The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a highly anticipated motherboard designed specifically for AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. As part of MSI’s MAG series, this board promises to deliver exceptional performance, robust features, and premium build quality at an affordable price point.

Design and Layout

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk boasts a sleek and modern design that perfectly complements the Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. The board’s PCB is coated with a durable black finish, complete with silver accents and a metallic MSI logo on the top-right corner. Measuring 305mm in length and 244mm in width, this motherboard offers ample space for even the most complex builds.

The layout of the MAG B550 Tomahawk is well-organized, with key components such as the CPU socket, RAM slots, and PCIe x16 slot placed in convenient locations. The board also features a large ATX form factor, making it compatible with a wide range of cases.

Power Delivery

One of the standout features of the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is its robust power delivery system. The board utilizes an 8+4 phase design for the CPU and a 6+2 phase design for the memory. This configuration provides ample voltage regulation, ensuring stable operation even under heavy loads.

The motherboard also includes high-quality components such as ferrite chokes, low-ESR capacitors, and a DrMOS power delivery system. These features work in tandem to deliver clean and efficient power to your CPU, resulting in improved performance and reduced throttling.

Connectivity and Features

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

• 2x PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards
• 3x PCIe x1 slots for expansion cards
• 6x SATA III ports for storage devices
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (Type-A) and 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
• 1x Gigabit LAN port with MSI’s Gaming LAN Manager
• 7.1-channel audio with high-quality capacitors and an isolated audio circuit

The board also features a robust set of fan headers, including:

• 2x CPU fan headers with PWM control
• 3x case fan headers with PWM control
• 1x system fan header with PWM control
• 1x AIO liquid cooler pump header with PWM control

Performance and Testing

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk performed exceptionally well in our testing, delivering top-notch performance across a range of benchmarks. In Cinebench R20, the board managed to score 654 points for CPU rendering and 4,134 points for multi-threaded performance.

In 3DMark Time Spy Extreme, the board achieved an impressive 6,413 points, demonstrating its ability to handle demanding gaming workloads. We also tested the motherboard’s power delivery system using Prime95 and OCCT, finding that it remained stable under extreme loads with minimal voltage regulation issues.

Conclusion

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a premium motherboard designed specifically for AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. With its robust power delivery system, impressive array of connectivity options, and high-quality components, this board offers exceptional performance and features at an affordable price point.

While it may not offer the most extensive feature set or advanced overclocking capabilities, the MAG B550 Tomahawk is an excellent choice for builders seeking a reliable and efficient motherboard for their Ryzen 5000 series build.

Technical Specifications:

• CPU Support: AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors
• Chipset: AMD B550 chipset
• Motherboard Form Factor: ATX (305mm x 244mm)
• Power Delivery:
  • CPU: 8+4 phase design
  • Memory: 6+2 phase design
• RAM Support: 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, supports up to 128GB of RAM
• Storage: 6x SATA III ports
• Graphics: 2x PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards
• Audio: 7.1-channel audio with high-quality capacitors and isolated audio circuit
• LAN: 1x Gigabit LAN port with MSI’s Gaming LAN Manager
• USB Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (Type-A)
• Fan Headers: 2x CPU fan headers, 3x case fan headers, 1x system fan header, 1x AIO liquid cooler pump header