It's been two years since the launch of the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 family. While the 600-series motherboards provide great features & compatibility with newer Zen 5 CPUs, motherboard makers are always looking to enhance user experiences through the latest technologies which is why AMD has introduced a new chipset line called 800-series.
Today, the first wave of AMD 800-series motherboards is hitting shelves in the form of the X870E for Enthusiasts and X870 for high-end gamers. Both of these chips provide brand-new designs and brand-new features that are sure to entice new AMD builders and older AM4 users into investing in a new motherboard for their gaming and content creation needs.
We received a load of motherboards from various manufacturers so let's start by taking a look at these updated designs. For this review, we will be testing out three MSI X870 series motherboards, the MPG X870E EDGE TI WIFI, the MAG X870E Tomahawk WIFI, and the MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI.
The AMD AM5 Platform
The AMD AM4 platform has been the longest-running modern-day platform to date which was first introduced in 2017 & is very much alive and kicking in 2024. The company just recently launched new chips for the platform and it looks like it will stick around for another year till 2025.
AMD is now launching its 2nd Generation AM5 platform under the new 800-series family. The lineup will initially target the high-end enthusiasts with the X870E and X870 chipsets. These chipsets are designed to offer better features, IO memory support, and additional OC features for Ryzen CPUs such as the Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 "Granite Ridge" family and future Ryzen launches.
Certain aspects that have been upgraded on the AMD X870E & X870 motherboards include:
- USB 4.0 standard on all X870/X870E motherboards
- PCIe Gen5 on Graphics & NVME on all X870/X870E motherboards
- Higher EXPO memory clock support on X870/X870E motherboards
AMD did disclose that there would be new PBO and CO algorithms introduced with Ryzen 9000 CPUs and these new motherboards will fully support them out of the box. In addition to the X870E and X870 motherboards, the company also plans to introduce its B850 & B840 chipsets which will serve the mainstream segment. Following is what the chipset lineup will look like:
- X870E (Promontory 21 x2)
- X870 (Promontory 21 x1)
- B650 (Promonotory 21 x1)
- B840 (Promontory 19 x1)
So in terms of what each chipset offers, the X870E series will use two Promontory 21 dies on the motherboards with support of USB4 & both Gen5 GPU/SSD support. X870 (Non-E) will feature just 1 of the dies but retain the same support in terms of I/O. Just the lanes will be fewer.
AMD Chipset Features and Specifications:
| Wccftech | X870E | X870 | X670E/X670 | B650E/B650 | A620 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossfireX/SLI | 2-Way CFX | 2-Way CFX | 2-Way CFX | 2-Way CFX | N/A |
| CPU Lanes (Usable) | 24 Gen 5 (with Ryzen 7000 CPUs & above) | 24 Gen 5 (with Ryzen 7000 CPUs & above) | 24 Gen 5 (with Ryzen 7000 CPUs & above) | 24 Gen 5 (with Ryzen 7000 CPUs & above) 24 Gen 4 for B650 | 24 Gen 4 (with Ryzen 7000 CPUs & above) |
| PCH Lanes (Usable) | 8 Gen4 12 Gen3 | 4 Gen4 8 Gen3 | 12 Gen4 8 Gen3 | 8 Gen4 4 Gen3 | 8 Gen 3 |
| USB4 | Standard | Standard | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| USB 3.1/3.2 Gen2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| USB 3.1/3.2 Gen1 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| USB 2.0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| SATA 6Gb/s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| DDR5 DIMMs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| DDR4 DIMMs | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Overclocking Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| XFR2 Enhanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Precision Boost Overdrive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| NVMe | Yes (Gen 5.0) | Yes (Gen 5.0) | Yes (Gen 5.0) | Yes (Gen 5.0) | N/A |
| Form Factor | ATX/ITX | ATX/mATX/ITX | ATX/mATX/ITX | ATX/mATX/ITX | mATX/ITX |
The motherboards will feature support for DDR5-5600 MT/s memory speeds natively and over 8000 MT/s transfer rates on some of the high-end motherboards that we will be getting by the July timeframe.
The AMD B850 motherboards will feature the same Promontory 21 die minus the native USB4 support. They will carry Gen5 GPU support but Gen5 M.2 support will be optional. The B840 will be the entry-level option within the series with the older Promontory 19 die which means you will get just Gen4 GPU/SSD support, no CPU overclocking and only memory overclock support. The B840 motherboards are going to be very affordable in terms of pricing so that will be competitive against sub-$200 US options from Intel.
