MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard Review: order beats class

With the expansion of the range of Intel Core Ultra desktop chips, interest in the LGA1851 platform has revived somewhat. Arrow Lake-S processors undoubtedly have their strengths, so they are gradually finding their place in the composition of consumer PCs. Although the CPU line continues to expand, LGA1851 solutions are mainly used for mid- and high-end systems, so there is an increased demand for motherboards of the corresponding class. Today we have the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI for review. Within the TOMAHAWK series, developers usually try to offer a rational balance between price and functionality. Did they manage to adhere to this concept this time too?

Package contents

The board is offered in a medium-sized cardboard box with a laconic design typical of the MAG line of models.

The kit includes several additional options. In addition to the board, it includes a short paper installation guide, additional racks (EZ M.2 Clips II) for screwless storage device mounting and a key (EZ M.2 Clip Remover) for their installation/removal. The delivery also includes one SATA cable, an external EZ Wi-Fi Antenna, a 1-to-3 EZ Con Cable adapter for ARGB fans, and an EZ Front Panel Cable extension cable, which greatly simplifies the connection of controls.

Design and layout

MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI has a full-size layout and complies with the ATX standard with classic dimensions of 305x244 mm. As for the exterior design, regardless of the platform, for the latest models of the TOMAHAWK line, the developers have chosen a rather strict style with dark tones. Among the elements contrasting against the general background, only bright lime signatures with the name and logo of the series on the coolers are used. The model uses a 6-layer printed circuit board that meets the NPG-170D industry standard.

The board is built on the Intel B860 chipset - a fairly functional PCH that allows you to use all the features of the new Intel platform. Among the supported processors - the entire existing range of CPUs for LGA1851, that is, the entire line of Core Ultra 200 desktop chips.

MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI has a 15-phase (12+1+1+1) processor power stabilization scheme. The VRM includes Monolithic Power Systems MP87661 power assemblies with an operating current of up to 60A, as well as a Monolithic Power Systems MP29005 control controller.

To connect additional power, two 8-pin EPS12V connectors are provided. At the same time, the connectors themselves, although located near the upper edge of the PCB, are physically located next to the slots for memory modules. We have already observed a similar layout of power connectors during the review of the MSI MEG Z890 ACE board, but then the displacement was justified by the increase in the radiator block of the power elements. In this case, at first glance, there was no urgent need for such a "relocation", however, the wiring of the power lines was done accordingly. This does not affect the convenience of assembling the platform in the case, perhaps even with the new layout it will be a little easier to connect the power cables.

The board offers four slots for RAM modules. For the LGA1851 platform, DDR5 is generally used exclusively, so the question of the standard does not arise at all. But as for the speed characteristics, for MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI, support for kits up to DDR5-9200+ is declared. The list of validated kits indicates exactly such modules. Of course, in this case we are talking about the use of two peer-to-peer strips. If we are talking about dual-rank modules, or their number is more than one per channel, then this will affect the speed limits. Nothing new, usual practice. At the same time, it is impressive that the developers openly indicate this in the board specification, without trying to hide it in the depths of the description.

It is worth noting that the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI can work with 64 GB modules, so the maximum RAM capacity in the system can be up to 256 GB. In addition, the board supports the highest-speed CUDIMMs with an autonomous clock generator. However, given the declared modes, it would be strange if there was no such support.

Despite the fact that we are dealing with a full-size ATX motherboard, the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI offers "only" three slots for additional expansion cards. The current level of integration of platform components (sound, Ethernet, WIFI, storage), has gradually pushed the number of expansion slots into the background. In most cases, typical home systems are equipped with a discrete graphics card and, possibly, a sound card. Although the latter are already much more often offered in external versions due to greater versatility. While the range of internal sound cards with a PCI-E interface is now very sad and leaves much to be desired.

So having three slots is already a lot, and we're talking about two full-size PCI-E x16 and one PCI-E x1.

The main PCI_E1 slot has of course received metal armor, which increases the mechanical strength of the connector. Considering the new 2.6-kilogram "beams" that can be included in powerful gaming systems, additional reinforcement of PCI-E x16 connectors does not look like another marketing gimmick. Here, even complete supports/brackets that usually come with bulky video cards should be used for their intended purpose.

