MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK User manual

1
Quick Start
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing the MSI® MAG B550 TOMAHAWK motherboard. This Quick
Start section provides demonstration diagrams about how to install your computer.
Some of the installations also provide video demonstrations. Please link to the URL to
watch it with the web browser on your phone or tablet. You may have even link to the
URL by scanning the QR code.
Preparing Tools and Components
DDR4 Memory
Graphics Card
SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA DVD Drive
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
A Package of Screws
Thermal Paste
CPU Fan
AMD®AM4 CPU

2Quick Start
Safety Information
∙The components included in this package are prone to damage from electrostatic
discharge (ESD). Please adhere to the following instructions to ensure successful
computer assembly.
∙Ensure that all components are securely connected. Loose connections may cause
the computer to not recognize a component or fail to start.
∙Hold the motherboard by the edges to avoid touching sensitive components.
∙It is recommended to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when
handling the motherboard to prevent electrostatic damage. If an ESD wrist strap is
not available, discharge yourself of static electricity by touching another metal object
before handling the motherboard.
∙Store the motherboard in an electrostatic shielding container or on an anti-static
pad whenever the motherboard is not installed.
∙Before turning on the computer, ensure that there are no loose screws or metal
components on the motherboard or anywhere within the computer case.
∙Do not boot the computer before installation is completed. This could cause
permanent damage to the components as well as injury to the user.
∙If you need help during any installation step, please consult a certified computer
technician.
∙Always turn off the power supply and unplug the power cord from the power outlet
before installing or removing any computer component.
∙Keep this user guide for future reference.
∙Keep this motherboard away from humidity.
∙Make sure that your electrical outlet provides the same voltage as is indicated on
the PSU, before connecting the PSU to the electrical outlet.
∙Place the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place
anything over the power cord.
∙All cautions and warnings on the motherboard should be noted.
∙If any of the following situations arises, get the motherboard checked by service
personnel:
▪Liquid has penetrated into the computer.
▪The motherboard has been exposed to moisture.
▪The motherboard does not work well or you can not get it work according to user
guide.
▪The motherboard has been dropped and damaged.
▪The motherboard has obvious sign of breakage.
∙Do not leave this motherboard in an environment above 60°C (140°F), it may damage
the motherboard.

3
Quick Start
Installing a Processor
1
2
3
6
4
5
7
8
9
https://youtu.be/Xv89nhFk1vc

4Quick Start
1
23
⚠
Important
If you are installing the screw-type CPU heatsink, please follow the figure below to
remove the retention module first and then install the heatsink.

5
Quick Start
Installing DDR4 memory
http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs
DIMMA2 DIMMA2
DIMMB2
DIMMA1
DIMMA2
DIMMB1
DIMMB2

6Quick Start
HDD LED
RESET SW
Connecting the Front Panel Header
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
JFP1
HDD LED HDD LED -
HDD LED +
POWER LED -
POWER LED +
POWER LED
1
2 10
9
+
+
+- -- -
+
Power LED
HDD LED Reset Switch
Reserved
Power Switch
JFP1
1 HDD LED + 2 Power LED +
3 HDD LED - 4 Power LED -
5 Reset Switch 6 Power Switch
7 Reset Switch 8 Power Switch
9 Reserved 10 No Pin
RESET SW
POWER SW
POWER LED+
POWER LED-
HDD LED

7
Quick Start
Installing the Motherboard
1
https://youtu.be/wWI6Qt51Wnc
3
Torque:
3 kgf·cm*
*3 kgf·cm
= 0.3 N·m
= 2.6 lbf·in

8Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1
CPU_PWR1
CPU_PWR2

9
Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
23
4
5

10 Quick Start
1
Installing a Graphics Card
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
2
3
4
5
6

11
Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices
Processor with integrated graphics

