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Comparison MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI vs MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK

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MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI
MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK
MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFIMSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK
Compare prices 49Compare prices 34
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Featuresgaming for overclockinggaming for overclocking
SocketAMD AM4AMD AM4
Form factorATXATX
Power phases
13 /10+2+1/
13 /10+2+1/
VRM heatsink
LED lighting
Lighting syncMSI Mystic Light SyncMSI Mystic Light Sync
Size (HxW)305x244 mm305x244 mm
Chipset
ChipsetAMD B550AMD B550
BIOSAmiAmi
UEFI BIOS
RAM
DDR44 slot(s)4 slot(s)
Memory moduleDIMMDIMM
Operation mode2 channel2 channel
Max. clock frequency5100 MHz4866 MHz
Max. memory128 GB128 GB
XMP
Drive interface
SATA 3 (6Gbps)66
M.2 connector22
M.2
1xSATA/PCI-E 4x, 1xPCI-E 4x /M2_1 PCI-E 4.0/
1xSATA/PCI-E 4x, 1xPCI-E 4x
M.2 SSD cooling
Integrated RAID controller
 /RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10/
Expansion slots
1x PCI-E slots22
PCI-E 16x slots22
PCI Modes16x/4x16x/4x
PCI Express4.04.0
CrossFire (AMD)
Steel PCI-E connectors
 /PCI-E 4.0/
Internal connections
TPM connector
USB 2.022
USB 3.2 gen111
USB C 3.2 gen111
ARGB LED strip2
RGB LED strip2
/2x3-pin RAINBOW LED, 2x4-pin RGB LED/
More featuresChassis Intrusion
Video outputs
HDMI output
HDMI versionv.2.1
DisplayPort
Integrated audio
AudiochipRealtek ALC897Realtek ALC1200
Sound (channels)7.17.1
Optical S/P-DIF
Network interfaces
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
BluetoothBluetooth v 5.2
LAN (RJ-45)2.5 Gbps
2.5 Gbps /Realtek RTL8125B/
LAN ports12
LAN controllerRealtek RTL8125B
1xRealtek RTL8125B, 1xRealtek RTL8111H /Realtek RTL8111H (1Gb/s)/
External connections
USB 2.022
USB 3.2 gen122
USB 3.2 gen211
USB C 3.2 gen211
PS/211
BIOS FlashBack
Power connectors
Main power socket24 pin24 pin
CPU power8 pin8 pin
Fan power connectors88
CPU Fan 4-pin11
CPU/Water Pump Fan 4-pin11
Chassis/Water Pump Fan 4-pin66
Added to E-Catalogdecember 2022may 2020

Max. clock frequency

The maximum RAM clock speed supported by the motherboard. The actual clock frequency of the installed RAM modules should not exceed this indicator — otherwise, malfunctions are possible, and the capabilities of the “RAM” cannot be used to the fullest.

For modern PCs, a RAM frequency of 1500 – 2000 MHz or less is considered very low, 2000 – 2500 MHz is modest, 2500 – 3000 MHz is average, 3000 – 3500 MHz is above average, and the most advanced boards can support frequencies of 3500 – 4000 MHz and even more than 4000 MHz.

ARGB LED strip

Connector for connecting an addressable LED strip as a decorative lighting for a computer case. This type of "smart" tape is based on special LEDs, each of which consists of an LED light and a built-in controller, which allows you to flexibly control the luminosity using a special digital protocol and create amazing effects.

RGB LED strip

Connector for connecting a decorative LED strip and other devices with LED indication. Allows you to control the backlight of the case through the motherboard and customize the glow for your tasks, including synchronize it with other components.

HDMI version

HDMI connector version (see above) installed in the motherboard.

— v.1.4. The earliest of the standards found nowadays, which appeared back in 2009. Supports resolutions up to 4096x2160 inclusive and allows you to play Full HD video with a frame rate of up to 120 fps — this is enough even for 3D playback.

— v.1.4b. A modified version of v.1.4 described above, which introduced a number of minor updates and improvements — in particular, support for two additional 3D formats.

— v.2.0. Also known as HDMI UHD, this version introduced full 4K support, with frame rates up to 60 fps, as well as the ability to work with 21:9 ultra-widescreen video. In addition, thanks to the increased bandwidth, the number of simultaneously reproduced audio channels has grown to 32, and audio streams to 4. And in the v.2.0a improvement, HDR support has also been added to all this.

— v.2.1. Another name is HDMI Ultra High Speed. Compared to the previous version, the interface bandwidth has really increased significantly — it is enough to transmit video at resolutions up to 10K at 120 frames per second, as well as to work with the extended BT.2020 colour space (the latter may be useful for some professional tasks). HDMI Ultra High Speed cables are required to use the full capabilities of HDMI v2.1, but older standard features are available with regular cables.

Audiochip

The model of the audio chip (a module for processing and outputting sound) installed on the motherboard. Data on the exact name of the sound chip will be useful when looking for detailed information about it.

