TLDR Review: MSI X870E Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard
Verdict
This is one seriously powerful motherboard for high-end AMD Ryzen builds, and we're talking boot times and memory training that genuinely outpace competing AM5 options. Here's the catch: this board demands experience and respect—the stiff connectors, cryptic internal connections, and complete lack of printed documentation will make you work for it. Add in the reported memory channel B failures on some units, and you'll definitely want to research before committing. If you're an experienced enthusiast squeezing top performance out of a high-end Ryzen system, the gains justify the effort; if you're newer to PC building, this might be more pain than it's worth.
- Top pro:
- BIOS boot time is approximately 75% faster than competing boards
- Top con:
- Memory channel B does not function on some units
Pros
- •BIOS boot time is approximately 75% faster than competing boards
- •Memory training performance is significantly faster and more stable than competing AM5 boards
- •Works flawlessly with high-end components like Ryzen 9 9950X3D and DDR5 6000MHz memory
- •Superior PCB build quality with noticeably thicker and better-separated traces than competing boards
- •Comprehensive connectivity including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual network ports (5Gbps and 2.5Gbps)
- •Exceptional build quality with heavy construction and effective heatsinks
- •Tool-free quick-release heatsink covers on all M.2 slots simplify storage upgrades
- •Excellent overclocking capabilities with one-click power support for enthusiasts
- •Receives frequent weekly BIOS updates for faster hardware compatibility support compared to competitors
- •Includes USB flash stick with pre-loaded BIOS versions and drivers
Cons
- •Memory channel B does not function on some units
- •Poorly designed with cryptic, unlabeled internal connections for USB, audio, and front panel
- •Power connectors and memory slots are excessively stiff and difficult to install or remove
- •Inadequate assembly documentation with no printed reference guide included
- •DIMM slots lack identification markers
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How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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