MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI Motherboard Guide: Specs, Features, and Compatibility

The MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI is an ATX motherboard built on the B850 chipset, designed for AMD processors using the AM5 socket.

The MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX motherboard offers:

• Chipset: B850 — Learn more about AM5 socket chipsets
• CPU Support: AMD Ryzen 9000 Series, AMD Ryzen 8000 Series, AMD Ryzen 7000 Series (AM5 socket)
• Memory: 256 GB max DDR5, Dual Channel, 4 DIMM slots
• Storage: 4 M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x2, PCIe 4.0 x2, PCIe 4.0 x4), 4 SATA ports
• Expansion: 3 PCIe slots (Ryzen 9000/7000: PCIe 3.0 x1, PCIe 4.0 x4, PCIe 5.0 x16; Ryzen 8700/8600/8400: PCIe 3.0 x1, PCIe 4.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x8; Ryzen 8500/8300: PCIe 3.0 x1, PCIe 4.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x4)
• Ethernet: 5Gb
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• USB Ports: 10 rear panel, 8 via internal headers (up to USB 20Gbps)
• Audio: Realtek ALC4080
• Form Factor: ATX

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI uses an AM5 socket for AMD processors. Socket type determines CPU compatibility and cannot be changed. You must match your CPU's socket to the motherboard.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI is compatible with the following processor series:

• AMD Ryzen 9000 Series
• AMD Ryzen 8000 Series
• AMD Ryzen 7000 Series

Support for multiple CPU generations allows you to start with a more affordable processor and upgrade to a higher-performance model later without replacing the motherboard.

A motherboard's socket type determines which CPU generations it supports. If you plan to upgrade your CPU later, verify that the motherboard supports newer processors in the same socket family.

The importance of CPU upgradeability depends on your use case:

• High-end builds: Purchasing a high-end CPU from the start means you likely won't need to upgrade for 5-7 years. Future CPU support is less critical.
• Mid-range builds: Starting with a mid-range CPU with plans to upgrade in 2-3 years makes CPU compatibility important. However, by upgrade time, new socket types may offer better value.

Most users keep their CPU until they replace the entire system. The motherboard's chipset features, connectivity, and current-gen CPU support often matter more than future CPU compatibility. Instead of buying a budget CPU with plans to upgrade, consider saving up for the CPU you want; the performance difference between budget and mid-range CPUs is significant.

Check out our guide on AM5 Motherboard Chipsets for more details on chipset differences.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI supports up to 256 GB of DDR5 memory across 4 DIMM slots (RAM slots) in Dual Channel configuration. For best performance, install memory in matching pairs (identical speed, capacity, and timings) to enable dual-channel mode.

With a maximum capacity of 256 GB of RAM, the MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI is well-suited for memory-intensive workloads like content creation, video editing, 3D rendering, and virtualization. Most gaming and general-purpose users will find 32-64 GB more than sufficient.

A dual-channel memory configuration doubles memory bandwidth compared to single-channel. Install memory in matching pairs (2x or 4x modules of the same specification) to enable dual-channel mode. This significantly improves performance in gaming, content creation, and general system responsiveness.

• Memory Type: DDR5
• Maximum Capacity: 256 GB
• DIMM Slots: 4
• Channel Configuration: Dual Channel

Memory speed support varies by processor:

• Ryzen 9000: Up to 8400 MT/s

Why CPU Matters: Your CPU's memory controller determines the maximum supported speed. Using faster memory than your CPU supports will result in the memory running at the CPU's maximum speed, not the memory's rated speed.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI supports the following memory overclocking profiles: EXPO.

Memory Overclocking Explained: These profiles allow your RAM to run at its advertised speed (which is technically an overclock beyond standard JEDEC specifications). Simply enable the appropriate profile in your BIOS to unlock your memory's full performance. Without enabling these profiles, your high-speed RAM will run at much slower standard speeds. You can also manually overclock memory if you prefer fine-tuned control.

