Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite

Name: Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 67014

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite is a versatile Micro-ATX motherboard designed for users looking for solid performance and expandability. It features a single AM5 CPU socket and supports a range of memory options, making it a strong choice for various builds.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM at speeds up to 5200 MHz, with overclocking capabilities reaching 8200 MHz. It also includes USB Type-C ports, one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and multiple storage options, including four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets. Additionally, it offers robust audio with 7.1 channels and a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, allowing for large memory capacities in demanding applications.
Includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics in compatible builds.
Supports multiple RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) for flexible storage options.
Has a TPM connector for improved security, which is useful for sensitive applications.
Offers a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, providing high-speed expansion capabilities for modern GPUs.

Cons

Does not support integrated Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, requiring additional adapters for wireless connectivity.
Lacks HDMI output, limiting direct display connections without a separate GPU.
Does not include PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, which could limit certain high-speed expansion needs.
No support for ECC memory, which may be a drawback for users requiring high data integrity for workstations or servers.
Does not have Thunderbolt ports, limiting high-speed external device support.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite is suitable for users looking to build a reliable, customizable micro-ATX system, particularly for gaming or general computing. With its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM and RAID configurations, it is ideal for users who need a flexible, high-performance storage setup. The inclusion of RGB lighting also makes it a good choice for those interested in building a visually appealing rig.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users who require integrated wireless connectivity, as it lacks Wi-Fi support and Bluetooth. Additionally, the absence of HDMI output or integrated graphics may be a limitation for those intending to use the motherboard without a discrete GPU. It is also not ideal for users needing ECC memory support for error-sensitive workloads like professional servers or workstations.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	January 2025
supports Wi-Fi	✕
Has Bluetooth	✕
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 Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite motherboard features a single AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset. It is designed in a Micro-ATX form factor and offers easy overclocking capabilities. While it does not include integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or integrated graphics, it does offer RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics. The motherboard is backed by a 3-year warranty, and the BIOS can be reset manually, though it lacks dual BIOS support.

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 B850M Aorus Elite supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8200 MHz. It features four memory slots and supports dual-channel memory configurations. However, it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	5
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
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	0

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite motherboard offers a range of connectivity options, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C port. It also features a DisplayPort output and a single RJ45 port for network connectivity. However, it does not include HDMI, Thunderbolt, or VGA connectors, and lacks USB 4.0 or PS/2 ports.

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	2
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite motherboard provides a variety of connectors for expansion and storage, including four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets. It also supports additional USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports through expansion, offering two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and four USB 2.0 ports. Additionally, it includes six fan headers and a TPM connector for enhanced security.

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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite features a variety of expansion slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot for additional cards. However, it does not have PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, or PCI slots, and there are no PCIe 2.0 x16 or PCIe x1 slots available for expansion.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite offers robust audio features, including a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio for clear sound. It supports 7.1 audio channels and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output. Additionally, it provides two audio connectors for easy connection to external devices.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for flexible and reliable storage options. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some RAID redundancy choices.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B850M Aorus Elite is a solid choice for users seeking a reliable, customizable micro-ATX motherboard with strong support for high-performance RAM and flexible storage configurations, including RAID 1, 5, 10, and 0. Its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM and its inclusion of RGB lighting make it an appealing option for gaming and general computing builds. However, it is not suitable for those needing integrated wireless features or ECC memory support. Overall, it's a great option for users focused on performance and visual customization in a compact form factor.