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MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi
MSI Pro B850-P WiFi

MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi MSI Pro B850-P WiFi

Overview

When choosing between the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi, the decision goes well beyond their shared AM5 platform and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Both boards are built on the B850 chipset and offer DDR5 support, yet they diverge in meaningful ways across form factor, rear port selection, storage expansion, and audio features. This side-by-side comparison examines exactly where these two motherboards differ to help you identify which one best fits your build goals and priorities.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both products use the AM5 CPU socket.
  • ✓ Both products feature the B850 chipset.
  • ✓ Both products include Wi-Fi support, covering Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be).
  • ✓ Both products include Bluetooth 5.4.
  • ✓ Both products feature HDMI 2.1.
  • ✓ Both products support overclocking.
  • ✓ Both products support a maximum of 256GB of RAM.
  • ✓ Both products have a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, with overclocked RAM speed reaching up to 8200 MHz.
  • ✓ Both products have 4 memory slots and 2 memory channels.
  • ✓ Both products use DDR5 memory.
  • ✓ ECC memory is not supported on either product.
  • ✓ Both products include 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) and no USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C).
  • ✓ Neither product includes USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 40Gbps, USB 4 20Gbps, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports.
  • ✓ Both products have an HDMI output.
  • ✓ Both products provide 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion and 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • ✓ Both products include a TPM connector, while neither features an mSATA connector or SATA 2 connectors.
  • ✓ Both products include 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and no PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, PCIe x8, or PCI slots.
  • ✓ Both products support 7.1 audio channels.
  • ✓ Both products support RAID 0 and RAID 1, while neither supports RAID 5 or RAID 0+1.

Main Differences

  • • The form factor is Micro-ATX on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and ATX on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • The board width is 243.8 mm on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 304.8 mm on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) number 3 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 1 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) number 3 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 1 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • USB 2.0 ports number 0 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 4 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • A DisplayPort output is present on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi but not available on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports through expansion number 2 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 4 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • USB 3.0 ports through expansion number 2 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 4 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • Fan headers number 5 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 6 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • M.2 sockets number 2 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 3 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • A PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is not present on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi but is available on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • PCIe x1 slots number 1 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 2 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • A PCIe x4 slot is present on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi but not available on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • An S/PDIF Out port is present on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi but not available on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi.
  • • Audio connectors number 3 on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and 2 on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
  • • RAID 10 (1+0) support is present on MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi but not available on MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.
Specs Comparison
MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi

MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi

MSI Pro B850-P WiFi

MSI Pro B850-P WiFi

General info:
CPU socket AM5 AM5
chipset B850 B850
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 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth ✓ ✓
Bluetooth version 5.4 5.4
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 243.8 mm 243.8 mm
width 243.8 mm 304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕ ✕

Both boards share the same AM5 socket and B850 chipset, making them direct siblings in MSI's lineup targeting the same Ryzen platform. They also match on connectivity fundamentals: Wi-Fi 7 support, Bluetooth 5.4, and HDMI 2.1 output. Feature-wise, both offer dual BIOS, easy BIOS reset, overclocking support, RGB lighting, and a 3-year warranty — so neither has an edge on amenities or platform capability.

The single meaningful differentiator in this group is form factor. The B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi is a Micro-ATX board at 243.8 × 243.8 mm, while the Pro B850-P WiFi is a full ATX board at 243.8 × 304.8 mm — about 61 mm taller. In practice, this means the ATX board requires a mid-tower or larger case and typically gains more PCIe slots, more RAM slots, and additional power connectors compared to what a Micro-ATX layout can accommodate. If you are building in a compact or mid-size case, the Gaming Plus is the only viable option here.

For buyers with a standard ATX case who want maximum expandability headroom, the Pro B850-P WiFi holds the edge purely on physical scale and the expansion potential that comes with it. For compact builds where space is constrained, the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi wins by default — and gives up nothing in terms of platform features or connectivity to get there.

Memory:
maximum memory amount 256GB 256GB
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz 5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8200 MHz 8200 MHz
memory slots 4 4
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
Supports ECC memory ✕ ✕

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi are very similar when it comes to memory specifications. Both motherboards support a maximum memory amount of 256GB, with a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz and an overclocked RAM speed of 8200 MHz. They each feature four memory slots, and both support DDR5 memory, with two memory channels for efficient data transfer.

