The MSI X870 Tomahawk vs B850 Tomahawk MAX decision comes down to three things: USB4, SSD lane sharing and the actual price difference. A higher chipset number alone is a poor reason to spend more.

Both boards offer the core hardware needed for a powerful Ryzen gaming PC. The X870 adds faster external connectivity and a numeric troubleshooting display. The B850 MAX can be cheaper and has a useful advantage if you want two Gen5 SSDs running at their full x4 connection width.

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Quick Picks

Best value when clearly cheaper

MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WIFI

A strong fit for gaming and general use, with two CPU-connected Gen5 x4 M.2 slots and no USB4 controller competing for the second slot’s lanes.

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Best for USB4 connectivity

MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI

The better fit for USB4 storage and compatible docks, with two rear 40Gbps Type-C ports and a numeric debug display.

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MSI X870 Tomahawk vs B850 Tomahawk MAX: Specifications

*Lane configurations shown are for Ryzen 7000/9000 processors. Ryzen 8000 models have different PCIe capabilities and slot restrictions. Sources: MSI’s B850 MAX specifications and X870 specifications.

Does the B850 Hold Back a High-End Ryzen CPU?

There is no good reason to move to the X870 solely because you are buying a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D or Ryzen 9 9950X3D. The B850 MAX already provides substantial CPU power delivery and a full Gen5 x16 graphics connection with the relevant Ryzen 7000/9000 processors.

MSI specifies a 14+2+1 power design with 80A stages for the B850 MAX and the X870. Matching headline ratings do not prove identical electrical behavior, but independent testing supports the B850’s suitability for demanding CPUs.

• Tom’s Hardware: Its B850 MAX testing with a Ryzen 9 9900X recorded approximately 44°C using an external VRM measurement and 46°C from the internal sensor.
• The FPS Review: Its Ryzen 9 9950X test recorded a maximum MOS temperature of 49°C during a 30-minute Cinebench R23 load.

These are power-delivery temperatures, not CPU temperatures. Different CPUs, airflow and measurement methods mean the results should not be treated as a direct temperature contest. They do show why a high-end processor alone is an unconvincing reason to pay extra for the X870.

Our conclusion: With equivalent CPU, GPU, memory settings and power limits, buy these boards for their features. Exact frame rates can vary with firmware and configuration; an X870 badge does not guarantee a gaming uplift.

If you are still choosing the rest of the platform, see our best AM5 motherboards guide.

USB4 Is the X870’s Main Advantage

The X870 Tomahawk has two rear USB4 Type-C ports rated at 40Gbps. The B850 MAX has three rear Type-C ports, but all three are rated at 10Gbps. Both boards support a 20Gbps front USB-C connection through an internal header and a compatible case port.

Count your actual devices before paying for the upgrade. A compatible USB4 NVMe enclosure or a dock with a workflow that exceeds 10Gbps gives the X870 a clear purpose. A keyboard, mouse, controller and ordinary USB headset usually make a weaker case for the extra expense.

Also check the dock, enclosure and cable specifications. A Type-C connector does not identify its speed, and a 40Gbps port rating is not a promise of 5GB/s file transfers. Device limits and protocol overhead still apply.

For alternatives with this feature, see our best AM5 motherboards with USB4.

M.2 Lane Sharing: Where the B850 MAX Can Be Better

Both boards advertise four M.2 slots, but their second slots behave differently. This matters more than the chipset name if you are building around several fast SSDs.

*Ryzen 7000/9000 configuration. These are connection limits, not guaranteed SSD transfer rates.

The X870’s second SSD shares lanes with USB4

On the X870 Tomahawk, installing an SSD in M2_2 splits the shared CPU connection. The SSD gets two Gen5 lanes while USB4 remains available. MSI also provides a BIOS option to give M2_2 all four lanes, but that disables the rear USB4 ports.

This does not mean the USB4 ports become 20Gbps ports. MSI states that the USB4 host controller supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4. A Gen5 x2 connection has equivalent theoretical bandwidth, so the specification does not justify simply halving the USB4 port rating. The direct compromise is the SSD’s reduced lane width.

See MSI’s X870 Tomahawk manual and lane-sharing explanation for the documented allocation.

The B850 MAX has no onboard USB4 controller consuming that connection, so its second CPU M.2 slot can run at Gen5 x4 without that trade-off. This is a genuine reason to prefer B850 for a two-Gen5-drive build.

Both boards share lanes lower down

M2_3 shares bandwidth with the lower full-length PCI_E3 expansion slot on both boards. Populate M2_3 and PCI_E3 operates at x2. Select x4 operation for PCI_E3 in BIOS and M2_3 is disabled.

This is the lower expansion slot, not the primary graphics slot. The middle PCI_E2 slot is also only PCIe 3.0 x1 electrically despite its physical length. A long slot does not automatically provide four or sixteen active lanes.