12 Quick Start
Power On
4
3
12

13
Contents
Contents
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 1
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 1
Safety Information .................................................................................................. 2
Installing a Processor............................................................................................. 3
Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................ 5
Connecting the Front Panel Header....................................................................... 6
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 7
Connecting the Power Connectors......................................................................... 8
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................. 9
Installing a Graphics Card.................................................................................... 10
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................ 11
Power On............................................................................................................... 12
Specifications....................................................................................................... 15
Package contents................................................................................................. 20
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 21
Rear I/O Panel...................................................................................................... 22
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 22
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 22
Realtek Audio Console ......................................................................................... 23
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 25
Processor Socket.................................................................................................. 27
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 28
PCI_E1~4: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 29
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 30
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 30
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 32
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 32
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors ....................................................... 33
JUSB4: USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-C Connector................................................. 34
JUSB3: USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Connector ............................................................. 34
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 35
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 35
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~6: Fan Connectors................................... 36
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 37
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 38
JRGB1~2: RGB LED connectors ........................................................................... 39

14 Contents
JRAINBOW1~2: Addressable RGB LED connectors............................................. 40
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 41
LED_SW1: EZ LED Control ................................................................................... 41
Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities ......................................................................... 42
Installing Windows® 10 ....................................................................................... 42
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 42
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 42
UEFI BIOS............................................................................................................. 43
BIOS Setup............................................................................................................ 44
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 44
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 45
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 45
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 47
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 50
SETTINGS Menu ................................................................................................... 51
OC Menu................................................................................................................ 53
M-FLASH Menu .................................................................................................... 55
OC PROFILE Menu................................................................................................ 56
HARDWARE MONITOR Menu................................................................................ 57
AMD RAID Configuration ..................................................................................... 59
Enabling RAIDXpert2 Configuration Utility .......................................................... 59
Initializing Disks ................................................................................................... 60
Creating Arrays..................................................................................................... 61
Deleting Arrays..................................................................................................... 62
Installing RAID Driver........................................................................................... 63
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 64

15
Specifications
Specifications
CPU Supports AM4 socket 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ processors, and
future AMD Ryzen™ processors with BIOS update
Chipset AMD B550 Chipset
Memory
∙4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 128GB*
▪Supports DDR4 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667/ 2800/ 2933/
3000/ 3066/ 3200 MHz by JEDEC
▪Supports DDR4 2667/ 2800 /2933 /3000 /3066 /3200
/3466 /3600/ 3733 /3866 /4000 /4133 /4266 /4400 /4533
/4600 /4733/ 4800/ 4866+ MHz by A-XMP OC MODE
▫1DPC 1R max speed 4866 MHZ
▫1DPC 2R max speed 3866 MHZ
▫2DPC 1R max speed 4000 MHZ
▫2DPC 2R max speed 3600 MHZ
∙Dual channel memory architecture
∙Supports non-ECC UDIMM memory
∙Supports ECC UDIMM memory (non-ECC mode)
∙Supports un-buffered memory
* Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
Expansion Slot
∙1x PCIe 4.0/ 3.0 x16 slot (PCI_E1)*
∙1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (PCI_E3), supports x4 speed**
∙2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
* The supported specification depends on installed processor.
** When installing devices in M.2_2, PCI_E2 & PCI_E3 slots at the same time,
PCI_E3 slot will be unavailable, and M2_2 slot only supports PCIe x2. Please
refer to page 29 for details.
Multi-GPU ∙Supports 2-Way AMD CrossFire™ Technology
Onboard Graphics
∙1x HDMI 2.1 port, supports a maximum resolution of
4096x2160 @60Hz*/**
∙1x DisplayPort, supports a maximum resolution of
4096x2160 @60Hz*
∙Maximum shared memory of 16GB
* Available for the processor with integrated graphics.
** Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Storage
AMD B550 Chipset
∙6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
∙2x M.2 slots (Key M)
▪M2_1 slot (from AMD Processor)
▫Supports PCIe 4.0/ 3.0 x4*
▫Supports SATA 6Gb/s
▫Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
▪M2_2 slot (from AMD B550 chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 3.0x4
▫Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
* The supported specification depends on installed processor.
RAID
∙Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10 for SATA storage
devices
∙Supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 NVMe storage devices
USB
AMD B550 Chipset
▪3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports (1 Type-C internal
connector, and 2 ports are available through the internal
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector)
▪6x USB 2.0 ports (2 Type-A ports on the back panel, 4
ports through the internal USB 2.0 connectors)
AMD Processor
▪2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps ports (1 Type-C port and 1
Type-A port on the back panel)
▪2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A ports on the back
panel
Audio
Realtek® ALC1200 Codec
▪7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
▪Supports S/PDIF output
LAN ∙1x Realtek® RTL8125B 2.5Gbps LAN controller
∙1x Realtek® RTL8111H 1Gbps LAN controller
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Internal Connectors
∙1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
∙1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
∙6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
∙2x M.2 slots (M-Key)
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-C port
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (supports additional 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports)
∙2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
ports)
∙1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
∙1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
∙6x 4-pin system fan connectors
∙1x Front panel audio connector
∙2x System panel connectors
∙1x Chassis Intrusion connector
∙2x 4-pin RGB LED connectors
∙2x 3-pin RAINBOW LED connectors
∙1x TPM module connector
∙1x Clear CMOS jumper
LED Features ∙1x EZ LED Control switch
∙4x EZ Debug LED
Back Panel
Connectors
∙1x Flash BIOS Button
∙1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
∙2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
∙1x Display port
∙1x HDMI port
∙2x LAN (RJ45) ports
∙2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A ports
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A port
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C port
∙5x OFC audio jacks
∙1x Optical S/PDIF Out connector
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6687-R Controller Chip
Continued on next page

