MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WIFI DDR4 Review Unboxing and Overview

[@MalcolmLionel]

I ended up going with this motherboard for budget reasons. Thanks for the review

[@jjlw2378]

This board has been great! 13900k 5.8p/4.5e/5.0ring at 1.36v bios set LLC 6 with 4x8gb 4133c15 DDR4. This board gives me everything I need and the tuned ddr4 is just as fast or faster than most DDR5 in games. I enjoy MSI products and I've grown fond of their bios/memory tuning capabilities. I highly recommend this mobo for anyone using 12th or 13th gen with DDR4. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

[@NERD.INSIDE]

I have this same board. My i9-13900K is tuned to 5.8p/4.3e at 1.37v (using Intel XTU to OC), but I'm using 2 x 16GB Ripjaws DDR4 3200. I wish I could achieve 6GHz across all P cores. 4090 Suprim Liquid X. I didn't think to order 4133 DDR4 as I've been using my memory with a prior build.

[@adamhearts9195]

ahh thanks good to hear about this board. Just got it paired with 13700k was wondering if it would be able to keep it moving

[@ReconAIMS]

How did you get the memory at that frequency with 4x8? I'm stuck at 3600mhz and it has been extremely frustrating. Sometimes it would boot or even do stress test for a few mins at 4000/3800/3700mhz with loose timings and appear to be stable but then it would become unstable after a restart. I'm able to get a much better overclock on 2x8 4100mhz c16 completely stable. I'm new to overclocking on Intel systems, so I'm unsure if there is a voltage or some other bios settings that can help with the overclock. Can you explain to me how you were able to do it?

[@jjlw2378]

@ReconAIMS 4x8gb is typically harder than 2x8 or 2x16. Make sure CPU IMC: DRAM Clock is set to 1:1 (Gear 1). Memory Fast Boost is set to Slow Training. Under Advanced DRAM Configuration,at the very top select DRAM Training Configuration, make sure Training Mode is set to Extreme Mode, also in the same menu VDDQ Training set to Enabled, Round Trip Latency set to Enabled and Turn Around Timing Training set to enabled. I need 1.52v for DRAM voltage and Eventual DRAM voltage. I also use 1.38v for CPU VDDQ Voltage and 1.32v for CPU SA Voltage but you will have to play around with these to see what your CPU needs to be stable. I don't remember the "safe" voltages for these values but no more than 1.4v for VDDQ and 1.35v for SA is in the safe range. All of this is CPU/RAM dependent but hopefully this helps some. Check Overclock.net 13th gen DDR4 overclocking forum for more help. Good luck!

[@ReconAIMS]

@@jjlw2378 Sadly, I couldn't get this motherboard to work with 4x8 above 3600mhz at all, even with your suggestions. So I bought a 3200c14 2x16 HPV10 ram kit and I've OC'd it to 4000c16 at 1.45v(DRAM) and it's been working well so far. But thank you for trying to help me out :)

[@alix8647]

Fantastic review, great job!

[@toddwerther188]

Grabbed this for a new build Christmas 2023... refurbished for $120. Combined with a pre-black Friday 12600KF for $140 and 16x2 (32GB) CAS 16 DDR 4 3200 for crazy price of $51. Made a great inexpensive 1440p gaming monster at $1200 total including 180Hz 27" monitor. Most expensive part was the $500 7800 XT. Prices on almost everything have literally gone UP since I did this build a few weeks ago. O/C'd broke 18,000 in timespy and R23. Did I mention $1200? :)

[@Tatusiek_1]

Can you please explain to me how the PCIE lanes work with m.2 and gpus? So from my understanding on this board, there are 20 total pcie lanes, 4 for an nvme in the first m.2 slot and 16 lanes for the gpu? And then the other 3 m.2 slots dont use the lanes, they use the motherboards chipset? Or does using the m.2 slot in the first slot that is connected to the cpu use lanes from the GPU? Does using the chipset m.2 cause interference/shares bandwidth with the gpu or other things? If you have an 1 nvme and 1 gpu what slot should i put the nvme? or lets say i have 2 nvme

[@StevesHardware]

The top m.2 slot and the x16 slot are directly routed to the CPU and do not share bandwidth with each other or the other m.2 slots. The m.2 slots under the x16 slot are routed to the chipset and don't share either, except the one slot with sata capability. I'd first use the top m.2 slot and then whichever you want.

