Msi tomahawk max review: The MSI B450 Tomahawk Motherboard Review: More Missile Than Axe

The MSI B450 Tomahawk Motherboard Review: More Missile Than Axe

by Gavin Bonshoron December 11, 2018 8:00 AM EST

  • Posted in
  • Motherboards
  • AMD
  • MSI
  • Zen
  • AM4
  • Ryzen
  • Tomahawk
  • Ryzen 2
  • B450
  • Entry Level
  • MSI B450 Tomahawk

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MSI B450 Tomahawk OverviewVisual InspectionBIOS And SoftwareBoard Features, Test Bed and SetupSystem PerformanceCPU Performance, Short FormGaming PerformanceRyzen OverclockingMSI B450 Tomahawk Conclusion

From the few second-generation AMD B450 and X470 motherboards we have tested, the majority have been refreshed models of pre-existing boards. Over time, the vendors have had the opportunity to make minor tweaks and upgrades to keep ahead of current technological advances and inevitable design choices. MSI has tried to tick both boxes with the new B450 Tomahawk which comes with an extended CPU heatsink, USB 3.1 Gen2 support and RGB LEDs.

The MSI B450 Tomahawk is the successor to the popular B350 Tomahawk and offers users a slightly better feature set. This starts with including a pair USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, as well as customizable RGB LED lighting integrated into the board. The B450 Tomahawk is a gaming-themed motherboard and comes from MSI’s ‘Arsenal’ range of motherboards designed to offer users an affordable option with many of the features found on the more expensive models, but with some differentials to keep the overall cost down. This includes the pairing of decent quality and cost-effective Realtek controllers on audio side and the networking side.

One of the most beneficial performance aspects to consider this model over the previous Tomahawk is the increased official memory support. The B450 Tomahawk now has support DDR4-3466 with a maximum capacity of up to 64 GB across four available memory slots. Storage capability is better than expected from a B450 motherboard, with a total of six SATA ports capable of supporting RAID 0, 1 and 10 arrays. On top of this is a single PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA capable M.2 slot with a maximum of up to M.2 22110 drives being supported. The single M.2 slot doesn’t share bandwidth with any other PCIe slot but populating the slot with a drive will however disable two of the six available SATA ports; specifically the two right-angled ports closest to the 24-pin motherboard ATX power input.

On the rear panel, MSI now includes a pair of USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, one Type-A and one Type-C. There is also two USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports, with an option to increase the USB options by a further two and four respectively with internal headers. Video outputs from any integrated graphics can be made through a DVI-D port or an HDMI 1. 4 port. A single PS/2 combo mouse and keyboard port is also present. The single LAN port is powered by a Realtek RTL8111H Gigabit networking controller and the six gold plated 3.5 mm audio jacks takes its direction from a middle of the road Realtek ALC892 HD audio codec. MSI has included a BIOS Flashback+ button on the rear panel for a quick and easy experience when updating the board’s firmware.


The MSI B350 Tomahawk (left) and MSI B450 Tomahawk (right)

One of the biggest visual differences between the B350 and B450 Tomahawk are the heatsinks and the PCIe implementation. The B450 Tomahawk has a total of five PCIe slots with one full-length PCIe 3.0 x16 slot with a coating of MSI’s Steel Armor slot protection, a full-length PCIe 2.0 x4 slot, and three PCIe 2.0 x1 slots which takes up most of the space on the bottom half of the board. The power delivery heatsinks have also been upgraded with the heatsink covering the MOSFETs and extending further over towards the rear IO. The newer heatsinks have a cleaner and futuristic look, but with a lighter grey finish. Other differences include the SATA port implementation.

When looking at the overall performance of the B450 Tomahawk, the most positive points to highlight come in the power consumption testing where the 2W idle power draw of the B450 chipset clearly plays a big part. Even at maximum load the B450 Tomahawk even manages to do well with one of the lowest maximum power draws seen from an AM4 board so far. The general performance throughout the compute and rest of the system based tests is around average for an entry-level option, which is more than acceptable for most systems. Unfortunately the less that impressive audio is a mark against the board. 

Buy MSI B450 Tomahawk on Newegg

The overclocking performance however was much better, with a solid 4+2 phase power delivery around the commonly used Richtek RT8894A PWM controller. This seems to have paid dividends for MSI, as the tight Vdroop control was favorable.

The MSI B450 Tomahawk has an MSRP of $110 which is a $20 increase over the release MSRP of the B350 Tomahawk. This cost can be attributed to the addition of RGB LEDs integrated into the board, as well as the inclusion of two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports. The B450 Tomahawk is widely available and can have a sale price of sub-$100 at Newegg, which makes it a lot more competitive in a currently crowded B450 motherboard market.

Visual Inspection
MSI B450 Tomahawk OverviewVisual InspectionBIOS And SoftwareBoard Features, Test Bed and SetupSystem PerformanceCPU Performance, Short FormGaming PerformanceRyzen OverclockingMSI B450 Tomahawk Conclusion

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MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WIFI Review: Iterative Expectations

Tom’s Hardware Verdict

The $289.99 X570S Tomahawk MAX WIFI comes with almost everything an enthusiast needs, including ultra-fast Wi-Fi 6E and the latest Realtek audio codec, plus two PCIe 4. 0 x4 M.2 slots, capable power delivery, and plenty of USB on the rearIO (though it’s missing a 20 Gbps port).

