MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WiFi: Did MSI stop caring ?

[@vladsta3833]

z790 tomahawk d4 here. saw some videos that some mobos were DOA, luckily mine wasnt. very pleased with the board. cheers. hope you review the upcoming boards for intel/amd.

[@HowNowBrownMan]

Same board here. Is VR VCC Temp (SVID) in HWiNFO the VRM temps? If so, mine top out at 65C. That's with HWINFO being on over 72 Hours with gaming and some CB23. They must have really screwed up with the Max refresh.

[@jaguar3248]

I order these boards probably every other month, i build PC's as a sideline, not had a dead one yet out of i think 12. I know for a fact that a lot of boards are declared DOA but are not. Its all to easy on a Z790 or any other Intel socket if you dont't know what your doing to bend the pins on the CPU socket when removing the CPU transit socket cover or putting the CPU in. The average PC owner does not know how easily damaged the pins are. I know of one major PC part supplier here in Australia who simply and correctly turns them around and sends them back with a note saying you killed it, your problem. The cover even has a warning that obviously some dont read it. I still say its a crap design that allows the pins to be so easily damaged, but thats just my opinion. On a PC build it is still the number one area i am VERY careful around. Once the the CPU is in, pasted and covered with an AIO or air cooler i am a happy man. The other area people struggle with is the concept of is stand off screws, don't use them correctly and you can easily fry a board. I like the MSI Mag Z790 boards TBH, the heatsinks are fine IMHO if you use a decent cooling solution.

[@Truth.Alphaz]

@@jaguar3248you are right because I bent pins for the first time on my asrock z690 last week. Just upgraded to this motherboard and pc runs faster / smoother now

[@brettleisy356]

I used to build PCs ALL the time, havent done much in the last 6 or so years, Ive done strictly MSI for any personal build for board and GPUs. currently building on now... what I am hating is the TOTAL lack of diagrams/instructions. I remember when board makers would have a white sheet diagram with EVERY pinout and header labeled. so I am hunting and hunting for pin outs to run the RGB (another first for me for addressable), also setting up 11 PWM fans, so hunting down all the proper fan pinouts. and their web site doesnt have this information either. so will be my last time purchasing through them. I like changes (upgrades), but it needs documentation.

[@KiL4gaming]

I've had a great experience with this board. 14700k cpu and rtx 3080 ftw3 ultra. I do, however, RECOMMEND only running 2 sticks of 32gb ddr5 instead of 4x16 because you can overclock the 2x32 but not the 4x16 for some reason.

[@chaosmaou]

From the US here, love your videos! Your video last year on the Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX convinced me to buy the board for my AM5 build! Love your humor and been watching your videos ever since.

[@jaguar3248]

I can't understand why this board only recognises only 1 xmp profile on DDR5 memory. I have tried 3 sets of G Skill memory on the QVL list and all 3 offered 1 XMP profile, but all 3 offered 3 XMP profiles when using a Asus or Gigabyte Z790 board. XMP may be provided by the manufacturer but the BIOS needs to be able to read it. For me the weak American Megatrends bios is the issue with MSI. It can barely keep up these days.

[@manukoshy1219]

I still dont fully understand. I'm using a 14900k cpu. Ive just ordered this mobo. Are you saying that if i install a M.2 gen 3/4 ssd in the M.2_1 slot, my gpu lanes will be cut down to 8? And if that's the case, is it better to avoid this motherboard? I have 3 X m.2 ssd and would like to add another if the need arises in the future. Is this going to be an issue with this mobo?

