ASRock B850M Pro RS

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

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock B850M Pro RS is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for AMD AM5 processors, pairing them with the B850 chipset in a compact 244 x 244 mm footprint. It ships with a three-year warranty and includes RGB lighting, dual BIOS support, and overclocking capability, making it a well-rounded option for builders working within the Micro-ATX form factor.

On the memory side, the board provides four DDR5 slots across two channels, with support for speeds up to 8000 MHz when overclocked and a maximum capacity of 256 GB. Connectivity includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot alongside a PCIe x4 slot, three M.2 sockets, and four SATA 3 connectors with RAID 0, 1, and 10 support. The rear I/O offers a mix of USB ports including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C, HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort output, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port, while audio is handled by a 7.1-channel solution with three connectors.

Pros

Supports DDR5 memory with overclocked speeds up to 8000 MHz, offering substantial memory bandwidth headroom
Three M.2 sockets provide ample high-speed storage expansion alongside four SATA 3 connectors
A PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensures compatibility with the latest generation graphics cards and add-in devices
Dual BIOS adds a layer of resilience against failed firmware updates
Seven-channel audio output with three rear connectors covers multi-speaker setups without needing a separate sound card
A three-year warranty offers a solid coverage period for a motherboard

Cons

No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth requires a separate adapter for wireless connectivity
ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for error-sensitive or workstation-grade applications
No S/PDIF output restricts digital audio passthrough options for certain home theatre setups
The clear CMOS button is absent, making BIOS resets less straightforward in troubleshooting situations
Only one PCIe x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot leave limited room for multiple expansion cards in the Micro-ATX chassis

Who is this for?

This board is well-matched for builders assembling a capable AMD AM5 desktop system within a compact footprint, particularly those who want DDR5 memory with high overclocking headroom and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for a current-generation graphics card. The three M.2 sockets make it a practical choice for users who rely on multiple fast NVMe drives, while RAID 0, 1, and 10 support adds value for those who want basic storage redundancy or performance striping. The dual BIOS feature and five fan headers also suit enthusiasts who tinker with system settings and want solid thermal management options in a Micro-ATX build.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need wireless connectivity out of the box will find this board inadequate, as there is no integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, requiring a separate adapter. It is also a poor fit for workstation or server-oriented tasks that depend on ECC memory support, since that capability is absent. Additionally, builders who need extensive expansion slot flexibility — such as running multiple full-length cards simultaneously — will be constrained by the single PCIe x16 slot and limited secondary expansion options inherent to its Micro-ATX layout.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-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	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The ASRock B850M Pro RS is built around the AM5 socket with a compatible B850 chipset and adopts the Micro-ATX form factor, measuring 244 x 244 mm. It accommodates a single CPU and does not feature an integrated processor or integrated graphics. The board supports overclocking and includes dual BIOS functionality, though it does not offer a quick BIOS reset via a dedicated clear CMOS button. RGB lighting is present for visual customization, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are absent, meaning wireless connectivity requires an add-in solution. Video output is handled through an HDMI 2.1 port, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

Memory:

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

The board features four DDR5 memory slots arranged across two channels, supporting a maximum installed capacity of 256 GB. Overclocked RAM speeds can reach up to 8000 MHz, offering meaningful headroom for performance tuning. ECC memory is not supported, so the board is oriented toward standard consumer use rather than error-correcting workloads.

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 rear I/O panel provides a varied USB selection, including one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and four USB 2.0 ports; there are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt, or PS/2 ports present. Display output is covered by an HDMI port and one DisplayPort output, while VGA and DVI connections are absent. Network connectivity is handled by a single RJ45 Ethernet port, and there are no eSATA ports on the board.

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

Internal connectivity is well-covered, with three M.2 sockets for fast solid-state storage alongside four SATA 3 connectors for traditional drives; there are no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA connectors available. Expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports accessible through case headers. Cooling is managed through five fan headers, and a TPM connector is also present for security module support.

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 board offers two expansion slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the primary graphics card or other full-bandwidth add-in cards, and one PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion. There are no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, x1, x8, or legacy PCI slots present, keeping the layout straightforward within the Micro-ATX footprint.

Audio:

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

The onboard audio solution supports 7.1-channel surround sound and provides three analog audio connectors on the rear panel. A S/PDIF optical output is not included, so digital audio passthrough via that interface is unavailable.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations, covering both performance-focused striping and redundancy-oriented mirroring setups. RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported, so those particular array configurations are unavailable.

Final Verdict

The ASRock B850M Pro RS is a focused Micro-ATX motherboard that delivers a capable foundation for AMD AM5 builds without overextending its feature set. Its PCIe 5.0 x16 slot combined with DDR5 support and 8000 MHz overclocking headroom positions it well for users who want a compact system that can still accommodate current-generation hardware. The three M.2 sockets, dual BIOS, and five fan headers add practical value for builders who care about storage flexibility and system stability. Those requiring wireless connectivity or ECC memory will need to look elsewhere, but for a wired desktop build centered on performance tuning and modern storage, this board covers the essentials with few notable gaps.