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MSI’s MAG X570S Tomahawk MAX WIFI is, as you might guess, a refresh of the X570 Tomahawk WIFI. For $289.99, the X570S  model iteratively improves on the previous board, while ditching the chipset fan, and makes a compelling option to build your budget/mid-range AMD Ryzen-based system around. It offers users the latest in audio and Wi-Fi capabilities, along with capable (though not updated) power delivery.

For a bit under $300, you get a 14-phase VRM with 60A MOSFETs capable of driving even our flagship-class AMD Ryzen 9 5950X to its ambient cooled limits. On top of that, the board has a premium Realtek 4000-series audio codec and enough USB ports for most users. It’s missing a 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps) port, but that isn’t a deal-breaker for most users. The X570S Tomahawk MAX also includes the latest in Wi-Fi, sporting a Wi-Fi 6E card and carrying over the fast 2.5 GbE from the X570 model. There are plenty of storage options as well, including two PCIe 4.0 M.2 sockets and six SATA ports. In all, the board is a well-rounded option in the budget/mid-range X570(S) space, and compares well against its peers.

On the performance side, the Tomahawk reliably chopped away at most tests, easily mixing in with the other boards we’ve tested. It didn’t lead any benchmarks and stuck close to the average throughout all testing. Its best result was in the PCMark 10 suite, which was above average almost across the board. The worst result was AIDA memory latency, where it was the slowest we’ve seen in a while. However, our other tests didn’t show this difference. Outside of that, it performed well in the 3DMark tests and Far Cry: New Dawn. Overall, the X570S Tomahawk MAX worked well with our power-hungry 5950X.

We were also able to overclock the processor to 4.4 GHz using around 1.25V without concern. Though the VRMs aren’t the most robust we’ve seen, they handled the overclocked CPU without major complaints. Memory overclocking was also easy: We dropped in the other 2x8GB DDR4 3600 sticks, enabled XMP and off we went. Read on for more details on the included features and see if the MSI X570S Tomahawk MAX WIFI lands a spot on our Best AMD motherboards list.

  • MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk MAX WIFI (AMD Ryzen) at Newegg for $229.99

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Socket AM4
Chipset X570(S)
Form Factor ATX
Voltage Regulator 14 Phase (12+2, 60A MOSFETs for Vcore)
Video Ports (1) HDMI (v2.1)
USB Ports (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type- C (10 Gbps)
Row 6 — Cell 0 (3) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A (10 Gbps)
Row 7 — Cell 0 (2) USB 3.2 Gen 1, Typ-A (5 Gbps)
Row 8 — Cell 0 (2) USB 2.0 (480 Mbps)
Network Jacks (1) 2. 5 GbE
Audio Jacks (5) Analog + SPDIF
Legacy Ports/Jacks PS/2
Other Ports/Jack
PCIe x16 (2) v4.0 (x16, x8/x8)
PCIe x8
PCIe x4
PCIe x1 (2) v3.0 (x1)
CrossFire/SLI AMD 2-Way CrossfireX
DIMM slots (4) DDR4 5100(OC), 128GB Capacity
M.2 slots (1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe + SATA (up to 110mm)
Row 20 — Cell 0 (1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe + SATA (up to 80mm)
U.2 Ports
SATA Ports (6) SATA3 6 Gbps (RAID 0, 1 and 10)
USB Headers (1) USB v3. 2 Gen 2, Type-C (10 Gbps)
Row 24 — Cell 0 (1) USB v3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
Row 25 — Cell 0 (2) USB v2.0 (480 Mbps)
Fan/Pump Headers (6) 4-Pin
RGB Headers (2) aRGB (3-pin)
Row 28 — Cell 0 (2) RGB (4-pin)
Legacy Interfaces
Other Interfaces FP-Audio
Diagnostics Panel Post Status Checker (4 LEDs)
Internal Button/Switch
SATA Controllers
Ethernet Controller(s) Realtek 8125B (2.5 Gbps)
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E (MU-MIMO/6GHz 160 MHz/FISMA/FIPS/BT 5. 2)
USB Controllers
HD Audio Codec Realtek ALC4080
DDL/DTS Connect ✗ / ✗
Warranty 3 Years

When we open up the retail box, along with the motherboard we find a basic accessory stack designed to get your PC up and running without a trip to the store. It’s not expansive, but about what we’d expect for a board in this price range. Below is a list of all included accessories.

  • User Manual
  • Quick Installation Guide
  • (2) SATA cables
  • (3) M.2 screw/standoff sets
  • Installation media (USB)
  • MAG sticker/Case badge
  • Wi-Fi Antenna 
  • Support/Driver CD

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)

Looking at the X570S Tomahawk MAX WIFI for the first time after unboxing, we see the military theme continued on top of a 6-layer matte-black PCB, and some light grey stenciling in the exposed PCIe area. All heatsinks are grey with the area over the IO sporting the MSI name in black and the chipset heatsink, sporting the Tomahawk branding. On the RGB lighting front, the Tomahawk isn’t exactly going to turn your PC into a disco. The only integrated RGB lighting is located under the chipset heatsink. This location gives the board a nice glow with the bright and saturated RGBs. If this isn’t enough, there are onboard headers to add your own.

Overall, the board looks the part of a budget/mid-range offering, but each M.2 socket has a heatsink, and the VRM heatsinks look like they can do the job (and as we’ll see in testing, they can). While this board won’t likely be the showpiece of your build, it will blend in with most themes.