[@Laurentschoice]

Yes it will. But even 8 lanes @ pcie 5.0 is more bandwidth available that even a 4090 could handle . I would NOT worry about it

[@manukoshy1219]

@Laurentschoice Thanks so much for your reply, I've been racking my brain about this ever since I watched your video and was uncertain about this whole situation. I actually do have a 4090, and was worried that my gpu performance would be compromised by installing an M.2 in the 1 slot. This really helps. I had built my pc just about a week ago (first time build), and used an MSI z790 a max wifi mobo, which you had spoken quite well of. Unfortunately, there are issues with my wifi when I connect the antenna, and now I have to return it. I've ordered the tomahawk to replace it. Just wanted to know, in your opinion, if that's a smart choice. Thanks again for your reply, it really helps

[@Laurentschoice]

@manukoshy1219 it is. Just make sure to keep an eye on your thermals. Did u see how I changed the thermal pads on this model? I'm sure it was a one off... But stay sharp with it.

[@manukoshy1219]

@Laurentschoice yep, I did. That was my second concern. Once it arrives, I'm planning to remove the heatshield and have a look at the condition of the thermal paste. Hoping it hasn't turned into solid brick 🤞🏻 Thanks again, really appreciate it!! :)

[@Laurentschoice]

Only check the side vrm block. If the thermal pad is still sticky . Ur fine for all of them .

[@rasicaphoto6450]

Excellent review, it wouldn't be bad to know the declared amperage for fan headers for future reviews.

[@Futuregamer_q]

So what board do you recommend in this price range, i mean i need years of life as it's not my money!

[@HighOnTek]

Great review, appreciate the insight... I have a question. What thickness thermal pads did you use as your replacement... 0.5mm or 1.0mm, and was it the Thermal Grizzley pads I saw you using?

[@Laurentschoice]

Indeed it was. I used a full mm

[@Jin-Li]

When do you think will the B850 Motherboards come out

[@Laurentschoice]

B850 ? on Intel side ? Beginning Nov.

[@Jin-Li]

@@Laurentschoice No AMD Intel is not a choice right now and this years new release will not be so exciting i think except maybe the GPU market end of 2024 or early 2025

[@BadaBadger]

I’m having issues and I want to know if anyone else has one. My pc is stuck on a boot loop. The LEDS light up red to orange a few times then stays at orange. No display, no response. This was working fine and out of nowhere my pc won’t start up. I’m just confused. I don’t know what it is. I changed ram sticks around, cmos button was pressed. Hard reset of the pc itself. I just don’t know anymore. Do I just get my refund?

[@Laurentschoice]

Yes .. get that thing RMA asap please

[@Truth.Alphaz]

This happened to me on my Asrock motherboard last week. I bent some of the pins on lga1700 socket after swapping CPU. Did you ever find out what caused your problems at the time?

[@maggs180]

could u have a look at the Asrock X870E Nova WIFI ive heard good things on that motherboard

[@Laurentschoice]

Absolutely!

[@semp224]

That's sad. You were the guy who convinced me to get the other Tomahawk series :'(

[@Laurentschoice]

That one is solid :)

[@gggta7169]

If thermal pads/pasts replaced with good quality, will it solve the problem of overall heating issue?

[@theshootingbench9116]

I just bought this mobo brand new off of amazon for 188 buck USD. But because i watched this video i picked up so thermal grizzly cool pads 1mm thick. Just incase. Solid info

[@p1st0ls44]

those temps are not acceptable. something is wrong, and its not the pads or paste they used. its the way they are doing loadlines in bios i bet. that vrm is massive overly good for even a 14900k. you can get away with a 12 phase 70 amp setup and still be better than this. NOTE: the temps you are measuring on the heatsinks is way way lower than the actual temperature of the vrm itself. something is way wrong here.

