MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi overview: The proper board for the correct value!

Finest Costs At present: MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi

$239.99

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AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs convey with them next-generation efficiency and options. Larger platform pricing is an unlucky aspect impact—however is there a method to have your next-gen motherboard cake and eat it too? 

To your consideration: the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk, which goals to meet that efficiency promise with out breaking the financial institution. With an MSRP of $259.99, is that this sufficient to assist alleviate among the prices related to AM5? 

We’ll go over the specs, and speak in regards to the board’s options, efficiency chops, and design attributes. For these eager to make the most of the brand new goodies in AMD’s AM5 platform, whereas saving a couple of dollars, the Tomahawk B650 may match the invoice.

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi: The Specs

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk blends the favored Tomahawk sequence with B650. Whereas the worth has gone as much as $259.99 MSRP from the B550, it’s nonetheless among the many extra inexpensive AM5 motherboards. 

This ATX motherboard will work completely with AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs, and it additionally brings to the desk many of the great things like DDR5. The B650 chipset differs from B650E and X670E—the “excessive” variants—primarily by having much less theoretical USB and SATA ports, and no PCIe Gen 5. You’ll nonetheless have loads of PCIe Gen 4 right here, resembling three onboard M.2 slots. (Granted, you’ll see some parity with the extra primary X670 motherboards with out the “E,” such because the Asus X670-P Prime.)

In the true world, these theoretical variations between X670E and B650 typically don’t present themselves until you’re actually pushing your system. 

The unboxing expertise is primary, as you’d anticipate for $259. You do get Wi-Fi and a Wi-Fi antenna, some stickers, EZ M.2 clips, and the same old SATA cables. 

• ATX type issue 
• Helps AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs 
• 14+2+1 Part Design with six-layer PCB
• DDR5 RAM, twin channel as much as 4 DIMMs (as much as 128Gb)
• 3x onboard M.2 slots (PCIe Gen 4)
• 2x PCIe 16x slot (PCIe Gen 4, 16x/4x) 
• HDMI and DisplayPort out 
• 10 USB ports on again (together with 20Gb/s)
• Realtek 2.5GbE LAN
• AMD Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
• RGB headers for Mystic Mild
• 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports 
• 8 PWM fan headers 
• BIOS Flashback button 
• Preinstalled I/O defend 
• Realtek 7.1 ALC 4080 Audio
• MSRP $259.99

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi: Options 

With it’s $259 MSRP, the Tomahawk’s function set has many of the great things. For networking, you’ll have each Wi-Fi 6E, together with 2.5GbE LAN—identical to on far more costly motherboards. 

On the I/O aspect, you’ll be lacking PCIe Gen 5, however since there isn’t a lot {hardware} to even saturate these ports but, PCIe Gen 4 is greater than ample. With three onboard M.2 slots, you’ll have greater than sufficient velocity and house for gaming. That is additionally a present for content material creators who don’t want greater than that and might due to this fact avoid wasting critical bucks! (There are six SATA ports right here as nicely for onerous drives.)

DDR5 is right here, and whereas which will add to the platform prices, costs have been steadily taking place as extra kits can be found available on the market. 

Ryzen 7000 CPUs offer you an built-in iGPU—which is nice for diagnosing points while not having a discreet GPU. You’ll get each HDMI and DisplayPort within the again. Along with BIOS Flashback, and the EZ debug LEDs, you may have the helpful instruments that rather more costly motherboards additionally supply (albeit in a extra primary vogue—no fancy debug show right here). 

Audio can be nicely represented, with the Realteck 4080 codec, and providing of inputs/outputs on the again together with optical S/PDIF. 

I/O can be nicely represented within the rear—with an considerable 10 USB ports. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 sort C with 20Gb/s can be right here, for these needing one of many quickest ports obtainable. You received’t discover USB4 with 40Gb/s, however that’s not anticipated at this value vary. 

MSI additionally offers us M.2 slots which are “screwless,” plus an built-in I/O defend—making the construct expertise significantly better! We’re glad to see these options work their method into much more inexpensive motherboards. 

