MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi is a versatile ATX motherboard designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts. It features a Wi-Fi 7 support, allowing users to enjoy next-gen wireless speeds, and is equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 for improved connectivity.

With a maximum memory capacity of 256GB DDR5 and support for RAM speeds up to 5600 MHz (overclockable to 8200 MHz), this motherboard ensures excellent performance. It also includes multiple PCIe slots, USB 3.2 ports, and supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations for flexible storage setups.

Pros

Supports multiple Wi-Fi versions including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, providing robust wireless connectivity options.
Equipped with 6 fan headers for extensive cooling support, suitable for high-performance builds.
Includes dual BIOS for enhanced reliability and easy recovery from BIOS-related issues.
Offers up to 256GB of DDR5 memory support, allowing for substantial memory expansion for demanding applications.

Cons

Lacks support for PCIe x4, PCIe x8, and PCI slots, limiting certain types of expansion cards.
Does not support RAID 5, RAID 10 (1+0), or RAID 0+1, restricting some advanced RAID configurations.
Does not include mSATA or U.2 sockets, limiting storage expansion options for those interfaces.

Who is this for?

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard is well-suited for users seeking a reliable platform for mid to high-performance gaming or productivity builds. With support for Wi-Fi 7 and dual BIOS, it offers excellent wireless connectivity and added system reliability. Its 6 fan headers make it ideal for users building high-performance systems that require extensive cooling solutions, such as gaming PCs or content creation setups.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users who need extensive RAID configurations for storage performance, as it lacks support for RAID 5, RAID 10 (1+0), or RAID 0+1. Additionally, the absence of PCIe x4 or PCI slots limits expansion options for certain types of expansion cards. It is also not suited for those needing more advanced storage connectivity, as it does not support mSATA or U.2 sockets.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
release date	January 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 WiFi motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset. It comes in an ATX form factor and offers built-in Wi-Fi 7 support, along with Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity. This model is also designed for easy overclocking and includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics. Additionally, it features a dual BIOS setup for extra reliability and is equipped with a clear CMOS function for easy BIOS resets. With a 3-year warranty, the motherboard is designed to meet the needs of high-performance systems.

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 WiFi motherboard supports a maximum memory of 256GB with DDR5 RAM, utilizing 4 memory slots and 2 memory channels for efficient data transfer. The board can handle RAM speeds up to 5600 MHz and can be overclocked to reach speeds of up to 8200 MHz. However, it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

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 WiFi motherboard offers a variety of ports for connectivity, including 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port. It also features 1 DisplayPort output and an RJ45 port for wired networking. Additionally, there are 4 USB 2.0 ports, providing plenty of options for peripheral connections, though it does not include HDMI, Thunderbolt, or VGA connectors.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
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 WiFi motherboard provides ample connectivity options with 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 4 additional USB 2.0 ports available through expansion. It also includes 4 SATA 3 connectors and 3 M.2 sockets for versatile storage setups. For system cooling, the motherboard is equipped with 6 fan headers, and it has a TPM connector for added security. Notably, it does not feature mSATA or U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
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	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard features a balanced selection of expansion slots, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-performance GPUs and other devices. It also provides 2 PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion cards. However, it does not include any PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or PCI slots.

Audio:

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

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels, providing rich surround sound for an immersive audio experience. It also includes an S/PDIF Out port for high-quality digital audio output and features 2 audio connectors for connecting external audio devices or speakers.

Storage:

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

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations, offering flexibility for various storage setups. However, it does not support RAID 5, RAID 10 (1+0), or RAID 0+1 configurations for more complex storage arrays.

Final Verdict

The MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard is a solid choice for mid to high-performance gaming or productivity builds, offering reliable features like Wi-Fi 7 support and dual BIOS for enhanced system stability. With six fan headers and solid connectivity options, it is ideal for users looking to build a robust, high-performance system. While it may not be the best option for users needing advanced RAID configurations or more expansion slots, its overall feature set and reliability make it a strong contender in the ATX motherboard market for gamers and content creators alike.