Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6
Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E

Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth specification comparison between the Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and the Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E. Both boards share the AM5 socket, DDR5 memory support, and Bluetooth 5.3, but they diverge significantly when it comes to form factor and expansion potential. This comparison digs into their memory capacity, PCIe slot configurations, USB connectivity, and wireless standards to help you decide which board truly fits your build goals.

Common Features

  • Both products use the AM5 CPU socket.
  • Wi-Fi support is available on both products.
  • Bluetooth is available on both products.
  • Both products have Bluetooth version 5.3.
  • Both products support HDMI 2.1.
  • Overclocking is supported on both products.
  • RGB lighting is not present on either product.
  • Easy BIOS reset is not available on either product.
  • Both products support DDR5 memory.
  • Both products have a maximum standard RAM speed of 5200 MHz.
  • Both products have 2 memory channels.
  • ECC memory support is not available on either product.
  • Both products have 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) on the rear panel.
  • Neither product has USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) on the rear panel.
  • Both products have 4 USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel.
  • Neither product has USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, or Thunderbolt ports.
  • Both products have 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports available through expansion.
  • Both products have 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • Both products include a TPM connector.
  • Both products support 7.1 audio channels with 3 audio connectors.
  • S/PDIF Out port is not present on either product.
  • Both products support RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, but neither supports RAID 0+1.

Main Differences

  • The form factor is Micro-ATX on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and ATX on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • The width is 244 mm on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 305 mm on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) support is present on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E but not available on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6.
  • The maximum memory amount is 128 GB on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 256 GB on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • The maximum overclocked RAM speed is 7200 MHz on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 8200 MHz on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • The number of memory slots is 2 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 4 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) count is 0 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 2 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) count is 0 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 1 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • USB Type-C support is present on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E but not available on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6.
  • The number of fan headers is 4 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 6 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • The number of M.2 sockets is 2 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 3 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • PCIe 4.0 x16 slot count is 1 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 0 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • PCIe 5.0 x16 slot count is 0 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 1 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • PCIe x1 slot count is 0 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 3 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
  • PCIe x4 slot count is 1 on Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and 0 on Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E.
Specs Comparison
Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6

Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6

Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E

Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E

General info:
CPU socket AM5 AM5
form factor Micro-ATX ATX
release date January 2025 January 2025
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Has Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 5.3 5.3
HDMI version HDMI 2.1 HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock
has RGB lighting
Easy to reset BIOS
Has dual BIOS
has aptX
CPU sockets 1 1
Has integrated graphics
warranty period 3 years 3 years
height 244 mm 244 mm
width 244 mm 305 mm
Has integrated CPU

Both the Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and the B850 Eagle WiFi6E share the same AM5 socket, making them compatible with the same generation of AMD processors. They also match on several foundational features: dual BIOS, HDMI 2.1 output, Bluetooth 5.3, overclocking support, and a 3-year warranty. For users weighing these two boards on general platform fundamentals, the shared baseline is strong and nearly identical.

The two most meaningful differentiators in this group are form factor and wireless connectivity. The B840M Eagle WiFi6 uses a Micro-ATX layout (244 × 244 mm), while the B850 Eagle WiFi6E is a full ATX board (244 × 305 mm). In practice, the larger ATX footprint typically accommodates more expansion slots and better power delivery routing, but it also demands a larger case. If build space is a constraint, the B840M has a clear physical advantage. On wireless, the B850 adds support for Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax on 6 GHz), which the B840M lacks. Wi-Fi 6E's 6 GHz band offers significantly less congestion and higher potential throughput in environments with many wireless devices — a real-world benefit in dense home or office setups.

The B850 Eagle WiFi6E holds a clear edge in this group for users who prioritize wireless performance or plan to build in a standard ATX case, thanks to its Wi-Fi 6E support. However, the B840M Eagle WiFi6 is the better fit for compact builds where Micro-ATX dimensions are required and Wi-Fi 6E is not a priority — with no sacrifice to core platform features.

Memory:
maximum memory amount 128GB 256GB
RAM speed (max) 5200 MHz 5200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 7200 MHz 8200 MHz
memory slots 2 4
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
Supports ECC memory

The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E differ in their memory capabilities. The B840M supports a maximum memory capacity of 128GB, while the B850 allows for a larger 256GB. Both motherboards support DDR5 memory and feature dual memory channels. They also have the same maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, although the B850 supports a higher overclocked RAM speed of 8200 MHz, compared to the B840M's 7200 MHz.

In terms of memory slots, the B840M has 2 slots, while the B850 provides 4, offering more flexibility for memory expansion. Despite the differences in capacity and slots, neither motherboard supports ECC memory, which would be relevant for error-checking in critical systems.

