MSI B840M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi6E

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B840M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi 6E is a Micro-ATX motherboard built around the AM5 socket and B840 chipset, targeting users who want a compact yet capable platform for AMD processors. The board includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) connectivity alongside Bluetooth 5.3, making it a reasonable choice for cable-free setups. RGB lighting and a clear CMOS button are also part of the package, and MSI rates the board with a three-year warranty.

Memory support covers four DDR5 slots with a rated maximum of 5600 MHz and overclocked speeds reaching up to 8000 MHz, with a total capacity ceiling of 256GB across two channels. On the storage side, the board provides two M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with support for RAID 0, 1, and 10. Rear connectivity includes one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, four USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a single RJ45 LAN port. Audio runs through a 7.1-channel solution with three rear connectors, while the expansion layout offers one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 6E alongside older Wi-Fi 4 and 5 standards, covering a wide range of wireless environments
Four DDR5 memory slots allow up to 256GB of RAM, with overclocked speeds reaching 8000 MHz
Includes both a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port on the rear panel
Five fan headers provide reasonable flexibility for managing airflow in a Micro-ATX build
RAID 0, 1, and 10 support adds basic storage redundancy and configuration options
A three-year warranty offers solid long-term coverage for the platform

Cons

No PCIe 5.0 x16 slot limits compatibility with next-generation high-bandwidth expansion cards
Dual BIOS is absent, leaving no built-in fallback if a firmware update fails
Only two M.2 sockets available, which may feel restrictive for storage-heavy configurations
No S/PDIF Out port reduces options for connecting to external digital audio equipment
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out error-correcting memory for reliability-focused workloads
DisplayPort output is not available, with video output limited to a single HDMI 2.1 connector

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for users building a compact AMD AM5 system who want modern wireless connectivity without adding a separate adapter, thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The Micro-ATX form factor suits small-to-mid-size case builds, while four DDR5 slots with support for up to 256GB and overclocked RAM speeds up to 8000 MHz make it appropriate for memory-intensive workloads like content creation or multitasking. Users who want basic storage redundancy will also find value in the RAID 0, 1, and 10 support across the four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not well-suited to users who need high-bandwidth PCIe 5.0 connectivity for the latest generation of GPUs or NVMe storage, as only a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is available. Enthusiasts who rely on dual BIOS for firmware recovery or require ECC memory for data-integrity-critical tasks will find the platform lacking in those areas. It is also a poor match for users with extensive multi-monitor setups, since video output is confined to a single HDMI 2.1 port with no DisplayPort or additional display outputs.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B840
form factor	Micro-ATX
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	243.8 mm
width	243.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI B840M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi 6E is built around the AM5 socket with B840 chipset compatibility, housed in a square Micro-ATX form factor measuring 243.8 mm × 243.8 mm. It supports a single CPU and has no integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity covers Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, and 6E alongside Bluetooth 5.3, though aptX audio codec support is not included. Video output is handled through an HDMI 2.1 port, and the board features RGB lighting as well as an easy CMOS reset button for straightforward BIOS recovery. Overclocking is supported, while dual BIOS is not present. MSI backs the board with a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

This board uses DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum supported capacity of 256GB. The standard rated speed tops out at 5600 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure up to 8000 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

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

The rear I/O panel provides a varied USB selection, including one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and four USB 2.0 ports; there are no USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports. Display output is limited to a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors present. Networking is covered by one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	0
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	0
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	5
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

For internal expansion, the board offers two USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers and four USB 2.0 headers, while Gen 2, Gen 2x2, and USB-C Gen 2 internal connectors are absent. Storage connectivity includes four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets, with no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA support. A TPM connector is present, and five fan headers are available for cooling management.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	0
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 expansion slot layout is minimal but focused, offering one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot as the primary option for a discrete GPU or similar card, alongside one PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion. There are no PCIe 5.0, PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x8, PCIe x1, or legacy PCI slots on this board.

Audio:

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

The board's audio solution supports 7.1-channel output and provides three analog audio connectors on the rear panel. A S/PDIF Out port is not included.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 configurations for flexible storage setup options. RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI B840M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi 6E delivers a well-rounded Micro-ATX platform for AM5 builds where compactness and modern wireless connectivity are priorities. Its Wi-Fi 6E support paired with DDR5 memory expandable to 256GB gives it a clear footing in current-generation builds, and the inclusion of overclocking headroom, multiple USB options, and RAID support adds practical depth for everyday and semi-professional use. Where it shows its limits — notably the absence of PCIe 5.0, dual BIOS, and ECC memory support — it reflects the focused, mainstream scope of its chipset tier. For users building a capable, wireless-ready AMD system in a compact form factor without demanding cutting-edge expansion bandwidth, this board covers the essentials competently.