Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro

Name: Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 2762

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro is a compact and feature-rich Mini-ITX motherboard designed for high-performance builds. Equipped with an AM5 CPU socket, it offers compatibility with B850 chipsets and supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

This motherboard features 2 memory slots with support for up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM, and allows overclocking up to 8400 MHz. It includes essential connectivity options, such as HDMI 2.1, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and a variety of USB ports. Additionally, it supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, 5, and 10, and offers high-quality 7.1 audio with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

Pros

Supports a wide range of Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 7 for future-proof connectivity.
Dual BIOS support provides added reliability and protection against potential system failures.
Offers multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, 5, and 10, for flexible storage options and data redundancy.
Includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics, enhancing the visual appeal of the system.
Compact Mini-ITX form factor is ideal for building small, space-efficient systems.

Cons

Lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting certain redundancy options for users seeking striped and mirrored configurations.
No Thunderbolt or DisplayPort support, limiting high-speed connectivity and display options.
Limited to a single PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slot, offering minimal expansion capabilities for additional graphics or high-performance cards.
No support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, restricting certain storage expansion possibilities.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users seeking a compact, high-performance build, such as small form factor PC enthusiasts. The Mini-ITX form factor makes it perfect for space-constrained environments, while the dual BIOS support provides a safeguard against potential system failures. With support for advanced Wi-Fi standards including Wi-Fi 7, it's well-suited for users looking for cutting-edge wireless connectivity for gaming, media streaming, or professional tasks.

Who is this NOT for?

This product is not ideal for users who require significant graphical processing power, as it lacks integrated graphics and relies on a discrete GPU. It's also not a great choice for those who need extensive expansion options, given the limited PCIe slots and absence of Thunderbolt or DisplayPort support. Additionally, those looking for a broader RAID setup with both striped and mirrored configurations may be disappointed by the lack of support for RAID 0+1.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Mini-ITX
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	170 mm
width	170 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket, compatible with the B850 chipset, and a compact Mini-ITX form factor. It supports a wide range of Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E, and the latest Wi-Fi 7, along with Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity. For enhanced user experience, it includes RGB lighting and dual BIOS for added system stability. The board is also designed for easy overclocking, but lacks integrated graphics and a VGA connector. Its dimensions are 170mm x 170mm, and it comes with a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	128GB
RAM speed (max)	5200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8400 MHz
memory slots	2
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro motherboard supports a maximum of 128GB of DDR5 RAM across 2 memory slots, with a dual-channel configuration. It offers a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8400 MHz for improved performance. However, it does not support ECC memory, making it unsuitable for workloads that require error-correcting code.

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)	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	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro offers a variety of ports to accommodate different peripherals. It includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C port. Additionally, it provides HDMI output, one RJ45 port for network connectivity, and USB Type-C for modern devices. However, it does not include Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, or VGA connectors, and lacks any eSATA or PS/2 ports.

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)	2
SATA 3 connectors	2
fan headers	3
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 Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro provides several connectors for expanding your system's capabilities. It features two USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connector, and two additional USB 2.0 ports for peripheral devices. For storage, it includes two SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets. The board also offers three fan headers for cooling solutions. However, it does not support TPM, mSATA, or 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	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro motherboard includes a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion cards. It does not offer PCIe 4.0, PCIe 3.0, or PCIe x1 slots. For additional expansion, it also lacks PCI, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or PCIe 2.0 slots, limiting its expansion capabilities to the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro offers high-quality audio with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio, ensuring clear sound output. It supports a 7.1-channel audio setup, making it suitable for immersive audio experiences. Additionally, the motherboard includes an S/PDIF Out port and provides two audio connectors for flexible connectivity.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro motherboard supports several RAID configurations, including RAID 1, 5, and 10 for improved data redundancy and performance. It also supports RAID 0 for high-speed storage setups. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, which is commonly used for mirroring and striping combined.

Final Verdict

The motherboard excels in delivering high-quality connectivity and stability for users seeking a compact, space-efficient system, thanks to its Mini-ITX form factor and support for cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7. Its dual BIOS support ensures added reliability, while its RAID capabilities cater well to users interested in data redundancy and speed. However, its lack of integrated graphics and limited expansion options may not meet the needs of users who require more robust graphical performance or broader peripheral support. Overall, this motherboard is a solid choice for compact, performance-driven builds, particularly for those prioritizing wireless connectivity and system reliability.