Gigabyte B850M Force

Name: Gigabyte B850M Force
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 2006

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B850M Force is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for AM5 CPUs. It features a B850 chipset and offers a range of advanced capabilities, including support for overclocking and RGB lighting to customize your build.

This motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 5200 MHz, with overclocking potential reaching 9600 MHz. It includes 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 3 M.2 sockets, and a total of 6 USB ports, including USB Type-C. Notably, it supports RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for flexible storage options.

Pros

Supports a maximum of 128GB of DDR5 memory for high-performance builds.
Includes dual BIOS for added reliability and recovery options.
Offers multiple RAID support (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) for flexible storage configurations.
Has RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics.
Equipped with 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for modern high-performance expansion cards.

Cons

Lacks built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, requiring additional expansion for wireless connectivity.
Does not support USB 4 or Thunderbolt ports for faster data transfer.
No mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting certain storage upgrade options.
Does not support VGA or DVI outputs, which may be restrictive for certain legacy displays.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B850M Force motherboard is suitable for users building a system with high memory capacity, as it supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM. It is also ideal for those who require reliable storage configurations, with support for multiple RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. Additionally, users seeking enhanced stability will benefit from the dual BIOS feature, which ensures system recovery in case of failure.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users who need built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as it lacks wireless connectivity features. Additionally, those relying on legacy video outputs, such as VGA or DVI, will be limited by its absence of these ports. It may also be unsuitable for users who need the latest data transfer technologies like Thunderbolt or USB 4, as these are not supported by the motherboard.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	June 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 Force motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is built on the B850 chipset, offering a Micro-ATX form factor. It supports RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics and includes dual BIOS for added reliability. While it lacks built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and integrated graphics, it provides HDMI 2.1 output for high-quality video. The motherboard is designed for easy overclocking and comes with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	128GB
RAM speed (max)	5200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9600 MHz
memory slots	2
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✓

The Gigabyte B850M Force supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory across 2 memory slots, providing a solid foundation for demanding applications. It can achieve a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, with overclocking potential reaching 9600 MHz for enhanced performance. Additionally, this motherboard supports ECC memory for improved error correction, making it suitable for more stability-critical environments.

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

The Gigabyte B850M Force motherboard offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB Type-C support and an HDMI output for video. It features 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) port. Additionally, it includes a DisplayPort output, 1 RJ45 port for networking, and 1 PS/2 port for legacy peripherals. Notably, it does not include USB 4 or Thunderbolt ports, and lacks VGA or DVI outputs.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	4
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 B850M Force motherboard provides a variety of connectors for expanding your system. It includes 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports through expansion, as well as 3 M.2 sockets for high-speed storage. There are also 4 fan headers to manage cooling, and a TPM connector for enhanced security. Notably, it does not feature any mSATA or U.2 connectors, and it lacks SATA 2 connectors, focusing instead on 4 SATA 3 connectors for storage.

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 Force motherboard includes a range of expansion slots, with 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for modern graphics and high-performance cards, as well as 1 PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion. Notably, it lacks PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe x1, and PCI slots, focusing on the latest PCIe 5.0 technology for improved throughput and scalability.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B850M Force motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound experience. It provides 3 audio connectors for easy connection to speakers or headphones, but it does not include 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 Force motherboard offers robust storage options with support for several RAID configurations. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0) for flexible storage setups, but it does not support RAID 0+1.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B850M Force motherboard offers solid performance and essential features for users seeking a reliable platform for a mid-range build. With support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and multiple RAID configurations, it stands out for its flexibility in storage management and memory capacity. While it lacks built-in wireless connectivity and the latest data transfer technologies, it remains a strong choice for users prioritizing stability with its dual BIOS feature. Overall, it's a dependable option for those focused on building a system with robust storage and memory capabilities.