With surprisingly few compromises, the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk delivers on many of the options of far more costly choices—leaving little or no on the desk. Solely these extra hardcore players or content material creators who want extra PCIe Gen 5 lanes, M.2 slots, quicker 10GbE, or extra substantial cooling might have extra—however you’ll additionally should pay extra. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi: Design

The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk sports activities a decidedly streamlined design—nothing frivolous right here! The principally blacked-out, easy aesthetic is sort of impactful, and can slot in with just about any construct. 

Beginning on the high: The I/O defend space and VRMs are stealth and provides the motherboard a high-end look. The proper aspect, for its half, is naked—at this value level there’s not a number of “armor” on faucet. 

Making our method to the Tomahawk’s decrease areas, we’re greeted with a pleasant M.2 “Frozr” Defend excessive slot in addition to in direction of the underside. This helps maintain your drives cool—and it’s a disgrace the function wasn’t utilized to the final uncovered M.2 slot as nicely. The screwless M.2 slots themselves are a pleasant design selection at this value class. Moreover the straightforward “Tomahawk” lettering above the slots, the general look is minimal, however tasteful. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

Total, there’s sufficient right here for it to be very engaging, and the areas that don’t have a lot occurring shall be blocked by massive GPU coolers anyway. There aren’t any native RGB results, however you do get RGB headers for including no matter you would like. 

The built-in I/O defend sports activities USB ports that color-coded by velocity. Effectively executed!

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi: Efficiency, Software program, and BIOS

The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk has a 14+2+1 energy stage and six-layer PCB. Whereas this appears to be like much less spectacular on paper in comparison with higher-end motherboards, it’s greater than sufficient. You wouldn’t essentially pair a Ryzen 9 7950X with this board—however you would, and it might deal with it wonderful with out going loopy. For its $259 MSRP, this motherboard makes extra sense with the Ryzen 5 7600X or Ryzen 7 7700X—an ideal complement. 

The I/O defend space and VRM heatsinks are substantial sufficient for nearly something, and the M.2 slots’ “Frozr” cooling amor provides confidence (although we want it was on all M.S slots).

You’re lacking out on PCIe Gen 5 efficiency, however PCIe Gen 4 is greater than sufficient to satisfy your wants. You get to make the most of next-gen efficiency with the DDR5 reminiscence assist.

Even the USB ports are loads quick, with 20Gb/s speeds—which is just beat by the 40Gb/s discovered on just a few choose premium motherboards.

The MSI BIOS is straightforward to make use of, with loads of tweaking choices, resembling for the CPU and RAM settings. We advocate not less than setting the “Expo” RAM profiles in an effort to make the most of your DDR5 equipment’s efficiency. Ryzen 7000 also can profit from some “Eco mode”-style tinkering when you’re up for it, lowering warmth and energy draw whereas sustaining most efficiency. (Take a look at our Ryzen 7000 Eco Mode suggestions right here.)  

Automated overclocking resembling AMD’s Precision Enhance Overdrive (PBO) are discovered right here together with with MSI’s personal settings—however control your CPU temperatures as they will shortly get sizzling! (Ryzen 7000 is extra more likely to be restricted by your CPU cooler, than the motherboard itself!) 

For AM5 B650 motherboards, frequent BIOS updates are in all probability factor because it’s a brand new platform and there are certain to be fixes and refinements over time.

MSI Heart is a software program possibility for individuals who choose to remain out of the BIOS. Right here you possibly can alter your fan curves, create RGB results, and monitor system-critical data. It’s also possible to examine for driver and software program updates! Motherboard corporations have been working to simplify these software program options. Whereas they’re nonetheless not good, it’s price a search for some capabilities. In any other case, the BIOS or separate bespoke software program can maintain your settings. 

Must you purchase the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi?

With a price ticket of $259.99, it’s not a price range providing—however nonetheless far more inexpensive. Many AM5 motherboards are nicely over $300, and right here’s the kicker: The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk offers you many of the identical options as its extra expensive rivals! 

It has competent networking, USB and M.2 choices, plus DDR5. It may even run the Ryzen 9 7950X when you needed that.

Positive, you might not get 10GbE networking, or USB4, and even RGB “armor” plates. These are premium choices that include a premium value.

For players and content material creators who know their wants and might do with no few bleeding-edge facilities, you’ll be rewarded with a wholesome assortment of specs and respectable pricing. Plus, we expect its stealth and minimalist design appears to be like fairly snazzy!