Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E

Name: Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 94075

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E is a feature-rich ATX motherboard tailored for gamers and enthusiasts. With support for the AM5 CPU socket and the B850 chipset, it offers a solid foundation for high-performance builds. Its standout features include Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

This motherboard is equipped with 4 DDR5 memory slots, supporting up to 256GB of RAM at a maximum speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8200 MHz. It also includes PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, M.2 sockets, and SATA 3 connectors for flexible storage options. Additionally, it supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, and features an HDMI 2.1 output and a DisplayPort for versatile video connectivity.

Pros

Supports multiple RAID configurations including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, providing flexibility for storage performance and data redundancy.
Has a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, ensuring compatibility with modern high-speed expansion cards like next-gen GPUs.
Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, offering advanced wireless connectivity options.
Includes 6 fan headers, allowing for extensive cooling customization in high-performance setups.
Dual BIOS support enhances system reliability and recovery options in case of failures.

Cons

Lacks support for RAID 0+1, limiting certain RAID setup configurations.
Does not include S/PDIF out port, which may restrict some high-end audio setups.
Does not support integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for video output.
No support for Thunderbolt 3 or 4, limiting ultra-fast data transfer and external device connectivity.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard is ideal for users seeking high-performance gaming or workstation setups. It supports PCIe 5.0 for modern expansion cards and features advanced Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable, high-speed wireless connectivity. With its multiple RAID options, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, it is well-suited for users needing storage performance and redundancy in demanding applications like gaming, video editing, or content creation.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best choice for users needing ultra-fast data transfer through Thunderbolt or those looking for integrated graphics. Its lack of RAID 0+1 support may also be limiting for users with specific RAID setup needs. Additionally, without an S/PDIF out port, it is not ideal for users who require high-end audio output capabilities for home theater or professional audio production.

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)
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 Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard is built for the AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it compatible with a range of processors. It features an ATX form factor and includes Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless connectivity, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 for enhanced device pairing. Notable extras include dual BIOS for system reliability and RGB lighting for customization. The board also supports HDMI 2.1 output and offers easy overclocking capabilities, though it does not include integrated graphics or aptX support. The warranty period is 3 years.

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 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard supports a maximum of 256GB of DDR5 RAM across 4 memory slots, with two memory channels for efficient data transfer. It offers a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked up to 8200 MHz for enhanced performance. However, it does not support ECC memory, making it less suited for workloads that require error-correcting capabilities. This setup provides ample flexibility for high-performance memory configurations.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	3
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 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB Type-C support and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) port, along with 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports. For video output, it provides an HDMI port and 1 DisplayPort. Additionally, it includes an RJ45 Ethernet port for wired networking and a PS/2 port for legacy peripherals. Notably, it lacks Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, as well as VGA and DVI connectors.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 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 Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard provides a variety of expansion options with 3 M.2 sockets and 4 SATA 3 connectors for flexible storage configurations. It includes additional USB ports through expansion, such as 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, and 4 USB 2.0 ports. For cooling, the board has 6 fan headers, ensuring adequate airflow for high-performance setups. It also features a TPM connector for added security, though it lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors.

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	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion, ensuring compatibility with the latest GPUs. It also includes 2 PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion cards, though it lacks PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, and PCIe x4 slots. This setup provides a solid base for various components but does not support older or specialized PCIe configurations.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound quality, with 3 audio connectors for flexible headphone and speaker setups. However, it does not include an S/PDIF Out port, limiting some advanced audio configurations.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, allowing for enhanced storage performance and redundancy. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some specific RAID setup options.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard offers solid performance with modern features like PCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, making it a strong choice for gamers and professionals looking for reliable, high-speed performance. Its support for multiple RAID configurations adds versatility for storage-heavy applications. However, its lack of advanced audio outputs and Thunderbolt support may limit its appeal for specific use cases. Overall, this motherboard is well-suited for users seeking a powerful and flexible platform for demanding tasks, though those with specialized peripheral needs may want to consider other options.