When it comes to building a high-performance AMD rig in 2025, your choice of motherboard matters more than ever. And if you’re planning to rock the latest Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, the MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi is probably already on your radar—and for good reason.
This board doesn’t just handle power—it manages it smartly, with a balance of high-end features and real-world usability that builders and gamers alike will appreciate. I recently got hands-on with the MAG X870E, and here’s what stood out.
Clean, Functional Design
Right off the bat, the Tomahawk line has always been about understated, military-inspired looks. This year’s X870E model keeps that vibe—matte black PCB, chunky heatsinks, and minimal RGB. It feels solid and purposeful, like it’s here to do a job, not just look pretty.
You’ll find reinforced PCIe and RAM slots, massive VRM heatsinks, and subtle branding. It doesn’t scream for attention—but when you do take a closer look, it’s impressive.
Socket & Chipset: AM5 and Zen 5 Ready
This board is built for AMD’s AM5 platform, so it’s fully compatible with the latest Ryzen 9000 and 8000-series CPUs, including the power-hungry Ryzen 9 9950X. Thanks to the X870E chipset, it supports advanced PCIe Gen 5, DDR5, and overclocking features with rock-solid stability.
It also comes with future BIOS support, so you’re not locked out when AMD drops their next refresh.
Power Delivery & VRM
One of the first things I checked: VRMs. This board is packing a 20+2+1 phase VRM setup, rated to handle even the beefiest CPUs under load. With 90A SPS (Smart Power Stage) modules, power delivery is clean and consistent.
In practical terms? You get headroom for serious overclocking, without having to worry about thermal throttling or voltage drops.
Speaking of thermals, MSI slapped on some chunky, well-finned VRM heatsinks and backed them with a heatpipe design—thermal performance here is no joke.
Memory & Expansion
With support for up to 192GB of DDR5 (OC up to 8000+ MHz), this board is ready for next-gen gaming and productivity. It’s also got four DIMM slots, so you can expand easily over time.
On the PCIe front:
- 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 (reinforced, of course)
- 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4)
- 1x PCIe 3.0 x1
This layout supports both high-end GPUs and additional expansion cards (like capture cards, sound cards, etc.) without compromise.
Storage Galore
If you love fast storage (and who doesn’t?), the Tomahawk X870E has you covered.
- 1x M.2 PCIe Gen 5 slot
- 3x M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slots
- 6x SATA III ports
Every M.2 slot comes with its own Frozr heatsink with thermal pads to prevent throttling. MSI even spaced the Gen 5 slot for better GPU clearance—a small but thoughtful touch.
Connectivity & I/O
This board seriously delivers on I/O:
- Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
- Intel 2.5G LAN
- USB4 support (via internal header)
- Rear I/O: 2x USB-C, 6x USB-A, HDMI, BIOS Flashback, Clear CMOS
Also, let’s talk about audio: it’s handled by the Realtek ALC4080 codec, with high-grade capacitors and isolated audio circuitry. It won’t replace a discrete sound card for audiophiles, but for most users, it sounds clean and clear.
BIOS & Software
MSI’s BIOS continues to be one of the best in the game—easy to navigate, quick to flash, and packed with features for overclockers. Whether you’re tweaking voltages manually or using the built-in OC Genie for auto-tuning, it’s smooth sailing.
And if you’re running Windows, MSI Center software gives you control over fan curves, lighting, and system monitoring, all in one place.
Final Thoughts: Who Is This For?
The MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi is a mid-to-high-end AM5 board that punches well above its price point. You’re getting a future-proof feature set, excellent build quality, and all the connectivity a modern gamer or creator could ask for.
It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable—and that’s exactly what most builders want. Whether you’re building your first high-end PC or upgrading from an older B550/X570 board, this one’s worth a serious look.
TL;DR
✅ Excellent VRM for Ryzen 9000 chips
✅ PCIe 5.0 + DDR5 + Gen5 SSD support
✅ Great cooling and power design
✅ Wi-Fi 7 + 2.5G LAN = future-ready
✅ Subtle, durable design
❌ No onboard RGB (might be a pro for some)
❌ One PCIe 5.0 slot only