Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi

Name: Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi
Brand: Asus
SKU: 2193

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi is a feature-rich ATX motherboard designed to cater to both gamers and performance enthusiasts. It comes with an AM5 CPU socket, offering compatibility with a wide range of powerful processors. The board also features built-in Wi-Fi support and Bluetooth 5.4, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer wireless connectivity. RGB lighting enhances its visual appeal, while the board's durability is ensured with a 3-year warranty.

On the technical front, the Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus supports a maximum of 192GB of RAM, with speeds up to 4000 MHz, overclockable to 8000 MHz. It includes 4 memory slots and features dual-channel memory support. The motherboard also offers a variety of expansion options, including PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots. For storage, it supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, 10, 5, and 0. Additionally, it is equipped with an HDMI 2.1 output and a DisplayPort for versatile display connectivity.

Pros

Supports a wide range of Wi-Fi versions including Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, and 7, ensuring future-proof wireless connectivity.
Equipped with dual BIOS for added reliability and system recovery in case of failure.
Offers a large memory capacity with support for up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM, suitable for heavy workloads and multitasking.
Provides flexibility in storage configurations with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, catering to various performance and redundancy needs.
Includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics, appealing to users who want to personalize their system.

Cons

Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some options for redundant storage configurations.
Lacks support for Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, which could be a limitation for users requiring ultra-fast data transfer and external device compatibility.
No S/PDIF Out port, limiting digital audio output options for high-quality audio setups.
Does not include mSATA or U.2 sockets, limiting support for certain older or specialized storage devices.
Does not feature integrated graphics, requiring a separate GPU for video output.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is well-suited for users looking for a versatile and future-proof system, especially those who need high-speed wireless connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, and 7. It’s ideal for users seeking large memory capacities, with support for up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM, making it a great option for content creators, heavy multitaskers, and gamers who need significant processing power. Additionally, the inclusion of dual BIOS makes it a good fit for users who prioritize system reliability and recovery options.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best choice for users who require extreme storage redundancy options, as it does not support RAID 0+1. It also lacks support for Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, making it unsuitable for those who need high-speed external data transfer or compatibility with Thunderbolt-based peripherals. Additionally, the lack of integrated graphics means that users without a dedicated GPU will be unable to use the system for tasks like basic office work or casual gaming.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
release date	January 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), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
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 TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it compatible with a wide range of modern processors. It comes in an ATX form factor and includes Wi-Fi support for a variety of versions, from Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) to the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). Additionally, the motherboard has Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless connectivity. Key features also include dual BIOS for added reliability and easy overclocking capabilities, making it a great choice for performance enthusiasts. It also comes with RGB lighting to enhance its visual appeal and has a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	192GB
RAM speed (max)	4000 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard supports a maximum memory capacity of 192GB, offering ample room for demanding applications and multitasking. It utilizes DDR5 memory with dual memory channels for better performance and efficiency. The motherboard supports RAM speeds of up to 4000 MHz, with the option to overclock up to 8000 MHz, providing flexibility for performance tuning. It features 4 memory slots but does not support ECC memory, making it more suitable for typical gaming and enthusiast builds rather than error-sensitive workloads.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	1
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 TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard offers a variety of ports for connectivity. It features 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports, and 2 USB 2.0 ports, providing flexibility for various peripherals. The board also includes a USB Type-C port for modern devices and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C port for high-speed data transfer. For display connectivity, it has an HDMI output and a DisplayPort output. Additionally, the motherboard includes 1 RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity, but does not support Thunderbolt, eSATA, DVI, or VGA connectors.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
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 TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard provides various expansion connectors to enhance system flexibility. It includes 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connector, and 4 USB 2.0 connectors for expansion. The board also offers 4 SATA 3 connectors for storage, along with 6 fan headers to ensure optimal cooling. For faster storage options, it features 3 M.2 sockets. However, it does not include a TPM connector, mSATA, or U.2 sockets, limiting its compatibility with certain legacy or high-end storage solutions.

Expansion slots:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard offers a solid set of expansion slots for various upgrade options. It includes 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, ensuring compatibility with the latest high-speed graphics cards and expansion cards. Additionally, it provides 2 PCIe x1 slots for smaller expansion cards. However, the motherboard lacks PCIe x4, x8, PCIe 2.0 x16, and traditional PCI slots, limiting options for older or specialized add-ons.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	5

The Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard features a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high-quality audio performance, ensuring clear sound reproduction. It supports 7.1 audio channels, making it suitable for immersive surround sound setups. The motherboard includes 5 audio connectors for flexible audio device connections but does not feature an S/PDIF Out port, limiting certain digital audio output options.

Storage:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations for enhanced storage management. It is compatible with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, allowing users to optimize performance, redundancy, or a balance of both. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some storage redundancy options.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers a solid foundation for high-performance builds, especially for users seeking large memory capacity and cutting-edge wireless connectivity. With support for up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM and Wi-Fi 7, it excels in handling demanding tasks such as content creation and heavy multitasking. While lacking some high-end features like Thunderbolt ports and integrated graphics, it is a reliable choice for users focused on performance and system stability, thanks to its dual BIOS and RAID support. Overall, it's a strong option for power users looking for a future-proof, reliable platform.