AMD will also have the A620/A620A series continuing its role to serve the entry-level segment. There are plans to offer even more price adjustments, making them a viable option for ODMs and system builders to attract more customers.
AMD AM5 Chipset Comparisons:
| Chipset Name | PCIe Lanes Gen (PCH) | USB Support (Max) | Overclocking Support | Graphics Configs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X870E | Gen5 (GPU & NVMe) | USB4 | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| X670E | Gen5 (GPU & NVMe) | USB 3.2 (20 Gbps) USB4 (Optional) | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| X870 | Gen5 (GPU & NVMe) | USB4 | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| X670 | Gen5 (NVMe) Gen4 (GPU) | USB 3.2 (20 Gbps) USB4 (Optional) | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| B850 | Gen5 (NVMe / GPU Opt) Gen4 (GPU) | USB 3.2 (20 Gbps) | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| B650E | Gen5 (NVMe / GPU) | USB 3.2 (20 Gbps) USB4 (Optional) | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| B650 | Gen5 (NVMe) Gen4 (GPU) | USB 3.2 (20 Gbps) USB4 (Optional) | CPU+Memory | 1x16, 2x8 |
| B840 | Gen3 (NVMe / GPU) | USB 3.2 (10 Gbps) | Memory Only | 1x16 |
| A620 | Gen4 (NVMe / GPU) | USB3.2 (10 Gbps) USB4 (Optional) | Memory Only | 1x16 |
Meet The LGA 1718 Socket - How Long Will This One Last?
As mentioned earlier, AM4's reign is finally over and the AM5 socket is here now. The new socket moves from a PGA (Pin-Grid-Array) design to an LGA (Land-Grid-Array) layout. The new LGA 1718 socket offers more pin connections to the CPU, allowing for more communication channels with the board itself and enabling support for enhanced features that the new platform has to offer.
As for longevity, AMD has committed to a 2027+ plan for its latest AM5 socket. The AM4 platform is a testament to AMD's support for its consumers and while the newer 500-series lineup was locked out initially, the company and its partners worked towards extending support for older processors on the newer chipsets and newer CPUs on older motherboards. The AM4 platform continues to be the best seller in the Ryzen lineup but that would change with the introduction of more budget and feature-rich designs for the AM5 socket like the 800-series.
Cooler Compatibility With AM5 Socket
The AMD Ryzen 7000/8000/9000 Desktop CPUs will feature a perfect square shape (45x45mm) but will house a very chonky integrated heat spreader or IHS. The CPUs will be the same length, width, and height as the existing Ryzen Desktop CPUs and are sealed across the sides so applying thermal paste won't fill the interior of the IHS with TIM. That's also why current coolers will be fully compatible with the latest Ryzen CPUs.
The MSI MPG X870E Edge Ti WiFi motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is an MPG product which refers to MSI Performance Gaming. The packaging also lists down a few features such as 40G USB ports, 5G LAN, WIFI7, and support for PCIe 5.0 (GPU/NVMe), DDR5 & Overclocking.
The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard such as the 14 Duet Rail power system, the premium thermal design, the EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II SSD heatsinks, EZ PCIe release, Lightning Gen5 slots, USB 40G, WIFI7 with Bluetooth 5.4 and 5G LAN.
Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. You get a Quick Installation Guide, a Cable Sticker sheet, a Shot Out Flyer, an EZ Wi-Fi Antenna, an EZ M.2 Clip II, an EZ M.2 Clip II Remover, 1 to 3 EZ Conn-Cable (V2), two SATA Cables, and an EZ Front Panel cable.
With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package.
The MSI MPG X870E Edge Ti WIFI motherboard is a standard ATX offering that measures 243.84 x 304.8 mm. The motherboard carries a white color scheme with a few silver and grey accents on the heatsinks, mainly to mark the different logos. The overall theme is very nice and looks great for an all-white PC build.
MSI has gone with a very premium design for its latest X870E Edge TI WIFI design which comes with various heatsinks and covers, some of which feature RGB-lit illumination and the overall theme of the board is very much inclined towards the gaming audiences.
The board uses the LGA 1718 socket to support AMD Ryzen "AM5" processors. The socket works with Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000G, and Ryzen 9000 CPUs and will also support future generations of AM5 Ryzen chips that are supported by the platform.
Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.
These slots are rated to support XMP profiles up to 8400 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. Each slot is also combined with a reinforced design to make sure signal integrity remains good while keeping the slots durable for long-term usage. The full QVL list can be found here.
Furthermore, MSI also lists support for CUDIMM memory but only in Clock Driver bypass mode which is essentially going to run the CUDIMM as a standard UDIMM. Manual overclocking will be available on CUDIMM modules after a restart but certain CPUs may fail to boot with this type of memory installed and MSI is working towards a new BIOS to improve compatibility for CUDIMM & CPUs.
The MSI MPG X870E Edge TI WIFI motherboard features a 14+2+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX) phase Duet Rail power delivery that utilizes 80A Power Stages.
The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the AM5 socket. The board uses an 8-layer NPG-170D server-grade PCB with 2oz Thickened copper.
The VRMs receive ample cooling from the Frozr Thermal solution. These include an extended heat sink, M.2 Shield Frozr, and Enlarged PCH heatsinks.
The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 300 Watts of power. The AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs are very power-hungry with the maximum target power going above 220W for the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X CPU.
Coming to the Frozr heatsink solution, we first have the extended heatsink which makes use of two aluminum blocks with a series of fins that are stacked on top of each other. The heatsink features a heat pipe solution that connects the MOS heatsinks, offering a larger surface for thermal dissipation.
Underneath the VRM heatsink are 7W/mK Thermal pads which transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink. A single 3-pin header powers the RGB lighting on the IO cover.
Expansion slots include three PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 1x Gen 5.0 x4 / 1x Gen 4.0x4) and four M.2 slots. The first and second Gen5 slots share bandwidth with the second M.2 slot so keep that in mind when installing a Gen5 SSD into the slot.
- PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
- PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
- PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot and the MSI also features its EZ PCIE release mechanism which provides for a seamless removal of graphics cards. Just push the EZ release button and you can remove the graphics card with ease.
The motherboard also has a vast array of M.2 slots, all of which are featured under dedicated M.2 Frozr heatsinks.
One of the larger heatsinks also works as a cover plate for the motherboard's lower portion. It has the MPG logo on it and underneath, you can find dual-sided thermal pads. You need to remove the plastic sticker from the thermal pads before installing a new SSD for proper heat transfer. The whole cover is easy to remove thanks to the EZ M.2 mechanism. You have to push the metal bracket inwards and the whole panel will pop out. It's also fairly easy to install back as the latches have magnetic locks that secure the panel in place.
The primary M.2 Shield Frozr heatsink is the bigger one and provides better cooling to a Gen5 M.2 SSD. This has the same latching mechanism as the M.2 SSDs and comes with a nice reflective EDGE logo on the front.
Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the MSI MPG X870E EDGE TI WIFI motherboard:
- M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 22110/2280 devices
- M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
- M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
- M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
The X870E PCH is housed beneath a large heatsink with the MPG logo etched over it. This has a reflective touch which looks nice.
The motherboard offers a single RGB accent zone on the I/O cover which has the "Dragon" logo, and. This can be turned off or can be customized using MSI's Mystic Light software through its MSI Center application.
Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support 4 different storage devices at once. For the front IO, you get 4 USB 2.0 ports and a single USB Type-C 20Gbps port.
MSI uses a 7.1 CH HD audio design with the latest Realtek ALC4080 CODEC.
There is a large selection of connectors on the motherboard and one of the highlights is the 8-pin power connector for PCIe Gen5 ports which should provide additional power when running multi-GPU solutions for AI purposes. This PEG connector can offer up to 150W of power through the PCIe slots and can also increase the maximum excursion rating by 2.5x.
Other than that, you get an EZ DEBUG LED, an EZ Digi-DEBUG LED with temperature monitoring, and a range of fan/RGB headers.
The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.
- 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
- 2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
- 1x Power Connector(PCIE_PWR 8pin)
- 1x CPU Fan
- 1x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan)
- 6x System Fan
- 1x EZ Conn-header (JAF_2)
- 2x Front Panel (JFP)
- 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
- 1x Front Audio (JAUD)
- 3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
- 1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
- 1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
- 4x USB 2.0 ports
- 4x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
- 1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports
MSI is using the latest WIFI 7 Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.4. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single LAN port powered by the 5GbE RTL8126 controller.