Choose your memory capacity based on your specific use case:

RAM Amount	Use Cases
16 GB	Gaming: Bare minimum for basic gaming Development: Web development, basic coding, office work
32 GB	Gaming: Sweet spot for gaming in 2025; handles any game, browser tabs, Discord, and background apps without issues Content Creation: Entry point for video editing, photo editing, and light 3D work Development: Running Docker containers, virtual machines, Android Studio, large IDEs
64 GB	Gaming: Only beneficial if you stream, record, or run heavy background applications Content Creation: Ideal for 4K+ video editing, large Photoshop projects, After Effects, and moderate 3D rendering Development: Multiple VMs simultaneously, large database work, extensive containerized development
128 GB+	Content Creation: Professional workflows with 8K footage, complex 3D scenes, simulation work, or multiple virtual machines Development: Extensive virtualization and enterprise-scale development

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI provides 4 M.2 NVMe slots for high-speed SSDs and 4 SATA 6 Gb/s ports for 2.5" SSDs and hard drives. The 4 SATA ports provide adequate connectivity for additional storage drives beyond your primary M.2 SSDs. SATA is ideal for mechanical hard drives used for mass storage or backup purposes.

M.2 Slot	Interface	Theoretical Bandwidth	Connection	Form Factors
#1	Ryzen 9000/7000: PCIe 5.0 x4 Ryzen 8000: PCIe 4.0 x4	Ryzen 9000/7000: 16 GB/s Ryzen 8000: 8 GB/s	CPU	2280, 22110
#2	Ryzen 9000/7000: PCIe 5.0 x4 Ryzen 8700/8600/8400: PCIe 4.0 x4 Ryzen 8500/8300: PCIe 4.0 x2	Ryzen 9000/7000: 16 GB/s Ryzen 8700/8600/8400: 8 GB/s Ryzen 8500/8300: 4 GB/s	CPU	2260, 2280
#3	PCIe 4.0 x2	4 GB/s	Chipset	2260, 2280
#4	PCIe 4.0 x4	8 GB/s	Chipset	2260, 2280

M.2 NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than SATA drives and install without cables. The PCIe generation and lane count determine maximum transfer speeds. Actual speeds depend on both the slot and the drive; a PCIe 3.0 drive in a PCIe 5.0 slot runs at PCIe 3.0 speeds. PCIe is backward compatible: a PCIe 4.0 drive works in a PCIe 3.0 slot at PCIe 3.0 speeds.

Interface	Theoretical Bandwidth	Performance
PCIe 5.0 x4	16 GB/s	Cutting-edge, future-proof
PCIe 4.0 x4	8 GB/s	Excellent for gaming and professional work
PCIe 3.0 x4	4 GB/s	Still very fast, suitable for most users
PCIe 3.0 x2	2 GB/s	Slower, avoid for primary drives

For gaming, faster SSDs primarily improve load times rather than in-game performance. The exception is large open-world games that stream content as you play. PCIe 4.0 already provides fast load times, and while PCIe 5.0 can reduce load times further, the real-world difference is often negligible for most games.

Slot Count	Assessment	Configuration
1 M.2 slot	Minimum viable	Works if you only need one NVMe and will use SATA for additional storage
2 M.2 slots	Ideal for most users	One NVMe boot drive + one games/storage drive
3+ M.2 slots	Enthusiast/professional	Useful for separating OS, games, and work files

Despite being older technology, SATA remains relevant for specific use cases:

• Bulk storage: 4TB-20 TB mechanical hard drives for media libraries, backups, and archival storage ($10-$25/TB vs $50-$100/TB for NVMe)
• Budget SSDs: 2.5" SATA SSDs are sometimes cheaper than equivalent NVMe drives (though this gap is closing in 2025)
• Repurposing old drives: If you're upgrading from an older system, SATA ports let you reuse existing drives
• Optical drives: Blu-ray and DVD drives still use SATA connections

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI supports RAID configurations. Supported RAID levels vary depending on your specific CPU model. Check the motherboard manual or manufacturer specifications for details.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI offers 3 PCIe expansion slots for graphics cards, network adapters, sound cards, or other expansion devices.

