The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II is a highly regarded ATX motherboard that brings robust performance and a wide range of features at an affordable price. It’s part of MSI’s TOMAHAWK lineup, which focuses on delivering high value, strong build quality, and a reliable platform for gaming and productivity tasks.
Built around the AMD B450 chipset, it offers support for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors, making it an excellent choice for both budget and mid-range PC builds.
Key Features and Specifications
- Motherboard Model: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II
- Socket: AM4
- Chipset: AMD B450
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting up to 128GB at speeds up to 4133 MHz (overclocked).
- Storage: 1x M.2 slot and 6x SATA 6Gbps ports.
- PCIe Slots: 2x PCIe x16, 3x PCIe x1.
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 6x USB 2.0.
- Networking: Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN.
- Audio: Realtek ALC892/ALC897 Codec, 7.1-Channel HD Audio.
- Multi-GPU: Supports 2-Way AMD CrossFire Technology.
Compatibility and Performance
CPU Compatibility
The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II supports a wide range of AMD processors from 1st to 3rd Gen Ryzen, including Ryzen chips with Radeon™ Vega Graphics and Athlon™ processors. Its AM4 socket ensures compatibility with AMD’s Ryzen CPUs, making it suitable for a variety of builds, from budget gaming systems to more powerful workstations with Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 chips.
While designed around the Ryzen 3000 series, this motherboard can also support the Ryzen 5000 series processors after a BIOS update, making it a good option for users who may want to upgrade their CPU later on.
Memory Compatibility
The motherboard has 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting up to 128GB of RAM. Memory speeds can reach 4133 MHz (via A-XMP OC MODE) for those who enjoy overclocking. This allows for high memory bandwidth, which is ideal for multitasking, content creation, gaming, and even some light workstation tasks.
For users running high-end Ryzen 5, 7, or 9 CPUs, this board’s ability to handle fast memory is an excellent way to maximize performance.
Graphics Compatibility
It has 2x PCIe x16 slots, with PCIe 3.0 x16 speeds supported by the main slot, which is perfect for modern GPUs. The second slot runs at PCIe 2.0 x 4, providing additional expansion options but not ideal for dual high-end GPUs.
The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II supports 2-Way AMD CrossFire, allowing multiple AMD GPUs to work in tandem for better gaming performance in supported titles. However, it does not support NVIDIA SLI, so multi-GPU setups with NVIDIA cards are not possible.
Storage and Expansion
In terms of storage, the B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II provides excellent options:
- 1x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, which supports NVMe SSDs for ultra-fast storage, resulting in quicker boot times and faster data transfer rates.
- 6x SATA 6Gbps ports for traditional SSDs and HDDs, giving you flexibility when it comes to building large storage configurations.
Keep in mind that when using an M.2 device, some SATA ports may become unavailable, which is a standard limitation in most motherboards of this class.
PCIe Slots
The board includes:
- 3x PCIe x1 slots for additional peripherals such as sound cards, network adapters, or capture cards.
- With support for 2-Way AMD CrossFire, gamers can run multiple AMD GPUs to increase performance in supported games, although it lacks NVIDIA SLI support, limiting multi-GPU setups to AMD cards.
Connectivity: USB, Display, and Network
The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II provides a wide range of connectivity options:
USB Ports
- USB 3.2 Gen 2: 1x Type-C and 1x Type-A for 10Gbps high-speed connections.
- USB 2.0: 6x USB 2.0 ports, useful for peripherals like mice and keyboards.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1: 2x Type-A for 5Gbps speeds.
Display Ports
The board features both DVI-D and HDMI 2.1 ports, which can drive displays at 4K @ 60Hz (HDMI), but only when using Ryzen APUs with integrated graphics. This makes it a great choice for users building budget systems without a discrete graphics card, but most gamers will likely install a dedicated GPU.
Network
For networking, the motherboard features a Realtek® 8111H Gigabit LAN controller, offering fast and stable wired internet connectivity suitable for gaming, streaming, and general use.
Audio: 7.1-Channel HD Sound
The Realtek ALC892/ALC897 Codec provides 7.1-channel high-definition audio, which is more than adequate for gaming, media consumption, and voice chat. While onboard sound may not satisfy audiophiles, it delivers clear and immersive audio for most users without the need for an external sound card.
Power and Cooling Options
Cooling options on this motherboard are also impressive, with 4x system fan headers and 1x dedicated water pump fan header, making it capable of supporting a range of air and liquid cooling solutions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Support for Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series CPUs with a BIOS update.
- Excellent memory overclocking support up to 4133 MHz.
- M.2 NVMe support for fast storage solutions.
- Multiple fan headers with water pump support for robust cooling.
- 2-Way AMD CrossFire for dual-GPU setups.
- Flash BIOS button for easy updates without a CPU.
Cons
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth built-in (can be added via expansion).
- Lacks SLI support, limiting multi-GPU configurations to AMD.
- Some SATA ports disabled when using an M.2 drive.
Pricing and Where to Buy
Brand-new units for the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II generally retail for around PHP 8,000 – 9,500 approximately $165 – $190 USD) depending on the retailer and availability. This makes it one of the most affordable yet feature-rich B450 motherboards.
Refurbished or used models are priced at around PHP 5,300, offering an affordable option for budget-conscious builders.
Video: UNBOXING MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II WITH RGB TEST
Who Should Buy the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II?
This motherboard is ideal for:
- Gamers looking for a reliable, feature-packed motherboard that can handle mid- to high-end Ryzen CPUs.
- PC builders on a budget who want high-end features like NVMe support, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and excellent overclocking potential without the premium price.
- Upgraders who want a future-proof motherboard compatible with the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 CPUs after a BIOS update.
Final Verdict
The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II is one of the best B450 motherboards on the market for the price. It offers all the essential features needed for a solid gaming or productivity build, including high memory capacity, fast storage options, and good overclocking support.
While it lacks some high-end extras like built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the performance and reliability it offers at this price point make it an excellent choice for most users. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly motherboard that doesn’t skimp on features, the B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II is hard to beat.
How to Download MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II Driver & Bios Update
To download the latest drivers and BIOS for the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II visit the official MSI Support page. Search for your motherboard model, then select your operating system (e.g. Windows 7, Windows 10, or Windows 11 64-bit) under the Drivers & Downloads section. Download essential drivers such as chipset, LAN, and audio to ensure proper functionality of your system.
For a BIOS update, download the latest version, save it to a FAT32-formatted USB drive, and restart your PC. During startup, press the Delete key to enter the BIOS menu and navigate to M-Flash. Select the BIOS file from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. Ensure that the PC remains powered on throughout the process, as it will reboot automatically after the update.
Visit the MSI Support page to download all necessary drivers and BIOS updates for your motherboard.