In summary, the B850 provides more memory slots and a higher maximum memory capacity, along with better overclocked RAM speeds, making it a more scalable option for users who plan to push their memory performance or require more RAM. The B840M is more limited in these areas but still offers solid performance for smaller builds.

Ports:
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 0 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 2 2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0 1
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 1 1

The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E offer similar port setups, with some notable differences. Both motherboards provide 4 USB 2.0 ports and 1 RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity. They also include an HDMI output and a DisplayPort output. However, the B850 has a more varied selection of USB ports compared to the B840M. The B850 has 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (USB-C), while the B840M offers only 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) and lacks USB 3.2 Gen 1 or Gen 2 USB-C ports altogether.

Additionally, the B850 includes a USB Type-C port, a feature the B840M lacks. Both motherboards have 1 PS/2 port, no VGA connector, and no Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports. Neither board includes eSATA or DVI outputs.

In summary, the B850 has more diverse USB options, including a USB Type-C port and a mix of Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports, which the B840M does not. Both motherboards are well-equipped for display connectivity and networking, with similar options in HDMI, DisplayPort, and RJ45 ports.

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

The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E share many similar connectors, but the B850 offers some extra features. Both motherboards provide 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion, as well as 4 SATA 3 connectors and 2 USB 3.0 ports through expansion. Both also have TPM connectors, which can be useful for security purposes, and neither motherboard includes SATA 2 connectors or mSATA connectors.

The key difference lies in the number of fan headers and M.2 sockets. The B840M has 4 fan headers and 2 M.2 sockets, while the B850 has 6 fan headers and 3 M.2 sockets. This provides the B850 with more flexibility for cooling solutions and storage expansion options.

In summary, both motherboards have similar fundamental connectors, but the B850 offers more fan headers and M.2 sockets, making it better suited for more complex setups requiring additional cooling or storage options.

Expansion slots:
PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 1 0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 0 1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 0 0
PCIe x1 slots 0 3
PCI slots 0 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0 0
PCIe x4 slots 1 0
PCIe x8 slots 0 0

The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E differ significantly in their expansion slot configurations. The B840M features 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe x4 slot, while the B850 offers a more diverse range, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 3 PCIe x1 slots. The B840M lacks PCIe 5.0 support and PCIe x1 slots altogether, whereas the B850 provides more flexibility with additional PCIe x1 slots, making it better suited for expansion cards that don’t require a x16 slot.

Neither motherboard includes PCI slots, PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, or PCIe x8 slots. The B840M does not feature any PCIe 5.0 slots, while the B850 is equipped with the latest PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and better future-proofing for compatible devices.

In summary, the B850 provides more expansion options, with a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and multiple PCIe x1 slots, compared to the B840M’s more limited configuration with just one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and a PCIe x4 slot.

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

The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E share identical audio specifications. Both motherboards support 7.1 audio channels, providing a high-quality surround sound experience. Neither motherboard includes an S/PDIF Out port, and both feature 3 audio connectors, which can be used for various audio devices like speakers, headphones, or microphones.

In summary, the audio capabilities are the same on both the B840M and B850, with no differences in the number of audio channels, connectors, or the presence of an S/PDIF Out port.

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

The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 and Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E offer identical storage capabilities in terms of RAID support. Both motherboards support RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), RAID 5, and RAID 0, providing users with multiple options for data redundancy and performance. However, neither motherboard supports RAID 0+1, which is a mirrored and striped RAID configuration.

In summary, the storage capabilities of both the B840M and B850 are exactly the same, with support for common RAID configurations but lacking RAID 0+1.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After reviewing all specifications, these two boards serve distinctly different builders. The Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 is a compact Micro-ATX solution best suited for space-conscious builds, offering a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 2 memory slots supporting up to 128 GB, and a slim port selection — all in a smaller 244 mm footprint. The Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E, by contrast, is a full ATX platform designed for users who demand more headroom: it delivers a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 4 memory slots with up to 256 GB capacity and 8200 MHz overclocked RAM speeds, 3 M.2 sockets, 6 fan headers, Wi-Fi 6E support, and additional USB connectivity including Type-C. Choose the B840M for a budget-friendly compact build; choose the B850 for a future-proof, high-performance system with maximum expandability.

Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6
Buy Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 if...

Buy the Gigabyte B840M Eagle WiFi6 if you are building a compact Micro-ATX system and do not need more than 2 memory slots, extensive USB options, or Wi-Fi 6E support.

Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E
Buy Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E if...

Buy the Gigabyte B850 Eagle WiFi6E if you want a full ATX board with PCIe 5.0, 4 memory slots supporting up to 256 GB, faster overclocked RAM speeds of 8200 MHz, Wi-Fi 6E, and broader USB and M.2 expansion.