Slot	Physical Size	Specification	Theoretical Bandwidth	Lane Source
Slot 1	x16	Ryzen 9000/7000: PCIe 5.0 x16 Ryzen 8700/8600/8400: PCIe 4.0 x8 Ryzen 8500/8300: PCIe 4.0 x4	Ryzen 9000/7000: 64 GB/s Ryzen 8700/8600/8400: 16 GB/s Ryzen 8500/8300: 8 GB/s	CPU
Slot 2	x16	PCIe 3.0 x1	1 GB/s	Chipset
Slot 3	x16	PCIe 4.0 x4	8 GB/s	Chipset

The PCIe generation and lane count determine bandwidth for expansion cards. Higher bandwidth enables better performance for graphics cards, storage controllers, and network adapters. A slot's physical size (x16, x4, x1) doesn't always match its electrical lanes; a physically x16 slot might only provide x4 electrical lanes. Check the "Specification" column in the table above for actual lane counts.

PCIe Configuration	Theoretical Bandwidth	Ideal Use Cases
PCIe 5.0 x16	64 GB/s	Latest generation GPUs, future-proof for next-gen graphics cards and high-bandwidth accelerators
PCIe 4.0 x16	32 GB/s	Current high-end GPUs, professional graphics cards
PCIe 3.0 x16	16 GB/s	Mid-range and older GPUs, most graphics cards won't saturate this bandwidth
PCIe 4.0 x4	8 GB/s	High-speed NVMe SSDs, sound cards, 10GbE network adapters
PCIe 3.0 x4	4 GB/s	Standard NVMe SSDs, sound cards, network adapters
PCIe 3.0 x1	1 GB/s	Basic expansion cards (USB controllers, low-speed network adapters)

PCIe 4.0 x16 is fully adequate for all current graphics cards. PCIe 5.0 GPU support provides minimal real-world benefits as no current GPUs saturate PCIe 4.0 bandwidth. PCIe 3.0 x16 works well for mid-range GPUs but can cause noticeable performance loss on high-end cards. All PCIe generations are backward compatible, so newer GPUs will work in older slots and vice versa.

Build Type	Recommendations
Gaming	1x PCIe x16 slot for GPU. Most gaming motherboards include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth onboard, so typically only the GPU slot gets used.
Content Creation	1-2x PCIe x16 slots for GPU(s). Multi-GPU is obsolete for gaming but useful for rendering. May also need 1x PCIe x4 slot for sound card, 10GbE network card, or additional M.2 slots via adapter cards.
Workstation	Multiple GPUs for compute, professional sound cards, RAID controllers, or high-speed networking cards. Count your devices carefully as workstation builds use multiple slots.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI includes 5Gb Ethernet for wired networking.

• 5Gb Ethernet (Realtek 8126)

Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) handles most home internet connections and gaming. 2.5 Gigabit or faster Ethernet benefits multi-gigabit internet plans and large file transfers to network storage.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI includes Wi-Fi 7 wireless connectivity. Built-in Wi-Fi allows PC placement without running Ethernet cables. Wired Ethernet offers more consistent performance for competitive gaming, but modern Wi-Fi 6E/7 works well for most users. If your motherboard lacks Wi-Fi, you can add a PCIe Wi-Fi card later.

• Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
• 320MHz Channel Support: Yes (Wi-Fi 7 exclusive)
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Yes (Wi-Fi 7 feature for enhanced reliability)

Wi-Fi Version	Benefits
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Latest standard with 320 MHz channels, 4K-QAM, Multi-Link Operation (MLO). Backward compatible with older devices; Wi-Fi 7 client devices needed for full performance. Ideal for 8K streaming, VR/AR, and ultra-low latency applications.
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)	Adds 6 GHz band support for less congestion and interference. Excellent for gaming, 4K streaming, and high-bandwidth applications. Best choice for current high-performance builds.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Improved efficiency in crowded environments, better battery life for devices, lower latency. Current mainstream standard, great for most users.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	Previous generation, 5 GHz only. Still capable for basic needs but lacks efficiency improvements of Wi-Fi 6/6E/7.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI includes Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless keyboards, mice, headphones, and game controllers without USB dongles. Modern Bluetooth versions provide improved audio quality, range, and power efficiency.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI provides 10 rear panel USB ports with the following connector types, plus internal headers for front-panel connections.

Count	Standard	Speed	Connector	Features
3x	USB 10Gbps	10 Gbps	Type-C	-
2x	USB 10Gbps	10 Gbps	Type-A	-
1x	USB 5Gbps	5 Gbps	Type-A	-
4x	USB 2.0	480 Mbps	Type-A	-

Internal USB headers are connectors on the motherboard that allow you to connect front-panel USB ports on your case, USB hubs, or other internal devices.