(Image credit: MSI)

Focusing in on the top half of the board, starting on the left side, we spy the grey metal IO cover that doubles as an additional heatsink. On top is the MSI branding, along with white tick marks running up and down the length of the cover. The VRM heatsinks are not connected, but they both have enough mass and surface area to do the job. Wedged between the VRM heatsinks are the EPS power connectors for the CPU. The 8-pin is required and the 4-pin is optional.

Looking past the clean socket area, we run into four unreinforced DRAM slots that support up to 128GB of RAM and speeds listed up to DDR4 5100 with 1DPC 1R (DIMM Per Channel, one Rank). As always, your mileage may vary as speed compatibility depends on the processor and memory kit used.

Just above the DRAM slots is the first (of six) 4-pin fan headers. The CPU_FAN1 header here automatically detects PWM/DC fans and outputs up to 2A/24W. The PUMP_FAN1 defaults to PWM mode and outputs up to 2A/24W, which is more than adequate for most pumps. Last, SYS_FAN1-4 defaults to DC mode and supports up to 1A/12W. All headers support both modes, with adjustments made in the BIOS. There are plenty of headers and enough output to run your cooling system.

To the right of that top fan header are 3-pin ARGB and 4-pin RGB headers. In total, there are two of each, the others located on the bottom of the motherboard. If the RGBs hiding below the chipset heatsink aren’t enough, you can use these headers to add more. RGB control goes through the Dragon Center software suite and Mystic Light application.

Along the right edge of the board are three more System Fan headers, the 24-pin ATX power connector for the board and a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C header. Nestled between the ATX connector and fan header is the EZ Debug section. These four LEDs light up during the POST process, indicating where the boot process is, indicating where a problem is if there are issues. The four LEDs cover the CPU, DRAM, VGA and BOOT. Since the board doesn’t have the more informative 2-character debug display, this is the only tool for troubleshooting non-boot/POST issues.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Investigating the VRM layout, MSI uses a 14-phase configuration, with 12 phases dedicated to Vcore (two for SOC). Power comes from the EPS connectors and feeds the Intersil ISL69247 8-channel controller. Power then moves on to the 12 60A Intersil ISL99360 SPS MOSFETs in a mirrored configuration (no phase doublers, but two MOSFETs get one signal from the controller). In total, there’s 720A available for the CPU, which is plenty to support even our Ryzen 9 5950X while overclocked.

(Image credit: MSI)

As shift focus down to the bottom half of the board, we find M.2 storage, PCIe slots, and the audio bits. Starting on the left side, we spy the naked Realtek ALC40480 codec and a few yellow Nichicon audio caps. Also visible is the audio separation line that’s designed to minimize EMI for the other parts of the board. I’m happy to see MSI went with a newer audio codec versus saving a few pennies on the last-generation codec. Most users will be perfectly content with the audio on the X570S Tomahawk.

In the middle of the board, we spy two M.2 slots (under the heatsinks) and four PCIe slots. Starting with the latter, there are two full-size slots, with the primary (top) slot reinforced to prevent shearing from heavy graphics cards. These two slots both support PCIe 4.0 speeds, with the top running a full x16 and the bottom running up to x4 speeds. This configuration supports AMD 2-Way CrossfireX. The two x1 slots get their bandwidth from the chipset and run up to PCIe 3.0 x1.

Looking at the M.2 storage, the X570S Tomahawk MAX WIFI sports two sockets above the primary PCIe slot and one below the secondary full-length slot. Both M.2 sockets use simple heatsinks and support SATA- and PCIe-based modules. The top socket is connected to the CPU and supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) speeds, same as the bottom socket (though it’s connected through the chipset).

On the other side of the chipset heatsink are six SATA ports. All ports are fed from the chipset and support RAID0, 1 and 10. With all of the lanes available from the processor and chipset, there’s no lane sharing with M.2, PCIe, or SATA ports. In other words, you can run both M.2 sockets with SATA or PCIe drives and have all six SATA ports running too. Just below the SATA ports is a USB 3.2 Gen1 port for additional front-panel USB.

Across the bottom are several headers, including RGB, USB and more. There’s also a convenient switch in this area to disable the integrated RGB LEDs. Here’s the complete list, from left to right:

  • Front panel audio
  • 4-pin RGB header
  • TPM header
  • (2) Sys Fan headers
  • COM header
  • (2) USB 2.0 headers
  • USB 3.2 Gen1 header
  • 4-pin RGB header
  • Front panel header
  • LED power header

(Image credit: MSI)

As we shift focus to the rear IO, we see a black pre-installed IO plate that matches the board’s theme and includes the MAG branding stenciled on, along with other labels. From left to right, we spy a legacy PS/2 port, and below that two USB 2.0 ports. To the right are the Wi-Fi 6E antenna connectors. Video output runs through the HDMI port, and just above that are two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports. There are another four USB ports to the right — three USB 3. 2 Gen2 Type-A and one 3.2 Gen2 Type-C. In all, the eight ports of varying speeds should be enough for most users. I would like to see a 3.2 Gen 2×2 port, though. Just above the red USB ports is the Realtek 2.5 GbE connector. Finally, on the far right is the 5-plug plus SPDIF audio stack.

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Features and Specifications

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Joe Shields is a Freelance writer for Tom’s Hardware US. He reviews motherboards.

