The MSI B450 Tomahawk a motherboard that’s built for gamers and PC builders who want reliability, performance, and style without breaking the bank. From powerful VRM design to sleek military Inspired aesthetics, this board packs serious features for Ryzen users. Stick around as we break down its performance, design, and whether it’s still worth it in 2025!
Table of Contents
- No 1 MSI B450 Tomahawk
No 1 MSI B450 Tomahawk
The MSI B450 Tomahawk is the successor to the popular B350 Tomahawk and offers users a slightly better feature set. This starts with including a pair USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, as well as customizable RGB LED lighting integrated into the board.
The B450 Tomahawk is a gaming-themed motherboard and comes from MSI’s ‘Arsenal’ range of motherboards designed to offer users an affordable option with many of the features found on the more expensive models, but with some differentials to keep the overall cost down.
This includes the pairing of decent quality and cost-effective Realtek controllers on audio side and the networking side. On the rear panel, MSI now includes a pair of USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, one Type-A and one Type-C.
There is also two USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports, with an option to increase the USB options by a further two and four respectively with internal headers. Video outputs from any integrated graphics can be made through a DVI-D port or an HDMI 1.4 port. A single PS/2 combo mouse and keyboard port is also present.
Pros
- Six fan headers
- Decent VRM
- Equipped with USB 3.1, USB Type-C and M.2 32Gbps
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Lacks secondary M.2
- RGB headers not independently controllable
Recommended Motherboards (2025)
For AMD (AM5 Platform)
- Best overall (high-end): MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Offers up to 21 USB ports, robust build quality, excellent thermal and power performance, and strong value for its tier. Slight compromises on PCIe/M.2 slot flexibility.
- Best budget AM5: ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi A solid, affordable option with triple M.2 slots and excellent Ryzen CPU support
- Best mid-range AM5: ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi Feature-rich with Wi-Fi 7, PCIe 5.0 support, and plenty of USB ports. A strong value pick.
For Intel (LGA1700 Platform)
- Best Intel pick: MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi Great all-rounder with solid features and excellent power delivery, ideal for 13th/14th Gen Intel CPUs.
General Budget Advice
Balanced performance and cost: consider Intel B760 or AMD B650 chipset boards. These platforms offer solid modern features like PCIe 5.0 while remaining affordable
How to Choose the Right Motherboard
1. CPU Socket & Chipset Compatibility
- AMD: AM5 (Ryzen 7000/8000) opt for X870, B650E/B850, etc.
- Intel: LGA1700 for 12th/13th Gen; emerging LGA1851 and Z790 for newer lines.
Ensure your choice matches your CPU for support and features.
2. Form Factor
- ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX all have trade-offs size vs. slots/features.
3. Connectivity & Expansion
Check for enough RAM slots, M.2 slots (especially PCIe Gen4/5), PCIe expansion, USB ports (especially USB-C), SATA ports, and fan headers
4. Networking Capabilities
- Wi-Fi 6E/7 and 2.5 GbE or higher LAN are increasingly common and future-proof
5. VRMs & Cooling
- Essential for overclocking or running high-end CPUs; look for heat-sinked VRMs and robust power delivery.
6. Worthwhile Features
BIOS flash-back, debug LEDs, plenty of headers, and good I/O layout can enhance the build experience.
Community Insight
From r/buildapc, a builder shares a great checklist:
“Right size for your case… right chipset… four RAM slots… sufficient M.2 slots… rear I/O… VRM heatsinks… BIOS Flashback… Debug LEDs… Brand preference.
Summary Suggestions
| Platform | Best Overall | Best Budget Option |
|---|---|---|
| AMD (AM5) | MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi | ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi |
| Intel (LGA1700) | MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi | Intel B760 boards (budget) |
Go budget if you’re looking to save and will stick with basic functionality (good for starter builds or non-heavy workloads).
Go high-end if you want long-term future-proofing, full connectivity, and overclocking potential.
Go mid-range if you’re budget-conscious but still want modern features and solid performance.
Final Takeaway
Choose your motherboard based on your CPU type, budget, and feature needs like connectivity and expandability. The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi (AMD) and the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (Intel) are standout picks, but if you’re watching costs, the ASUS TUF B650-Plus WiFi for AMD or a board using the Intel B760 chip are excellent choices too.
Let me know your CPU, budget, or use-case happy to tailor recommendations even more precisely!