The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:
- Clear CMOS Button
- USB 10Gbps Type-A
- USB 2.0
- 5G LAN
- Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
- Audio Connectors
- Flash BIOS Button
- HDMI
- USB 40Gbps Type-C
- USB 10Gbps Type-A
- USB 10Gbps Type-C
- Optical S/PDIF Out
The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is a MAG product that refers to MSI Arsenal Gaming. The packaging also lists down a few features such as 40G USB ports, 5G LAN, WIFI7, and support for PCIe 5.0 (GPU/NVMe), DDR5 & Overclocking.
The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard such as the 14 Duet Rail power system, the EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II SSD heatsinks, EZ PCIe release, Lightning Gen5 slots, Quadruple M.2 connectors, USB 40G, WIFI7 with Bluetooth 5.4 and 5G LAN.
Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. You get a Quick Installation Guide, a Cable Sticker sheet, a Shot Out Flyer, a USB Drive, an EZ Wi-Fi Antenna, an M.2 Plate Screw, an EZ M.2 Clip II Remover, 1 to 3 EZ Conn-Cable (V2), two SATA Cables, and an EZ Front Panel cable.
With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package.
The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WIFI motherboard is a standard ATX offering that measures 243.84 x 304.8 mm. The motherboard carries the standard Tomahawk and MAG series theme with an all-black color scheme and a few green logos.
The MAG Tomahawk series is regarded as one of the best value options for those who are looking for high-end features. These boards may not be the most flashy ones around but they come with a great set of features and specs along with strong support for the latest AMD Ryzen CPUs on the market.
The board uses the LGA 1718 socket to support AMD Ryzen "AM5" processors. The socket works with Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000G, and Ryzen 9000 CPUs and will also support future generations of AM5 Ryzen chips that are supported by the platform.
Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.
These slots are rated to support XMP profiles up to 8400 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. Each slot is also combined with a reinforced design to make sure signal integrity remains good while keeping the slots durable for long-term usage. The full QVL list can be found here.
Furthermore, MSI also lists support for CUDIMM memory but only in Clock Driver bypass mode which is essentially going to run the CUDIMM as a standard UDIMM. Manual overclocking will be available on CUDIMM modules after a restart but certain CPUs may fail to boot with this type of memory installed and MSI is working towards a new BIOS to improve compatibility for CUDIMM & CPUs.
The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WIFI motherboard features a 14+2+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX) phase Duet Rail power delivery that is controlled by the MPS2421 "MP2857" PWM and utilizes MPS2429 80A Power Stages.
The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the AM5 socket. The board uses an 8-layer NPG-170D server-grade PCB with 2oz Thickened copper.
The VRMs receive ample cooling from the Frozr Thermal solution. These include an extended heat sink, M.2 Shield Frozr, and Enlarged PCH heatsinks.
The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 300 Watts of power. The AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs are very power-hungry with the maximum target power going above 220W for the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X CPU.
Coming to the Frozr heatsink solution, we first have the extended heatsink which makes use of two aluminum blocks with a series of fins that are stacked on top of each other.
Underneath the VRM heatsink are 7W/mK Thermal pads which transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink.
Expansion slots include three PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 1x Gen 5.0 x4 / 1x Gen 4.0x4) and four M.2 slots. The first and second Gen5 slots share bandwidth with the second M.2 slot so keep that in mind when installing a Gen5 SSD into the slot.
- PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
- PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
- PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot and the MSI also features its EZ PCIE release mechanism which provides for a seamless removal of graphics cards. Just push the EZ release button and you can remove the graphics card with ease.
The motherboard also has a vast array of M.2 slots, all of which are featured under dedicated M.2 Frozr heatsinks.
All of the heatsinks are easy to remove thanks to the EZ M.2 mechanism. You have to push the metal bracket inwards and the whole panel will pop out. It's also fairly easy to install back as the latches have magnetic locks that secure the panel in place.
The primary M.2 Shield Frozr heatsink is the bigger one and provides better cooling to a Gen5 M.2 SSD. This has the same latching mechanism as the M.2 SSDs and comes with a Tomahawk logo at the front. Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WIFI motherboard:
- M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 22110/2280 devices
- M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
- M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
- M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
The X870E PCH is housed beneath a large heatsink with the MAG logo etched over it.
The motherboard has no RGB LEDs on its own but comes with 3 ARGB and 1 RGB LED connectors for users to personalize their PCs using the MSI Mystic RGB software.
Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support 4 different storage devices at once. For the front IO, you get 4 USB 2.0 ports and a single USB Type-C 20Gbps port.
MSI uses a 7.1 CH HD audio design with the latest Realtek ALC4080 CODEC.
There is a large selection of connectors on the motherboard and one of the highlights is the 8-pin power connector for PCIe Gen5 ports which should provide additional power when running multi-GPU solutions for AI purposes. This PEG connector can offer up to 150W of power through the PCIe slots and can also increase the maximum excursion rating by 2.5x.
Other than that, you get an EZ DEBUG LED, an EZ Digi-DEBUG LED with temperature monitoring, and a range of fan/RGB headers.
The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.
- 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
- 2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
- 1x Power Connector(PCIE_PWR 8pin)
- 1x CPU Fan
- 1x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan)
- 6x System Fan
- 1x EZ Conn-header (JAF_2)
- 2x Front Panel (JFP)
- 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
- 1x Front Audio (JAUD)
- 3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
- 1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
- 1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
- 4x USB 2.0 ports
- 4x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
- 1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports
MSI is using the latest WIFI 7 Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.4. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single LAN port powered by the 5GbE RTL8126 controller.
The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:
- Clear CMOS Button
- USB 10Gbps Type-A
- USB 5Gbps Type-A
- USB 2.0
- 5G LAN
- Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
- Audio connectors
- Flash BIOS Button
- HDMI
- USB 40Gbps Type-C
- USB 10Gbps Type-C
- USB 10Gbps Type-A
The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is a MAG product that refers to MSI Arsenal Gaming. The packaging also lists down a few features such as 40G USB ports, 5G LAN, WIFI7, and support for PCIe 5.0 (GPU/NVMe), DDR5 & Overclocking.
The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard such as the 14 Duet Rail power system, the EZ M.2 Shield Frozr II SSD heatsinks, EZ PCIe release, Lightning Gen5 slots, Quadruple M.2 connectors, USB 40G, WIFI7 with Bluetooth 5.4 and 5G LAN.
Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. You get a Quick Installation Guide, a Cable Sticker sheet, a Shot Out Flyer, a USB Drive, an EZ Wi-Fi Antenna, an M.2 Plate Screw, 3x EZ M.2 Clip 2, an EZ M.2 Clip II Remover, 1 to 3 EZ Conn-Cable (V2), two SATA Cables, and an EZ Front Panel cable.
With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package.
The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI motherboard is a standard ATX offering that measures 243.84 x 304.8 mm. The motherboard carries the standard Tomahawk and MAG series theme with an all-black color scheme and a few green logos.
The MAG Tomahawk series is regarded as one of the best value options for those who are looking for high-end features. These boards may not be the most flashy ones around but they come with a great set of features and specs along with strong support for the latest AMD Ryzen CPUs on the market.
The board uses the LGA 1718 socket to support AMD Ryzen "AM5" processors. The socket works with Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000G, and Ryzen 9000 CPUs and will also support future generations of AM5 Ryzen chips that are supported by the platform.
Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.
These slots are rated to support XMP profiles up to 8400 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. Each slot is also combined with a reinforced design to make sure signal integrity remains good while keeping the slots durable for long-term usage. The full QVL list can be found here.
Furthermore, MSI also lists support for CUDIMM memory but only in Clock Driver bypass mode which is essentially going to run the CUDIMM as a standard UDIMM. Manual overclocking will be available on CUDIMM modules after a restart but certain CPUs may fail to boot with this type of memory installed and MSI is working towards a new BIOS to improve compatibility for CUDIMM & CPUs.
The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI motherboard features a 14+2+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX) phase Duet Rail power delivery that is controlled by the MPS2421 "MP2857" PWM and utilizes MPS2429 80A Power Stages.
The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the AM5 socket. The board uses an 8-layer NPG-170D server-grade PCB with 2oz Thickened copper.
The VRMs receive ample cooling from the Frozr Thermal solution. These include an extended heat sink, M.2 Shield Frozr, and Enlarged PCH heatsinks.
The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 300 Watts of power. The AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs are very power-hungry with the maximum target power going above 220W for the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X CPU.
Coming to the Frozr heatsink solution, we first have the extended heatsink which makes use of two aluminum blocks with a series of fins that are stacked on top of each other.
Underneath the VRM heatsink are 7W/mK Thermal pads which transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink.