Overview MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX [7C02-020R] ​​

The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX [7C02-020R] ​​is made in military style with an improved design of radiators for efficient heat dissipation. The already oversaturated functionality of the board is complemented by DDR4 Boost, Core Boost, Turbo M. 2 and USB 3.2 Gen2 technologies. Supports 1st and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™/Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics and 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Graphics/Athlon™ with Radeon™ Vega Desktop GPUs for Socket AM4. Supports DDR4 memory up to 4133 (OC) MHz. Adopts MSI’s advanced PWM heatsink design to keep even high-performance CPUs running at full speed. Supports the latest interfaces including 1x TURBO M.2, AMD Turbo USB 3.2 GEN2, Store MI technology. Support for Core Boost technology with a premium layout and full digital design to support more cores and improve performance. Advanced DDR4 Boost technology guarantees pure data signal transmission for better gaming performance and stability. The motherboard has an improved MULTI-GPU graphic interface: with STEEL ARMOR PCI-E slots. Supports dual-sided AMD Crossfire™. Amplify your sound with an optimized sound controller using the finest components: Reward your ears with studio-quality sound for the most immersive audio experience. The motherboard has a BIOS flash button: just use the USB key to flash any BIOS in seconds, without installing a processor, memory or graphics card. nine0005

Where to buy?

MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX Motherboard [7C02-020R] ​​can be purchased on computeruniverse for €92.39. There is no fee in the Russian sale. When buying on computeruniverse.net, do not forget to use the discount promo code FWANUVT (How to use it?), And pay for the order with a Corn Card, which will save you up to 5%.

Specifications

  • ATX form factor,

  • Socket AM4

  • Chipset AMD B450,

  • Memory support up to 64 GB 4x DDR4, 1866-4133 MHz

  • 1x PCIe (x16), 3x PCIe (x1), CrossfireX

  • 6x SATA3 (SATA 6Gb/s: 6, RAID: 0, 1, 10)

  • M.2 Slot (PCI-E/SATA 3.0, 2242/2260/2280/22110)

  • Network: GB-LAN 1000 Mbps, based on Realtek 8111H

  • Audio: 7.1CH, HDA, based on ALC892
  • USB availability: 12 USB (1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type C, 1x USB 3.1 Gen2, 4x USB3. 0, 6x USB2.0)

  • Video interfaces: HDMI, DVI

  • Other connectors available: PS/2 (keyboard), PS/2 (mouse)
  • 24-pin main power connector
  • 8-pin processor power connector
  • Cooling on the motherboard: passive, radiators

Overview

Designed for user-friendly use, MSI motherboards have many convenient and thoughtful solutions, such as convenient pin protection area, convenient SATA and USB location, etc., so users working on the principle DIY, they can choose any game setup they want. nine0005

  1. Flash BIOS Button
  2. PS/2 Combo Port
  3. DVI-D Port
  4. USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type A+C)
  5. HD Audio Connectors
  6. Heavy plated gaming heatsinks. Military style designed for maximum cooling.
  7. DDR4 Boost. Optimized traces and isolated memory schemes.
  8. PCI-E Steel Armor. Bending and EMI protection for VGA cards
    Turbo M.2
  9. Transfer rates up to 32Gbps using Gen3 x4. nine0022
  10. Audio Boost. Optimized game sound using the best components.
  11. Extended heatsink design. Leading heatsink design, extended for maximum cooling and performance
  12. Arsenal Sticker Square. Free to customize with customized style

Motherboard cooling

STAY COOL FOR THE PERFECT GAME
Keeping your PC cool is essential for reliable performance. MSI motherboards feature superior power and durable heatsink. MSI has taken care to include enough fan headers with full control so that the user can cool their system in any way they want. nine0005

Thermal solution for multi-core processors and high efficiency.

With more core processors, thermal and power design is more important to keep temperatures cool. MSI’s advanced PWM heatsink and improved circuit design ensure that the high performance CPU runs at full speed with MSI motherboards.

Fully managed BIOS and software

MSI motherboards allow speed and temperature control for all systems and CPU fans. Total Fan Control allows you to check the main characteristics of your system in a simplified graphical interface. You can also set up to 4 temperature settings for the CPU and motherboard, which will automatically adjust the fan speed. nine0005

AUTO DETECTION: DC OR PWM WITH HYSTERESIS

MSI fan headers automatically detect fans running in DC or PWM mode for optimal fan speed and silence. Hysteresis also keeps your fans spinning freely to keep your system running silent no matter what.

MSI:
Smooth fan speed
Smooth sound levels

Other:
Dive up the fan rotation speed
Sound levels

hardware

USER FREENDLY
MSI MSIs are equipped with many convenient and produced solutions for users, “self -produced ones,“ self -derived solutions ”. There are plenty of tuning and troubleshooting tools at your disposal to take your system to the next level and satisfy even the most demanding settings. Simplifies the installation of the motherboard and gaming equipment without any problems. nine0005

Protecting Critical Areas

MSI motherboard circuits keep the protection areas of the case clean and clear, preventing any component from contacting or damaging the motherboard.

*When installing the motherboard in the case, be sure to use extra fasteners to avoid damaging the motherboard.

Larger PCI-E slot makes it easier to change or remove devices. The PCI-E slot has become stronger and more secure.

In trouble? Built-in LEDs for key components will indicate the source of the problem so you know exactly where to look to get started again.

Maximum Compatibility

All MSI motherboards are rigorously certified, with convenient pin protection area, convenient SATA and USB layout for compatibility with the widest range of components and devices, so that the DIY user can choose the components he needs . What’s more, we offer a dedicated Qualified Supplier List (QVL) for the most important part, memory. Combined with MSI DDR4 Boost technology, we ensure maximum compatibility, so you confirm and choose any gaming rig you want. nine0005

Ryzen processor support

MSI AM4 motherboards have excellent compatibility with AMD Ryzen processors. By combining MSI Core Boost, you can achieve maximum performance no matter which processor you use.

