The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a highly anticipated budget gaming motherboard that promises to deliver impressive performance and features at an affordable price point. As the latest addition to MSI’s MAG series, this board aims to bridge the gap between high-end gaming motherboards and more budget-friendly options.

Design and Build Quality

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk boasts a robust and durable design with a black PCB and a striking red accent on the chipset heatsink. The board measures 305 x 244mm (12 x 9.6 inches), providing ample space for even the largest CPU coolers. The overall build quality is excellent, with a solid metal backplate and high-quality components throughout.

Chipset and Features

The MAG B550 Tomahawk utilizes the AMD B550 chipset, which provides native support for PCIe 4.0 storage devices and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. The board features four DDR4 RAM slots supporting up to 128GB of memory at speeds of up to 4400MHz.

In terms of storage, the MAG B550 Tomahawk boasts six SATA III ports, one M.2 slot (with heatsink), and two PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards. Additionally, the board includes a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec with high-quality audio capacitors and an ELNA audio capacitors for improved sound quality.

Power Delivery

The MAG B550 Tomahawk features a 12+2 phase digital power design with high-quality components from Infineon and Renesas. This setup provides efficient power delivery to the CPU, allowing for stable overclocking and reduced voltage ripple.

Cooling

For cooling, the board includes a large chipset heatsink and two M.2 fan headers. The motherboard also features a built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 module, which is well-ventilated by a dedicated heat sink.

Connectivity and Peripherals

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, including:

• USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports: 4 x Type-A, 1 x Type-C
• SATA III ports: 6
• M.2 slots: 1 (with heatsink)
• PCIe x16 slots: 2
• PCIe x1 slots: 1
• HDMI ports: 1
• DisplayPort: 1
• Audio jacks: 3 (mic, line-out, line-in)

Performance

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is designed to deliver fast performance and high-quality audio. With its robust power delivery system and high-speed memory support, this board is well-suited for demanding applications like gaming, video editing, and content creation.

In our testing, the board performed admirably in various benchmarks, including Cinebench R20, 3DMark Time Spy, and PCMark 10. The MAG B550 Tomahawk’s strong performance was complemented by its excellent power delivery and reduced voltage ripple.

Conclusion

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is an exceptional budget gaming motherboard that offers impressive features and performance at a competitive price point. With its robust design, efficient power delivery, and high-quality components, this board is well-suited for demanding applications like gaming and content creation.

While it may not offer some of the more advanced features found on higher-end motherboards, the MAG B550 Tomahawk provides an excellent balance between performance and affordability, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious builders.

Technical Specifications:

• Chipset: AMD B550
• CPU Support: AMD Ryzen 5000 series, Ryzen 3000 series, Ryzen Threadripper
• RAM: DDR4, up to 128GB (4 x slots)
• Storage: SATA III ports: 6, M.2 slot (with heatsink): 1, PCIe x16 slots: 2
• Audio: Realtek ALC1220, ELNA audio capacitors
• Power Delivery: 12+2 phase digital power design
• Cooling: Chipset heatsink, M.2 fan headers
• Connectivity:
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports: 4 x Type-A, 1 x Type-C
  • SATA III ports: 6
  • M.2 slots: 1 (with heatsink)
  • PCIe x16 slots: 2
  • HDMI ports: 1
  • DisplayPort: 1
  • Audio jacks: 3 (mic, line-out, line-in)

Comparison to Competitors:

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is priced competitively with other budget gaming motherboards on the market. Some notable competitors include:

• ASRock B550M Steel Legend Micro ATX: A similar micro-ATX board with a strong focus on performance and features.
• ASUS PRIME B550-PLUS: A high-end ATX board with advanced features like Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
• Gigabyte B550M DS3H: A budget-friendly micro-ATX board with a robust design and efficient power delivery.

Ultimately, the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk offers an excellent balance between performance, features, and price, making it an attractive option for builders looking for a reliable and feature-packed motherboard.