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Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi

Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth specification comparison between the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi. Both boards share the same AM5 socket, B850 chipset, and Wi-Fi 7 support, yet they diverge meaningfully when it comes to rear port selection, memory capacity, and storage expansion. Read on to discover which board best matches your build requirements.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both boards use the AM5 CPU socket.
  • ✓ Both boards feature the B850 chipset.
  • ✓ Both boards have an ATX form factor.
  • ✓ Wi-Fi is supported on both boards, covering Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7.
  • ✓ Bluetooth 5.4 is present on both boards.
  • ✓ Both boards include an HDMI 2.1 output.
  • ✓ Both boards have 4 memory slots with DDR5 support across 2 memory channels.
  • ✓ ECC memory is not supported on either board.
  • ✓ Both boards have 4 USB 2.0 rear ports.
  • ✓ Neither board includes USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-C rear ports, USB 4 20Gbps ports, or Thunderbolt 3 ports.
  • ✓ Both boards include a USB Type-C connector.
  • ✓ Both boards have 1 RJ45 ethernet port.
  • ✓ eSATA ports are not present on either board.
  • ✓ Both boards provide 4 USB 2.0 headers for expansion.
  • ✓ Both boards include 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • ✓ Neither board has a U.2 socket, an mSATA connector, or any SATA 2 connectors.
  • ✓ Both boards include 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
  • ✓ Neither board has PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, PCIe x8, PCIe x4, or legacy PCI slots.
  • ✓ Both boards deliver a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the DAC with 7.1 audio channels, 2 audio connectors, and an S/PDIF Out port.
  • ✓ RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 are supported on both boards, while RAID 0+1 is not supported on either board.

Main Differences

  • • Height is 244 mm on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 243.8 mm on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • Width is 305 mm on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 304.8 mm on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • Maximum supported memory is 192 GB on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 256 GB on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • Maximum overclocked RAM speed is 8000 MHz on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 8400 MHz on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A rear ports number 6 on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 2 on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A rear ports number 0 on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 1 on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C rear ports number 0 on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 3 on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • A USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 rear port is present on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi but not available on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • A USB 4 40Gbps rear port is present on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi but not available on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • A Thunderbolt 4 rear port is present on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi but not available on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • A DisplayPort output is present on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi but not available on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 1 expansion headers support 2 ports on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 4 ports on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • Fan headers number 7 on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 8 on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • USB 3.0 expansion headers support 2 ports on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 4 ports on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • M.2 sockets number 5 on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and 4 on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
  • • A TPM connector is present on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi but not available on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi.
  • • A PCIe x1 slot is present on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi but not available on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi.
  • • RAID 5 support is present on the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi but not available on the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
Specs Comparison
Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi

Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi

General info:
CPU socket AM5 AM5
chipset B850 B850
form factor ATX ATX
release date January 2025 January 2025
supports Wi-Fi ✓ ✓
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth ✓ ✓
Bluetooth version 5.4 5.4
HDMI version HDMI 2.1 HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock ✓ ✓
has RGB lighting ✓ ✓
Easy to reset BIOS ✓ ✓
Has dual BIOS ✓ ✓
has aptX ✕ ✕
CPU sockets 1 1
Has integrated graphics ✕ ✕
warranty period 3 years 3 years
height 244 mm 243.8 mm
width 305 mm 304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕ ✕

Both the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi share the same foundational platform: the AM5 socket paired with the B850 chipset, in a standard ATX form factor. This means both boards support AMD's current-generation Ryzen processors and fit into any full-size ATX case without compatibility concerns. Connectivity is equally matched, with both offering Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 — the latest standards at time of release — ensuring future-proof wireless performance with lower latency, higher throughput, and improved multi-device handling compared to older Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.2 implementations.

On the feature front, the two boards are strikingly similar: both support easy overclocking, offer RGB lighting, include a convenient BIOS reset mechanism, and crucially both feature dual BIOS — a meaningful safety net that lets users recover from a failed firmware update without professional help. The shared HDMI 2.1 output and a matching 3-year warranty further reinforce how closely matched these two products are at the general specification level.

The only measurable difference in this group is physical size: the ROG Strix measures 244 × 305 mm versus the Tomahawk's 243.8 × 304.8 mm — a gap of just 0.2 mm on each axis, which has absolutely no practical significance. In the ″General Info″ category, these two boards are effectively tied; a buyer's decision will need to rest on other spec groups such as power delivery, connectivity, or audio.

Memory:
maximum memory amount 192GB 256GB
overclocked RAM speed 8000 MHz 8400 MHz
memory slots 4 4
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
Supports ECC memory ✕ ✕

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi both feature 4 memory slots and support DDR5 memory with dual memory channels. However, they differ in terms of maximum memory capacity and overclocking potential. The Asus board supports a maximum memory amount of 192GB, while the MSI board can handle up to 256GB.