Additionally, neither motherboard supports ECC memory, which is a feature often sought for error-correction in more critical applications. With identical memory capabilities across the board, the two models are almost identical in terms of memory specifications.

In conclusion, the memory-related features are consistent between the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi, with no significant differences in their maximum memory, speeds, or slot configurations.

Ports:
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 3 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 3 1
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 2 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0 0
USB 2.0 ports 0 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 0
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 MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi differ in several aspects of their port configurations. Both motherboards support USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports, with the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi offering 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports, 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports. In contrast, the Pro B850-P has fewer USB-A ports, offering just 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A), but matches with 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports.

Another notable difference is the USB 2.0 ports. The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has no USB 2.0 ports, whereas the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi includes 4 USB 2.0 ports. Both motherboards lack USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt, eSATA, and DVI outputs.

When it comes to video outputs, both motherboards have an HDMI output, but the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi also includes a DisplayPort output, which the Pro B850-P lacks. Both motherboards feature a single RJ45 port, USB Type-C support, and no VGA or PS/2 ports.

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi both offer a solid array of connectors, but there are a few key differences. Both motherboards feature 4 SATA 3 connectors and include 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion. The B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi offers 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports through expansion, while the Pro B850-P provides 4 such ports. The Pro B850-P also offers 4 USB 3.0 ports through expansion, whereas the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has only 2.

When it comes to fan headers, the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has 5, while the Pro B850-P provides 6 fan headers, giving it a slight advantage in cooling options. Both motherboards support TPM connectors, but neither offers U.2 sockets or mSATA connectors. However, the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has 2 M.2 sockets, whereas the Pro B850-P includes 3 M.2 sockets.

In summary, the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi offers more USB ports, fan headers, and M.2 sockets compared to the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi. Both motherboards are well-equipped with essential connectors, but the Pro B850-P provides more expansion options overall.

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi differ in their expansion slot configurations. The B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and a PCIe x1 slot, but it does not include any PCIe 4.0 x16 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. Additionally, it has a PCIe x4 slot but no PCIe x8 or PCI slots.

In contrast, the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi offers a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, similar to the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi, but it also includes 2 PCIe x1 slots while lacking a PCIe x4 slot. The Pro B850-P has no PCIe x8 or PCI slots either.

Overall, the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi offers more flexibility with 2 PCIe x1 slots compared to just 1 on the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi, while both motherboards share similar PCIe x16 slot configurations for high-speed expansion cards.

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi have similar audio features, with both motherboards supporting 7.1 audio channels. However, there are a couple of key differences. The B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has 3 audio connectors, while the Pro B850-P has only 2. Additionally, the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi includes an S/PDIF Out port, which the B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi does not have.

In summary, the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi offers more audio connectors but lacks the S/PDIF Out port, while the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi has fewer audio connectors but includes the S/PDIF Out port.

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and MSI Pro B850-P WiFi both support RAID 1 and RAID 0, offering flexibility for data redundancy and speed. However, they differ in other RAID configurations. The B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi supports RAID 10 (1+0), while the Pro B850-P does not. On the other hand, the Pro B850-P supports RAID 1 and RAID 0 just like the B850M, but neither motherboard supports RAID 5 or RAID 0+1.

In summary, both motherboards offer similar RAID support for RAID 1 and RAID 0, but the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has the added benefit of RAID 10 support, which is not available on the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi and the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi share a strong common foundation: AM5 socket, B850 chipset, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, DDR5 with up to 256GB of RAM, and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot. Where they part ways is in scope and flexibility. The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi suits builders working within a compact Micro-ATX chassis, who value a richer rear USB 3.2 port lineup, a DisplayPort output, and RAID 10 storage support. The MSI Pro B850-P WiFi is the better fit for those who need a full ATX platform with room to grow, offering an extra M.2 socket, an additional PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, more USB headers for internal expansion, an extra fan header for complex cooling setups, and an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio connectivity.

MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi
Buy MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi if...

Buy the MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi if you are building a compact Micro-ATX system and want more rear USB 3.2 ports, a DisplayPort output, and RAID 10 support.

MSI Pro B850-P WiFi
Buy MSI Pro B850-P WiFi if...

Buy the MSI Pro B850-P WiFi if you need a full ATX board with an extra M.2 socket, a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, more internal USB and fan headers, and an S/PDIF Out port.