[@Tatusiek_1]

@@StevesHardware Oh okay thanks!

[@irondisciple2984]

@@StevesHardware do you recommend having a nvme SSD with Windows installed in it to be on the first M.2 slot or it doesn't matter where my windows is placed. And just put 2tb nvme SSD for games.

[@StevesHardware]

@@irondisciple2984 it doesn't matter on this board

[@Delusional-People]

Is there anything different on the DDR5 version, I assume not

[@Voodoo_VI]

7:03 I just built my pc with this and I can’t even connect to WiFi nor Ethernet. Idk what to do

[@StevesHardware]

At the screen it asks you for internet press shift+f10 and cmd will pop up, type oobe\bypassnro then hit enter, the computer will restart and the option to skip will appear.

[@Voodoo_VI]

@@StevesHardware thank you! But just to clarify if it says cannot find network, and cannot find network adapter drivers. I setup windows 11pro already it still won’t discover internet even with an Ethernet cable attached. I’m going to try to download the updated bios and lan drivers via usb and install the updates.

[@EarthandStuff]

Does that DDR4 version come with a dial-up modem or do you buy it separately?

[@starrims]

Z790 aero G 8 layer PCB?

[@StevesHardware]

Aero G uses 6 layers

[@grrr2974]

How do you install the drivers from the usb?

[@StevesHardware]

You plug it in and run the install program. However, windows 10 has most of its basic drivers already there.

[@mr.anderson2257]

doesnt come with screws?

[@StevesHardware]

Screw less design, it has a built-in latch

[@tempest8044]

Hey loved your video, I had a question about the motherboard and its compatibility with the 13th processers like the i5-13600k. If you have the MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI DDR4 and the i5-13600k would it need bios update and how would i know if it does need a bios update. Also on the description of that motherboard it says it supports the 13th series but I seen youtube videos where they still update bios regardless and im a bit confused on that.

[@fredstinator6324]

The z790 should be ready to go out of the box with 13th gen. Idk about updates. But i just bought it because of that for a 13700k thats coming in the mail

[@fatfroge]

Mine was ready out of the box for my i5 137600kf

[@PastaRoshie]

So I can’t use DDR5 Ram On this?

[@StevesHardware]

Yes, this motherboard is only ddr4.

[@danielostrom1672]

No manual? wtf?

[@theodanielwollff]

JTBT1 is the overclocking header. Can't buy it anymore, but some Unify-X and Godlike came with a controller that connected to that header. All those headers have a function and is listed in the manual. You just have to read it :)

[@StevesHardware]

True, but I wasn't referring to that header. There are three other headers you can see here steveshardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/headerslast-scaled.jpg JDP1, JBD1, and JT1. I searched online, and only found some info on a reddit thread.

[@WirRegierenRap]

This in ddr5 is it good ?

[@fredstinator6324]

Not really necessary. The potential of ddr5 ram is greater but theres no noticable difference.

[@WilliamChoochootrain]

Me waiting for the X670E Ace bios walk through 💀

[@StevesHardware]

I know, i didn't forget!

[@fellowbeliever9169]

Does this motherboard support 13th gen out the box?

[@Wrigglevision]

Yes.

[@3way_664]

Does it work out the box with Intel 13th gen?

[@StevesHardware]

Yes

[@sigitscarlett9966]

Ihave this but ddr5 not ddr4

[@netfreak6993]

Howz your ddr5 is working?

[@SunofYork]

I watch all sorts of videos.. cars computers etc, But any time an American is demonstrating stuff he throws the parts around the place harshly. Its like disrespect and sneering at them,.... It must be cultural... "throw the Ming vase in the trunk" is taken literally...

[@dizhavoc2378]

Yeah america is clearly superior

[@SunofYork]

@@dizhavoc2378 They must be coz they can buy Nazi uniforms and hold a torchlight parade in Jewish areas ..and it's legal! We have to envy their freedom.... lol...

[@dizhavoc2378]

@@SunofYork Yeah and it's full of gays

[@SunofYork]

@@dizhavoc2378 .That stuff is all the rage in the UK too nowadays. My ex girlfriend's daughter married a woman for 4 months... she is back to the old pork lance now...

[@dizhavoc2378]

well ain't that sum