MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK, AM4, Ryzen 5000/4000/3000, DDR4

The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK motherboard is built for performance-oriented PC enthusiasts and gamers. Powered by the AMD B550 chipset, it supports AMD Ryzen™ 5000, 4000G, and 3000 Series processors, delivering cutting-edge PCIe 4.0 capabilities for GPUs and storage. Equipped with dual M.2 slots, high-speed networking with 2.5Gbps and 1Gbps LAN, and robust audio powered by Realtek ALC1200/1220P Codec, this ATX motherboard is a versatile and powerful choice for modern gaming rigs and productivity setups.

Key Features

• Processor Compatibility: AMD Ryzen™ 5000, 4000G, and 3000 Series processors.
• Memory Support: Four DDR4 slots, up to 128GB, speeds up to 5100+ MHz (OC).
• Graphics Options: PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and onboard HDMI 2.1/DisplayPort for integrated graphics.
• Storage Options: Dual M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0/3.0) and six SATA 6Gb/s ports.
• Networking: Dual LAN (2.5Gbps and 1Gbps) for fast and reliable connectivity.
• USB Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A/Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for modern peripherals.
• Audio: Realtek ALC1200/ALC1220P Codec with 7.1-channel HD audio and S/PDIF support.

MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Specifications

• Brand: MSI
• Model: MAG B550 TOMAHAWK
• Socket Type: AM4
• Chipset: AMD B550
• Processor Compatibility: Supports AMD Ryzen™ 5000 & 3000 Series desktop processors (not compatible with Ryzen™ 5 3400G & Ryzen™ 3 3200G) and AMD Ryzen™ 4000G-Series desktop processors.
• Memory Support: 4 DDR4 slots, up to 128GB, speeds up to 5100+ MHz (OC), dual-channel, ECC and non-ECC memory supported.
• Graphics Support: 1 PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 slot, 1 PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (x4 mode), 2 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots; onboard HDMI 2.1 (4K@60Hz) and DisplayPort (4K@60Hz) for integrated graphics processors.
• Storage Interface: 2 M.2 slots (M2_1 PCIe 4.0/3.0 x4 & SATA; M2_2 PCIe 3.0 x4), 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, and 10 support.
• USB Ports: Rear: 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) ports (1 Type-C, 1 Type-A), 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports; Internal: 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports), 2 USB 2.0 headers (4 ports).
• Networking: 1x Realtek® RTL8125B 2.5Gbps LAN, 1x Realtek® RTL8111H 1Gbps LAN.
• Audio: Realtek® ALC1200/ALC1220P Codec, 7.1-channel HD audio with S/PDIF support.
• Multi-GPU Support: 2-Way AMD CrossFire™ Technology.
• Lighting Features: 2 4-pin RGB LED connectors, 2 3-pin RAINBOW LED connectors.
• Cooling Options: 1 CPU fan connector, 1 water-pump fan connector, 6 system fan connectors.
• BIOS: Flash BIOS button for easy updates.
• Operating System Support: Windows® 10 64-bit.
• Form Factor: ATX (12” x 9.6”).

Processor Compatibility

The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK supports AMD Ryzen™ processors from the 5000, 4000G, and 3000 Series, offering flexibility and high performance for various builds. Ryzen 5000 Series processors feature Zen 3 architecture, delivering industry-leading single-threaded and multi-threaded performance for gaming and professional workloads. Ryzen 4000G Series processors, with integrated Radeon™ Graphics, provide excellent options for systems without discrete GPUs.

Note that Ryzen 5 3400G and Ryzen 3 3200G are not supported. You may check the BIOS if any changes are made regarding compatibility issue.

Discrete Graphics Compatibility

The motherboard features a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, delivering high bandwidth for modern GPUs, ensuring optimal performance in demanding tasks like gaming and rendering. A secondary PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (x4 mode) and 2 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots provide additional expansion options, supporting multi-GPU setups through AMD CrossFire™ Technology.

Onboard Graphics

For systems utilizing Ryzen™ processors with integrated graphics, the motherboard offers HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, supporting resolutions up to 4K@60Hz, making it ideal for multimedia setups or office productivity builds.

Storage and Expansion

The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK offers robust storage options with two M.2 slots and six SATA 6Gb/s ports:

• M2_1 Slot: Supports PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA drives for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs.
• M2_2 Slot: Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 drives, perfect for additional high-speed storage.
• SATA Ports: Connect up to six SSDs or HDDs with RAID 0, 1, or 10 configurations for performance or data redundancy.

Power Requirements and Cooling

Power Requirements

The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK includes a 24-pin ATX main power connector and an 8-pin ATX 12V connector for reliable power delivery to high-performance components.

• Recommended PSU Wattage:
  • 500W PSU: For systems with entry-level GPUs or integrated graphics.
  • 750W PSU: For mid-range GPUs like the RTX 3060 or RX 6700 XT.
  • 850W+ PSU: For high-end GPUs like the RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT.

Cooling Options

• CPU Cooling: Compatible with air coolers like the Noctua NH-U12S or liquid cooling solutions like the Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix.
• System Cooling: Offers six system fan connectors for customizable airflow configurations.
• Water Cooling: Includes a dedicated water-pump fan connector for AIO or custom loop setups.

Is This Motherboard for You?

The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and PC builders seeking high-end performance. With PCIe 4.0 support, dual LAN, extensive storage options, and robust cooling features, it is designed for demanding applications and future-proof builds. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or working on intensive tasks, this motherboard provides the power and reliability you need.