Hey everyone,

Lately I've been stuck trying to find a new motherboard for my first build, and the Tomahawk seems to have everything I would want on a board. While it is a tad pricy, it has plenty of USB ports, upgraded audio, WiFi / Bluetooth and an overall clean look!

But, from what I've heard, it's been quite common for MSI boards to encounter issues due to the BIOS, whether that be long POST times or just not working how it's intended to. While this has certainly been an issue in the past, I haven't seen all that many people reporting issues lately. Have these problems been fixed or are they still occuring? Would you recommend this board if it has everything I would want on a mobo? Or will it just be an endless hassle for me if I do choose to get it?

I've been considering this board; however, after researching it, I've found that many people have had problems with it. For example, some have issues with Expo, while others experience slow boot times, and so on. After reading that, I've become somewhat skeptical about buying this motherboard. I like the features it provides, but I don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting if it doesn't work properly. Also, the Gigabyte Aorus Elite AX costs 10 CAD less than the MSI board; however, it has worse audio codec, which I think is a downside. So, if anyone has this board, have you encountered such problems or not? And does motherboard audio codec really matter?

Thank you

Good people and experts of reddit. I'm a bit burnt out by hours and hours of research for this new build. 😅

I want to to put a 7800X3D in a motherboard but I'm not sure what to choose. I don't care about WIFI but I like the 6 sata ports in the MSI. I can see myself with another HDD in the future.
Could you tell me, please ? 🙏 :

Which of them is more reliable ? Which has the best bios ? Is there any PCI lane trickery that I missed in the MSI ?
Which one would you choose and why ?

Any comment is welcome. Cheers !

Hi all,

I built my first computer yesterday and have had loads of trouble getting it to function appropriately. When I first booted, all of the fans and RGB lit up, but I had the yellow/red LED lit up, which indicates issues with CPU/RAM and the monitor (which was connected to the GPU) was not turning on. I thought it was failing to boot up at first and tried reattaching all of my power cables, re-inserting the RAM (always into the 2/4 slots), and checking on CPU to make sure pins weren't damaged. Out of frustration I went and got some coffee while the fans/RGB were running and came back and it was on!

I've since manage to get windows installed, but I'm really hoping to update the BIOS since the one it came pre-packaged with is from december 2023. However, no matter what I do, M-FLASH won't show the file in my USB. I've tried multiple USB's all between 8 and 32GB, reformatted each to FAT32, followed directions to download recent BIOS and even tried an earlier version, renaming them to MSI.ROM and placing in root USB, inserting the USB into the flash USB port. However, each time, I am unable to visualize the actual file. Would appreciate any help I can get.

Note, I am able to get on the computer normally and use it and ran systems checks and everything seems to be running normally, but I cannot handle these 4-5 minute boot times. It's outrageous.

I have read a bunch about long boot times using this MOBO and things that people have tried for these issues that seem to work include:

• updating BIOS (struggling to have M-FLASH recognize file even though I am absolutely sure that I am downloading the right BIOS for the right motherboard).

• changing memory context restore from auto to enable

• in bios activate expo profile (for some reason can't get this to show, I only have option for XMP even though my specs should be able to do this)

Here are my specs:

Mobo: msi MAG b650 tomahawk wifi
Cpu: 7800x3d
Gpu: GeForce RTX 4070 super EVO OC edition
Rams: 64GB gskill trident z5 neo RGB (AMD expo) 6000mhz cl30 DDR5
Psu: 850w corsair RM850eHard drive: SAMSUNG 990 pro ssd 2tb Pcle 4.0 M.2 2280CPU cooler: thermalright phantom spirit 120S

Any help would be much appreciated, probably will return if I can't get this to work soon.

Since I'm not rly versed with Motherboards I thought I would just ask here for some advise.

I'm planning to upgrade to a ryzen 7 9800x3d and I always get the MSI B650 Gaming plus Wifi or the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk as the best midrange/budget boards recommended.
My question is if there is a big difference between them and if it would be worth to buy the Tomahawk, cause it's ~80€ more expensive atm.
I would use only 1 2TB SSD (would maybe upgrade with another 2TB in the future)
The GPU would be a 7900 XTX (which I would try to replace with a 5090 if I don't have to sell my first born child for it anymore, cause they are like 3.5k+ atm)
I would mainly use this PC for gaming and I don't plan to OC,...