Three practical storage layouts

• One main SSD and a gaming GPU: Use M2_1. The X870’s second-slot sharing is irrelevant to this layout.
• One Gen5 SSD, one Gen4 SSD and USB4 devices: On X870, use M2_1 and M2_4, leaving M2_2 empty. M2_4 is chipset-connected, so heavy simultaneous chipset traffic can still affect available throughput.
• Two Gen5 SSDs at x4: Prefer B850 MAX. If you also need several expansion cards, map their lane requirements before buying either board.

One additional B850 detail is worth knowing if you plan to use its chipset-connected slots heavily. The FPS Review measured lower M2_3 and M2_4 SSD benchmark results with the onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module enabled in its test setup. Treat this as a documented review result, not a guaranteed outcome with every SSD, BIOS and workload.

Prices: How Much Extra Is the X870 Worth?

Compare the delivered prices of the exact models when you are ready to order. Promotions, regional pricing and availability can change which one represents better value.

Check stock and equivalent warranty coverage as well as the price. If the X870’s premium would force you to cut a component that matters more to your build, choose the B850 or compare less expensive boards.

Who Should Buy the B850 Tomahawk MAX?

The B850 MAX makes the most sense when you want a well-equipped ATX board without paying a large premium for external storage connectivity. Its appeal is especially strong when the savings help fund another component you will use every day.

• Choose it for: Gaming, general-purpose builds, a substantial price saving, or two Gen5 x4 SSD connections.
• Its strongest shared features: 5Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, ALC4080 audio and four M.2 positions.
• Its compromises: No onboard USB4, no numeric POST display, and the same M2_3/lower-slot sharing that requires planning on the X870.

It is still worth comparing against cheaper boards if you only need one SSD and basic networking. Our best B850 motherboards guide covers the wider category.

Who Should Buy the X870 Tomahawk?

Buy the X870 when you can identify the device or workflow that benefits from USB4, or when a small price difference makes the extra connectivity worthwhile. Its twelve rear USB ports also help if your setup has many peripherals.

The numeric debug display is a useful convenience during a troublesome first boot or memory setup. Both boards already have diagnostic LEDs and BIOS recovery controls, so the display should carry less weight than a feature you use regularly.

• Choose it for: Compatible USB4 storage, suitable docks, more rear USB ports, or a small price premium.
• Its strongest extras: Two rear 40Gbps ports and numeric troubleshooting codes.
• Its compromises: M2_2 lane sharing, potentially higher cost, and no guaranteed gaming performance gain over the B850.

Check the Exact Model Before Ordering

MSI also sells the MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI II. It has a 64MB BIOS and a dedicated OC Engine for independent base-clock tuning. Those features belong to the II model and should not be assumed to exist on the original MAX compared here.

If the II version appears at a similar price, compare its exact listing and specifications separately. Likewise, an X870E Tomahawk listing is not interchangeable with the X870 Tomahawk. Small differences in the name can change the board you receive.

When You Should Buy Neither

If either Tomahawk forces a meaningful graphics-card downgrade and you do not need its networking or expansion features, consider a cheaper motherboard. Spending more on unused ports is a poor trade for a component that directly supports your workload.

There is also little reason to replace a functioning AM5 board just to change the chipset badge. Identify a missing connection, an expansion limit or an actual fault first. For a wider explanation of platform differences, read B850 vs X870 vs X870E.

Watch the Comparison

Watch the MSI Tomahawk comparison on YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the X870 Tomahawk faster for gaming?

Its chipset does not guarantee higher frame rates. With equivalent components and settings, the decision should focus on connectivity, storage layout and price. Firmware and memory configuration can still affect individual benchmark results.

Does the B850 Tomahawk MAX have PCIe 5.0 graphics?

Yes. This specific board provides a PCIe 5.0 x16 primary graphics slot with Ryzen 7000/9000 processors. Do not assume every B850 board has the same implementation.

Can the X870 run two Gen5 SSDs at x4?

Yes, with an appropriate CPU and the BIOS setting that assigns four lanes to M2_2. The trade-off is disabling the rear USB4 ports. Keeping USB4 available leaves M2_2 at x2.

Does installing an SSD reduce the main GPU slot to x8?

The M.2 sharing described here affects the X870’s USB4 connection and both boards’ lower PCI_E3 slot. It does not take lanes from the primary GPU slot in the Ryzen 7000/9000 configurations covered here.

Does the B850 MAX have 20Gbps rear USB-C?

No. Its rear Type-C ports are 10Gbps. The 20Gbps connection is an internal header for a compatible front case port.

Is the original B850 MAX the same as the MAX WIFI II?

No. The II is a separate revision with features including a 64MB BIOS and dedicated OC Engine. Match the full product name before ordering or downloading firmware.

Final Verdict

For a gaming PC at a substantial price gap, buy the B850 Tomahawk MAX. It provides a strong platform without requiring you to pay for USB4, and its second Gen5 SSD connection has fewer conditions.

Buy the X870 Tomahawk for useful USB4 connectivity or a small premium. Its extra ports and debug display are worthwhile when the price makes sense. Decide from your devices and storage plan, then compare the exact models’ current prices.