Skilled’s Ranking
Professionals
- Nice set of options for the $260 value
- Three M.2 slots, 20Gb/s USB, PCIe Gen 4
- Good networking and audio choices
- Stealth design appears to be like nice, plus Built-in I/O defend and screwless M.2
Cons
- Can be nice to see M.2 slot covers on all areas
- Worth means some limitations (no PCIe Gen 5) don’t take full benefit of AM5
Our Verdict
It’s good to see a feature-rich possibility, that’s trendy as well, at a extra inexpensive value vary. Not each gamer and content material creator wants the bells and whistles—and premium value!—of higher-end motherboards. The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi has the chops (pun meant).
AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs carry with them next-generation efficiency and options. Greater platform pricing is an unlucky facet impact—however is there a solution to have your next-gen motherboard cake and eat it too?
To your consideration: the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk, which goals to satisfy that efficiency promise with out breaking the financial institution. With an MSRP of $259.99, is that this sufficient to assist alleviate a few of the prices related to AM5?
We’ll go over the specs, and discuss in regards to the board’s options, efficiency chops, and design attributes. For these desirous to reap the benefits of the brand new goodies in AMD’s AM5 platform, whereas saving a couple of dollars, the Tomahawk B650 might 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 a lot of the great things like DDR5. The B650 chipset differs from B650E and X670E—the “extreme” 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, comparable to 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 actual world, these theoretical variations between X670E and B650 usually 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 standard 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 Gentle
- 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 a lot of the great things. For networking, you’ll have each Wi-Fi 6E, together with 2.5GbE LAN—identical to on way more costly motherboards.
On the I/O facet, 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 pace and area for gaming. That is additionally a present for content material creators who don’t want greater than that and might subsequently avoid wasting severe bucks! (There are six SATA ports right here as nicely for arduous drives.)
DDR5 is right here, and whereas that 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 provide you with an built-in iGPU—which is nice for diagnosing points with no need a discreet GPU. You’ll get each HDMI and DisplayPort within the again. Along with BIOS Flashback, and the EZ debug LEDs, you could have the useful instruments that rather more costly motherboards additionally provide (albeit in a extra primary vogue—no fancy debug show right here).
MSI offers us M.2 slots which might be “screwless,” plus an built-in I/O defend—making the construct expertise a lot better! We’re glad to see these options work their method into extra inexpensive motherboards.
Audio can be nicely represented, with the Realteck 4080 codec, and a superb providing of inputs/outputs on the again together with optical S/PDIF.
I/O can be nicely represented within the rear—with an plentiful 10 USB ports. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 kind C with 20Gb/s can be right here, for these needing one of many quickest ports obtainable. You gained’t discover USB4 with 40Gb/s, however that’s not anticipated at this value vary.
MSI additionally offers us M.2 slots which might be “screwless,” plus an built-in I/O defend—making the construct expertise a lot 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 a lot of the options of way more costly choices—leaving little or no on the desk. Solely these extra hardcore players or content material creators who want further PCIe Gen 5 lanes, M.2 slots, sooner 10GbE, or extra substantial cooling might have extra—however you’ll additionally need to 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 prime: The I/O defend space and VRMs are stealth and provides the motherboard a high-end look. The correct facet, for its half, is naked—at this value level there’s not plenty of “armor” on faucet.
Making our solution to the Tomahawk’s decrease areas, we’re greeted with a pleasant M.2 “Frozr” Protect excessive slot in addition to in the direction of the underside. This helps hold 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. In addition to the easy “Tomahawk” lettering above the slots, the general look is minimal, however tasteful.
Thiago Trevisan / Foundry
General, there’s sufficient right here for it to be very engaging, and the areas that don’t have a lot occurring will likely be blocked by massive GPU coolers anyway. There are not any native RGB results, however you do get RGB headers for including no matter you want.
The built-in I/O defend sports activities USB ports that color-coded by pace. Nicely achieved!
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 could deal with it tremendous 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 fulfill your wants. You get to reap the benefits of next-gen efficiency with the DDR5 reminiscence help.
Even the USB ports are lots quick, with 20Gb/s speeds—which is simply 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, comparable to for the CPU and RAM settings. We advocate at the very least setting the “Expo” RAM profiles to be able to reap the benefits of your DDR5 package’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. (Try our Ryzen 7000 Eco Mode ideas right here.)
Automated overclocking comparable to AMD’s Precision Increase Overdrive (PBO) are discovered right here together with with MSI’s personal settings—however control your CPU temperatures as they will shortly get scorching! (Ryzen 7000 is extra prone to be restricted by your CPU cooler, than the motherboard itself!)
For AM5 B650 motherboards, frequent BIOS updates are most likely a superb 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 want to remain out of the BIOS. Right here you possibly can modify your fan curves, create RGB results, and monitor system-critical info. You can too examine for driver and software program updates! Motherboard firms have been working to simplify these software program options. Whereas they’re nonetheless not excellent, it’s value a search for some features. In any other case, the BIOS or separate bespoke software program can care for your settings.
Do you have to purchase the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi?
With a price ticket of $259.99, it’s now not a finances providing—however nonetheless way more inexpensive. Many AM5 motherboards are nicely over $300, and right here’s the kicker: The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk offers you a lot of the identical options as its extra pricey opponents!
It has competent networking, USB and M.2 choices, plus DDR5. It might even run the Ryzen 9 7950X when you needed that.
Positive, you could 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 first rate pricing. Plus, we expect its stealth and minimalist design appears to be like fairly snazzy!