Extreme Stability and Compatibility

MSI performs rigorous memory testing with the most popular brands of memory under extreme conditions to make sure your system runs smoothly no matter what. Our memory partners include brands such as Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, G.Skill and many more to optimize memory modules and configurations. nine0005

MSI System Performance Software

Complete your high performance experience with a range of MSI productivity software. From a loaded yet easy-to-use BIOS to powerful real-time tools, you can get the most out of your motherboard whenever you need it.

Dragon Center

An exclusive and brand new user interface combines all the features of MSI software into one dedicated application, MSI Dragon Center. Not only integrates all the functions of MSI software, but also synchronizes all MSI desktop products for collaboration, providing a better user experience. No more dirty programs or icons, just one click and you can enjoy all the features in Dragon Center. nine0005

Key Features
  • GAME BOOST Quickly overclock your CPU with one button for more performance.
  • A-XMP. Choose from a preset A-XMP profile and automatically overclock compatible DDR memory.
  • M-FLASH. It is convenient to flash or update the BIOS in a few minutes from the CMOS setup utility.
  • HARDWARE MONITOR. Get immediate access to critical real-time hardware information including temperature, memory size, clock speed and voltage. nine0022
  • FULL FAN CONTROL. Monitor and control fan speed for system and CPU fans.
  • SAFE EXTRACTION +. Delete data from SSD with optimized formatting algorithm and enjoy SSD with maximum free space!
  • MEMORY TRY IT. Get the maximum speed out of your system memory and boost your performance.
  • M.2 Genie. Quickly and easily set up a RAID 0 array for M.2 and U.2 SSDs with this automated utility. nine0022
  • SEARCH AND FAVORITES. The permanent search and the favorites option in the upper right corner move quickly through the BIOS menu.
Game Mode

MSI Game Mode provides the most appropriate settings for your entire gaming system, giving you the best gaming experience with just one click!

Game Boost

Need more power from your CPU and memory to get more FPS? MSI Game Boost allows you to overclock in one second, giving you the performance you need. nine0005

Game Hotkey

Easily program your most frequently used commands and execute them with a single keystroke. You can choose any key you want, so choose wisely.

USB Speed ​​Up

When enabled, it optimizes your devices for even faster transfer speeds and can provide up to 20% USB performance boost, saving a lot of time when transferring data.

OC Setting

With an intuitive interface, OC Setting allows you to adjust settings to improve system stability, maximize performance and optimize your system’s cooling functions.

Total Fan Control

Total Fan Control puts you in control of your fans. You can also set up to 4 temperature settings for the CPU and motherboard, which will automatically adjust the fan speed. nine0005

Colorful Lights

Create your own colorful masterpiece with ease. Make your computer look and feel brand new with any color you want in just a few clicks!

Real-time update

Never miss an important update. MSI Live Update automatically downloads and installs the latest drivers, BIOS, and software so you can focus on your game. nine0005

MSI APP PLAYER

Developed through an exclusive partnership with BlueStacks, MSI APP Player brings the convenience of mobile gaming to PC. Take advantage of mouse and keyboard controls, enhanced graphics and multitasking to excel in mobile gaming.

CLICK BIOS 5

Get more out of a loaded BIOS designed for ease of use. Fine-tune your motherboard for gaming performance, efficiency, or world-record overclocking! nine0005

Enhanced Performance

MSI motherboards are equipped with the latest solution for enthusiasts and gamers. The processor and memory, as well as the fast storage and data transfer speeds of USB, are ready for battle.

Processor

MSI Motherboard Equipped for E-SPORT Enthusiasts
High-quality materials and intelligent fan optimization help to cool all essential components, which is essential for system stability and maximum performance. nine0005

Unparalleled memory performance

Optimized layout design and fully isolated memory circuits ensure perfect stability and performance. You will never have to worry about your system crashing while gaming with MSI DDR4 BOOST.

FOR HIGH SPEED MEMORY: DDR4 BOOST 2

In addition to optimized PCB design, MSI OC lab also cooperates with world famous memory brands to achieve the highest memory speed. MSI AM4 motherboards will ensure the stability of these selected memory modules. nine0005

DRAGON ALLIANCE: These selected DDR modules have been critically tested and are highly compatible with MSI AM4 boards.

HUGE STEP IN DDR EFFICIENCY

MSI OC LAB isn’t just hard at work on extreme overclocking. With AMD’s third-generation Ryzen processors, the X470 and B450 motherboards have greatly improved performance and memory support.

Lower latency — more efficient

Storage

Fast and advanced storage

MSI motherboards support all the latest storage standards, allowing users to connect any ultra-fast storage devices. Start games faster, load levels faster and get a real advantage over your enemies.

AMD STOREMI technology

All MSI X470 and B450 motherboards come with StoreMI, AMD’s new SSD technology for enhanced storage performance. This tool helps create a virtual SSD by pooling storage capacity, considers flash as primary storage, and optimizes data access with continuous monitoring. All of these features can improve the read/write speed for active data and provide fast loading and application startup times. nine0005

  • Low cost
  • More performance
  • More usable container
  • Use any SSD you want

PCMARK10 score

KEEP STORAGE EFFICIENT WITH STORAGE BOOST

This great little tool is very easy to use and automatically detects your connected storage devices. When enabled, Storage Boost optimizes your SSDs to keep your system fast and maximize storage performance, saving you a lot of time when loading or transferring data. nine0005

EASY RAID SETUP WITH M.2 GENIE

Want to get maximum raw data processing speed and use multiple SSDs in RAID 0? Installing this can be quite a challenge. That’s why we created M.2 Genie, a great feature that makes setting up RAID 0 for M.2 and U.2 much easier and less time consuming.