Header Count	Ports per Header	Standard	Speed	Header Type
1x	-	USB 20Gbps	20 Gbps	Type-C
2x	2x	USB 5Gbps	5 Gbps	19-pin
2x	2x	USB 2.0	480 Mbps	9-pin

USB Standard	Max Speed	Best Use Cases
USB4 40Gbps / Thunderbolt 3/4	40 Gbps	High-end docking stations, external GPUs, ultra-fast NVMe SSDs, professional video capture, multi-display setups
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 / USB4 20Gbps	20 Gbps	High-speed external NVMe SSDs, 4K/8K video capture, fast file transfers
USB 3.2 Gen 2	10 Gbps	External SSDs, fast flash drives, high-resolution webcams, VR headsets
USB 3.2 Gen 1	5 Gbps	External hard drives, standard flash drives, hubs, general peripherals
USB 2.0	480 Mbps	Keyboards, mice, printers, older devices. Perfectly adequate for low-bandwidth peripherals.

Motherboard video outputs require a CPU with integrated graphics. The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI provides the following display outputs:

• 1x HDMI 2.1

Motherboards with video outputs enable troubleshooting even if you plan to use a dedicated GPU. If you're deciding between two similar motherboards and have a CPU with integrated graphics, prefer the one with video outputs; they add minimal cost.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI features a Realtek ALC4080 audio codec. Modern motherboard audio is sufficient for most users, including gaming and music listening. Consider a dedicated sound card or external DAC/amp for high-impedance headphones (250+ ohms), virtual surround sound processing for competitive gaming, or professional audio work requiring hardware DSP and ultra-low latency recording. For audiophile setups, external DAC/amps often provide better isolation from electrical interference than internal sound cards.

• Codec: Realtek ALC4080

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI provides 7 total fan headers (1 CPU, 6 chassis).

• CPU Fan Headers: 1
• Chassis Fan Headers: 6
• AIO Pump Header: Yes
• 12V RGB Headers: 1
• 5V Addressable RGB Headers: 3

• CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD

  Supports AM5:	YES
  Max TDP:	350 watt
  Type:	Liquid Cooler

• Check the latest price of the CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD on Amazon

• This cooler is designed to fit Intel and AMD sockets, including the following models: Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, sTRX4, sTR4 (Intel LGA 1700 is supported with CW-8960091 or CW-8960093 kits).

• 350-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).

• It provides powerful low-noise cooling and RGB lighting with a customizable LCD display that can display your CPU temperature or other graphics. As I explored the world of LED displays on CPU coolers, I discovered their captivating appeal. These displays have transformed my systems' visual aesthetics.

• It has 120mm CORSAIR ML RGB ELITE magnetic levitation fans for great CPU cooling performance.

• Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space!

• Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID 360 ARGB Sync

  Supports AM5:	YES
  Max TDP:	250 watt
  Type:	Liquid Cooler

• Check the latest price of the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID 360 ARGB Sync on Amazon

• TOUGHLIQUID Series is designed to fit Intel and AMD sockets, including the following models: Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2011-v3, 2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2, FM1.

• We estimate that this supports roughly a 250-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).

• This Liquid cooler supports 5V RGB compatible motherboards.

• Equipped with a TOUGHFAN 12 2000-RPM fan and supports ARGB lighting on the waterblock. Even without a full LED display, ARGB lighting creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle when I use it in my builds.

• Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space. There is a smaller version available, if needed.

• Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler

  Supports AM5:	YES
  Max TDP:	220 watt
  Type:	Heatsink & Fans

• Check the latest price of the Noctua NH-D15 on Amazon

• Dual 140 mm fans provide 220-watt TDP (183 NSPR) of cooling capability.

• Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM2+.

• Quiet operation at 24.6 dBA.

The MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI uses the ATX form factor.

• Size: Standard ATX (305mm × 244mm / 12" × 9.6")
• Case Compatibility: Fits most mid-tower and full-tower cases
• Expansion: Maximum expansion slot availability (typically 7 slots)
• Best For: Full-featured builds with multiple GPUs or expansion cards

ATX is the most common motherboard size. It provides space for cooling, multiple GPUs, and extensive connectivity.

• CPU Coolers
• Power Supplies
• Computer Cases
• Monitors