As for the PCI_E1 slot, in addition to reinforcing the structure, the EZ PCIe Release mechanism with an additional button and a spring-loaded metal latch is used to securely fasten and hold the video card. The implementation is quite convenient, but after installing the adapter, you need to check whether you have moved the mechanism to the "locked" position by pressing the button again. Well, it is advisable not to try to pull out the video card without first unlocking the latch.

If we talk about the technical capabilities of PCI_E1, we have a full-speed PCI-E 5.0 x16, which uses the processor bus lines.

The compact PCI-E x1 slot (PCI_E2) is already serviced by the chipset and complies with the PCI-E 4.0 x1 specification. The second full-size slot (PCI_E3) is also controlled by the Intel B860 and offers PCI-E 4.0 x4. However, there are also dependencies here. If the compact PCI-E x1 is involved in the work, only two free PCI Express lanes will remain for PCI_E3, and accordingly its operating mode is PCI-E 4.0 x2.

To stabilize the power supply of PCI-E slots, an additional connector PCIE_PWR1 is provided. For now, this solution looks like an additional safety measure, considering that modern video cards receive most of their power through additional power connectors.

MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI offers three M.2 ports for connecting appropriate storage devices. On ATX format boards, you won't be surprised by such a number of connectors. Often, full-size models are equipped with even more M.2 connectors.

In the current case, the upper port uses the processor bus lines and offers PCI-E 5.0 x4 mode. So, it is M.2_1 that is designed for the fastest SSDs and will allow you to fully exploit their potential. The port covers an additional cooler, although its overall dimensions are relatively small.

The EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II heatsink features screwless mounting. A mechanism with special guides and a clasp allows you to secure the cooler.

The M.2_2 and M.2_3 port slots were located between the PCI_E2 and PCI_E3 slots. Both use chipset resources and offer PCIe 4.0 x4 modes. Their difference is that M.2_2 can accept 22110/2280/2260 format drives, while M.2_3 can accept 2280/2260/2242. Usually, when it comes to certain limitations of M.2 ports, it is the lack of PCI Express lines, but in this case, a possible incident concerns the dimensions of the SSD. If 22110 is inserted in M.2_2, then M.2_2 will have room only for compact 2260/2242 models. However, drives of increased dimensions are a real rarity, so this is rather a theoretical situation. A pair of standard-sized SSDs (2280) can easily be placed along one axis.

There is also a screwless mount for drives, but you will still have to get out a screwdriver to fix the shared radiator.

To connect SATA drives/devices, the board has four SATA 6 Gb/s ports. The corresponding grouped connectors are located on the right edge and positioned parallel to the PCB plane to allow cables to be connected even if they are covered by a graphics card with a very massive cooler.

To cool the Intel B860 chipset, a medium-sized radiator block with a fairly simple profile shape is provided.

From the additional peripheral wiring of the board, we note the presence of an internal Type-C port. The connector implements the USB 3.2 Gen2 interface, so the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI allows you to get an external USB Type-C port on the case wall with a data transfer rate of up to 10 Gb/s. Most new cases are equipped with similar connectors, so it will be possible to "revive" the corresponding connector.

The board offers good options for customizing the overall cooling system. The PCB features seven 4-pin headers plus a combo EZ Conn for specific fans with USB-controlled lighting (such as the MPG EZ120 ARGB).

The CPU cooler and SRO power and control channels have increased power. The CPU cooler fan header supports a rated operating current of up to 2 A (24 W), and the pump header provides power of up to 36 W. Five case fan headers meet the standard specification of 12 V/1 A (12 W).

MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI is equipped with a self-diagnostic system EZ Debug LED, which allows you to identify the problematic node during system startup. Another indicator will light up at the start of the platform if there are problems with the power supply of memory modules. Usually this can be observed if the strips are not inserted into the DIMM slots properly.

The model does not have additional RGB lighting. Such decorative techniques are increasingly used very sparingly, or in general, when it comes to lighting, developers rely solely on the tastes of potential device owners.

If you want additional illumination, the board has two connectors for connecting RGB strips with 5050 elements powered by 12 V. As well as three connectors for addressable ARGB strips with 5 V LEDs. So, despite all the external severity of TOMAHAWK, fans of system lighting will not feel deprived of attention.

Naturally, Mystic Light technology is supported for backlight control and the ability to synchronize the illumination of all system devices. Settings are available in the corresponding section of the MSI Center application.

