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Firmware
MSI has updated its BIOS and renamed it “Click BIOS X.” It arrives with improved aesthetics and functionality. The company changed the format to left-aligned headings, middle-aligned details, and right-aligned system status information, and it’s all logically laid out. Like most other board partners, it features an informational EZ Mode that offers high-level functionality, including access to Game Boost, PBO, XMP profiles, and more. The Tomahawk uses a black background with a yellow highlighting theme and is easy to read.
Overall, we like the layout (it's one of my favorites), and maneuvering around is intuitive after a short time, though it does take some getting used to.
Software
MSI Center is a single utility that offers a wide range of functionality. From hardware monitoring to RGB control with Mystic Light, the software has many applets and is a one-stop shop for downloading other utilities, including overclocking and fan control. Those looking to use the Gamebar feature, Super Charger, or any other utilities MSI offers will find them all in MSI Center. This is the latest version from early 2026.
Test System / Comparison Products
We’ve updated our test system to Windows 11 (25H2) 64-bit OS with all updates applied as of late April 2026. On the hardware front, we’ve updated the RAM kits to ones appropriate for the platform. Peripherals, including cooling, storage, power supply, and graphics cards, remain unchanged. We also use the latest publicly available BIOS unless otherwise noted. The hardware we used is as follows:
TEST SYSTEM COMPONENTS:
- CPU - Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
- Cooling - Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420
- Storage - Crucial 2TB T705 M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD
- RAM - Kingston Fury Renegade - 32GB DDR5-7600 CL38 (KF576C38RWAK2-32)
- RAM - G.Skill Trident Z5 CK - 32GB DDR5-8200 CL40 (F5-8200C4052G24GX2-TZZ5CK)
- RAM - V-Color 256GB (2x128GB) DDR5-8000 CL64 (TECQ5128G80Q864K)
- GPU - Asus TUF RTX 4080 16G
- PSU - EVGA Supernova 850W P6
- Windows 11 64-bit (25H2 - 26200.8037)
- NVIDIA Driver 595.97
Sound |
Integrated HD audio |
Network |
Integrated Networking (GbE to 10 GbE) |
Graphics Driver |
GeForce 595.97 |
Benchmark Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings |
|
Procyon |
Version 2.8.1352 64 Office 365 |
Pugetbench |
v1.4.20 |
3DMark |
Version 2.29.8294.0 64 Speed Way and Steel Nomad (Default) |
Cinebench R26 |
Version 2026.1.0 |
Blender |
Version 5.0.0 |
Application Tests and Settings |
|
LAME MP3 |
Version SSE2_2019 Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 --nores (160Kb/s) |
HandBrake CLI |
Version: 1.11.0 Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX) |
Corona 10 |
Version 10 Default benchmark |
7-Zip |
Version 26.00 Integrated benchmark (Command Line) |
Game Tests and Settings |
|
Cyberpunk 2077 |
Ultra RT: - 1920 x 1080, DLSS - Balanced. |
F1 2025 |
Ultra High Preset - 1920 x 1080, 16xAF/TAA, Texas (Clear/Dry), FPS Counter ON |
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