Product comparison · 2 motherboards

MSI Z170A GAMING M3 vs MSI Z170A TOMAHAWK

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  • 46specifications compared
  • 12differ
  • 34identical
  • 20known for one product only

Key differences

The MSI Z170A TOMAHAWK has 2 more USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectors than the MSI Z170A GAMING M3 (2 vs 0). The MSI Z170A GAMING M3 has 6 more SATA III connectors than the MSI Z170A TOMAHAWK (6 vs 0). The MSI Z170A TOMAHAWK has 1 more parallel ATA connectors than the MSI Z170A GAMING M3 (1 vs 0). ECC сompatibility: ECC on the MSI Z170A GAMING M3, ECC & Non-ECC on the MSI Z170A TOMAHAWK. Supported memory clock speeds: 2133,2400,2600,2800,3000,3200 MHz on the MSI Z170A GAMING M3, 2133,2400,2600,2800,3000,3200,3600 MHz on the MSI Z170A TOMAHAWK.

  • ECC сompatibility
    • Z170A GAMING M3:ECC
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:ECC & Non-ECC
  • Supported storage drive interfaces
    • Z170A GAMING M3:M.2, SATA III
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:M.2, SATA
  • RAID levels
    • Z170A GAMING M3:1, 5, 10
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:0, 1, 5, 10
  • USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectors
    • Z170A GAMING M3:0
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:2
  • Number of SATA III connectors
    • Z170A GAMING M3:6
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:0
  • Number of Parallel ATA connectors
    • Z170A GAMING M3:0
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:1
  • USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantity
    • Z170A GAMING M3:0
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:2
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-A ports quantity
    • Z170A GAMING M3:6
    • Z170A TOMAHAWK:2

Side by side

Differences highlightedShow differences only (on)
Comparison of Z170A GAMING M3, Z170A TOMAHAWK
66 specifications
Processoridentical
Maximum number of SMP processorsKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the source1
Memory2 differ
ECC сompatibilityDiffersECCECC & Non-ECC
Supported memory clock speedsDiffers2133,2400,2600,2800,3000,3200 MHz2133,2400,2600,2800,3000,3200,3600 MHz
Number of memory slotsKnown for one4Unknown — not stated by the source
Storage controllers2 differ
Supported storage drive interfacesDiffersM.2, SATA IIIM.2, SATA
RAID levelsDiffers1, 5, 100, 1, 5, 10
Internal I/O3 differ
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectorsDiffers02
Number of SATA III connectorsDiffers60
Number of SATA connectorsKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the source6
Number of Parallel ATA connectorsDiffers01
CPU fan connectorKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Number of SATA Express connectorsKnown for one2Unknown — not stated by the source
Chassis intrusion connectorKnown for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
EPS power connector (8-pin)Known for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
Parallel connectorKnown for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
Rear panel I/O ports2 differ
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantityDiffers02
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-A ports quantityDiffers62
Headphone outputsKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the source1
Microphone inKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Networkidentical
LAN controllerKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceRealtek RTL8111H
Expansion slots2 differ
PCI Express x1 (Gen 3.x) slotsDiffers23
PCI slotsDiffers32
BIOSidentical
BIOS typeKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceUEFI
Clear CMOS buttonKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Processor special featuresidentical
Intel Rapid Storage TechnologyKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Intel® High Definition Audio (Intel® HD Audio)Known for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Intel® Smart Response TechnologyKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)Known for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceVT-d
Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)Known for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
Weight & dimensions1 differ
DepthDiffers244 mm224 mm
Graphicsidentical
Parallel processing technology supportKnown for one2-Way CrossFireXUnknown — not stated by the source
Maximum resolutionKnown for one4096 x 2160 pixelsUnknown — not stated by the source

A dash means the value is not stated by the source. Unknown values are never counted for or against a product, and there is no overall score.

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