MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi is a Micro-ATX motherboard built around the AM5 platform and B850 chipset, offering a compact footprint without sacrificing connectivity. It ships with integrated wireless networking that covers Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, making it a capable option for builds where cable management around networking is a priority. RGB lighting and dual BIOS round out a feature set that leans toward enthusiast-oriented convenience, including a dedicated clear CMOS button for straightforward BIOS recovery.

On the memory side, the board accommodates four DDR5 slots with support for up to 256 GB and a maximum overclocked speed of 8200 MHz, running across two channels. Expansion is handled by a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, complemented by a PCIe x4 and a PCIe x1 slot. Storage options include two M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations supported. The rear I/O provides three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort output, and a single RJ45 ethernet jack, while onboard headers expand USB availability further through internal connectors.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations down to Wi-Fi 4, providing broad wireless compatibility
Dual BIOS and a dedicated clear CMOS button make BIOS recovery and management straightforward
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 8200 MHz across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB
The single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot delivers the latest generation of expansion bandwidth for supported add-in cards
Rear USB connectivity is well-covered with eight ports across Gen 1 and Gen 2 speeds in both Type-A and Type-C formats
Three-year warranty period offers solid long-term coverage

Cons

No USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports are available on the rear I/O
Only two M.2 sockets may limit NVMe storage expansion for builds requiring more drives
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use cases that require error-correcting RAM
S/PDIF Out is absent, removing the option for digital optical audio output
No eSATA, VGA, DVI, or PS/2 ports for users who rely on older peripherals or legacy display connections

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for desktop builders targeting the AM5 platform in a space-conscious Micro-ATX build without giving up modern connectivity. Users who want Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 built in will find the wireless stack comprehensive, and the DDR5 support with overclocking headroom up to 8200 MHz makes it relevant for those who want to push memory performance. The dual BIOS and easy overclock features also make it approachable for enthusiasts who experiment with system tuning but want a safety net, while the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensures compatibility with current-generation discrete graphics cards and storage devices.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need ECC memory support for workstation or server-grade reliability will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. Those who rely on Thunderbolt or USB 4 connectivity for high-bandwidth peripherals such as external GPUs, high-speed docks, or professional audio and video interfaces will also be underserved, given that none of those port types are present. Additionally, builders who require more than two M.2 sockets for extensive NVMe storage arrays may find the onboard options limiting for larger storage-intensive setups.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
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), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
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 B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi is built around the AM5 socket and is compatible with the B850 chipset, housed in a Micro-ATX form factor measuring 243.8 mm × 243.8 mm. It features a single CPU socket and does not include an integrated CPU or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is also built in, though aptX is not supported. Video output is handled via an HDMI 2.1 interface. The board includes RGB lighting, supports easy overclocking, and offers practical BIOS management tools including a dual BIOS setup and a clear CMOS function for quick resets. A three-year warranty is provided.

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	✕

This board supports DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. The standard rated speed tops out at 5600 MHz, while overclocked profiles can push that figure up to 8200 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	2
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	1
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 total of eight USB ports, consisting of three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. There are no USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports present. Display output is covered by one HDMI port and one DisplayPort output, while VGA and DVI are absent. Networking is handled by a single RJ45 ethernet jack, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports included.

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	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

Internal expansion connectivity includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers, two USB 3.0 headers, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 header, and four USB 2.0 headers, offering solid flexibility for front-panel and case USB routing. Storage is served by four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets, while SATA 2, mSATA, and U.2 are not present. Five fan headers are available for cooling management, and a TPM connector is included for security module support.

Expansion slots:

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

The board offers three expansion slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the primary graphics card or other full-bandwidth add-in cards, one PCIe x4 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot. There are no PCIe 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 x16 slots, no PCIe x8 slots, and no legacy PCI slots.

Audio:

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

The onboard audio supports 7.1-channel output and is accompanied by three analog audio connectors. An 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, covering common setups for performance striping, mirroring, and a combination of both. RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi delivers a well-rounded feature set for AM5 builds within the Micro-ATX form factor, balancing modern connectivity with practical enthusiast tools. Its Wi-Fi 7 support and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot position it firmly in the current generation, and the DDR5 platform with high overclocking headroom adds meaningful longevity for performance-oriented builds. The absence of Thunderbolt, USB 4, and ECC memory means it is not without boundaries, but for users who prioritize wireless capability, memory headroom, and BIOS reliability features in a compact footprint, this board covers the essentials without unnecessary compromise.