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ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi
ASRock B850M Pro RS

ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi ASRock B850M Pro RS

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth specification comparison between the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and the ASRock B850M Pro RS — two Micro-ATX motherboards built on the B850 chipset for AMD AM5 processors. While these boards share a remarkably similar foundation in memory support, expansion slots, and connectivity, the key battlegrounds come down to wireless capability and fan header count. Read on to discover which board best suits your specific build requirements.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both boards use the AM5 CPU socket.
  • ✓ Both boards feature the B850 chipset.
  • ✓ Both boards have a Micro-ATX form factor.
  • ✓ Both boards include an HDMI 2.1 port.
  • ✓ Overclocking is supported on both boards.
  • ✓ RGB lighting is present on both boards.
  • ✓ BIOS reset is not easy on either board.
  • ✓ Dual BIOS is available on both boards.
  • ✓ Both boards support a maximum memory amount of 256GB.
  • ✓ Both boards support overclocked RAM speeds of up to 8000 MHz.
  • ✓ Both boards have 4 memory slots.
  • ✓ Both boards use DDR5 memory.
  • ✓ Both boards feature 2 memory channels.
  • ✓ ECC memory is not supported on either board.
  • ✓ Both boards have 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and 4 USB 2.0 ports.
  • ✓ Neither board has USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 40Gbps, or USB 4 20Gbps ports.
  • ✓ Both boards provide 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion headers.
  • ✓ Both boards have 4 SATA 3 connectors and 3 M.2 sockets.
  • ✓ A TPM connector is present on both boards.
  • ✓ Neither board has a U.2 socket or an mSATA connector.
  • ✓ Both boards have 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe x4 slot, with no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, x8, x1, or legacy PCI slots.
  • ✓ Both boards support 7.1 audio channels with 3 audio connectors.
  • ✓ An S/PDIF Out port is not available on either board.
  • ✓ Both boards support RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10, but not RAID 5 or RAID 0+1.

Main Differences

  • • Wi-Fi is built into the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi but is not available on the ASRock B850M Pro RS.
  • • Bluetooth is included on the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi but is not present on the ASRock B850M Pro RS.
  • • The ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi has 6 fan headers, while the ASRock B850M Pro RS has 5 fan headers.
Specs Comparison
ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi

ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi

ASRock B850M Pro RS

ASRock B850M Pro RS

General info:
CPU socket AM5 AM5
chipset B850 B850
form factor Micro-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 244 mm 244 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕ ✕

At their core, the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS are nearly identical boards: both use the AM5 socket with the B850 chipset, share a Micro-ATX form factor at exactly 244 × 244 mm, support overclocking, feature RGB lighting, dual BIOS, and carry the same 3-year warranty. For a user comparing these two on platform fundamentals, there is nothing to separate them.

The single but meaningful distinction lies in connectivity: the Pro Plus Wi-Fi includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the Pro RS offers neither. In practice, this matters most for builds in locations where running an Ethernet cable is impractical, or for users who want to connect wireless peripherals — mice, headsets, or controllers — without occupying a USB slot with a dongle. For a desktop placed near a router with a clean cable run, the omission on the Pro RS is largely irrelevant.

The Pro Plus Wi-Fi has a clear edge in this group purely because of its integrated wireless stack. If you have any foreseeable need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth — even occasional — paying for it on the motherboard is almost always cheaper and tidier than adding a PCIe card or USB adapter later. If you are certain you will rely entirely on wired Ethernet and wired peripherals, the Pro RS delivers an identical feature set at presumably a lower cost, making it the more efficient choice for that specific use case.

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 ✕ ✕

The ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS share identical memory specifications. Both support a maximum memory amount of 256GB, with four memory slots available for installation. They also both support DDR5 memory, operate with dual memory channels, and have the same overclocked RAM speed of 8000 MHz.

In terms of memory features, neither motherboard supports ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory. This means that both motherboards are designed for general consumer use, rather than for applications where ECC memory might be necessary.

Since all memory specs are the same between these two models, users won’t see any difference in terms of memory performance or configuration options.

Ports:
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 1 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 2 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 4 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 B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS have identical port configurations. Both motherboards offer the same number of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (1 USB-A and 1 USB-C), USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (2 USB-A), and USB 2.0 ports (4). Neither board includes USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 40Gbps, USB 4 20Gbps, Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Both motherboards also feature the same display outputs, with an HDMI output and a DisplayPort output, but neither offers a DVI or VGA connector. Additionally, they both have a single RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity and support USB Type-C.

Overall, the port setups of the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS are nearly identical, with no differences in the available USB ports, display outputs, or networking options.

Connectors:
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 4 4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4 4
SATA 3 connectors 4 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 B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS are similar in terms of connectors, with both offering the same number of USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4), USB 2.0 ports (4), and USB 3.0 ports (4) through expansion. Both motherboards also provide 4 SATA 3 connectors, 3 M.2 sockets, and a TPM connector. Neither board includes U.2 sockets or SATA 2 connectors, and both lack an mSATA connector.

One key difference is in the number of fan headers. The Pro Plus Wi-Fi features 6 fan headers, while the Pro RS has 5, offering a slightly greater fan expansion option on the Pro Plus Wi-Fi.

Overall, the specifications for connectors are nearly identical, with the only notable difference being the Pro Plus Wi-Fi having one more fan header than the Pro RS.

Expansion slots:
PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 0 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 1 1
PCIe x8 slots 0 0

The ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS have identical expansion slot configurations. Both motherboards feature 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe x4 slot, with no PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe x1, PCI, or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots available. Additionally, neither board includes a PCIe x8 slot.

Since their expansion slot offerings are the same, there is no difference between the two motherboards in terms of the types or number of available slots for expansion cards.

Overall, both the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS provide the same expansion capabilities, with only a PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe x4 slot available on each board.

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

Both the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS offer identical audio specifications. They both support 7.1 audio channels and feature 3 audio connectors. Neither motherboard includes an S/PDIF Out port, so both lack that specific audio output option.

Since the audio capabilities are the same on both boards, users will have an equal experience in terms of audio channel support and available audio connectors on either product.

Overall, there is no difference between the two motherboards in their audio configurations.

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

The ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and ASRock B850M Pro RS both support RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0, providing a variety of options for data redundancy and performance. Neither motherboard supports RAID 5 or RAID 0+1, so users won't have access to those particular RAID configurations.

With the storage capabilities being identical between the two models, there is no difference in terms of RAID support or configuration options.

Overall, both motherboards offer the same RAID functionality, so users can expect the same storage options from either product.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After a thorough comparison, it is clear that the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi and the ASRock B850M Pro RS are closely matched boards that share the same B850 chipset, AM5 socket, Micro-ATX form factor, DDR5 memory support up to 256GB at 8000 MHz, identical port layouts, and the same storage and expansion slot configurations. The decisive differences lie in wireless connectivity and cooling flexibility. The Pro Plus Wi-Fi is the stronger choice for users who want built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth without an add-in card, and who run thermally demanding setups that benefit from its extra sixth fan header. The Pro RS, on the other hand, suits builders who already have a wired network setup and do not need wireless connectivity, making it a potentially more cost-effective option when those features are simply not required.

ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi
Buy ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi if...

Buy the ASRock B850M Pro Plus Wi-Fi if you want built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for a cable-free network setup, or if your build demands the flexibility of an extra fan header for advanced cooling configurations.

ASRock B850M Pro RS
Buy ASRock B850M Pro RS if...

Buy the ASRock B850M Pro RS if you rely on a wired network connection and have no need for wireless connectivity, and are comfortable with five fan headers for your cooling setup.