18 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Hardware Monitor
∙CPU/ System/ Chipset temperature detection
∙CPU/ System/ Pump fan speed detection
∙CPU/ System/ Pump fan speed control
Form Factor ∙ATX Form Factor
∙12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
BIOS Features
∙1x 256 Mb flash
∙UEFI AMI BIOS
∙ACPI 6.0, SMBIOS 2.8
∙Multi-language
Software
∙Drivers
∙DRAGON CENTER
∙MSI APP Player (BlueStacks)
∙Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
∙CPU-Z MSI GAMING
∙Google Chrome™, Google Toolbar, Google Drive
∙Norton™ Internet Security Solution
Dragon Center
Features
∙Gaming Mode
∙Gaming Hotkey
∙LAN Manager
∙Mystic Light
∙User Scenario
∙Hardware Monitor
∙True Color
∙Live Update
∙Speed Up
∙Smart Tool
∙Super Charger
Please refer to http://download.msi.
com/manual/mb/DRAGONCENTER2.
pdf for more details.
Continued on next page

19
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Special Features
∙Audio
▪Audio Boost
∙Network
▪2.5G LAN
▪LAN Manager with Realtek 8125B
∙Cooling
▪Extended Heatsink Design
▪M.2 Shield Frozr
▪Pump Fan
▪Smart Fan Control
∙LED
▪Mystic Light Extension (RAINBOW/RGB)
▪Mystic Light SYNC
▪EZ LED Control
▪EZ DEBUG LED
∙Performance
▪Multi GPU-CrossFire Technology
▪DDR4 Boost
▪Core Boost
▪GAME Boost
▪USB 3.2 Gen 2 10G
▪USB with Type A+C
▪Front USB Type-C
∙Protection
▪PCI-E Steel Armor
▪PCI-E Steel Slot
▪Pre-installed I/O Shielding
∙Experience
▪Dragon Center
▪Click BIOS 5
▪Flash BIOS Button

20 Package contents
Package contents
Please check the contents of your motherboard package. It should contain:
Motherboard MAG B550 TOMAHAWK
Cable SATA 6G cables (2 cables/pack) 1
Accessories
M.2 screws (3 pcs./pack) 1
Case badge 1
Product registration card 1
Application Driver DVD 1
Documentation
User manual 1
Quick installation guide 1
MSI components compatibility & reward program
card 1
⚠
Important
If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your retailer.