MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Processors, AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, M.2 Gen5, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 40Gbps, HDMI/DP, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 5Gbps LAN, ATX) vs SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO LGA 1150 Motherboard for Intel 4th Gen Core i7 i5 i3/Pentium/Celeron Series Processors (Micro-ATX, DDR3, PCIe 3.0, NVME M.2, SATA 3.0, VGA/DVI/HDMI-Compatible, Gigabit LAN)

Price Comparison

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard is priced at $219.99, while the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO is available for $79.99—making it about 64% cheaper. This significant price gap reflects a fundamental difference in target market and feature set. The MSI board is positioned as a high-end gaming product with advanced connectivity and cooling, whereas the SHANGZHAOYUAN model serves budget-conscious users building older-generation Intel systems. At $79.99, the SHANGZHAOYUAN offers a low-cost entry point into desktop assembly, but buyers should expect limited future-proofing and fewer modern features.

Processor Compatibility

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series processors using the AM5 socket, ensuring compatibility with current and upcoming AMD desktop CPUs. In contrast, the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO is designed for Intel 4th generation Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron processors via the LGA 1150 socket. This means the MSI board enables use of modern, high-performance AMD chips, while the SHANGZHAOYUAN is restricted to legacy Intel hardware from around 2014–2015. Users seeking cutting-edge CPU performance must choose the MSI model; those working with older Intel parts may find the SHANGZHAOYUAN sufficient.

Memory and Storage Support

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard uses DDR5 memory and supports PCIe 5.0 M.2 Gen5 SSDs, enabling faster data transfer speeds than previous generations. It also includes SATA 6Gb/s ports for traditional storage drives. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO, however, only supports DDR3 memory with maximum speeds up to 1866MHz and uses PCIe 3.0 for its M.2 slot. While both boards include SATA 3.0 ports, the MSI’s support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 provides a substantial performance advantage in memory bandwidth and storage speed, especially when paired with compatible components.

Connectivity and Networking

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, along with a 5Gbps LAN port and USB 40Gbps support through a built-in USB 4 port. These capabilities ensure ultra-fast wireless connectivity and high-speed data transfers. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO, by comparison, offers only Gigabit LAN and no mention of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Its interface options include VGA, DVI, and HDMI-compatible outputs, but lack modern high-bandwidth protocols. For users prioritizing wireless convenience and network performance, the MSI board clearly outperforms the SHANGZHAOYUAN.

Audio and Cooling Features

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard includes Audio Boost 5, which isolates audio circuits and uses a high-quality processor for immersive sound—ideal for gamers and content creators. It also features an extended PWM heatsink and enhanced circuit design to maintain stable performance under load. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO does not list any dedicated audio enhancements and relies on a 4-phase power supply with all-solid-state capacitors for stability. While this design contributes to reliability, it lacks the thermal management and audio refinement found in the MSI model.

Form Factor and Build Quality

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard is an ATX-sized board, offering ample space for expansion and cooling solutions. Its 8-layer PCB design enhances durability and signal integrity. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO is Micro-ATX, meaning it fits in smaller cases but limits upgrade potential. Both boards use solid-state capacitors, but the MSI’s military-inspired design and extended heatsink suggest a focus on long-term reliability and performance under stress. The SHANGZHAOYUAN’s package does not include a user manual or CR2032 battery, requiring additional purchases and research.

Which should you buy?

Choose the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard if you’re building a modern system with AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 series processors and need top-tier performance, Wi-Fi 7, USB 40Gbps, and DDR5 support. Despite costing $140 more than the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO, its advanced features justify the premium for users investing in future-ready hardware. Opt for the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO only if you're assembling a budget system with Intel 4th gen CPUs and don’t require modern connectivity or high-speed storage. At $79.99, it’s a cost-effective choice for legacy builds, but it lacks the longevity and capability of the MSI board.