Thinking about upgrading to these components from my I7-8700k. The B650 Tomahawk is relatively affordable right now at $180, but I'm confused about the Memory QVL. on this board. There isn't a single kit listed above 6000mhz CL48, haha. Isn't that horrible in the world of Ryzen chips?? I feel like everything I've seen lists 6000mhz CL30 as the sweet spot. When I compare the Memory QVL from this board to rivals like the Asrock/Gigabyte equivalents, those boards support a ton of more RAM. Will I be unstable running a 6400mhz CL32 kit on this?

What confuses me even further is that on the spec sheet it says this:
"Memory Support DDR5 7600+(OC)/ 7400(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5400(OC)/ 5200(OC)/ 5000(OC)/ 4800(JEDEC) MHz"

How can it list that it support all those but have non listed in the QVL? Man, selecting your MOBO is extremely exhausting (and addictive).

I'm so torn between getting something like the B650 or just going for the refreshed B850s that come out this week... my only goal for this machine is to game on it, as I don't do any productivity work.

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.. thanks in advance!

I live in Bangladesh, bought 9800x3D from USA, batch number being CF 2448PGE. I am supposed to buy a motherboard this week, and in Bangladesh, only the Asrock X870 Pro RS Wifi and MSI B650 Tomahawk Wifi are decently priced. Every other good B650 board is out of stock, and the newer X870 boards from ASUS and MSI cost at least 80$ more than MSRP here in Bangladesh. Asrock has recently had many issues with the new Ryzen CPUs, and I don't want to risk RMA-ing any of my components as they are bought from either the US or UK, while I live in Bangladesh. Considering my circumstances and the shitty pricing here in Bangladesh, I decided it would be best to buy the B650 Tomahawk board. The question is, is there anything I should know when I'm pairing it with 9800x3D? Has it faced any issues recently while being paired with this particular CPU? Or am I being too paranoid just because of the failure of the Asrock boards, and just buy the Tomahawk board, update to the latest bios and complete my build? Your response would be very helpful for a newbie builder like me. Thank you.

I’m currently buying parts for a new build/upgrade. I had a hard time deciding on an AM5 motherboard when all of a sudden I found a sale for MSI B650 Tomahawk WiFi for $140, and after seeing good reviews I ordered it. Now I’m seeing some bad reviews about it and it’s BIOS updates. I really don’t want to cancel the order and pay more for a different motherboard, but I want to make sure I’m not getting a crappy one after putting a lot of thought into this build. Is it still a good motherboard to at least try out in my build?

Pairing with:

• AMD Ryzen 7 7700X

• 6000 CL30 Ram (not sure what brand yet)

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI is a great choice for gamers and PC builders looking for a reliable and feature-packed motherboard.

🔋 Strong VRMs and Cool Temperatures One of the standout features of this motherboard is its high-quality VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules). They provide stable power to the CPU, even under heavy load. The VRMs also stay cool thanks to the large heatsinks, which means better performance and longer lifespan.

⚙️ Easy-to-Use BIOS The BIOS is clean, easy to navigate, and offers both advanced and EZ modes for beginners and experienced users alike. It's perfect for tweaking settings or just checking system info. BIOS also starts up very quickly, saving time when booting or restarting the system.

🧩 EZ Installation Installing this motherboard is simple. The layout is smart, with clearly labeled headers and easy access to important ports. It supports EZ M.2 clips and other tools that make building a system faster and smoother.

🚀 PCIe 5.0 Support This board supports PCIe 5.0, which is great for future-proofing. It allows for faster GPUs and storage devices, so you're ready for upcoming hardware upgrades.

🔊 Better Audio and 5G LAN Audio quality is impressive for onboard sound, giving clear output for gaming and media. Plus, the 2.5G/5G LAN and WiFi 6E provide super-fast and stable internet for both gaming and productivity.

There’s been a lot of discussion lately around AM5 motherboards—especially about stability, BIOS maturity, and whether mid-range boards are really “good enough” for current Ryzen CPUs. One board that keeps coming up in recommendations is the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi, often praised for its VRMs and feature set for the price.

On paper, it looks like a pretty safe choice: decent power delivery, built-in WiFi, good I/O, and MSI’s reputation for solid hardware. But I’ve also seen mixed opinions about BIOS updates, boot times on AM5, and whether MSI boards still have quirks compared to ASUS or Gigabyte in this generation.

I’m currently planning an AM5 build (likely with a Ryzen 7, possibly upgrading later), and I want something stable that won’t need constant BIOS babysitting. I’m not into extreme overclocking, but I do care about long-term reliability, memory compatibility (DDR5 headaches…), and overall “set it and forget it” behavior.

