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ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi
ASRock B850M Pro-A

ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi ASRock B850M Pro-A

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth comparison of the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and the ASRock B850M Pro-A — two B850 chipset motherboards built around the AM5 platform that take distinctly different approaches to connectivity, expansion, and form factor. While they share a strong common foundation, their differences in wireless capabilities, PCIe slot configuration, and physical size make each one better suited to a specific type of builder. Read on to discover which board aligns with your build goals.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both products use the AM5 CPU socket.
  • ✓ Both products feature the B850 chipset.
  • ✓ Both products support HDMI 2.1.
  • ✓ Both products are easy to overclock.
  • ✓ Neither product supports easy BIOS reset.
  • ✓ Both products have dual BIOS.
  • ✓ Both products have a single CPU socket.
  • ✓ Neither product has integrated graphics.
  • ✓ Both products support a maximum memory amount of 256GB.
  • ✓ Both products support overclocked RAM speeds up to 8000 MHz.
  • ✓ Both products have 4 memory slots.
  • ✓ Both products use DDR5 memory.
  • ✓ Both products have 2 memory channels.
  • ✓ Neither product supports ECC memory.
  • ✓ Both products have 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-A).
  • ✓ Both products have 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-C).
  • ✓ Neither product has USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C), USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, or Thunderbolt ports.
  • ✓ Both products have 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports through expansion, 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion, and 4 USB 3.0 ports through expansion.
  • ✓ Both products have 3 M.2 sockets.
  • ✓ Both products include a TPM connector.
  • ✓ Neither product has U.2 sockets or an mSATA connector.
  • ✓ Both products have 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and no PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, PCIe x8, PCIe x1, or PCI slots.
  • ✓ Both products support 7.1 audio channels.
  • ✓ Both products support RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 (1+0).
  • ✓ Neither product supports RAID 0+1.

Main Differences

  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has an ATX form factor, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has a Micro-ATX form factor.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi is 305 mm wide, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A is 244 mm wide.
  • • Wi-Fi support is present on the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi but not available on the ASRock B850M Pro-A.
  • • Bluetooth is present on the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi but not available on the ASRock B850M Pro-A.
  • • RGB lighting is present on the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi but not available on the ASRock B850M Pro-A.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A), while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has 2.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 8 USB 2.0 ports, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has 4.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 2 SATA 3 connectors, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has 4.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 6 fan headers, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has 5.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 2 PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has none.
  • • The ASRock B850M Pro-A has 1 PCIe x4 slot, while the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has none.
  • • An S/PDIF Out port is present on the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi but not available on the ASRock B850M Pro-A.
  • • The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 2 audio connectors, while the ASRock B850M Pro-A has 3.
  • • RAID 5 support is present on the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi but not available on the ASRock B850M Pro-A.
Specs Comparison
ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi

ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi

ASRock B850M Pro-A

ASRock B850M Pro-A

General info:
CPU socket AM5 AM5
chipset B850 B850
form factor ATX Micro-ATX
release date January 2025 January 2025
supports Wi-Fi ✓ ✕
Has Bluetooth ✓ ✕
HDMI version HDMI 2.1 HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock ✓ ✓
has RGB lighting ✓ ✕
Easy to reset BIOS ✕ ✕
Has dual BIOS ✓ ✓
CPU sockets 1 1
Has integrated graphics ✕ ✕
warranty period 3 years 3 years
height 244 mm 244 mm
width 305 mm 244 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕ ✕

Both boards share the same foundation: an AM5 socket, B850 chipset, identical HDMI 2.1 output, and matching 3-year warranties. They also both support overclocking and feature dual BIOS, which is a meaningful safety net for enthusiasts who push their systems. Neither board has integrated graphics or an integrated CPU, so a discrete GPU or a CPU with its own iGPU is required in both cases.

The most significant divergence lies in form factor and connectivity. The LiveMixer WiFi is a full-size ATX board (305 × 244 mm), while the Pro-A uses a more compact Micro-ATX footprint (244 × 244 mm). That smaller PCB means the Pro-A fits mid-tower and compact cases, but typically offers fewer expansion slots. More critically, the LiveMixer WiFi includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, whereas the Pro-A has neither — a real-world difference for anyone building a cable-free desktop or pairing wireless peripherals without a separate USB adapter. The LiveMixer WiFi also adds RGB lighting, which matters for aesthetics-focused builds.

Overall, the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi holds a clear edge in this group. Its larger form factor brings more expansion potential, and its built-in wireless connectivity is a tangible feature advantage over the Pro-A. The Pro-A is the more practical pick for compact or budget-conscious builds where wireless and aesthetics are not priorities, but on general feature breadth, the LiveMixer WiFi wins outright.

Memory:
maximum memory amount 256GB 256GB
overclocked RAM speed 8000 MHz 8000 MHz
memory slots 4 4
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
Supports ECC memory ✕ ✕

Both the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and ASRock B850M Pro-A support a maximum memory capacity of 256GB. They also both feature 4 memory slots, which allows for ample expansion. The DDR memory version for both boards is 5, and each supports dual memory channels for efficient data flow. In terms of overclocking, both motherboards are capable of handling RAM speeds up to 8000 MHz.

Neither of the motherboards supports ECC memory, meaning neither is designed for error-correcting code, which is typically used in servers or mission-critical applications.

In summary, the memory specifications are identical for both the B850 LiveMixer WiFi and the B850M Pro-A, with no differences in maximum capacity, RAM speed, memory slots, or memory channels. The lack of ECC memory support is also a shared characteristic between the two products.

