It's been three years since the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards launched. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 families. 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, so AMD has introduced a new chipset line called the 800-series. AMD also introduced both X870 and B850 series chipsets for high-end and mainstream AM5 motherboards. Both of these chips provide brand-new designs and brand-new features […]
For as low as $299, you can get an X3D processor along with a motherboard for upgrading your PC build. Get AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D+B850 for Just $499, Ryzen 7 9800X3D+B650E For $399, and Ryzen 7500X3D+B850 for Only $299 at Micro Center Micro Center is back with some more amazing bundle deals. If you have been waiting for the prices to drop, but couldn't get your hands on your favorite hardware due to RAMpocalypse, now is the time. If you love high gaming performance, then Micro Center is offering some amazing Ryzen X3D bundle deals, starting at just $299. From […]
Colorful has introduced the iGame B850M Ultra series of motherboards for AMD Ryzen platforms, including two models – the iGame B850M Ultra-S and iGame B850M Ultra-OC. The new microATX motherboards feature an all-black design with matte-finish cooling plates, matching the company's iGame GeForce RTX 50 Series Ultra graphics cards.
Both models support AMD Ryzen 9000 Series X3D processors and include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, PCIe 5.0 expansion, and support for AMD EXPO DDR5 memory. The expansion layout provides a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot equipped with a VGA snap-fit quick release, alongside PCIe 5.0 M.2 storage slots utilising an M.2 Quick Latch mechanism. Rear connectivity across the series features high-speed USB Type-C interfaces.
The iGame B850M Ultra-S targets overclocking applications, featuring a 14+2+1-phase 80A DrMOS power delivery system with dual 8-pin CPU connectors. It houses four reinforced DDR5 DIMM slots supporting a total memory capacity of up to 256GB and overclocked speeds up to DDR5-8400. Storage configurations include three M.2 slots (two PCIe 5.0 x4 and one PCIe 4.0 x4) paired with quick-release heatsinks, while a 2.5Gb Ethernet controller and Wi-Fi 7 handle networking.
The iGame B850M Ultra-OC is configured for mainstream setups, with a 10+2+1-phase 60A DrMOS power design. It features a dual-DIMM memory layout to optimise signal integrity, supporting AMD EXPO profiles at DDR5-8400 and manual memory tuning up to DDR5-8800. Storage is expanded to four high-speed M.2 slots across PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 interfaces, while the wired network controller is upgraded to 5Gb Ethernet.
MSI has given its family of AMD 800-series motherboards an overhaul with a series of feature changes, named MAX. Some of these changes are cosmetic while others, such as the upgrade to the BIOS chip, offer support for future generations of AMD CPUs through Zen 6 and onwards to Zen 7.
Timestamps
00:00 Start
00:59 Max Series Overview
03:22 MPG X870E Carbon MAX WiFi
04:22 MEG X870E Ace MAX
06:00 MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk MAX WiFi PZ
07:06 MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi / II / MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi
08:56 MAG B850 Gaming Plus MAX WiFi
10:40 Leo’s Thoughts
In our video we walk you through the changes that MSI has made with its MAX updates and in some instances, such as the MPG Carbon MAX WiFi, the updates are small but welcome. Other boards are entirely new models and this means the MEG X870E Ace MAX has arrived with the MAX features in place from day one.
The most impressive showcase for MSI MAX is the budget MAG B850 Gaming Plus MAX WiFi which gains the hardware updates and also receives a visual overhaul. The original B850 Gaming Plus looked a bit messy while the new MAX is clean and smart.
Closing Thoughts
MSI could have chosen to quietly update existing 800-series motherboards with new features such as a larger BIOS chip and the addition of an Overclocking engine, without any need for a series named MAX. In practice we doubt that would have worked well as AMD continues to bring out new CPUs for Socket AM5 which inevitably brings updates to BIOS files.
We are confident that certain models such as the original MPG X870E Carbon WiFi and MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi will quietly disappear when stocks are sold. Other models – we're looking at you MAG X870E Tomahawk MAX WiFi PZ and MEG X870E Ace MAX – will doubtless have a long future through 2027 and perhaps into 2028.
KitGuru says: AMD's long term support for Socket AM5 is very welcome but it clearly gives motherboard manufacturers a significant headache, and MAX is the solution to that particular problem.
Login
