MSI's refreshed Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II motherboard reviewed at $229
MSI's MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II is a mid-range LGA 1851 motherboard priced at $229. It includes a 16+2+1-phase VRM, 5G LAN, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and out-of-box support for Arrow Lake Refresh processors. The review finds its core feature set competitive, though it notes the price should be lower and the primary SSD cooling could be improved.
MSI's MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II targets Intel's LGA 1851 platform at $229, supporting Core Ultra 200-series and Arrow Lake Refresh chips without a BIOS update. It offers four DDR5 slots up to 256GB and 9200+ MT/s overclocking, plus four M.2 and four SATA connectors.
Compared with the original $259 Z890 Tomahawk, this second version drops one Thunderbolt 4 port and Wi-Fi 7 channel width from 320MHz to 160MHz. Reviewers rated it 89%, praising VRM, 5G LAN, 27W USB PD, and USB, while criticizing pricing and main M.2 thermal design.
Enthusiasts and budget-conscious PC builders may benefit from more competitive mid-range motherboard options, potentially lowering entry costs for Intel LGA 1851 systems. Improved networking and connectivity could appeal to gamers, creators, and small offices needing fast LAN/Wi-Fi. However, because the platform is nearing end of life, buyers may weigh upgrade longevity. Pricing and SSD cooling critiques could influence purchasing decisions, nudging manufacturers to adjust value.