Ports:
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 1 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 4 2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 1 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0 0
USB 2.0 ports 8 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 0 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 0 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0 0
has an HDMI output ✓ ✓
DisplayPort outputs 1 1
RJ45 ports 1 1
Has USB Type-C ✓ ✓
eSATA ports 0 0
DVI outputs 0 0
has a VGA connector ✕ ✕
PS/2 ports 0 0

The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and ASRock B850M Pro-A are similar in many of their port offerings. Both motherboards include 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-A), 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-C), 4 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI output, 1 DisplayPort output, 1 RJ45 port, and USB Type-C support. Neither of the boards features USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 40Gbps, or USB 4 20Gbps ports, and both lack Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports.

The main difference lies in the number of USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) and USB 2.0 ports. The B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, while the B850M Pro-A has only 2. The LiveMixer WiFi also offers 8 USB 2.0 ports, compared to the Pro-A’s 4. These differences may be relevant for users who need more USB connectivity for peripherals.

Additionally, both boards lack eSATA, DVI, VGA, and PS/2 ports, which means they are both geared more toward modern, high-speed connectivity options rather than legacy support.

Connectors:
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 4 4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4 4
SATA 3 connectors 2 4
fan headers 6 5
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 4 4
M.2 sockets 3 3
Has TPM connector ✓ ✓
U.2 sockets 0 0
Has mSATA connector ✕ ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0 0

The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and ASRock B850M Pro-A have several similarities when it comes to connectors. Both motherboards offer 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion), 4 USB 2.0 ports (through expansion), and 4 USB 3.0 ports (through expansion). Additionally, both feature 3 M.2 sockets, no U.2 sockets, and lack an mSATA connector.

One difference between the two boards is the number of SATA 3 connectors. The B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 2 SATA 3 connectors, while the B850M Pro-A provides 4 SATA 3 connectors, allowing for more storage devices to be connected to the Pro-A.

Both motherboards include 6 fan headers on the LiveMixer WiFi and 5 on the Pro-A. Additionally, both motherboards have a TPM connector, providing support for Trusted Platform Module functionality.

Expansion slots:
PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 2 0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1 1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 0 0
PCIe x1 slots 0 0
PCI slots 0 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0 0
PCIe x4 slots 0 1
PCIe x8 slots 0 0

The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and ASRock B850M Pro-A differ significantly in their PCIe slot configurations. The LiveMixer WiFi features 2 PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, while the Pro-A has only 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot. The LiveMixer WiFi offers more expansion options for high-performance GPUs or other PCIe devices with its additional PCIe 4.0 x16 slots.

Both motherboards lack PCIe x1 slots, PCI slots, PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, and PCIe x8 slots. The Pro-A does include 1 PCIe x4 slot, which the LiveMixer WiFi does not have. This provides the Pro-A with additional flexibility for lower-speed expansion cards.

In summary, the B850 LiveMixer WiFi has more PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for high-performance devices, while the B850M Pro-A compensates with a PCIe x4 slot, offering slightly different options for expansion.

Audio:
audio channels 7.1 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port ✓ ✕
audio connectors 2 3

Both the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and ASRock B850M Pro-A offer 7.1 audio channels, providing high-quality sound support for a range of applications. The key difference between them lies in their audio connectors and additional features.

The B850 LiveMixer WiFi has 2 audio connectors and includes an S/PDIF Out port, which allows for high-quality digital audio output. On the other hand, the B850M Pro-A provides 3 audio connectors but lacks an S/PDIF Out port, limiting its digital audio output options compared to the LiveMixer WiFi.

In summary, while both boards support 7.1 audio, the LiveMixer WiFi offers more advanced audio output options with the S/PDIF Out port, while the Pro-A provides slightly more audio connectors but no S/PDIF Out.

Storage:
Supports RAID 1 ✓ ✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0) ✓ ✓
Supports RAID 5 ✓ ✕
Supports RAID 0 ✓ ✓
Supports RAID 0+1 ✕ ✕

Both the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and ASRock B850M Pro-A support RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0 configurations, making them suitable for users looking for various storage options. However, there are some differences in their RAID support.

The B850 LiveMixer WiFi supports RAID 5, providing an additional option for users who need redundancy with improved performance. In contrast, the B850M Pro-A does not support RAID 5, limiting its RAID functionality to RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0.

Both motherboards do not support RAID 0+1, which is not available on either model. Overall, the LiveMixer WiFi offers more RAID flexibility due to its support for RAID 5, while the Pro-A offers a slightly more limited range of RAID configurations.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

Both the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi and the ASRock B850M Pro-A are capable AM5 motherboards sharing the same B850 chipset, DDR5 support up to 256GB, and a solid suite of USB connectivity. However, their differences draw a clear line between two builder profiles. The ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi stands out with its ATX form factor, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, RGB lighting, more USB ports, S/PDIF Out, and RAID 5 support — making it the stronger choice for enthusiasts wanting a feature-rich, expansion-ready build. The ASRock B850M Pro-A counters with its compact Micro-ATX size, four SATA 3 connectors, and three audio connectors, appealing to builders who prioritize a smaller footprint and greater onboard storage connectivity over wireless and premium extras.

ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi
Buy ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi if...

Buy the ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi if you want built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, more USB ports, dual PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for greater expansion, and premium features like RGB lighting and RAID 5 support in a full ATX build.

ASRock B850M Pro-A
Buy ASRock B850M Pro-A if...

Buy the ASRock B850M Pro-A if you are building in a compact Micro-ATX case, need more SATA 3 connectors for storage drives, and do not require wireless connectivity or extensive PCIe expansion.