ASRock B850 Pro RS

Name: ASRock B850 Pro RS
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 73089

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock B850 Pro RS is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and B850 chipset, making it a straightforward option for Ryzen builds that benefit from DDR5 memory support. It carries a 3-year warranty, includes RGB lighting, and ships with dual BIOS for added reliability during firmware updates.

On the connectivity side, the board offers a total of 13 rear USB ports across multiple generations, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 Type-C outputs, alongside a single HDMI 2.1 video output. Internally, it provides four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with RAID 0, 1, and 10 support. Expansion is handled by one PCIe 5.0 x16 and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, while the 7.1-channel audio and seven fan headers round out a well-populated feature set. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not included.

Pros

Four M.2 sockets provide substantial NVMe storage expansion for a mid-range board
Dual BIOS adds a layer of firmware safety during updates or failed flash attempts
Seven fan headers allow for thorough system cooling management without additional controllers
DDR5 support with speeds up to 8000 MHz gives considerable headroom for fast memory kits
Both PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots are present, accommodating current and recent-generation add-in cards
A 3-year warranty offers a reasonable coverage period for a motherboard

Cons

No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth included, requiring a separate adapter for wireless connectivity
No USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports on the rear panel despite having multiple USB generations present
No S/PDIF output limits digital audio connectivity options
No easy CMOS reset button, which can complicate BIOS recovery in certain situations
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use in workloads that require error-correcting RAM

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for desktop builders targeting an AM5 platform build who want room to grow with DDR5 memory up to 256 GB and speeds reaching 8000 MHz. The four M.2 sockets and RAID 0/1/10 support make it well-suited for users who need flexible, multi-drive storage configurations. The seven fan headers and overclocking support also make it a reasonable choice for enthusiasts who want active thermal management without investing in additional hardware.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely on wireless connectivity will find this board lacking, as neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth is built in, requiring a separate solution. It is also not appropriate for workstation or server-oriented workloads that depend on ECC memory for data integrity. Additionally, those seeking a compact build will find the ATX form factor unsuitable, and anyone needing high-speed digital audio output via S/PDIF will need to look elsewhere.

General info:

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

The ASRock B850 Pro RS is built around the AM5 socket with a B850 chipset and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 305 mm wide and 244 mm tall. It supports one CPU, has no integrated processor or graphics, and includes an HDMI 2.1 output for display connectivity. Overclocking is supported, and the board features RGB lighting along with a dual BIOS for firmware recovery, though there is no easy CMOS reset button. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not present on this model, and the board carries a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

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

The board uses DDR5 memory and provides four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting a maximum capacity of 256 GB. RAM speeds reach up to 8000 MHz, which also reflects the overclocked ceiling, giving builders a wide range of kit options to work with. ECC memory is not supported on this board.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 2.0 ports	6
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	0
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	0
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O panel includes a total of 12 USB ports spanning multiple standards: four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, and six USB 2.0 ports. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports present. For display output, the board provides a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors available. Networking is handled by one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 connections included.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	7
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	4
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well-stocked, with four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage, while SATA 2 and mSATA are not supported. USB expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, and four USB 2.0 ports, allowing for a significant number of additional front-panel and bracket connections. The board also features seven fan headers, a TPM connector, and no U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

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

The board provides two full-length PCIe slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16 and one PCIe 4.0 x16, covering the primary needs for discrete graphics cards or high-speed add-in cards. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x8, PCIe x4, PCIe x1, or legacy PCI slots included.

Audio:

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

The board supports 7.1-channel audio and includes three analog audio connectors on the rear panel. There is no S/PDIF output available for digital audio passthrough.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 configurations for multi-drive storage setups, while RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not available.

Final Verdict

The ASRock B850 Pro RS presents a well-rounded AM5 motherboard that covers the essentials for a capable DDR5 desktop build, with particular strengths in storage flexibility thanks to its four M.2 sockets and broad RAID support. The dual BIOS, seven fan headers, and PCIe 5.0 slot add meaningful utility for builders who value reliability and room to expand. Its absence of built-in wireless and ECC memory support does narrow its appeal, but for users focused on a wired, performance-oriented desktop build on the AM5 platform, this board delivers a feature set that aligns well with that purpose.