Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W

Name: Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W
Brand: Asus
SKU: 25999

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W is a high-performance motherboard designed for gaming and advanced computing. Featuring an AM5 CPU socket, it supports the latest generation of processors and offers flexibility for building a powerful system. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable wireless connectivity, making it an excellent choice for gaming and media-intensive tasks.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with speeds up to 8000 MHz, ensuring exceptional performance for demanding applications. With multiple PCIe slots, including PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16, it provides extensive expansion options. It also features advanced RAID support, including RAID 0, 1, and 10, for optimized storage configurations.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of memory for demanding applications and multitasking.
Includes multiple high-speed PCIe slots, including PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16, offering expansion options for advanced GPUs and devices.
Has built-in Wi-Fi 6E support, providing fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
Features dual BIOS for added system reliability and easy recovery in case of failure.
Equipped with 6 fan headers, enabling efficient cooling management for high-performance systems.

Cons

Does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting storage expansion options for certain setups.
Lacks support for RAID 0+1, which could be a disadvantage for users looking for a specific RAID configuration.
Does not include Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, which limits high-speed external device connectivity.
No S/PDIF Out port for high-quality digital audio output.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users who need robust performance and expansion capabilities, such as gamers or PC enthusiasts. With support for up to 256GB of memory and multiple PCIe slots, including PCIe 5.0 x16, it can handle demanding applications and high-performance graphics cards. Its built-in Wi-Fi 6E support also ensures fast and stable wireless connectivity, while the dual BIOS feature offers system reliability and ease of recovery in case of failure, making it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich motherboard for custom builds.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users requiring specific RAID configurations like RAID 0+1, as it does not support that setup. It also lacks support for Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, which might limit external device connectivity for users with high-speed peripherals. Additionally, users who need mSATA or U.2 connectors for specialized storage configurations will find these features absent, making it less suitable for certain professional or enterprise setups that rely on such interfaces.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
release date	April 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)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.3
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	244 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is compatible with the B850 chipset. Its ATX form factor makes it suitable for most standard cases. The board supports a range of Wi-Fi versions including Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, and the latest Wi-Fi 6E for high-speed wireless connectivity. It also includes Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device pairing. Other highlights include RGB lighting, dual BIOS for reliability, and an easy overclocking option for enhanced performance. Additionally, the board has an HDMI 2.1 port and a clear CMOS button for quick BIOS resets.

Memory:

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

The Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard supports up to 256GB of memory, making it ideal for demanding applications and multitasking. It features DDR5 memory with a maximum overclocked RAM speed of 8000 MHz for optimal performance. With 4 memory slots and support for dual-channel memory, it provides flexibility for memory upgrades and configuration. However, it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	3
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	2
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 Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard offers a variety of port options, including 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports for high-speed data transfer. It also features a USB Type-C port, along with 2 USB 2.0 ports for legacy devices. For video output, the motherboard includes an HDMI port and a DisplayPort. Additionally, it has 1 RJ45 port for network connectivity, but lacks support for Thunderbolt, eSATA, DVI, VGA, or PS/2 ports.

Connectors:

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

The Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard is equipped with several important connectors, including 3 M.2 sockets for fast storage devices and 4 SATA 3 connectors for additional hard drives or SSDs. It also provides ample USB connectivity with 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 6 USB 2.0 ports through expansion. Additionally, it has 6 fan headers for cooling and includes a TPM connector for added security. Notably, the board does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors.

Expansion slots:

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

The Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard provides several expansion slot options, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-speed graphics cards or other expansion cards. Additionally, it offers 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, providing ample space for additional PCIe devices. It does not include PCIe x1, PCI, or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, limiting some expansion options.

Audio:

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

The Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound experiences. It provides 3 audio connectors for connecting various audio devices but does not include 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 Asus B850 Max Gaming Wi-Fi W motherboard supports several RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), RAID 5, and RAID 0, allowing for flexible storage management and data redundancy. However, it does not support RAID 0+1.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers impressive versatility and performance, making it a solid choice for gamers and PC enthusiasts. With support for high-speed PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and Wi-Fi 6E built-in, it excels in delivering fast connectivity and expansion options for demanding applications. The presence of features like dual BIOS adds an extra layer of reliability. While lacking some advanced RAID configurations and Thunderbolt support, it is a strong contender for users focused on power, reliability, and high-performance upgrades.