If you’re building a new PC in 2026, you probably already know that things aren’t getting any cheaper. RAM and GPU prices have gone up significantly, which means getting the right balance between performance and price is more important than ever. That’s where Intel’s new Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and MSI’s MAG Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II come in. The question is simple: does this combination actually make sense for a new PC build? I think it does.
The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is essentially a refresh of the previous Core Ultra 7 265K. The biggest difference is the core count. You now get 24 cores, made up of 8 Performance Cores and 16 Efficiency Cores. It can also boost up to 5.5GHz and comes with 36MB of L3 cache. What makes it interesting is how it compares to the more expensive Core Ultra 9 285K from the previous generation. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has the same number of cores and, in some multi threaded workloads, can get surprisingly close to, or even outperform, the older flagship.
That’s where the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus starts to make sense. You’re getting a lot of performance without having to spend flagship money. For me, that’s the biggest selling point of this processor.
Benchmarks
Then There’s the MSI Tomahawk Wifi II
The MAG Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II is a refresh of MSI’s popular Z890 Tomahawk. A lot of what made the original board good is still here. You’ve got a strong VRM cofiguration of 16+1+1+1, Wi Fi 7, 5Gb Ethernet, four M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 storage support. MSI has also kept its convenient features such as tool less M.2 installation, the one touch PCIe release and a pre installed I/O shield. So, from a basic functionality standpoint, this is still a very capable motherboard. But there are a few changes worth knowing about.
What Did MSI Take Away?
The biggest one is Thunderbolt 4. The previous Tomahawk had two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The new one has just one. The Wi Fi 7 implementation has also been changed, with lower maximum speeds compared to the previous board.
On paper, those sound like downgrades, and they are. But here’s the thing. Most people probably aren’t going to notice. If you don’t have multiple Thunderbolt devices sitting on your desk, losing one port isn’t really going to affect you. And Wi Fi 7 is still relatively new in Malaysia. Most users aren’t going to have the networking hardware or internet connection to take advantage of its maximum speeds anyway.
The important part is that these changes help bring the price down.
And That’s What Makes It Interesting
The original Z890 Tomahawk was selling for around RM1900 in Malaysia. The new Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II is expected to sit closer to the RM1600 range. That’s a pretty big difference. You’re giving up some connectivity, but you’re also spending significantly less.
And in 2026, I’d argue that’s a good trade for most people. Why? Because you can put that money towards the things that actually matter more to your build, especially your GPU and RAM.
So, Should You Pair Them?
Yes. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a strong processor, and the Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II has more than enough power delivery to handle it. Together, you’re getting a fairly high end CPU and a capable motherboard without spending flagship money. The two should come in at roughly RM3, 200 combined, based on the pricing discussed. And that’s where this combination becomes quite compelling. You’re not blowing your budget on the motherboard, but you’re also not compromising on the things that matter.
The Bottom Line
The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is probably the more exciting product here. It gives you more cores and strong performance at a price that makes more sense than jumping straight to a Core Ultra 9. The Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II is a little different. It’s about making a few compromises to bring the price down.
And honestly, I think that’s the right approach for 2026. You don’t necessarily need the most expensive motherboard or the most features. You need a motherboard that’s good enough to support your processor and leaves you with more money for the rest of your build. And that’s exactly what this combination does.
If you’re building a new PC in 2026, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus paired with the MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II is a combination I’d seriously consider.
For more information on the MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk Wifi II, click here
For more information on the Intel Core Ultra 7 Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, click here