Modern "motherboards" can be equipped with fairly advanced audio modules, with high sound quality and extensive features, which makes them suitable even for gaming and multimedia PCs (although professional audio work will still most likely require a separate sound card). Here are the most popular modern audio chips: Realtek ALC887, Realtek ALC892, Realtek ALC1150, Realtek ALC1200, Realtek ALC1220, Realtek ALC4050, Realtek ALC4080, Supreme FX.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi version (standard) supported by the motherboard Wi-Fi module. The main function of such modules, regardless of version, is Internet access via wireless routers; however, Wi-Fi can also be used to communicate directly with other devices—for example, to transfer content from a digital camera or control it remotely.

Nowadays you can find support for different Wi-Fi standards (up to Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7). The maximum connection speed primarily depends on this nuance. At the same time, different versions also differ in the ranges used; and they are compatible with each other if they coincide in the ranges used. However, wireless modules of modern motherboards often support not only the Wi-Fi standard specified in the specifications, but also earlier ones; It doesn’t hurt to clarify this point separately, but in most cases there are no compatibility problems. However, to use all the features of a particular version, it must be supported by both devices - both the motherboard and the external device.

The list of major versions looks like this:

- Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g). The oldest standard that is relevant today, in its pure form, is found only in frankly outdated boards. Operates at speeds up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.
— Wi-fi 4 (802.11n). Quite a popular standard, which has only recently beg...un to give way to more advanced options. Supports both the 2.4 GHz band and the more advanced 5 GHz band, and the maximum data transfer rate is 150 Mbps per channel (up to 600 Mbps with 4 antennas).
— Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Works only on 5 GHz. Initially, the maximum theoretical data transfer rate was 1300 Mbit/s, but since 2016 the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard has been used, where this figure has been increased to 2.34 Gbit/s.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). It initially operates on two bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz - but the specification of this standard provides for the possibility of using any operating band between 1 GHz and 7 GHz (as such bands become available). The nominal data transfer speed has increased by only a third compared to Wi-Fi 5, but a number of improvements that increase communication efficiency allow for a significant increase in actual speed - in theory, up to 10 Gbps and even higher.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). An improved branch of the Wi-Fi 6 standard with data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. The Wi-Fi 6E standard is technically called 802.11ax. But unlike basic Wi-Fi 6, which is named similarly, it provides for operation in the unused 6 GHz band. In total, the standard uses 14 different frequency bands, offering high throughput with many active connections.
— Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). The technology, like the previous Wi-Fi 6E, is capable of operating in three frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. At the same time, the maximum bandwidth in Wi-Fi 7 was increased from 160 MHz to 320 MHz - the wider the channel, the more data it can transmit. The IEEE 802.11be standard uses 4096-QAM modulation, which also allows more symbols to be accommodated in a data transmission unit. From Wi-Fi 7 you can squeeze out a maximum theoretical information exchange rate of up to 46 Gbps. In the context of using wireless connections for streaming and video games, the implemented MLO (Multi-Link Operation) development seems very interesting. With its help, you can aggregate several channels in different ranges, which significantly reduces delays in data transmission and ensures low and stable ping. And Multi-RU (Multiple Resource Unit) technology is designed to minimize communication delays when there are many connected client devices.

Bluetooth

The motherboard has its own Bluetooth module, which eliminates the need to purchase such an adapter separately. Bluetooth technology is used for direct wireless connection of a computer with other devices — mobile phones, players, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, etc.; connectivity options include both file sharing and external device control. The Bluetooth connection range is up to 10 m (in later standards — up to 100 m), while the devices do not have to be in the line of sight. Different versions of Bluetooth (at the end of 2021, the latest of which is Bluetooth v 5) are mutually compatible in terms of basic functionality and have all sorts of differences.

LAN ports

The number of LAN ports provided in the design of the motherboard.

For more information about the connectors themselves, see "LAN (RJ-45)". Here we note that for everyday wired access to the Internet or a local network, one LAN is enough. However, there are motherboards equipped with two or more of these ports. Basically, these are high-end solutions — gaming, overclocking, HEDT and server (see "In the direction"); in some models, the number of connectors of this type reaches 5. Such equipment significantly expands the network capabilities of the computer. For example, it allows you to connect your PC to several Internet providers at once; use separate connectors for the Internet and for the local network, separating traffic and increasing the speed of work; use a computer as a router or even a firewall at the entrance to the local network, passing through it all incoming and outgoing traffic and controlling it; etc.

LAN controller

Model of the LAN controller installed in the motherboard.

The LAN controller provides data exchange between the card and the network port(s) of the computer. Accordingly, both general characteristics and individual features of the network functionality of the "motherboard" depend on the characteristics of this module: support for special technologies, connection quality in case of unstable communication, etc. Knowing the model of the LAN controller, you can find detailed data on it — including including practical reviews; this information is rarely needed by the average user, but it can be useful for online game enthusiasts and for some specific tasks.

Thus, the LAN controller model is specified mainly in cases where it is a rather advanced solution that is noticeably superior to standard models. Such solutions are currently produced mainly under the brands Intel(middle level), Realtek(relatively simple models), Aquntia and Killer(mostly advanced solutions).
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MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI often compared
MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK often compared