Expansion slots include three PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 1x Gen 5.0 x4 / 1x Gen 4.0x4) and four M.2 slots. The first and second Gen5 slots share bandwidth with the second M.2 slot so keep that in mind when installing a Gen5 SSD into the slot.
- PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
- PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
- PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot and the MSI also features its EZ PCIE release mechanism which provides for a seamless removal of graphics cards. Just push the EZ release button and you can remove the graphics card with ease.
The motherboard also has a vast array of M.2 slots, all of which are featured under dedicated M.2 Frozr heatsinks.
All of the heatsinks are easy to remove thanks to the EZ M.2 mechanism. You have to push the metal bracket inwards and the whole panel will pop out. It's also fairly easy to install back as the latches have magnetic locks that secure the panel in place.
The primary M.2 Shield Frozr heatsink is the bigger one and provides better cooling to a Gen5 M.2 SSD. This has the same latching mechanism as the M.2 SSDs and comes with a Tomahawk logo at the front. Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI motherboard:
- M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 22110/2280 devices
- M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
- M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
- M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices
The X870E PCH is housed beneath a large heatsink with the MAG logo etched over it.
The motherboard has no RGB LEDs on its own but comes with 3 ARGB and 1 RGB LED connector for users to personalize their PCs using the MSI Mystic RGB software.
Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support 4 different storage devices at once. For the front IO, you get 4 USB 2.0 ports and a single USB Type-C 20Gbps port.
MSI uses a 7.1 CH HD audio design with the latest Realtek ALC4080 CODEC.
There is a large selection of connectors on the motherboard and one of the highlights is the 8-pin power connector for PCIe Gen5 ports which should provide additional power when running multi-GPU solutions for AI purposes. This PEG connector can offer up to 150W of power through the PCIe slots and can also increase the maximum excursion rating by 2.5x.
Other than that, you get an EZ DEBUG LED, an EZ Digi-DEBUG LED with temperature monitoring, and a range of fan/RGB headers.
The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.
- 1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
- 2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
- 1x Power Connector(PCIE_PWR 8pin)
- 1x CPU Fan
- 1x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan)
- 6x System Fan
- 1x EZ Conn-header (JAF_2)
- 2x Front Panel (JFP)
- 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
- 1x Front Audio (JAUD)
- 3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
- 1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
- 1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
- 4x USB 2.0 ports
- 4x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
- 1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports
MSI is using the latest WIFI 7 Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.4. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single LAN port powered by the 5GbE RTL8126-CG controller.
The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:
- Clear CMOS Button
- USB 10Gbps Type-A
- USB 5Gbps Type-A
- USB 2.0
- 5G LAN
- Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
- Audio connectors
- Flash BIOS Button
- HDMI
- USB 40Gbps Type-C
- USB 10Gbps Type-C
- USB 10Gbps Type-A
For testing, I used the Ryzen 9 9950X CPU which was sent to us by AMD on a range of X870E and X870 motherboards.
AMD 800-series "AM5" Motherboard Test Platform:
| Processors | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WIFI (7E51v1A24) MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI (7E59v2A3) MSI MPG X870E EDGE TI WIFI (7E59v1A2) MSI MPG X870E Carbon WIFI (7E49v1A12 AGESA 1.2.0.2) ASRock X870E Taichi (3.08 AGESA 1.2.0.2) ASRock X870E Taichi LITE (3.08 AGESA 1.2.0.2) ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi (3.08 AGESA 1.2.0.2) AORUS X870 ELITE WIFI7 ICE (F3B AGESA 1.2.0.2) |
| Power Supply | FSP Hydro G 1200W PSU |
| Solid State Drive | Crucial T700 2 TB Gen5 SSD |
| Memory | T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 (CL34 2 x 16 GB) |
| Video Cards | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition |
| Cooling Solutions | Arctic Liquid Freezer III 420mm AIO |
| OS | Windows 11 64-bit |
Our test rig includes the Crucial T700 2 TB Gen5 SSD that boots up our main OS. In addition to these, we are running an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics card and an FSP Hydro G 1200W PSU. For this specific review, we used the T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 memory kit running at CL34 timings.
3DMark CPU Profile Benchmark
Instead of producing a single number, the 3DMark CPU Profile shows you how your CPU's performance changes and scales with the number of cores and threads used. The 3DMark CPU Profile has six tests that help you benchmark and compare CPU performance for gaming and other activities.
