Choosing between LGA 1200 and AM4 for a pure gaming rig is straightforward.
Choosing between LGA 1200 and AM4 for a pure gaming rig is straightforward.
The Vision G offers solid performance, but unless you require additional rear USB ports or similar features, a Gaming Edge WIFI would be preferable. There seems to be no definitive official confirmation from manufacturers about PCIe 4.0 support on these boards. Based on the information available, MSI models appear to include 4.0 switches, as do Gigabyte products. Spoiler: https://wccftech.com/z490-motherboards-p...-gigabyte/ However, I’m not sure how reliable this source is, so take it with caution.
It looks like the Tomahawk is more affordable in your region compared to the Gaming Edge WIFI. Are you confident you should still choose the latter? (I connect via a LAN cable for internet.)
The Gaming Edge offers improved VRM performance beyond just the built-in Wi-Fi. The stronger VRM is complemented by enhanced heatsinks, matching the quality seen in the B550 Tomahawk and B550 Gaming Edge, while the heatsink designs are quite comparable to those on Z490 boards.
Thanks for your feedback! I reviewed some of your previous comparisons between the Gaming Edge and the Aorus Elite; I found it matches the Vision G version without Wi-Fi. You also noted the Aorus Elite (ac) offers superior built-in audio compared to the Gaming Edge, with only minor differences elsewhere, which supports choosing the Aorus Elite (ac) for a better overall experience.
The Vision G features a Type-C port at the back, which is the main point aside from the design. Are you certain about that? The cooling and non-cooling systems are nearly identical (with the exception of Wi-Fi), and both the Aorus Elite and Gaming Edge use the ALC1200 codec. Regardless, the Elite model remains strong. The main distinctions between Vision G, Aorus Elite, Gaming Edge, and even Tomahawk largely come down to features like Wi-Fi, rear I/O, LAN, and board appearance. VRM performance is generally solid across all models.
I'm sorry, I didn't find any direct links to the specific videos you mentioned. However, you can look up Hardware Unboxed's VRM benchmark videos for the Z490 and compare them with the Gaming Edge and Tomahawk reviews. The comparison notes suggest the Tomahawk generally outperforms the Gaming Edge in benchmarks, while both share similar VRM setups. You might also find detailed discussions on motherboard performance across budget options.
Hm.. interesting find. The Tomahawk used 12 55A DrMOS power stages, whereas the Gaming Edge is on 60A SPS. That's mentioned on the boards' respective pages on MSI's website - I'd screenshot it but it doesn't seem to be loading properly for some reason. I assumed the heatsinks were the same used on B550, which look to be better on the Gaming Edge, going by HUB's testing (since on B550, the VRM is identical between the Tomahawk and Gaming Edge): Spoiler Either they messed with the heatsinks or they messed up something with the BIOS. It can't be the efficiency curve of the different power stages used, since they're so close in terms of rated current handling capability and the Tomahawk is ahead in all tests. At least I don't think it is. My bad on that.
Whenever I encounter the phrase “investing in” paired with computer equipment, I feel uneasy. Computers aren’t true investments; their worth declines rapidly.
It seems to be the most affordable option nearby, especially if you don’t require Wi-Fi.