Zanderos
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- Jul 15, 2010
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Hi everyone, just wanna share my experience with the MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX motherboard that I used on my PC build.
Pcpartpicker link: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Zanderos/saved/rnxXvK
The MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX is compatible with the Ryzen 5 CPUs right off the bat, and you do not have to flash the BIOS with an older CPU or a pen drive which saves quite a bit of work.
It has all the standard connectivity options available, 6 SATA III ports (although it only comes with 2 SATA cables), 1 M2 slot, USB 3.2 and 2 x PCI-E X16 and 3 PCI-E X1. The PCIE slot at the top is reserved for the GPU and is reinforced with metal to prevent bending. Very welcoming especially with the large size and heavy weight of modern GPU.
I have already used up all my PCIE slots, 2 for GPU, 1 for my NZXT controller, 1 for my WiFi card, and 2 for my GPU's supporting bracket (it doesn't actually slot into the PCIE slot but takes up the space at the back).
It has 2 USB headers, which is already taken up by my NZXT Kraken X52 and Hue 2 Controller. I still need 1 USB header for my WiFi card's Bluetooth which I will most likely be getting a splitter for it.
The RGB lighting on the motherboard is just some LEDs at the top right corner, you can control it with MSI's Mystic Lighting but I would have preferred something more prominent such as the logo on the mobo.
For those who are building a similar system with Fractal Design's Meshify C, do take note of your RAM's height if you intend to put an AIO cooler. As my GPU is too long, I could only put the radiator at the top of my case, and due to my RAM's height (G.Skill Trident Neo Z), I had to physically cut a hole in the fans so that it can all fit.
Overall, I am very happy with the MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX, it is reasonably priced and just works without any frills.
Pcpartpicker link: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Zanderos/saved/rnxXvK
The MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX is compatible with the Ryzen 5 CPUs right off the bat, and you do not have to flash the BIOS with an older CPU or a pen drive which saves quite a bit of work.
It has all the standard connectivity options available, 6 SATA III ports (although it only comes with 2 SATA cables), 1 M2 slot, USB 3.2 and 2 x PCI-E X16 and 3 PCI-E X1. The PCIE slot at the top is reserved for the GPU and is reinforced with metal to prevent bending. Very welcoming especially with the large size and heavy weight of modern GPU.
I have already used up all my PCIE slots, 2 for GPU, 1 for my NZXT controller, 1 for my WiFi card, and 2 for my GPU's supporting bracket (it doesn't actually slot into the PCIE slot but takes up the space at the back).
It has 2 USB headers, which is already taken up by my NZXT Kraken X52 and Hue 2 Controller. I still need 1 USB header for my WiFi card's Bluetooth which I will most likely be getting a splitter for it.
The RGB lighting on the motherboard is just some LEDs at the top right corner, you can control it with MSI's Mystic Lighting but I would have preferred something more prominent such as the logo on the mobo.
For those who are building a similar system with Fractal Design's Meshify C, do take note of your RAM's height if you intend to put an AIO cooler. As my GPU is too long, I could only put the radiator at the top of my case, and due to my RAM's height (G.Skill Trident Neo Z), I had to physically cut a hole in the fans so that it can all fit.
Overall, I am very happy with the MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX, it is reasonably priced and just works without any frills.
