Gigabyte B850M DS3H

Name: Gigabyte B850M DS3H
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 72497

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed to support the AM5 CPU socket and B850 chipset. It features a solid set of connectivity options and is suitable for users looking for a reliable and versatile motherboard. The board does not include built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but it does come with HDMI 2.1 support and easy overclocking capabilities for better performance tuning.

On the technical side, the B850M DS3H supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with speeds up to 5200 MHz, expandable to 8200 MHz when overclocked. It also offers PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 4 memory slots, and a range of USB ports, including USB Type-C. Additionally, the motherboard provides RAID support for multiple configurations such as RAID 0, 1, and 5, while maintaining a 3-year warranty period.

Pros

Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for flexible storage configurations.
Includes 2 M.2 sockets for fast storage options like NVMe SSDs.
Offers dual BIOS for added system stability and safety.
Has USB Type-C for modern connectivity.
Supports 7.1 audio channels for rich, high-quality sound output.

Cons

Does not include built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.
Lacks support for RAID 0+1, limiting certain redundancy options.
No S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.
Does not have VGA or eSATA ports, limiting legacy device compatibility.
No integrated graphics support for systems without a discrete GPU.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H is suitable for users looking for a reliable, cost-effective motherboard for basic to mid-range builds. It is ideal for those who need support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 configurations for enhanced storage flexibility. Its dual BIOS feature also makes it a great choice for users who prioritize system stability and reliability. The inclusion of USB Type-C and 7.1 audio channels enhances connectivity and sound quality, making it a solid option for users who require essential performance without the need for advanced or specialized features.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users who require built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth support, as it lacks these features. It may also not be ideal for those needing higher-end storage redundancy options like RAID 0+1 or mSATA support. Additionally, users who plan to use integrated graphics should look elsewhere, as the board does not support integrated graphics. Its absence of VGA, eSATA, and S/PDIF Out ports makes it less suitable for users with legacy peripherals or specific audio needs.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	January 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	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H is a Micro-ATX motherboard featuring an AM5 CPU socket and a B850 chipset. It supports a single CPU socket and includes dual BIOS for added stability. While it lacks built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it offers HDMI 2.1 output and is easy to overclock for performance adjustments. The board is not equipped with RGB lighting or integrated graphics, and it does not support integrated CPUs. Its dimensions are 244 mm x 244 mm, and it is backed by a 3-year warranty.

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 DS3H motherboard supports a maximum of 256GB of DDR5 memory with a standard RAM speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8200 MHz for improved performance. It features 4 memory slots and operates with a dual-channel configuration. However, it does not support ECC memory, which may be important for certain workloads requiring error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
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	0
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	2
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	1

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H motherboard offers a variety of ports for connectivity. It includes 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, providing fast data transfer options. Additionally, it features 1 RJ45 Ethernet port for network connections, 2 DisplayPort outputs, and an HDMI output. The board also includes a PS/2 port and lacks support for VGA or eSATA 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)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	4
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 DS3H offers a range of expansion options through its connectors. It includes 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and 4 USB 2.0 ports for additional devices. For storage, the motherboard provides 4 SATA 3 connectors and 2 M.2 sockets for high-speed drives. Additionally, there are 4 fan headers for cooling management and a TPM connector for trusted platform module support. Notably, it does not include 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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H motherboard provides several expansion options through its PCIe slots. It features 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed graphics cards and 1 PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion cards. However, it does not include any PCIe 4.0 x16 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, and lacks PCI, PCIe 2.0 x16, or PCIe x1 slots for further expansion.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for high-quality sound output, providing a rich audio experience. It includes 3 audio connectors for various audio devices, but it does not have 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 B850M DS3H motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0), offering flexibility for various storage setups. However, it does not support RAID 0+1 for additional redundancy options.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B850M DS3H offers a solid foundation for users building mid-range systems with a focus on reliability and essential features. With support for multiple RAID configurations, dual BIOS, and 7.1 audio channels, it provides a robust platform for basic to moderate computing needs. However, its lack of built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and modern connectivity options like Thunderbolt may limit its appeal for more advanced or future-proofed builds. Overall, this motherboard is a practical choice for users seeking stability and flexibility without the need for high-end features.