MSI B650 Tomahawk: The Best Budget Board for AMD AM5
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Unboxing and Specifications
- Design and Features
- PCIe and M.2 Support
- Power Delivery and Cooling
- Rear I/O and Connectors
- Comparison with Other Boards
- Final Verdict
- Potential Parts and Build
- Conclusion
Introduction
Welcome back to part three of our budget B series board AM5 battle! Today, we'll be taking a close look at MSI's B650 Tomahawk. With a retail cost of around $230 USD, MSI offers a board with an attractive price point. However, the real question is whether this board delivers enough value for its price. In this article, we'll dive into the features and performance of the B650 Tomahawk, and provide our unbiased opinion on its worth and potential drawbacks.
Unboxing and Specifications
Let's begin by unboxing the MSI B650 Tomahawk and examining its specifications. With a minimalist description on their website, MSI aims to unite gamers under the mag series for the pursuit of honor. The board supports AMD 7000 series chips and offers DDR5 support up to 6400 MHz for overclocking. However, considering this is a budget board, going above 6000 MHz may not be necessary.
The B650 Tomahawk boasts a premium thermal solution, a two and a half gig LAN, and lightning M.2 support. While the board lacks PCIe 5 support, which could potentially limit future upgrades, it promises a competitive feature set for its price.
Design and Features
Moving on to the design and features of the B650 Tomahawk, there are a few important distinctions to note. Firstly, this board Sports a six-layer PCB compared to the eight-layer PCBs in other boards we've reviewed. This reduction in layers helps to bring down the cost, but sacrifices some robustness in terms of durability.
One standout feature of the B650 Tomahawk is its power delivery. Despite having 14 two-in-one power stages, which is fewer than the other boards, each power stage is rated at 80 amps. This ensures a reliable power supply to your components. Additionally, the board incorporates a substantial cooling setup for the VRMs, along with dual 8-Pin connectors for enhanced stability.
However, it's important to mention that the VRM heat sinks on the B650 Tomahawk are not as substantial as those on the competing boards. While this might not be noticeable in everyday use, it could potentially impact the board's performance under heavy load.
PCIe and M.2 Support
One of the major downsides of the B650 Tomahawk is its lack of PCIe 5 support. This limitation extends to both the expansion slots and the M.2 slots. While it may not affect current generation products, it could prove to be a hindrance when looking to upgrade in the future.
Furthermore, only two out of the three M.2 slots are covered with heat sinks, with one of them completely exposed. While this may not be a significant issue at the ultra-budget level, it is worth considering if you plan to use multiple high-end M.2 drives. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your build.
Power Delivery and Cooling
Despite the aforementioned drawbacks, the power delivery of the B650 Tomahawk is commendable. With its 14 power stages rated at 80 amps each, this board offers stable and sufficient power to drive your components. While the VRM heat sinks may not be as substantial as those on other boards, the overall cooling design ensures reliable operation.
It is worth noting that the B650 Tomahawk lacks dual 8-pin connectors for the CPU power. This is in contrast to the Gigabyte board, which offers the same feature at a lower price point. If you require the additional power delivery capacity of dual 8-pin connectors, this may be a point to consider in your decision-making process.
Rear I/O and Connectors
Moving on to the rear I/O, the B650 Tomahawk impresses with a substantial number of USB ports. MSI has provided more than enough ports to meet your connectivity needs. Additionally, the board offers a display port and HDMI port for video output, along with a full complement of audio jacks.
However, it's disappointing to see only one Type-C port on the rear I/O. With peripherals steadily transitioning towards Type-C connectivity, it would be wise for manufacturers to include more Type-C ports for future-proofing. This consideration becomes particularly important for those adopting the first generation of the AM5 platform, as they are likely to hold onto their boards for an extended period.
Comparison with Other Boards
When comparing the B650 Tomahawk to other budget boards, one aspect that stands out is its rear I/O. It offers a greater number of USB ports and a more versatile selection of connectivity options. However, it falls short in terms of PCIe 5 support and the robustness of the VRM heat sinks.
If you are willing to spend a few extra dollars, alternative boards from other manufacturers may offer a similar feature set with improved future-proofing capabilities. Nonetheless, if you are an MSI fan or if the B650 Tomahawk is the only board available to you, it can still deliver satisfactory performance.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, is the MSI B650 Tomahawk worth considering for your budget build? While it does offer a solid feature set for its price range, there are other boards on the market that provide more features for a similar price. If you can afford to invest a bit more, a slightly higher-end board may offer better potential for future upgrades.
However, if you have a limited budget or are a fan of MSI, the B650 Tomahawk can still deliver satisfactory performance and meet your needs. Ultimately, it is crucial to weigh the value vs. cost equation and make a decision based on your specific requirements and budget constraints.
Potential Parts and Build
If you are considering the MSI B650 Tomahawk for your build, below are some potential parts that could complement this board. These options provide a well-rounded build and ensure compatibility with the B650 Tomahawk. Please note that these recommendations are based on general compatibility and may vary depending on your specific needs.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200MHz
- Storage: WD Blue SN550 NVMe M.2 1TB SSD
- PSU: EVGA 600 W1, 80+ WHITE 600W Power Supply
Please refer to the resources section for links to these components and further build details.
Conclusion
In summary, the MSI B650 Tomahawk offers a budget-friendly option for AMD AM5 platform users. While it does have some limitations, such as the lack of PCIe 5 support and slightly less robust VRM heat sinks, it still provides satisfactory performance for its price point.
When considering this board, it is important to evaluate your specific needs, budget constraints, and future upgrade plans. If you are willing to spend a bit more, alternatives from other manufacturers may offer better features and enhanced future-proofing.
Ultimately, the decision to choose the MSI B650 Tomahawk comes down to personal preference, budget, and the trade-offs you are willing to make in your build.
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