The audio subsystem of the board uses the Realtek ALC897 codec, the path area is isolated on the printed circuit board, and the circuit has several specialized capacitors. On a board of this level, you subconsciously expect to see older models of codecs - ALC1220/4080. However, in the conditions of integrated solutions, the conditional sound quality usually depends more on the specific implementation of the circuit on the board than on the declared technical characteristics of the codec.

Without using sound effects in the Realtek Audio Console, the sound is balanced and soft, the high frequencies do not "cut the ear" (although in some compositions they may seem too little). The bass is also not too much, it is clear and does not mix even in difficult cases.

As for the network capabilities of the board, the wired connection is handled by the Intel Killer E5000 (5G Ethernet), while wireless communication is handled by the Intel Killer BE1750X controller - a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 solution (320 MHz, 4K QAM), supporting data transfer rates up to 5.8 Gbps. The full-speed module also supports Bluetooth 5.4.

The interface panel of the board initially has a metal cover with connector labels. As for the composition, we immediately note the presence of one Thunderbolt 4 port (40 Gb/s). The Type-C format also has one USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gb/s). Four more connectors of identical specifications correspond to Type-A. The panel also has a row of four USB 2.0 (480 Gb/s). Next to it is an Ethernet socket and two connectors for an external WiFi module antenna.

Two 3.5mm audio jacks are provided for connecting speakers. When using multi-channel speakers, you will have to use the connectors on the case wall, or use the available optical S/PDIF output.

If integrated graphics are used, and in the Core Ultra 200 chips this is a significantly improved iGPU, full-size DisplayPort and HDMI are provided for connecting screens. In addition, the image can be obtained via Thunderbolt 4, for which Alternative Mode DP is implemented.

Additional options include Clear CMOS buttons for clearing CMOS memory settings and Flash BIOS for semi-autonomous firmware updates from a USB drive.

There are a minimum of surface-mount elements on the outside, with a small cluster only in the interface panel area. We note the careful isolation of the audio path segment and pay attention to the screw fastening of all radiator blocks of the cooling system.

Test bench configuration

• Motherboard: MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI (Intel B860, ATX)
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (8P+12E; 3.9/5.5 GHz + 3.3/4.6 GHz)
• Cooling: MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360
• Memory: Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5-7200 2×16 GB (KF572C38RWK2-32)
• Graphics card: MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16G GAMING SLIM STALKER 2 EDITION
• Drive: Kingston KC3000 1 GB (SKC3000S/1024G)

In operation

To test the capabilities of the motherboard, we used the Core Ultra 7 265K processor (8P+12E; 3.9/5.5 GHz + 3.3/4.6 GHz). A model that includes 8 productive and 12 energy-efficient cores. Despite the declared TDP of 125 W, this 20-core chip has peak PL2 values of 250 W, so the chip will be a good "examiner", especially considering that the board can hold the maximum power limit for a long time, just enough for testing.

The new chips for the LGA1851 platform were generally received rather coolly, especially among gamers who expected to get a boost in fps after changing the CPU generation. However, Arrow Lake did not offer any significant changes here, and in some cases you could even observe a certain decrease in gaming performance. In other aspects, the processors are much more successful - more economical than their predecessors, do not have problems with overheating, and have received radically better integrated graphics and an APU hardware unit.

Recently, Intel has been trying to increase the attractiveness of the Core Ultra 200, and the best way to do this is to lower the price. It’s not that the manufacturer has started dumping, but the new chips continue to get cheaper. After the start of sales in the fall of 2024, the retail price of the Core Ultra 7 265K in our country for a long time remained at the equivalent of $490–500, with a recommended price of $394 on the American market. Currently, in Ukraine, the processor can be purchased for ~$420 (modification 265KF – $400), and on Western platforms, promotional offers generally allow you to get a 20-core processor for $350.

Returning to the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI test bench, we note that the MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360 liquid cooling system was used to cool the Core Ultra 7 265K in our case. When it comes to chips of this level, there is no such thing as too much cooling efficiency.

As for the overall performance of the Core Ultra 7 265K, we have already had the opportunity to get acquainted with the capabilities of this chip in more detail. With averaged indicators, this model competes well with the 12-core 24-thread Ryzen 9 9900X chip from AMD. Given the fundamental difference in architectures, usually in some cases the advantage is on the side of the 12-core Zen 5, in others the processor from Intel looks more attractive.

