Battle of the Budget Beasts: MSI vs. ASUS B650 Motherboards Unveiled
What To Know
- The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi has a slight edge over the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi in terms of connectivity.
- The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi has a slightly more intuitive BIOS layout, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi provides more granular control over overclocking parameters.
- The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi and the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi are priced competitively in the mid-range ATX motherboard segment.
The introduction of AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series processors has sparked a fierce competition among motherboard manufacturers to deliver the best platforms for these cutting-edge CPUs. Two standout contenders in this battle are the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi and the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi. In this comprehensive guide, we will compare these two motherboards in-depth to help you determine which one is the right choice for your next AMD-based build.
Features and Specifications
| Feature | MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi | ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| Chipset | B650 | B650 |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Power Delivery Phases | 16+2+1 | 16+2 |
| Memory Support | Up to 128GB DDR5 | Up to 128GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots | 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots |
| PCIe Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| USB Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 6x USB 3.2 Gen2, 6x USB 2.0 | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 6x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 |
| Networking | 2.5GbE LAN, WiFi 6E | 2.5GbE LAN, WiFi 6 |
Performance
Both the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi and the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi offer excellent performance for AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs. They provide ample power delivery and cooling to support even the most demanding processors. In terms of memory and storage performance, both motherboards support up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and feature multiple M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots for fast SSDs.
Connectivity
The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi has a slight edge over the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi in terms of connectivity. It includes a faster 2.5GbE LAN port and supports WiFi 6E, which offers improved speeds and reduced latency compared to WiFi 6. The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi, on the other hand, has more USB ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port.
Design and Aesthetics
The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi features a sleek and modern design with a black and silver color scheme. It has a large VRM heatsink with a metal backplate for enhanced cooling. The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi has a more rugged and military-inspired design with a black and yellow color scheme. It also has a large VRM heatsink and a reinforced backplate for durability.
BIOS and Overclocking
Both motherboards offer user-friendly BIOS interfaces with advanced overclocking options. The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi has a slightly more intuitive BIOS layout, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi provides more granular control over overclocking parameters. Overall, both motherboards provide ample flexibility for enthusiasts who want to push their systems to the limits.
Price and Value
The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi and the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi are priced competitively in the mid-range ATX motherboard segment. The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi typically sells for around $200, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi is slightly more expensive at around $220. Both motherboards offer good value for their respective price points, providing a solid foundation for a high-performance AMD Ryzen 7000 build.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The choice between the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi and the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize connectivity, aesthetics, and a more intuitive BIOS, the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi is a great choice. If you prefer a more rugged design, more USB ports, and more granular overclocking control, the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi is the better option.
Questions You May Have
1. Which motherboard has better VRM cooling?
Both motherboards have excellent VRM cooling solutions, but the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi has a slightly larger VRM heatsink with a metal backplate.
2. Which motherboard has more PCIe slots?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi has more PCIe slots, including an additional PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
3. Which motherboard has more storage options?
Both motherboards have four M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots, providing ample storage options for NVMe SSDs.
4. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
Both motherboards use the same Realtek ALC897 audio codec, so they offer similar audio quality.
5. Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
Both motherboards offer advanced overclocking options, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi provides more granular control over overclocking parameters.
