MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk (DDR4) review - Introduction

MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk (DDR4) WIFI review

So then. Are you wondering how well Raptor lake performs with DDR4 memory? Well, MSI released a bunch of DDR4 motherboards for the new processor series. It might save you a bunch on the overall investment, but well will it perform? The Hybrid Architecture Process Technology is back; 13th Generation Intel Core Processors with up to 24 Cores and 32 Threads on a single CPU, this generation has improved the number of efficiency cores. Additionally, L3 Cache has been significantly increased to 36 MB, and more crucially, the memory frequency will support DDR5-5600 MHz out of the box. However, DDR4 is also possible, and we're testing a motherboard that supports exactly that. Z790 motherboards are expected to be better than Z690 boards in small ways. The chipset is expected to have more I/O lanes, but the number of PCIe 5.0 lanes on the CPU will stay the same. This gives AMD an advantage by giving SSDs their own PCIe 5.0 lanes. The 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes on a 13th Gen board can be split between the main GPU slot and the M.2 slots. For MSI; Wi-Fi 6E, the latest wireless networking solution, will be built into all Z790 Chipset motherboards. M.2 storage has also grown, and the mobo tested can now hold up to four M.2 units for even more storage. In this DIY world, some changes make life easier, like MSI's patented Magnetic and Screwless M.2 Shield Frozr, Front USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C with Power Delivery up to 60 W, and support for ARGB Gen 2 devices.

The MAG Series is one of the popular models among gamers. With the 16+1+1 DRPS power phase design with 90A SPS and dual-8 pin CPU power connectors, the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI will be able to crush any games you throw at it. The MAG Series does come with Lightning Gen 5.0 PCIe slot, 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 6E solution which provides more than enough power and bandwidth to tackle any task you throw at it. There will also be a DDR4 version available to the market, which we test. Remember though. should you already be on Alder Lake or see cheaper Z690 motherboards realize this, then 13th Gen Intel Core Processors is built on LGA 1700 socket which allows backward compatibility with previous 600 series motherboards by just updating the BIOS. MSI's new BIOS for the 600 series are available and ready to download.

	Cores		Clock Frequency				Cache		Power usage		Price
Intel	P	E	Base P	Turbo P	Base E	Turbo E	L2	L3	Base	Turbo	USD
Core i9-13900K	8	16	3.0GHz	5.8GHz	2.2GHz	4.3GHz	32MB	36MB	125W	253W	589
Core i9-13900KF	8	16	3.0GHz	5.8GHz	2.2GHz	4.3GHz	32MB	36MB	125W	253W	564
Core i7-13700K	8	8	3.4GHz	5.4GHz	2.5GHz	4.2GHz	24MB	30MB	125W	253W	406
Core i7-13700KF	8	8	3.4GHz	5.4GHz	2.5GHz	4.2GHz	24MB	30MB	125W	253W	384
Core i5-13600K	6	8	3.5GHz	5.1GHz	2.6GHz	3.9GHz	20MB	24MB	125W	181W	319
Core i5-13600KF	6	8	3.5GHz	5.1GHz	2.6GHz	3.9GHz	20MB	24MB	125W	181W	294

Last month at Intel Innovation, Intel introduced the 13th generation of its Core processor family, led by the 13th generation Intel Core i9-13900K, their fastest-ever desktop CPU. There are six unlocked 13th-generation Intel Core desktop processors available, with clock speeds running up to 5.8 GHz over a maximum of 24 cores and 32 threads.  The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk (DDR4) WIFI motherboard resembles the previous Z690 Extreme motherboard in several ways. The PCH and SSD heatsink/cover has a somewhat different appearance from the one on the earlier motherboard. Meet the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk (DDR4) WIFI.