3DMark CPU Profile (Max Threads) (Higher is Better)
Blender
Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, and even video editing and game creation.
Blender 2.8 (Lower is Better)
Cinebench 2024
Cinebench 2024 utilizes the power of Redshift, Cinema 4D's default rendering engine, to evaluate your computer's CPU and GPU capabilities. Cinebench 2024 is designed to accommodate a broad range of hardware configurations - while it seamlessly supports x86/64 architecture (Intel/AMD) on Windows and macOS.
Cinebench 2024 (Higher is Better)
Cinebench R23
Cinebench is a real-world cross-platform test suite that evaluates your computer’s hardware capabilities. Improvements to Cinebench Release 20 reflect the overall advancements to CPU and rendering technology in recent years, providing a more accurate measurement of Cinema 4D’s ability to take advantage of multiple CPU cores and modern processor features available to the average user.
Cinebench R23 (Higher is Better)
CPU-Z
CPUz is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system such as the Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels, Mainboard, chipset, Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD), and Real-time measurement of each core's internal frequency, memory frequency.
CPU-z (Higher is Better)
Geekbench 6
Geekbench 6 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures your system's performance with the press of a button.
Geekbench 6 (Higher is Better)
HandBrake
HandBrake is a tool for converting video from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs.
Handbrake (Higher is Better)
PCMark 10
PCMark 10 is a complete PC benchmarking solution for Windows 10. It includes several tests that combine individual workloads covering storage, computation, image and video manipulation, web browsing, and gaming. Specifically designed for the full range of PC hardware from netbooks and tablets to notebooks and desktops, PCMark 10 offers complete Windows PC performance testing for home and business use.
PCMark 10 (Higher is Better)
POV-Ray
The POV-Ray package includes detailed instructions on using the ray tracer and creating scenes. Many stunning scenes are included with POV-Ray so you can start creating images immediately when you get the package.
POV-Ray 3.7 (Higher is Better)
SuperPI
Super PI is used by many overclockers to test the performance and stability of their computers. In the overclocking community, the standard program provides a benchmark for enthusiasts to compare “world record” pi calculation times and demonstrate their overclocking abilities. The program can also be used to test the stability of a certain overclock speed.
SuperPi 32M (Lower is Better)
WinRAR
WinRAR is a powerful archive manager. It can back up your data and reduce the size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP, and other files downloaded from the Internet, and create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format.
Winrar (Lower is Better)
V-Ray Render Benchmark
V-Ray Benchmark is a free standalone application to test how fast your system renders. Three custom-built test scenes are also included to put each V-Ray 6 render engine through its paces.
V-Ray 6 (Higher is Better)
Battlefield V
Battlefield V brings back the action of the World War 2 shooter genre. Using the latest Frostbite tech, the game does a good job of looking gorgeous in all ways possible. From the open-world environments to the intense and gun-blazing action, this multiplayer and single-player FPS title is one of the best-looking Battlefields to date. The game was tested at max settings at 1440p.
Battlefield V (2K)
Battlefield V (2K) PBO+CO
DOOM Eternal
DOOM Eternal brings hell to earth with the Vulkan-powered idTech 7. We test this game using the Ultra Nightmare Preset and follow our in-game benchmarking to stay as consistent as possible.
DOOM (2K)
DOOM (2K) PBO+CO
GTA V
GTA V is one handsomely optimized title for the PC audience. It's scalable across various PC configurations and delivers an impressive frame rate. Rockstar did an amazing job with the PC build of GTA V and it comes with a large array of settings that can be configured by PC gamers. We tested the title at 1440P with everything set to Ultra and 4x MSAA.
GTA V (2K)
GTA V (2K) PBO+CO
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus continues the journey of Artyom through the nuclear wasteland of Russia and its surroundings. This time, you are set over the Metro, going through various regions and different environments. The game is one of the premier titles to feature NVIDIA’s RTX technology and does well in showcasing the ray-tracing effects in all corners. The game was tested at Ultra setting with RTX settings turned off at 1440p.
Metro Exodus (2K)
Metro Exodus (2K) PBO+CO
Shadow of The Tomb Raider
Sequel to The Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow of The Tomb Raider is visually enhanced with an updated Foundation Engine that delivers realistic facial animations and the most gorgeous environments ever seen in a Tomb Raider Game. The game is a technical marvel and shows the power of its graphics engine in the latest title.
