MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around AMD's AM5 platform, pairing the B850 chipset with a broad feature set suited to a range of desktop builds. It includes Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, an HDMI 2.1 output, RGB lighting, and dual BIOS support for added resilience during firmware updates. The board carries a three-year warranty and offers straightforward overclocking access through its easy overclock functionality.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 256GB of DDR5 across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a native maximum speed of 5600 MHz and overclocked support reaching 8400 MHz. Storage connectivity is handled by four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with RAID 0, 1, and 10 support available. Expansion is covered by one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot. The rear I/O provides three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and a single RJ45 port, while the onboard audio delivers a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio with 7.1-channel output.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations down to Wi-Fi 4, covering a wide range of wireless environments
Four M.2 sockets provide ample high-speed storage expansion without relying solely on SATA connections
Dual BIOS with easy CMOS reset adds a practical layer of protection against failed firmware updates
Eight fan headers offer extensive cooling management for complex builds
DDR5 memory support with overclocked speeds up to 8400 MHz and a maximum capacity of 256GB across four slots
Three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports on the rear I/O is a notably generous allocation for this interface type

Cons

No USB 4 or Thunderbolt ports are available, limiting compatibility with the fastest external storage and display devices
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use cases that require error-correcting RAM
RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 configurations are not supported, reducing storage redundancy options
Display output is restricted to a single HDMI port with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA alternatives
No eSATA ports are present for users with legacy external storage devices

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for desktop builders targeting the AMD AM5 platform who want room to grow without moving to a higher-end chipset. The four M.2 sockets and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot make it well-suited for users who prioritize fast storage and next-generation GPU support, while the DDR5 support with overclocked speeds up to 8400 MHz will appeal to those who want to push memory performance. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 alongside dual BIOS and easy BIOS reset functionality also makes it a practical choice for builders who want a feature-rich, wireless-ready system with a safety net during firmware updates.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely on ECC memory for workstation-grade stability or error-sensitive computing tasks will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. Those needing Thunderbolt or USB 4 connectivity for high-bandwidth peripherals, professional external storage, or daisy-chained displays will also hit a wall, since none of those ports are present. Additionally, the single HDMI output with no DisplayPort alternative makes this a poor match for multi-monitor setups that depend on varied or multiple video outputs from the motherboard itself.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
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)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	243.8 mm
width	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi is built around the AM5 CPU socket and B850 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 304.8 mm wide and 243.8 mm tall. It supports a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity spans the full range from Wi-Fi 4 through to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is also on board, though aptX is not supported. Video output is handled via an HDMI 2.1 port. The board features RGB lighting, dual BIOS with an easy CMOS reset option, and straightforward overclocking support. It does not support ECC or integrated graphics functions, and comes backed by a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8400 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256GB. The native RAM speed tops out at 5600 MHz, while overclocked operation can reach up to 8400 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

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

The rear I/O offers a varied USB lineup, including three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, and four USB 2.0 ports. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports present. Display output is limited to a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors available. Network connectivity is provided by one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports included.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	4
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well-provisioned, with four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage, while SATA 2 and U.2 sockets are absent, and there is no mSATA connector. USB expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, all accessible through internal connectors. Cooling is supported by eight fan headers, and a TPM connector is present for platform security needs.

Expansion slots:

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

The board provides three expansion slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots present.

Audio:

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

The onboard audio supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB. Two audio connectors are available, and an S/PDIF Out port is included for digital audio passthrough.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 configurations, covering the most common setups for performance and redundancy. RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi presents a well-rounded AM5 motherboard that covers most of what a mainstream to enthusiast desktop builder would need, without overreaching its chipset tier. Its Wi-Fi 7 support, four M.2 sockets, and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot give it genuine longevity for storage and GPU upgrades, while the dual BIOS, eight fan headers, and generous USB Type-C rear I/O reflect thoughtful practical design. The absence of Thunderbolt, USB 4, and ECC memory support means it won't satisfy every professional or power user, but for those building a capable, wireless-ready AMD system with room to scale, this board covers the essentials with few meaningful gaps.