I love tech and got to check out the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK. It’s a midrange ATX motherboard for $179.99. It has cool features like PCI Express 4.0 and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet NIC. Plus, it has dual 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
It’s made for the AMD AM4 platform. This makes it great for building a fast AMD Ryzen-based gaming system.
Key Takeaways
- The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a midrange ATX motherboard priced at $179.99, offering a range of premium features.
- It supports PCI Express 4.0, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet NIC, and dual 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
- The board is designed for the AMD AM4 platform and is compatible with Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series processors.
- The board’s power delivery system features a 13-phase (10+2+1) design with 60A MOSFETs, ensuring stable and efficient power to the CPU.
- The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK includes two M.2 slots, supporting both PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 storage devices.
Design and Build Quality
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a stunning gaming motherboard. It has a sleek, black PCB with grey and black heatsinks. This makes it look bold and modern.
But it’s not just about looks. It’s built for top performance and reliability too.
Premium Aesthetics and Layout
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK looks amazing. It has big VRM heatsinks that look good and work well. The RGB lighting under the chipset heatsink adds a pop of color.
The board’s layout is also top-notch. It has two full-length PCIe slots, including a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for fast graphics cards. It also has two M.2 slots, with one being a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| PCB Layers | 6-layer PCB with 2oz thickened copper |
| Power Delivery | 10+2+1 Duet Rail Power System, Digital PWM, Core Boost |
| VRM Heatsinks | Large, integrated heatsinks for enhanced cooling |
| RGB Lighting | Integrated RGB lighting under the chipset heatsink |
| PCIe Slots | 2 full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 and PCIe 3.0 x4 slots |
| M.2 Slots | 2 M.2 sockets, with the top one supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 |
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK stands out with its design and build. It’s perfect for those who want the best in style and performance.
MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2) Technical Features
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a top-notch gaming motherboard. It has many advanced features and ways to connect devices. It works great with the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. This makes your gaming computer fast and reliable.
This motherboard supports a lot of memory. It has four DDR4 DIMM slots for up to 128GB of RAM. RAM speeds can go up to 5100+ MHz (OC). This means your computer can handle lots of tasks quickly.
The board also has lots of room for adding new parts. It has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. There are also two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. For storage, it has two M.2 slots and six SATA3 6Gb/s ports. This is great for adding GPUs, sound cards, and more.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU Support | AMD Ryzen 5000 series |
| Memory Support | DDR4 up to 128GB, 5100+ MHz (OC) |
| PCIe Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| M.2 Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 |
| SATA Ports | 6 x SATA3 6Gb/s |
| Other Features | 8 x 4-pin fan headers, 2-Way AMD CrossFire |
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a solid choice for a gaming PC. It supports the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and DDR4 memory. It also has PCIe 4.0 and M.2 NVMe SSD slots for fast storage.
Connectivity and Performance
Network and USB Configuration
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK motherboard is great for PC fans. It has two Ethernet ports for fast internet. One is a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for super speeds, and the other is a 1Gb Ethernet port for more devices.
The motherboard is also good for USB connections. It has six USB ports on the back. Two are USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast data, and two are USB 3.2 Gen 1 for slower data. There are also two USB 2.0 ports for even more options.
The audio on the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is top-notch. It uses the Realtek ALC1200 audio codec for great sound. The BIOS has easy settings for beginners and advanced options for experts to tweak their system.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ethernet Ports | 2 (2.5Gb Ethernet and 1Gb Ethernet) |
| USB Ports (Rear I/O) | 6 (2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0) |
| Audio Codec | Realtek ALC1200 |
| BIOS Features | MSI Click BIOS 5 with EZ mode and advanced options |
In tests, the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK showed its strength. It pushed a Ryzen 9 3900X to 4.6GHz on two cores. It also kept a steady 4.3GHz on all cores. This proves it can handle tough tasks well.
Conclusion
The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a great mid-range motherboard. It’s priced at $179.99 and offers great value. It performs as well as more expensive boards, making it a top choice.
This board can handle overclocked AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs well. It also has dual Ethernet ports and PCIe 4.0 support. It’s missing some features like built-in Wi-Fi, but it’s still a solid choice.
In summary, the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a fantastic mid-range motherboard. It has great features and performs well. It’s perfect for building an AMD Ryzen-based system for gaming or work.
FAQ
What are the key features of the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK gaming motherboard?
What is the power delivery and cooling design of the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK?
What is the memory and expansion slot configuration of the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK?
What are the storage and connectivity options on the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK?
How does the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK perform in overclocking and real-world usage?
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