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Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE

Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE is a reliable Micro-ATX motherboard designed for users seeking a versatile and expandable system. It features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it suitable for high-performance builds. A key feature is its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, enabling advanced multitasking and memory-intensive applications.

For connectivity, the motherboard offers several USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A and USB-C, as well as HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. Storage options are robust with four SATA 3 connectors and support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. The board also provides dual M.2 slots, multiple fan headers, and a TPM connector for additional security features.

Pros
  • Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, allowing for high-capacity RAM configurations.
  • Offers both PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, providing flexibility for high-speed expansion cards.
  • Includes multiple USB ports, such as USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A and USB-C, for modern device connectivity.
  • Features RAID support for several configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, offering data redundancy and performance optimization.
  • Provides 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound output, making it suitable for home theater or gaming setups.
Cons
  • Does not support Bluetooth or integrated Wi-Fi, requiring additional expansion cards for wireless connectivity.
  • Lacks Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, limiting support for high-speed peripherals and daisy-chaining devices.
  • No mSATA support, restricting options for users needing compact storage expansion.
  • Does not support ECC memory, which may limit its use in error-sensitive applications like servers or workstations.
  • No S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output, limiting options for certain high-end audio setups.
Who is this for?

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE is ideal for users who need a reliable motherboard for workstation or gaming builds. Its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, makes it a strong choice for tasks that require high memory capacity and data redundancy. The inclusion of both PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots also makes it suitable for users seeking high-speed expansion options for demanding applications or graphics cards.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be suitable for users who require built-in wireless capabilities or high-end audio outputs. It lacks integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, meaning users must rely on additional expansion cards for wireless functionality. Furthermore, the absence of an S/PDIF Out port limits its compatibility with high-quality audio setups that require digital audio output, making it less ideal for audiophiles or those needing advanced sound integration.

General info:
CPU socket AM5
chipset B850
form factor Micro-ATX
release date October 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 Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE features a Micro-ATX form factor with an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset. It is designed for efficient overclocking, with an easy overclocking option, and includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics. The motherboard also has HDMI 2.1 output, though it does not support integrated graphics or Bluetooth. It has one CPU socket, a 3-year warranty, and offers a convenient clear CMOS feature for easy 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 Pro WS B850M-Ace SE supports a maximum of 256GB of DDR5 memory, spread across four memory slots with two memory channels. It offers an impressive overclocked RAM speed of up to 8000 MHz, ensuring high performance for demanding tasks. However, it does not support ECC memory, which may limit its suitability for certain types of error-sensitive applications.

Ports:
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 2
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 3
Has USB Type-C ✓
eSATA ports 0
DVI outputs 0
has a VGA connector ✓
PS/2 ports 0

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE offers a wide variety of ports, including three USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C ports, and USB Type-C support. It also features HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, making it versatile for display connections. In addition, the motherboard is equipped with three RJ45 ports for network connectivity, and a VGA connector for legacy display support, although it lacks Thunderbolt, eSATA, and DVI ports.

Connectors:
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion) 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion) 0
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4
SATA 3 connectors 4
fan headers 5
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 2
M.2 sockets 2
Has TPM connector ✓
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE offers several useful connectors, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port for expansion. It also features four additional USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, enhancing peripheral connectivity. For storage, the motherboard includes four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets, while also supporting a TPM connector for added security.

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 x8 slots 0

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE features a well-equipped expansion slot layout, including one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-speed graphics and expansion cards. It does not include PCIe x1, PCI, or PCIe 2.0 slots, limiting some expansion options, but the available x16 slots provide excellent bandwidth for compatible devices.

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

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE offers high-quality audio with 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound. It includes two audio connectors for versatile audio device connections but does not feature an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output. This makes it a solid choice for users needing quality audio without specialized digital audio capabilities.

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

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE provides comprehensive storage support with multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. These options allow for improved data redundancy and performance, making it suitable for various storage needs. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, which combines aspects of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 for enhanced fault tolerance.

Final Verdict

The Asus Pro WS B850M-Ace SE is a solid motherboard designed for users who need high-performance and reliable hardware for demanding tasks. With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, multiple RAID configurations, and both PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, it offers great flexibility for building powerful workstations or gaming PCs. However, it lacks integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and advanced audio output, which may limit its appeal for users seeking a fully integrated system. Overall, this motherboard is a strong choice for users who prioritize expandability and memory capacity, but those requiring more built-in connectivity options may want to consider alternatives.