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NZXT N7 Z790 — LGA1700 · Z790
NZXT

NZXT N7 Z790

LGA1700 · Z790

85
/ 100
From $329
VS
MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk wins by 3
MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk — LGA1851 · B860
MSI

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

LGA1851 · B860

88
/ 100
From $229
Specdex verdict

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, NZXT N7 Z790 lands at 85 and MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk at 88. That puts MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick NZXT N7 Z790 if…

  • ✓PCIe 5.0 support
  • ✓Current-gen networking
  • ✓Modern I/O

Pick MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk if…

  • ✓PCIe 5.0 support
  • ✓Current-gen networking
  • ✓Modern I/O
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

VRM quality

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Compared on the VRM quality sub-score

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk leads on vrm (88 vs 85).

Features

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Compared on the features sub-score

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk leads on features (86 vs 83).

BIOS

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Compared on the BIOS quality sub-score

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk leads on bios (84 vs 81).

Value for money

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk more score per dollar ($229 vs $329).

NZXT N7 Z790 85
vs
88 MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Score breakdown

NZXT N7 Z790
85
vrm 85
features 83
bios 81
value 84
MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk
88
vrm 88
features 86
bios 84
value 84

Specs side-by-side

NZXT N7 Z790 versus MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk — full spec comparison
Spec NZXT N7 Z790 MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1851
Chipset
Z790
B860

NZXT N7 Z790

Pros
  • +PCIe 5.0 support
  • +Current-gen networking
  • +Modern I/O
Cons
  • −Firmware updates on launch
  • −DDR5 required
  • −Pricing varies week to week

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Pros
  • +PCIe 5.0 support
  • +Current-gen networking
  • +Modern I/O
Cons
  • −Firmware updates on launch
  • −DDR5 required
  • −Pricing varies week to week

FAQ: NZXT N7 Z790 vs MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk

Which is better, NZXT N7 Z790 or MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk? +

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is NZXT N7 Z790 worth the price? +

At $329, NZXT N7 Z790 delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in vrm.

Is MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk worth the price? +

At $229, MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in vrm.

Does NZXT N7 Z790 or MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for VRM quality, NZXT N7 Z790 or MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk? +

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk — leads on vrm (88 vs 85). Compared on the VRM quality sub-score.

Which is better for features, NZXT N7 Z790 or MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk? +

MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk — leads on features (86 vs 83). Compared on the features sub-score.