MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ is an ATX motherboard designed to provide solid performance for gamers and PC enthusiasts. It features a Wi-Fi 6E connection and supports the latest AM5 socket, making it compatible with advanced processors and offering great connectivity options.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of RAM with a maximum speed of 5600 MHz, and it can be overclocked up to 8200 MHz. Additionally, it includes a variety of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB Type-C, and offers multiple PCIe slots for expansion. With support for RAID configurations and built-in Bluetooth 5.4, it is a versatile choice for high-performance systems.

Pros

Supports a wide range of Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, for fast and future-proof wireless connectivity.
Has six fan headers, offering ample cooling options for high-performance systems.
Includes a TPM connector for enhanced security features.
Supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 0, providing flexible and reliable storage options.
Has built-in Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless wireless device pairing.

Cons

Does not support PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, limiting future-proofing for next-generation high-performance GPUs.
Lacks support for integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.
Does not include Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, limiting high-speed external device connectivity options.
Does not support ECC memory, which could be a limitation for users requiring error-correcting memory for stability.
Does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting certain types of storage expansion.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is well-suited for users seeking a highly flexible wireless connection with support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, making it ideal for gaming, content creation, and general high-speed internet tasks. It is also a good option for users who need robust storage expansion with RAID support for data redundancy and performance optimization, as well as those who require a motherboard that accommodates a variety of cooling solutions with its six fan headers.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users who plan to use the latest high-performance GPUs requiring PCIe 4.0 x16 slots or those looking for integrated graphics, as it lacks support for PCIe 4.0 and integrated GPU support. Additionally, those who need advanced external connectivity like Thunderbolt ports or mSATA/U.2 connectors may find this motherboard lacking in the necessary expansion options for their needs.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
release date	June 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
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	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it a solid choice for modern processors. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, supporting Wi-Fi 6E along with earlier versions such as Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5. Additionally, the motherboard includes Bluetooth 5.4 support, RGB lighting for customization, and easy overclocking features. With a 3-year warranty and a user-friendly BIOS reset option, this motherboard provides a robust and flexible solution for gamers and PC builders.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard supports up to 256GB of RAM with a maximum speed of 5600 MHz, and it can be overclocked to 8200 MHz for enhanced performance. It features 4 memory slots and supports DDR5 memory, operating over two memory channels for improved bandwidth. However, it does not support ECC memory, making it more suited for general gaming and performance tasks rather than error-correction-sensitive applications.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	2
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 MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard offers a range of ports for connectivity, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, and one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port. It also features four USB 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort output, and an RJ45 port for network connectivity. However, it does not include HDMI, Thunderbolt, or eSATA ports, and lacks support for VGA or PS/2 connectors.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
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	6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	3
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard provides a variety of connectors, including four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four additional USB 2.0 ports, and four USB 3.0 ports through expansion. It offers three M.2 sockets for high-speed storage and has six fan headers for cooling. Additionally, it features a TPM connector for security, but lacks support for mSATA and U.2 connectors, offering only four SATA 3 connectors for storage devices.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	2
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed graphics and expansion cards, along with two PCIe x1 slots and one PCIe x4 slot for additional peripherals. It does not support older PCIe 2.0 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, but the single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot provides the latest interface for demanding tasks. This motherboard also lacks PCI slots, focusing instead on more modern expansion options.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels, providing immersive surround sound for gaming and media playback. It is equipped with two audio connectors and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output, ensuring high-quality audio transmission to compatible devices.

Storage:

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

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi PZ motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations for enhanced storage flexibility, including RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 0. However, it does not support the RAID 0+1 configuration, making it a good choice for users seeking reliable storage setups with data redundancy and performance optimization.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers a strong foundation for users who prioritize advanced wireless connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, and need reliable storage options with extensive RAID support. Its flexibility in cooling and expansion makes it a solid choice for a variety of use cases, including gaming and content creation. However, its lack of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and integrated graphics may limit high-performance GPU setups. Overall, this motherboard is a great option for users seeking robust connectivity and storage options, but may not be ideal for those requiring the latest GPU support or specialized expansion features.