Considering that the 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X is offered in Ukraine for ~$480+, the significantly lower cost of the Core Ultra 7 265K/KF could potentially increase interest in these models.

During maximum load in the Cinebench R23 multi-threaded test, the frequency of the performance cores (P-Cores) was maintained at 5200 MHz, while all energy-efficient processors operated at 4600 MHz. The typical CPU supply voltage in this case was 1.14–1.15 V.

The constant chip temperature during rendering was 63C, with a maximum of 76C. The processor consumed an average of 186–190 W of energy, with a peak of 215 W.

Despite all the "energy-efficient measures", when it comes to 20-core, the maximum computing load already requires a certain amount of stress from the motherboard. According to HWinfo64, the VRM power elements heated up to 59C, while the chipset temperature rose to 47C. In general, the MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI copes well with the Core Ultra 7 265K. Considering that Intel B860 boards do not support overclocking processors by increasing the multiplier, the obtained figures are almost the maximum load. Only the 24-core flagship Core Ultra 9 285K (8P+16E; 3.7/5.7 GHz + 3.2/4.6 GHz) will have a slightly larger energy "appetite".

Gaming performance

Intel has to make a lot of efforts to get rid of the "non-gaming" reputation of Core Ultra 200 processors. Taking this opportunity, we conducted several additional tests using the Core Ultra 7 285K + GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER combination. Yes, we know that you already miss the improved "T-ies" of the previous generation, which are practically no longer available for sale. But this was the test configuration.

To reduce the impact of the graphics card, tests were conducted in 1920x1080 mode with maximum graphics quality settings, but without RT and DLSS scaling.

Well, it seems that the unfortunate owners of older Core Ultra models will still be able to break away from work and diversify their leisure time by playing even "heavy" gaming projects. Yes, you will have to be content with 150–200 frames/s, instead of the conventional 170–220, but no one promised that it would be easy.

In general, record-breaking performance is demonstrated by Ryzen X3D series processors with an additional L3 cache buffer. It is difficult to compete with them in gaming disciplines, but with ordinary AMD new products in their class, Core Ultra chips are able to compete on equal terms.

Power consumption in games

During gaming tests, we also determined the average overall power consumption of the PC in specific projects.

Depending on the game, the test platform under load required from 320 W to 470 W. As expected, the highest level was required by Cyberpunk 2077, which puts maximum strain on the graphics card and is quite demanding on processor resources.

RAM

Chips for LGA1851 work well with high-speed RAM kits. Even according to the standard specification, the basic kits for the Core Ultra 200 are DDR5-6400. Of course, the CPU supports much higher values, and the Intel B860 chipset allows you to experiment with RAM parameters at your own discretion.

Since we were already using a dual-channel DDR5-7200 kit initially, this is already outside of Intel's standard recommendations. However, don't forget to activate the XMP profile, this will help unlock the kit's potential. After the first turn-on without a profile, the RAM worked with DDR5-4800 parameters (40-39-39-77).

DDR5-4800 (40-39-39-77)

In this case, the performance of the memory subsystem is frankly not impressive - transfers at the level of 68–73 GB/s and latency of 101.5 ns.

XMP profile with DDR5-7200 mode (38-44-44-105)

After using XMP with the fastest mode for the test set (DDR5-7200, 38-44-44-105), data transfer rates increased to 93-106 GB/s, and latencies decreased to 82.9 ns. Due to the architectural features of the Core Ultra 200, RAM latency is slightly higher than in the case of previous-generation Intel chips, so trying to reduce these indicators is a strategically correct direction for optimizing the platform.

Overclocking to DDR5-8400 (40-54-54-135)

Experimenting with the operation of the memory kit outside of standard modes, we used the proprietary Memory Try It technology, choosing the proposed profiles with more "aggressive" settings. Practical experiments showed that the test kit worked stably in DDR5-8400 mode with a latency formula of 40-54-54-135. In this case, the bandwidth increased to 97–119 GB/s, and the overall memory latency also improved slightly - 79.9 ns.

As for the practical benefits of additional overclocking, a lot depends on the specific applications and the impact of changes in the ROM and latency on the final results. For example, in the internal benchmark of the 7-Zip archiver, the average speed increased by ~2%.