When it comes to overclocked RAM speed, the MSI board offers a higher overclocked RAM speed of 8400 MHz, compared to the Asus board's 8000 MHz. Both boards support DDR5 memory, but neither supports ECC memory.

In summary, while both boards offer similar memory configurations in terms of slots and channels, the MSI board stands out with its higher maximum memory capacity and slightly faster overclocked RAM speed.

Ports:
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 6 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0 1
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0 3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0 0
USB 2.0 ports 4 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 1 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 1 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 1 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0 0
has an HDMI output ✓ ✓
DisplayPort outputs 1 0
RJ45 ports 1 1
Has USB Type-C ✓ ✓
eSATA ports 0 0
DVI outputs 0 0
has a VGA connector ✕ ✕
PS/2 ports 0 0

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi differ significantly in their USB port configurations. The Asus board has 6 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A), while the MSI board only has 2. In contrast, the MSI board offers 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C), while the Asus board lacks any USB-C Gen 2 ports, though it has one USB 4 40Gbps port. The Asus board also includes one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, which is not available on the MSI board.

Both boards feature 4 USB 2.0 ports, and they both support USB Type-C. The Asus board has an HDMI output and a DisplayPort output, while the MSI board only offers an HDMI output and lacks any DisplayPort. Both products have one RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity, and neither has PS/2, VGA, eSATA, or DVI ports. The Asus board also includes one Thunderbolt 4 port, while the MSI board does not offer any Thunderbolt ports.

Overall, the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi offers more advanced USB and Thunderbolt options, while the MSI board has a stronger focus on USB-C ports, with no Thunderbolt support.

Connectors:
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 2 4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4 4
SATA 3 connectors 4 4
fan headers 7 8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 2 4
M.2 sockets 5 4
Has TPM connector ✕ ✓
U.2 sockets 0 0
Has mSATA connector ✕ ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0 0

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi differ in a few key areas when it comes to connectors. The Asus board offers 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports through expansion, compared to the MSI board's 4. Both boards include 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion, but the MSI board has 4 USB 3.0 ports through expansion, while the Asus board only offers 2.

When it comes to storage connectors, both boards feature 4 SATA 3 connectors, but the Asus board has 5 M.2 sockets, whereas the MSI board has 4. The MSI board also has a TPM connector, which is not available on the Asus board.

Additionally, the Asus board has 7 fan headers, while the MSI board includes 8, providing one extra header. Neither board includes U.2 or mSATA connectors, and neither offers SATA 2 connectors.

Expansion slots:
PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 1 1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1 1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 0 0
PCIe x1 slots 0 1
PCI slots 0 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0 0
PCIe x4 slots 0 0
PCIe x8 slots 0 0

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi both offer 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, making their top-tier expansion slots identical. Neither board includes any PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, PCIe x4, or PCIe x8 slots. However, the MSI board has 1 PCIe x1 slot, which the Asus board lacks.

In summary, while both boards offer the same high-end PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, the MSI board provides an additional PCIe x1 slot for smaller expansion cards, which the Asus board does not.

Audio:
Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC) 120 dB 120 dB
audio channels 7.1 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port ✓ ✓
audio connectors 2 2

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi offer identical audio specifications. Both feature a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio (DAC), 7.1 audio channels, and support for an S/PDIF Out port. They also have 2 audio connectors.

Since both products share the same audio specs across the board, there is no difference between them in terms of audio capabilities.

Storage:
Supports RAID 1 ✓ ✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0) ✓ ✓
Supports RAID 5 ✓ ✕
Supports RAID 0 ✓ ✓
Supports RAID 0+1 ✕ ✕

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi and MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi both support RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0 configurations. However, the Asus board also supports RAID 5, while the MSI board does not. Both boards do not support RAID 0+1.

In summary, the Asus board offers a wider range of RAID options, including RAID 5, while the MSI board is limited to RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining every specification, these two B850 boards serve distinct builder profiles. The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi stands out for power users who demand a richer rear I/O, offering more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB 4 40Gbps port, a DisplayPort output, five M.2 sockets, and RAID 5 support — making it ideal for content creators and enthusiasts with diverse peripheral and storage needs. The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi, on the other hand, appeals to builders who prioritize higher maximum memory capacity (up to 256 GB), faster 8400 MHz overclocked RAM, more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, additional USB expansion headers, a TPM connector, and an extra fan header — a strong choice for workstation-oriented or future-focused builds.

Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi
Buy Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi if...

Buy the Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi if you need a feature-rich rear I/O with Thunderbolt 4, USB 4 40Gbps, DisplayPort, more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, five M.2 slots, and RAID 5 support.

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
Buy MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi if...

Buy the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi if you require a higher maximum memory capacity of 256 GB, faster 8400 MHz RAM overclocking, more USB Type-C rear ports, and a built-in TPM connector.