ASRock B850M Pro RS

Name: ASRock B850M Pro RS
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 93530

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock B850M Pro RS is a reliable Micro-ATX motherboard designed for AM5 processors. It offers a range of features, including support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and RGB lighting for customization. The board is equipped with multiple expansion options and provides users with a solid foundation for building a high-performance PC.

Key technical features include dual BIOS, three M.2 sockets, and support for RAID 1 and RAID 10 configurations. It supports a range of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB Type-C, along with HDMI 2.1 output and a DisplayPort. The ASRock B850M Pro RS is also equipped with 7.1 audio channels and offers up to 4 fan headers for improved system cooling.

Pros

Supports easy overclocking for enhanced system performance.
Dual BIOS provides added reliability and protection against potential system failure.
Offers customizable RGB lighting for aesthetic flexibility.
Includes a variety of ports, such as USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB Type-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort for versatile connectivity.
Supports RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0 for flexible and secure storage options.

Cons

Does not include integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for video output.
Lacks built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, limiting wireless connectivity options.
Does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1, reducing options for advanced data redundancy.
No support for S/PDIF Out port, limiting certain audio setups.
Lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors for additional storage expansion options.

Who is this for?

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard is suitable for users who prioritize system stability and reliability, particularly with features like dual BIOS for added protection against potential failures. It is also a good fit for users who wish to customize their system's aesthetics, as it supports RGB lighting. Additionally, this motherboard is ideal for users who require flexibility in storage with support for RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0 configurations, making it a strong choice for building a secure and performance-focused workstation or home server.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users who require integrated graphics, as it does not include any built-in GPU support. It also lacks Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, making it less ideal for users looking for an all-in-one solution without relying on external adapters. Furthermore, it may not meet the needs of users who require advanced data redundancy options, as it does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1 configurations, limiting storage flexibility for high-availability setups.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	January 2025
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	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is built on the B850 chipset, offering a Micro-ATX form factor. It includes RGB lighting for customization and supports easy overclocking. The board is equipped with one CPU socket and has dual BIOS for added reliability. It does not support integrated graphics or Bluetooth, and there is no Wi-Fi capability. The warranty period is 3 years, and the motherboard has dimensions of 244mm in both height and width.

Memory:

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

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots, with a memory channel configuration of two. It allows for overclocked RAM speeds up to 8000 MHz, offering flexibility for high-performance builds. However, it does not support ECC memory, meaning error-correcting code functionality is not available for this model.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
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	1
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard offers a variety of ports, including USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (both USB-A and USB-C). It has a total of four USB 2.0 ports, along with HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for video connectivity. Additionally, it includes a single RJ45 port for network connectivity, but lacks any Thunderbolt, VGA, or eSATA ports.

Connectors:

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

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard offers a range of expansion options with three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage devices. It includes five fan headers to ensure effective cooling. Additionally, the board features support for a TPM connector for enhanced security but lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors for additional storage expansion.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-performance graphics or expansion cards, alongside a PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion options. Notably, it does not include PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, or PCIe x1 slots, making it focused on modern, high-speed PCIe standards. The board also lacks PCI slots and PCIe x8 slots.

Audio:

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

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard offers a 7.1 audio channel setup, providing immersive sound quality. It includes three audio connectors for connecting various audio devices, though it does not support an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.

Storage:

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

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0 for flexible storage management. However, it does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1, offering fewer redundancy options for users requiring advanced data protection.

Final Verdict

The ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard is a solid choice for users seeking reliability and customization, offering features like dual BIOS for added stability and RGB lighting for aesthetic appeal. Its support for multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1 and RAID 10, makes it a good option for those building secure and performance-oriented systems. However, it may not be suitable for users who require integrated graphics, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth support. Overall, it's a well-rounded motherboard for users focused on system reliability and flexibility, but with certain connectivity limitations to consider.