 4800 MHz up to 5600 MHz, with XMP 3.0 overclocking profiles reaching up to 7800 MHz (1DPC 1R configuration). Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode is also supported. Storage flexibility is a highlight: four M.2 slots are available, with M.2_1 connected directly to the CPU via PCIe 5.0 x4 for maximum NVMe throughput. The remaining three M.2 slots draw from the chipset over PCIe 4.0 x4, and M.2_3 additionally supports SATA mode. Eight SATA 6Gbps ports round out storage capacity. RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 are supported for both SATA and NVMe arrays. All M.2 slots benefit from MSI's M.2 Shield Frozr thermal solution and the screwless EZ M.2 Clip for tool-free installation. Expansion slots include a primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (from CPU) for the discrete GPU, a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot (from chipset), and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. Connectivity is led by Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), supporting 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands with MU-MIMO, MLO, 4K-QAM modulation, and throughput up to 5.8 Gbps via a pre-installed M.2 Key-E module. Bluetooth 5.4 is included (subject to OS support). Wired networking is handled by Intel's 2.5Gbps LAN controller. The rear I/O panel provides a comprehensive USB array: four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps). Display outputs include HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K 60Hz) and DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 8K 60Hz), active only with processors featuring integrated graphics. Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC4080 codec delivering 7.1-channel output and up to 32-bit/384 kHz playback. Key Specifications: - Chipset: Intel Z790 - Socket: LGA 1700 - CPU Support: 12th/13th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, Celeron - Memory: 4x DDR5 UDIMM, max 192GB, up to 7800 MHz (OC), XMP 3.0 - PCIe: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU), 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 (chipset), 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 (chipset) - Storage: 4x M.2 (1x PCIe 5.0, 3x PCIe 4.0), 8x SATA 6G - Wireless: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), up to 5.8 Gbps, Bluetooth 5.4 - LAN: Intel 2.5Gbps - USB Rear: 4x Gen 1 Type-A, 4x Gen 2 Type-A, 1x Gen 2 Type-C, 1x Gen 2x2 Type-C (20G) - Audio: Realtek ALC4080, 7.1-channel, 32-bit/384 kHz - VRM: 16-phase mirrored, 90A SPS, dual 8-pin CPU power - Form Factor: ATX (243.84 mm x 304.8 mm) - OS: Windows 11 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit