Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice

Name: Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 1080

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice is an ATX motherboard that supports the AM5 CPU socket and is built with the B850 chipset. It features RGB lighting for aesthetic customization and has dual BIOS for added reliability.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with speeds of up to 5200 MHz, overclockable to 8200 MHz. It also includes multiple ports including HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB Type-C, while offering connectivity options such as PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and RAID support for multiple configurations.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with overclocking potential up to 8200 MHz.
Includes dual BIOS for added reliability and system recovery.
Offers a variety of expansion slots including PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe x4 for flexible hardware upgrades.
Has 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound experience with 3 audio connectors.
Supports multiple RAID configurations (RAID 1, 10, 5, 0) for flexible storage management.

Cons

Does not have integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
Lacks support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting certain RAID setup options.
Lacks Thunderbolt ports (both 3 and 4), limiting high-speed peripheral expansion.
No S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard is ideal for users looking to build a high-performance PC with ample memory and storage flexibility. Its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and overclocking potential up to 8200 MHz makes it suitable for memory-intensive applications, while its multiple RAID options cater to those who need flexible and reliable storage setups. The inclusion of dual BIOS ensures stability and recovery, making it a good fit for users who prioritize system reliability and hardware expansion.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be suitable for users seeking built-in wireless connectivity or integrated graphics. It does not support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, requiring additional components for wireless networking. Additionally, the lack of integrated graphics means users must rely on a discrete GPU for video output, which could be limiting for those looking to build a cost-effective or compact system without a dedicated graphics card. The absence of S/PDIF Out also limits digital audio output for high-end audio setups.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
release date	April 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	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it a suitable choice for modern processors. It comes in an ATX form factor and includes RGB lighting for customization. This motherboard supports easy overclocking but does not have integrated graphics or Bluetooth. For added reliability, it includes dual BIOS and offers a 3-year warranty. Notably, it lacks support for Wi-Fi and has a standard HDMI 2.1 output, but no integrated CPU.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, providing ample capacity for demanding tasks. It offers a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8200 MHz. The board includes 4 memory slots and supports dual-channel memory, but it does not support ECC memory.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	1
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	1

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard provides a variety of connectivity options, including 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-C port. It also features HDMI output, DisplayPort, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port for network connectivity. Notably, it lacks support for Thunderbolt, eSATA, or VGA connectors but does include 4 USB 2.0 ports and a PS/2 port for legacy devices.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
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 Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard offers several expansion options, including 3 M.2 sockets for high-speed storage and 6 fan headers to manage cooling. It features 4 SATA 3 connectors for additional storage devices, while also supporting 2 USB 3.0 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion. Additionally, it includes a TPM connector for enhanced security, though it lacks mSATA and U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard provides several expansion options, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe x4 slot for additional hardware. It also features 2 PCIe x1 slots for smaller expansion cards, but does not support older PCI slots or PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 4.0 x16, or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels for an immersive sound experience, along with 3 audio connectors for connecting external audio devices. However, it does not feature 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 Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), RAID 5, and RAID 0, providing flexibility for different storage setups. However, it does not support RAID 0+1.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B850 Eagle Ice motherboard offers a robust foundation for high-performance systems, with strong features like support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and RAID support for flexible storage configurations. Its dual BIOS provides enhanced stability, making it a reliable choice for users focused on performance and system recovery. However, it may not be suitable for those needing integrated graphics or wireless connectivity. Overall, this motherboard is best for users looking to build a powerful and stable setup while adding their own wireless and graphics components.