Extremely fast USB handling

Reading and writing files via USB is faster than ever. MSI offers a wide range of options to connect and expand your USB devices, delivering lightning-fast data transfer rates up to 10Gbps. nine0005

Game Advantage

MSI motherboards are built with enhanced audio and enhanced LAN networking capabilities that make any gaming experience immersive.

Sound controller features

Sound that pulls you into the game

Get the highest sound quality with premium audio components and get the most immersive gaming experience. MSI motherboards let you enjoy immersive, game-changing sound. nine0005

AUDIO BOOST 4

HIGH RESOLUTION DEDICATED AUDIO PROCESSOR
Make sure you enjoy the purest sound quality in both stereo and surround sound.

HIGH QUALITY AUDIO CAPACITORS

Provides high quality sound with exceptional acoustics and realism for studio-grade headphones.

Gold audio connectors

Keep perfect sound by transmitting sound with a pure digital signal

ISOLATED AUDIO DESIGN

Like the separate sound card, the audio components and circuitry were housed in a reserved section of the motherboard and electrically isolated.

SEPARATE AUDIO LAYERS FOR CLEAR LEFT AND RIGHT CHANNELS

Audio circuits, located on separate layers in the PCB, provide the same clear sound for left and right audio channels.

DE-POP PROTECTION

Pop Remove Filter eliminates loud clicks that occur when connecting/disconnecting devices or turning the computer on/off. nine0005

Exciting and inspiring design and lighting

Each MSI motherboard is built around a specific theme to suit different tastes and preferences. In addition, MSI also uses a modern style to design the heatsink through the huge surface and smooth but simple slots to make the heatsink and appearance look torn and powerful. Combined with neutral color such as black, gray and silver as the main background, the MSI motherboard can perfectly match various RGB LED effects and showcase the gaming melodies vividly. nine0005

Industrial design

MAG motherboards are designed with functionality and durability in mind. Derived from MSI Arsenal GAMING, these motherboards take their advantage from rugged military hardware and are ready for battle.

MSI Mystic Light

Light up with MSI Mystic Light and bring your motherboard’s RGB lighting to life. Choose from millions of colors and sync across compatible devices. MYSTIC LIGHT
Light up with MSI Mystic Light and bring your motherboard RGB lighting to life. Choose from millions of colors and sync across compatible devices.

The MSI motherboard offers multiple colors and a variety of effects so you can customize the whole setup your way.

Still not satisfied with the decoration on the ecosystem? The Mystic Light extension helps you get a more attractive way to decorate your gaming rig with LED strips, and still under the control of the Mystic Light app. nine0005

JRGB
JRGB male connector supplies up to 3A (12V) power for 5050 RGB LED strips up to 3m long showing one color.

Light Sync

Control compatible RGB peripherals with the Mystic Light App. An open source SDK is available for developers to integrate Mystic Light with RGB devices.

Proven Products

With years of experience, MSI is no stranger to making high performance motherboards. Our R&D and engineering teams have reviewed countless designs, evaluated a wide selection of high quality components, and developed products for reliability even under extreme conditions. nine0005

Components and quality

Built with the highest quality components

Using only the highest quality components and integrating the latest technological innovations ensures the best professional experience. Rigorous quality testing under the most extreme conditions ensures an ultra-reliable, durable and high-performance motherboard.

PROTECT YOUR SYSTEM WITH PCI-E STEEL ARMOR

MSI PCI Express Steel Armor slots are attached to the motherboard with additional solder points and support the weight of heavy graphics cards. When every advantage in the game matters, Steel Armor shields the point of contact from electromagnetic interference.

GREAT MOTHERBOARD PROTECTION

Double ESD protection doubles the ground layer around the mounting holes, preventing damage to the motherboard from static surges. nine0005

Super stable game with high quality components

MSI uses high quality components that are protected by the best protection to keep your system running smoothly under the most extreme conditions.

SOLID CAP

Solid CAP are made of aluminum with aluminum core and made in Japan quality for high quality motherboard. Solid CAP can not only provide lower equivalent series resistance (ESR), but also work reliably for more than 10 years. nine0005

DarkChoke

TITANIUM SMOKE
The Titanium Choke uses a titanium core that has better thermal shock capability and higher temperature resistance.

CERTIFIED FOR GAMING

MSI motherboards have been designed and tuned for hardcore gaming. Feedback from the best players in the world of esports and rigorous test sessions with demanding PC games resulted in a powerful and reliable motherboard. nine0005

WINDOWS 10 CERTIFIED

MSI AM4 motherboards are certified for Microsoft Windows 10. Enjoy the latest Windows compatibility on MSI motherboards.

Reviews

As advantages, buyers noted support for third-generation Ryzens, a chic cooling system on all important elements of the board, flash mode for the BIOS using a button on the rear panel, the ability to update the BIOS without an installed processor, reinforced reinforced PCI- E. nine0005

Other advantages of the motherboard are the ability to connect your own LED strip or even two, the ability to debug using 4 LEDs on the board. Using the On Board function, it is possible to see all devices connected to the computer at the moment.