[@Laurentschoice]

Thanks for the comments :) Though I'll point at the fact that, after swapping the pads, radiating temps (meaning surface temps) decreased quite a bit :) . I think that, having dried up thermal pads ( and paste ) were the problem here :) I hope this helps and clarifies :)) Thanks again for ur contribution :))))

[@p1st0ls44]

@@Laurentschoice wait a second... i got a degree in physics. if you measured the heatsink temperatures with a thermal imager and the temperatures went down after you applied thermal pads and paste... that would mean that the component temperatures are dissipating less heat to the heatsinks... meaning that the paste and pads are worse then the original ones that were on there because the heatsinks would be doing what they are designed to do...... what is goin on here??? am i being bamboozled? thermal physics explains this as a worse result. idk whats up

[@p1st0ls44]

i guess there could be temperature load discrepancies that the power stages are adjusting based on better heat sinks. that could be the case. it could mean the thermal pads and paste are doing a better job. but if you have a dummy load situation where two heat sources produce the same heat and the heatsink decreases in temperature due to a thermal pad change that would actually be a worse result. you want those heatsinks absolutely smoking in that scenario.

[@Laurentschoice]

@p1st0ls44 yes :) if ur thermal pads and thermal paste are dried up.... The thermal transfer ratio decreases ... More heats is produced than transmitted and radiated :) :)

[@Laurentschoice]

But I appreciate ur intake on the situation :) it's always a pleasure to see everyone sharing their point of view :))))

[@timbersrcadventures]

Msi z390 gaming edge ac vrms over heat with a 9900k

[@Laurentschoice]

When I mentioned that about this motherboard... I got torched!

[@TheDoorMan132]

Why bro..... why they do this

[@Jin-Li]

ASRock Taichi Lite b650E please

[@Laurentschoice]

yes sir !

[@heinzwaldpfad]

I have a z690 one on ddr4 it's fine it runs like a champ 🏆

[@Laurentschoice]

Oh great board... Reviewed it last week. Fell in love with it !

[@ussonsoupape6500]

le test du red flag. Merci pour ton retour.

[@Sparky_007]

@Laurent's Choice Thanks for your reviews, as always Laurent. A bit off topic here, but still related to MSI. I have an MSI MEG x570s ACE MAX sporting a 5900x, and it does pretty well. I know MSI makes a similar MB line up that will support 7000 ⬆ CPUs. I believe it's the MSI MEG x670e ACE. I'm teetering on the fence now between ASUS and MSI for my next build (prob 7800X3D) and liking what my current MSI MB offers for specs. If there's any thoughts on your end you could impart between MSI and ASUS in the MEG category range for x670e, feature set, BIOS, OC'ing, that would be awesome. I know it's a bit out of date now, as MSI and ASUS prob have refreshes on the way for the 9000 series CPUs. However, having a HEAD HEAD (Comparatif Face à Face) matchup. ASUS vs MSI within this category, I would be extremely interested in your thoughts!

[@Laurentschoice]

Well ur in the top tier... Both are very similar, with MSI being a bit more adventurous in terms of offered accessories. But overall.... Asus seems to be a bit more sturdy. I'd go ROG Hero / extreme My two cents :)

[@Sparky_007]

@@Laurentschoice thanks! I'm also looking for hardware raid on MB for two nVme m.2 in raid 0. Maybe pointless, but I know MSI doesn't support it AFAIK

Its so hard to find anything good because people post Bullshit sponsored reviews.

[@Whitefox1331]

Good to see you old friend

[@j.a.velarde5901]

Its been so long since we've seen one of your videos.

[@Laurentschoice]

hiii :) yeah.. took a break to back pack around :) . Back and filming :)

[@brianhoward9217]

Hi Laurent, Good and considered high quality review as usual! What a shame about this board. I suppose from time to time manufacturers need to be called out when things aren't up to par and, when needed, you always do it in a very constructive way. Thank you and cheers from Australia 🙂

[@ymk516]

Merciiii!

[@vincentvega3093]

Welcome back, Laurent. Always great to hear about a Tomahawk 😂

[@Laurentschoice]

VV BOY !! SO GLAD TO SEE U :)

[@vincentvega3093]

​@@Laurentschoicesame same ❤

[@samuelrave]

There you are again! 🤓💯

[@davidjames4583]

👍 !! 👍 !! 👍 !!