For those who’ve actually used the B650 Tomahawk WiFi:

• How has your experience been so far?

• Any issues with EXPO, boot times, or BIOS updates?

• Would you still buy it today, or go with a different B650/X670 board?

Hey everyone, 👋👋

Is the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi a good match for the 7950X3D? 😊😊 Unfortunately, the selection where I live is quite limited, and importing parts from abroad is a hassle due to high shipping costs and customs fees.

I would’ve preferred an X670 motherboard, but the only affordable and available option is the ASUS X670-P WiFi, and I’m not really a fan of ASUS because... well all their issues.

The other alternative is the MSI MPG B650 Edge WiFi, but it’s about $70 more expensive, and I’d have to buy it from a different retailer than the one I’m getting the rest of my build from.

Any advice would be appreciated!

And sorry for the long text heh!

I've sent the last couple days trying to figure out what the problem is.

I have a MSI Mag B650 tomahawk wifi motherboard that just won't power on. I've already replaced the first one and the second one is having the exact same problem.

I've tried two different PSUs, each pulled from functioning computers. One is a Corsair TX 750 and the other is a thermal take TR2 RX 850 bronze.

I've tried putting just the CPU, ram, and storage and I've tried it with nothing installed.

The EZ debug lights will not turn on at all, no matter what.

The only sign of life is if I push the flash BIOS button. I tried flashing the BIOS of the first board, it blinked for about ten seconds then did nothing and then wouldn't turn on again at all. It makes me afraid to try doing that with the second one.

I’m interested in buying the "MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi DDR5 motherboard", but I’ve seen some YouTube videos and posts where users have reported issues with it.

Can anyone who has used this motherboard share their experience, especially if they've faced any problems?

Hi guys! I know this is not a new topic but I'm still not sure if I should that BOARD for this build:

CPU----> AMD RYZEN 7 7800X3D

GPU----> GYGABYTE RTX 4080 SUPER.

STORAGE----> SAMSUNG 990 PRO w/Heatsink SSD 4TB, PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive

Power supply--->Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 850W 80+ Platinum

CASE---> NZXT H9 Flow ATX Mid Tower Case

Ii has been discussed to death but when I go to see opinions about this board I see that the community is divided. Would you help this poor user who has no knowledge of how these things work? I would really appreciate it!

Also, what memory would you recomend to pair? Some people told me to buy this one CORSAIR VENGEANCE while others recommended me this one MEM 2 Which one is the best in your opinion?

Considering getting this board to build my first ever pc. Pairing this with the R5 7600. Read about issues with this board, but is this still relevant? Thoughts?

7D75v1L

Share your opinions.

Personally, I haven't installed it yet (7800X3D)

- AGESA ComboAM5 1.2.0.2b released.

- X3D Gaming Mode supported for Ryzen 9000X3D series CPU.

- Latency Killer supported for Ryzen 9000 series CPU.

So to start I'll list my build to help with replies.

MoBo:listed in title

CPU:Ryzen 7 7800X3D

CPU cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE

GPU: XFX Radeon RX 7900GRE 16GB

RAM: T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 2x16GB 6000MHz CL30

PSU: Be quiet 12M 850W ATX 3.0

Memory: Ordered MSI Spatium M480 2TB and was sent wrong product so I slapped an old samsung 500GB drive in just to get by until actual part comes in.

I put this all together Friday(6-28-2024) On first boot I made it to bios then tried to update bios via usb. This is where the problems began.

After the update of the bios it wouldn't post. Just black screen with all hardware running.

I eventually got the older version 17 bios from MSI website and flashed to it and now I'm back to the original place I started.

I can get to the bios screen now and I'm able to see everything as far as hardware goes.

My next issue is with the windows 11 install. I bought a oem usb with windows 11 home from the Microsoft site.

I can get it to install but at the end of the install when the PC goes to reboot it brings me back to the original start of the windows install. This has happened multiple times while trying to install and I even took the same usb I used to update the bios and created a new media with it and it still does the same thing.

Any ideas of what to try next?

Can anyone tell me what the b650 tomahawk can do that the gaming plus can’t? I have found all of the parts for the pc I’m building but I just can’t decide between these two motherboards. Thanks

Has anyone tried mentioned BIOS yet? I am running previous stable version 7D75v1J and I was wondering if the new one boosted boot times etc.?