Customers were also pleased with the possibility of connecting additional cooling, for this their servants have as many as 6 connectors for connecting fans “without dancing with tambourines”.

A pleasant surprise for buyers was the RGB backlight, which is not mentioned anywhere on the box and in the description, but still exists — it does not have soft transitions, but it still looks beautiful. nine0005

Users in their reviews found a few shortcomings of the board, but they still exist: functionally limited sound from RealTek with crooked drivers, lack of two slots for M2, lack of a heatsink on the existing M2. Also, users, in the wake of all the advantages of the board, were upset by the fact that at the end of 2019 the manufacturer still has not abandoned USB 2. X, installing only part of the USB 3.0 ports on the board. Also, buyers noted that when an M.2 device is connected to the M.2 slot on the motherboard, the SATA 5 and 6 ports will be disabled. Similar restrictions are found on all motherboards for this platform. nine0005

Concluding from customer reviews: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX [7C02-020R] ​​motherboard has exceeded all user expectations and fully justifies the word MAX in the name, has incredibly wide functionality, high-quality components, almost perfect cooling of important elements on the board.

Overclocking 10/10. There is even a red backlight. Ability to connect 1 CPU FAN + 1 PUMP + 4 SYS FAN, 6 Karl!!!

Ask anyone what is the best mother for Ryzen — MSI Tomahawk will definitely answer you. Reliability and quality. Excellent cooling. Reliability. Just a bomb. You can not even look at the rest of the motherboards, everywhere there are disgusting phases, or sound. There is no equal in this price segment. nine0094 Exceeds all expectations, I never thought that the motherboard could be so cool. There are simply no downsides. The best motherboard ever. Take it — you won’t regret it. If possible, you can upgrade to 3700, 3900X, probably not higher. I, as a person far from overlocking, managed to overclock the processor without any problems.

Positive feedback about the motherboard from Yandex.Market

Great board and worked out of the box with my Ryzen 3600x
October 14, 2019 [Verified Purchase]
Style: B450 TOMAHAWK
I ordered this board under the impression that I would have to update the BIOS before installing the 3600x. However, when I received it, I saw that everything was already up to date, and it said: «Support for Ryzen 3000». Even if the image of this board on Amazon shows «support for Ryzen 2000». So I figured I’d try my 3600x and just see if it recognized it. And I’m happy to report that it really is! Worked straight out of the box with my 3600x and 3200mhz

Feedback from a satisfied customer who earned series 3 ryzens on the B450 TOMAHAWK board without any tambourine dances

Great Quality + Performance
September 9, 2018 [Verified Purchase]
Model: B450 TOMAHAWK
– I put R5 2600 on this board. Aida 64 in a stress test for an hour showed a temperature no higher than 67 degrees. Overclocked the Trident Z RGB RAM to 3200 using A-XMP without any problems. The BIOS is easy to use and easy to configure. The lighting is very cool! Using the ML software, it is POSSIBLE to change the LEDs of the built-in board to different colors. Not only red. They are NOT, however, individually addressable LEDs. The board’s LEDs and the top and bottom RGB header work in unison. nine0005

-Mystic Light Features:
Color Cycle
Breathing Color Cycle
Flashing Color Cycle
Breathing (select color including white)
Flashing (select color including white)
Double Flashing (select color including white)
No Animation
Temperature CPU
Music
Default (Red)

Feedback from an Amazon customer happy with the motherboard.

MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

70 points

MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

Why is MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi better than others?

  • RAM speed?
    3200MHz vs 2656.42MHz
  • RAM speed?
    5100MHz vs 4229.73MHz
  • PCIe 4.0 x16 slots?
    2 vs 0.72
  • Maximum memory?
    128GB vs 81.12GB
  • SATA 3 connectors?
    6 vs 5.53
  • Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)?
    120dB vs 109.68dB
  • USB 3.0 ports (pass-through expanders)?
    4 vs 2.53
  • M.2 connectors?
    2 vs 1.86

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0005

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Price Match

Cheaper than MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

User Reviews

Memory

maximum memory

Maximum memory (RAM).

RAM speed

3200MHz

Can support faster memory which speeds up system performance.

RAM speed

5100MHz

The motherboard supports overclocking the RAM to a higher speed. By increasing the memory speed, we increase the performance of the computer.

memory slots

The more memory slots (DIMMs), the more RAM you can add to your computer. This is relevant for the upgrade, because. The memory bar can be installed in an empty slot, rather than replacing an already installed one. nine0005

DDR memory version

DDR (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) is the most common type of main memory. New versions of DDR memory support higher maximum speeds and are more energy efficient.

memory channels

More memory channels increase the speed of data transfer between memory and processor.

Supports memory recovery code

✖MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

Memory error recovery code can detect and repair data corruption. It is used when necessary to avoid distortion, such as in scientific computing or when starting a server.

Ports

USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports

USB 3.2 Gen 2 supports speeds up to 10 Gbps. It was previously known as USB 3.1 Gen 2. These ports use the older USB-A connector.

USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports

USB 3.2 Gen 1 supports speeds up to 5Gbps. It was previously known as USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.0. These ports use the old USB-A connector.

USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

USB 3.2 Gen 2 supports speeds up to 10 Gbps. It was previously known as USB 3.1 Gen 2. These ports use a USB-C connector.

USB 3. 2 Gen 1 (USB-C) ports

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

USB 3.2 Gen 1 supports speeds up to 5 Gbps. It was previously known as USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.0. These ports use a USB-C connector.

USB 2.0 ports

The more USB 2.0 ports, the more USB 2.0 compatible devices you can connect to your computer.

USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 was introduced in 2019. It supports speeds up to 20Gbps and uses a USB-C connector. nine0005

USB 4 40Gbps ports

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

This version of USB 4 supports very high speeds up to 40 Gbps. Unlike USB 3.2, USB 4 can allocate bandwidth for video and data. These ports use a USB-C connector.

USB 4 20Gbps ports

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

This version of USB 4 supports speeds up to 20 Gbps. Unlike USB 3.2, USB 4 can allocate bandwidth for video and data. These ports use a USB-C connector. nine0005

Thunderbolt 4 ports

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

Number of Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB ports. These ports support speeds up to 40 Gb/s, including a minimum PCIe speed of 32 Gb/s. This ensures that it can support two external 4K screens (or one external 8K screen).

Connectors

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (via expansion)

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

The number of USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports that can be added using the USB headers on the motherboard. nine0005

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (via expansion)

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

The number of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports that can be added using the USB headers on the motherboard.

USB 2.0 ports (pass-through expanders)

Number of USB 2. 0 ports that can be added via pins (USB headers) on the motherboard.

SATA 3 connectors

SATA is an interface used to connect storage devices such as hard drives and Blu-ray drives. The native data transfer rate of SATA 3 is 6 Gb/s, which is twice as high as that of SATA 2. It can be useful to use an SSD, because it improves the speed. nine0005

fan headers

These are the contact surfaces on the motherboard to which fans can be connected. Fans, of course, can also be connected directly to the power supply, but by connecting them through the motherboard, we get the ability to control devices through software.

USB 3.0 ports (pass-through expanders)

The motherboard has pins in the form of male connectors to which additional USB ports can be connected.

M.2 Connector

M.2 is an interface used to connect various devices, mainly storage devices such as M. 2 SSD. It is a revision of mSATA and supports much higher data transfer rates.

TPM connector available

✔MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a component that greatly improves security. For example, it enables the creation of RSA keys in a secure environment, minimizing the risk of hackers. nine0005

U.2 connectors

U.2 is an interface used to connect various types of devices, mainly storage devices. It is equal in performance to M.2, but U.2 SSD drives are manufactured in the format of regular 2.5″ SATA drives, and because of this they support much larger volumes than mSATA drives.

PCIe slots are designed to connect peripherals to the motherboard, mainly graphics cards, less often other cards: for example, sound and network. «x16» indicates the number of tracks. The more tracks, the higher the data transfer rate PCIe 3.0 offers faster speed than PCIe 2. 0 and higher performance.0005

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots

PCIe slots allow you to connect various components such as video cards and SSDs to the motherboard. The number of data lanes (determined by the number after the «x») determines the data rate. PCIe 4.0 provides transfer speeds of 16GT/s, doubling the bandwidth provided by PCIe 3.0.

PCIe x1 slots

PCIe slots are designed to connect peripherals to the motherboard, mainly graphics cards, less often other cards: for example, sound and network. «x1» indicates the number of tracks. The more tracks, the higher the data transfer rate. nine0005

PCI slots

PCI slots are designed to connect peripherals to the motherboard, mainly graphics cards, less often other cards: for example, sound and network cards. PCI technology has been superseded by PCI Express technology, which offers higher data transfer speeds, but there are still many cards using PCI slots these days.

PCIe 2.0 x16 slots

PCIe slots are designed to connect peripherals to the motherboard, mainly graphics cards, less often other cards: for example, sound and network. «x16» indicates the number of tracks. The more tracks, the higher the data transfer rate. nine0005

PCIe x4 slots

PCIe slots are designed to connect peripherals to the motherboard, mainly graphics cards, less often other cards: for example, sound and network. «x4» indicates the number of tracks. The more tracks, the higher the data transfer rate.

PCIe x8 slots

PCIe slots are designed to connect peripherals to the motherboard, mainly graphics cards, less often other cards: for example, sound and network. «x8» indicates the number of tracks. The more tracks, the higher the data transfer rate. nine0005

Audio

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

When a digital signal is converted to analog (for example, when playing sound through speakers or headphones), a certain amount of noise is carried in the signal. Higher SNR means less noise and better audio quality when converting.

audio channels

Each channel is a separate stream of audio information. The more channels, the more realistic the experience, such as surround sound. nine0005

S/PDIF out port available

✔MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

S/PDIF is an interface used to transmit high quality digital audio.

audio connectors

The more connectors, the more audio devices (speakers, microphones) you can connect.

Memory

RAID 1 support

✔MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

RAID is a data storage technology that combines multiple disks in one array. RAID 1 is a technology of mirror duplication of information on disks. Provides increased data storage security, as if one drive fails, the data will be available from another drive. nine0005

Support for RAID 10 (1+0)

✔MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

RAID is a storage technology that combines multiple drives in one array. RAID 10(1+0) is a technology for striping and mirroring information on disks. Has higher processing capacity and performance compared to a single drive. It also provides increased data storage security, as if one drive fails, the data will be available from another drive. nine0005

RAID 5 support

✖MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

RAID is a storage technology that combines multiple drives into one array. RAID 5 is a disk striping technology. It has higher performance compared to a separate disk. It also provides enhanced data storage security, as if one disk fails, the data will still be available on the other, thanks to the use of non-dedicated parity disk technology. nine0005

RAID 0 support

✔MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi

RAID is a storage technology that combines multiple drives into one array. RAID 0 is a disk striping technology. Has higher processing capacity and performance compared to a single drive.