Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 VS Gigabyte B850M Force

The Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force are both Micro-ATX motherboards that share a number of similarities, including the CPU socket type (AM5), chipset (B850), and a 3-year warranty period. Both motherboards also have HDMI 2.1 ports, with the same dimensions of 244 mm in height and width, and neither includes integrated graphics or an integrated CPU.

However, the two products differ in several important areas. The Asus motherboard supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the Gigabyte board lacks both of these features. The Asus model also includes dual BIOS and an easy-to-reset BIOS, features not present in the Gigabyte B850M Force. Additionally, while both support RGB lighting and are easy to overclock, the Asus model has a clear advantage with its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and its additional BIOS management features.

Both motherboards have one CPU socket, and neither has integrated graphics. The form factor for both is Micro-ATX, and both have a 3-year warranty period, ensuring a similar level of long-term support. Overall, while their physical dimensions and chipset are identical, the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 offers more connectivity options and additional BIOS features compared to the Gigabyte B850M Force.

The Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force both support DDR5 memory and feature dual memory channels. However, there are key differences in their memory specifications. The Asus motherboard supports a maximum memory amount of 256GB, double the 128GB maximum supported by the Gigabyte board. Additionally, the Asus model has 4 memory slots, while the Gigabyte board offers just 2 slots.

In terms of overclocking, the Gigabyte B850M Force supports a higher overclocked RAM speed of 9600 MHz, compared to the 8000 MHz supported by the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7. Despite this, both motherboards feature DDR5 memory version and dual memory channels.

Another distinction is that the Gigabyte B850M Force supports ECC memory, which the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 does not. This means the Gigabyte model is better suited for tasks where memory error correction is crucial, such as in certain server or workstation setups.

The Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force both provide a range of ports, but there are notable differences in their configurations. The Asus model offers more USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports, with 3 compared to the Gigabyte's 1. Additionally, the Asus board has 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, while the Gigabyte model only has 2. The Gigabyte board, however, offers a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) port, whereas the Asus model does not provide any USB-C ports of this type.

Both motherboards include 4 USB 2.0 ports and feature HDMI outputs and DisplayPort outputs. They also share an RJ45 port for networking. The Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, which the Gigabyte model lacks. Additionally, the Asus model includes a PS/2 port, which is absent on the Asus board.

When it comes to other specialized ports, the Gigabyte B850M Force does not include any eSATA or Thunderbolt ports, just like the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7. However, both motherboards do feature DisplayPort outputs and HDMI for video connections, with the Asus model also having more USB-A ports for general connectivity.

The Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force both offer similar features in terms of expansion connectors, with some differences in the number of ports and features. Both motherboards provide 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) and 2 USB 3.0 ports (through expansion), but the Gigabyte board offers 4 USB 2.0 ports (through expansion), while the Asus model has only 3.

Both boards feature 4 SATA 3 connectors and 3 M.2 sockets, making them comparable in terms of storage options. The Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 includes 5 fan headers, which is 1 more than the 4 fan headers available on the Gigabyte B850M Force. Additionally, the Gigabyte model includes a TPM connector, which the Asus board lacks.

Neither motherboard has U.2 or mSATA connectors, and both lack SATA 2 connectors. Overall, the main differences come down to the extra fan header on the Asus board and the TPM connector present on the Gigabyte model.

Both the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force feature PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, with 1 slot available on each motherboard. Neither motherboard includes PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, or PCI slots, indicating a focus on newer PCIe technologies. The Asus board has 1 PCIe x1 slot, while the Gigabyte model lacks any PCIe x1 slots.

On the other hand, the Gigabyte B850M Force includes 1 PCIe x4 slot, a feature not present on the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7, which does not include any PCIe x4 slots. Both motherboards do not feature PCIe 2.0 x16 slots or PCIe x8 slots, suggesting that both boards are focused on modern PCIe standards and fewer legacy options.

In summary, the main difference between the two boards in terms of expansion slots is the additional PCIe x4 slot on the Gigabyte model, while the Asus model offers a PCIe x1 slot that the Gigabyte board lacks.

Both the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force motherboards offer 7.1 audio channels, providing high-quality audio output for users. Neither motherboard includes an S/PDIF Out port, meaning both lack the option for direct digital audio output to certain audio devices. Both models also feature 3 audio connectors, allowing for connections to speakers, headphones, or other audio equipment.

In summary, the audio capabilities of the two motherboards are identical, with both offering 7.1 audio channels, 3 audio connectors, and no S/PDIF Out port.

Both the Asus TUF Gaming B850M-Plus Wi-Fi7 and Gigabyte B850M Force motherboards support the same RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), RAID 5, and RAID 0. Neither motherboard supports RAID 0+1, so this feature is not available on either model.

In summary, the RAID support on both boards is identical, with both offering the same set of RAID configurations and no support for RAID 0+1.