Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for Core Ultra 5 245K
Three motherboards compared, from the PRO Z890-S White to the Z890 Tomahawk II, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
The Core Ultra 5 245K needs an LGA1851 board, which uses DDR5 memory. Every pick is an LGA1851 board that cost $230 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi come from each maker's published specs; a missing chipset is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi White
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money.
Our take Check price for MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi White (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi
A PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II
The top of this price range, adding a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for: Spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money. | Check price for MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi White (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. | Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. | Check price for MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PRO Z890-S WiFi White is the lowest-priced Z890 board here, with Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gbps LAN and a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for
- Getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the Z890 Tomahawk offers 4.
Why we like it
Three M.2 slots and no power layout keep it basic. Its 3 M.2 slot count is the fewest in this group; the Z890 Tomahawk leads at 4. Its 2.5Gbps wired network speed is the slowest in this group; the Z890 Tomahawk leads at 5Gbps.
It also offers memory support to DDR5-8600 (OC). It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Z890 Tomahawk was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1851
- Chipset: Z890
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- Memory support to DDR5-8600 (OC)
- White finish
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the Z890 Tomahawk (4)
- Wired network speed trails the Z890 Tomahawk (5Gbps)
Also Consider2 of 3
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z890 Tomahawk is the Intel pick, with four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 for Core Ultra 200S chips.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the PRO Z890-S White, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It runs only LGA1851 processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z890 Tomahawk II at 4. On wired network speed it ties with the Z890 Tomahawk II at 5Gbps.
It also offers a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot and M.2 heatsinks on every slot. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper PRO Z890-S White and the pricier Z890 Tomahawk II, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1851
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO Z890-S White at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z890 Tomahawk II is built around a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, with memory support to DDR5-9200 (OC) on top.
Best for
- Spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the PRO Z890-S White cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4 M.2 slot count and offers a 5Gbps wired network speed. Its four M.2 slots include one Gen5 x4, and 7W/mK thermal pads cool the MOSFETs. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z890 Tomahawk at 4.
It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Z890 Tomahawk.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1851
- Chipset: Z890
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO Z890-S White at the time of writing
How We Chose These Motherboards for Core Ultra 5 245K
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and form factor as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while chipset has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the PRO Z890-S White to the Z890 Tomahawk II, state M.2 slot count, wired network speed and wi-Fi and share Wi-Fi 7 wi-Fi and LGA1851 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Z890 Tomahawk gives no chipset.
- Price range
- From the PRO Z890-S White to the Z890 Tomahawk II, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Motherboard for Core Ultra 5 245K
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
M.2 slot count across these picks
Across these 3 picks M.2 slot count spans 3 (the PRO Z890-S White) to 4 (the Z890 Tomahawk). Start with the Z890 Tomahawk if M.2 slot count decides it.
How much wired network speed you need
Here wired network speed runs from 2.5Gbps on the PRO Z890-S White to 5Gbps on the Z890 Tomahawk, a 100% spread. The Z890 Tomahawk is the pick for wired network speed.
Features beyond the spec table
The PRO Z890-S White: memory support to DDR5-8600 (OC). The Z890 Tomahawk: M.2 heatsinks on every slot. The Z890 Tomahawk II: memory support to DDR5-9200 (OC).
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 3: the PRO Z890-S White through the Z890 Tomahawk II all landed in the $150 to $250 tier, which leaves M.2 slot count to decide it.
Match the pick to your priority
Getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money: the PRO Z890-S White. Spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Z890 Tomahawk II.
How to Choose a Motherboard for Core Ultra 5 245K
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money | PRO Z890-S White | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 graphics slot | Z890 Tomahawk | A PCIe 5.0 graphics slot |
| Spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Z890 Tomahawk II | The top of this price range, adding a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot |
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Key specs side by side
The Z890 Tomahawk leads on M.2 slot count at 4, ahead of the Z890 Tomahawk II at 4.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Form factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRO Z890-S White | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | ATX |
| Z890 Tomahawk | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | ATX |
| Z890 Tomahawk II | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | ATX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Z890 Tomahawk II worth paying more than the PRO Z890-S White?
The spec sheets show M.2 slot count (4 against 3) and wired network speed (5Gbps against 2.5Gbps) in its favour. Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in M.2 slot count and wired network speed cost little extra by tier.
What makes the PRO Z890-S White the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It is aimed at getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money.
Beyond the specs, what sets the PRO Z890-S White and the Z890 Tomahawk apart?
The PRO Z890-S White: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The Z890 Tomahawk: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. The Z890 Tomahawk II: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Who should choose the Z890 Tomahawk II?
The Z890 Tomahawk II carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. It ranks third of 3 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Should I pick the PRO Z890-S White or the Z890 Tomahawk II?
The PRO Z890-S White suits getting PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the least money; the Z890 Tomahawk II suits spending more than the Z890 Tomahawk costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the PRO Z890-S White, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Z890 Tomahawk for a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot and the Z890 Tomahawk II for the top of this price range, adding a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot if those matter more to you.
Check the board's chipset: only Z890 boards support overclocking.