Shadow of The Tomb Raider (2K)
Shadow of The Tomb Raider (2K) PBO+CO
The AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs come in the same two or three chiplet configurations as the Ryzen 7000 series with one or two of which are the aforementioned AMD Zen 4 CCDs fabricated on the 4nm process node. Then we have the larger die around the center, the IOD, based on a 6nm process node. The AMD Ryzen 9000 CCD measures a die size of 70.6mm2 and features a total of 8.6 Billion transistors per CCD. The IOD has a die size of 122m2 and features 3.4 billion transistors.
Scattered around the package are several SMDs (capacitors/resistors) that usually sit under the package substrate if we consider Intel's CPUs. AMD is instead featuring them on the top layer and as such, they had to design a new kind of IHS which is internally referred to as the Octopus.
Power Consumption (Stock System) Stress Test
Power Consumption (Stock) Gaming Test
Power Consumption (Stress PBO+CO) Cinebench Test
AMD's Ryzen 9000 Desktop CPUs utilize a brand new Zen 5 core architecture that is built on the 4nm process node as such, these chips are designed to be extremely efficient. The chips feature gold-plated IHS for efficient thermal transfer.
Temperatures (Stock)
Temperatures (Stress PBO+CO) Cinebench Test
The MSI 800-series lineup is full of some great options for AMD Ryzen PC builders. We tested the X870E Carbon WIFI a few months ago and today, we looked at three more options in the MPG & MAG lineups, all of which feature very similar specs and prices.
All three motherboards performed well with AMD's top Ryzen 9 9950X CPU so you can expect great compatibility with the current X3D options such as the 9800X3D but are also ready with support for upcoming Ryzen 9 9950X3D/9900X3D CPUs with the latest BIOS which is already available. The trio also supported fast DDR5-7600 memory without any hiccups and you can get up to 256 GB support with quad-DIMMs though you would have to keep in mind that 4 DIMMs will run at lower speeds & that's a limitation of the AM5 platform and the CPUs, not necessarily these motherboards.
In terms of IO, all motherboards have a huge array of USB ports, 21 on each to be precise. While the MAG Tomahawk has more selection of USB 5Gbps ports, the EDGE TI WIFI has more 10 Gbps ports.
MSI MPG X870E EDGE TI WIFI USB Options:
- 4x USB 2.0 (Rear)
- 4x USB 2.0 (Front)
- 4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
- 5x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
- 1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Rear)
- 1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Front)
- 2x USB 40Gbps Type C (Rear)
MSI MAG X870E/X870 Tomahawk WIFI USB Options:
- 4x USB 2.0 (Rear)
- 4x USB 2.0 (Front)
- 3x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
- 4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
- 2x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
- 1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Rear)
- 1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Front)
- 2x USB 40Gbps Type C (Rear)
Besides that, all three motherboards are outfitted with 5GbE LAN ports, WIFI7/BT5.4 wireless connectivity, and four M.2 slots, all of which come with dedicated heatsinks. Due to its limited chipset specs, the X870 Tomahawk does lose out a bit on the M.2 side as more x4 lanes will be shifting to x2 speeds when PCIe express slots are being used. But the good thing is MSI doesn't cut out on the EZ side of things with several EZ M.2 and EZ PCIe slots on the boards making it easier for users to install or remove devices with ease. The motherboards also come with Debug LEDs and a DEBUG Postcode for handy diagnosis. You get Clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback buttons on the back side of each motherboard too.
If you are still relying on an HDD for that extra storage boost, then you get four SATA III slots on each motherboard. There are also four RGB/ARGB headers and a wide array of CPU fan headers. Design-wise, the Tomahawk series keeps things simplistic but the matte black colors will go great with a majority of PCs while the EDGE TI WIFI goes with a white color scheme and has a premium feel, perfect for those building white setups. The heatsinks do a pretty decent job in keeping things check under 60C and you can get a decent amount of overclock out of the CPU using this VRM setup.
Pricing-wise, the MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WIFI, and its X870 sibling are both priced at $299 US which makes the X870E option more worthwhile with its impressive set of features and loads of USB connectivity, it is one perfect motherboard for mainstream users who want to utilize AMD's X3D CPUs for their gaming setups while the $329 US is a reasonable premium for the white EDGE TI WIFI which looks so much better and retains all the specs and features while adding a bit more. MSI's mainstream MAG lineup and MPG series are a great option for Ryzen 9000 builders and you will be fully satisfied with these quality motherboards.
