MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI Unboxing & First Impressions

MSI has sent over their latest Intel-based motherboard, the new MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI here and we’re taking the first look on what’s changed on the surface. In case you aren’t familiar with the naming just yet, MAG stands for “MSI Arsenal Gaming” – in other words, the more budget-friendly, mainstream-focused line of products.

MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI: Unboxing

From the outside, the box design is quite a significant departure from the Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI, though the trend of minimalist packaging has already started when MSI introduced the Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI just last year. That being said, it’s the standard packaging layout inside the box, with a special compartment dedicated for the Wi-Fi antenna.

Taking off the ESD bag reveals the motherboard itself, which sports an updated design with the lime color scheme first adopted in the Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX model. Again, following the general trend of less angular lines and sharp edges, like what we saw with ASUS’s new ROG Crosshair X870E Hero motherboard.

Hidden beneath this socket cover is the new LGA1851 socket intended for Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 200S series desktop processors – the all important question is, do you need a new bracket for your existing coolers? The answer is no. All coolers already supporting socket LGA1700 will be compatible with this new socket, as the dimensions remain unchanged.

MSI has put a fun little Easter egg on the second SSD heatsink (the one with screws). Aug 1986 is when MSI was established in Taipei, Taiwan, and the alphanumeric string “2F5P+3X” is the Google Maps Plus Code that directs you to MSI’s Taipei HQ – you can try it and see for yourself by dragging the map to the Taipei region and type in the code accordingly.

Looking at the SSD heatsinks, the installation mechanism remains the same (MSI officially calls it ‘Screwless M.2 Shield Frozr’). Pushing the latch on the left releases the heatsink, which then can be lifted away to proceed with the SSD installation – this mechanism applies to the first slot, as well as the combined third and fourth slot. The second slot uses the more conventional design which requires a screwdriver to remove the heatsink instead.

One new addition is the new PCIe slot release mechanism on the primary slot: previously, release the slot lock has to be done manually, but the Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI now features a spring mechanism that can be engaged or released by pressing the button at the right side of the motherboard. You’ll have to press the button again to re-engage the slot lock, so keep that in mind when you install the GPU.

Another new feature is the new “EZ Conn” header just introduced in MSI’s X870(E) series motherboards. This semi-proprietary connector comes in two forms: the JAF_1 7-pin connector combines 4-pin PWM and 3-pin ARGB connection into a single connector, suitable for chassis fans; the second, 11-pin JAF_2 connector adds the USB 2.0 (with only 4 pins) functionality on top of PWM and ARGB signals to form a combined, 11-pin 3-in-1 connector housing which can be used to connect AIOs, fans, and fan hubs that may require all three connections to work.

Note that this particular motherboard only features the JAF_2 header, and you’re provided with the 3-in-1 splitter in the packaging. (MSI notes that JAF_1 connectors can also work with JAF_2 headers, as both shares the same pin layout.) In practice, this should reduce the amount of cables visible on the front side, though I’d imagine the future back-connect motherboards will make this redundant by then.

Accessories

In terms of accessories, the MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI does come with two cables worth discussing: specifically, the 3-in-1 cable intended for the aforementioned EZ Conn header, and the front panel combo connector.

As we can see here, the EZ Conn header (JAF_2 in this case) splits into 11 pins – three of which goes to ARGB header, four goes to PWM connector, while another four pins is redirected to USB 2.0 connection. This works on the same principle as the front panel combo connector, where it simply carries the signal into the same spot so you don’t have to connect three cables separately (which naturally doesn’t look nice when you have too many cables running around the motherboard).

Speaking of which, the MSI’s front panel combo connector takes a slightly different approach than that of ROG Crosshair X870E Hero: instead of a small module that you can plug externally before plugging the entire thing into the motherboard header, this uses the same principle as the EZ Conn connector by extending the separated cables away from plain sight – another improvement on the visual front, and no more struggles of connecting individual front panel pins ever again.

That is all of our initial findings of the MSI’s new MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard – for the full review and deep-dive, be sure to stay tuned on Pokde.NET!