MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed to offer a versatile platform for both gaming and productivity. It features the AM5 CPU socket and is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E support for fast wireless connectivity. The motherboard also includes built-in Bluetooth 5.4, offering seamless wireless device integration.

For memory, the motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, with speeds up to 5600 MHz and overclocking potential of up to 8200 MHz. It provides multiple ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB Type-C, and HDMI 2.1. The board is equipped with RAID support for various configurations and comes with a 3-year warranty, making it a reliable choice for demanding tasks.

Pros

Supports multiple Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 for fast wireless connectivity.
Offers easy overclocking for enhanced performance potential.
Includes dual BIOS for added reliability and safety in case of failure.
Has a variety of expansion options, including PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe x4 slots for future upgrades.
Supports RAID 1 and RAID 10 for flexible storage configurations.

Cons

Lacks support for integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
Does not support ECC memory, limiting error correction for mission-critical applications.
No USB 4 or Thunderbolt ports for the latest high-speed peripherals.
Does not include an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.
Lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors, which could limit certain storage expansion options.

Who is this for?

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard is ideal for users looking for a reliable and flexible platform for mid-range gaming or general computing builds. Its support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 ensures fast and modern wireless connectivity, making it suitable for users who need strong network performance. Additionally, the presence of dual BIOS and easy overclocking features provides added reliability and performance potential for enthusiasts who value system stability and customizability.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users seeking a high-performance, all-in-one solution for tasks such as content creation or workstations that require high-level error correction. It does not support ECC memory, limiting its reliability for such applications. Additionally, it lacks integrated graphics, meaning users without a dedicated GPU will not be able to output video, making it unsuitable for basic users or those who prefer compact systems with minimal external hardware.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-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
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 motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it suitable for modern processors. It has a compact Micro-ATX form factor and offers advanced wireless capabilities with support for Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E, and 7. The motherboard includes built-in Bluetooth 5.4, HDMI 2.1 output, and customizable RGB lighting. It also comes with features like dual BIOS and an easy overclocking function, while offering a 3-year warranty for added reliability.

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 B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, providing ample room for demanding applications. With a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz and overclocking capabilities that push the speed up to 8200 MHz, this motherboard offers solid memory performance. It also features four memory slots and operates with a dual-channel memory configuration, though it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

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 MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard offers a variety of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) with three ports, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) with two ports for fast data transfer. It also features an HDMI output and a DisplayPort for video connectivity, along with a single RJ45 port for network connections. Notably, it lacks USB 4, Thunderbolt, and VGA ports, making it more focused on essential connectivity options.

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard offers a variety of connectors, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and four USB 2.0 ports through expansion. It supports up to two M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage devices. Additionally, it features five fan headers for cooling management and includes a TPM connector for security, but lacks mSATA and U.2 sockets.

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 MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard offers a range of expansion slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot for adding high-speed components. It also features one PCIe x1 slot for additional expansion cards. Notably, it lacks PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, PCI slots, and PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, focusing on modern PCIe 5.0 compatibility for graphics and other high-performance cards.

Audio:

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound quality. It provides three audio connectors for versatile connectivity options but 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 MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard supports several RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0 for various storage setups. It does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1, limiting some of the more advanced redundancy and performance options.

Final Verdict

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi motherboard stands out as a solid choice for gamers and PC builders seeking reliable connectivity and customizable performance. With support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, along with easy overclocking and a dual BIOS feature, it offers excellent network speeds and stability for mid-range builds. While it may not suit users requiring ECC memory or integrated graphics, its feature set makes it an ideal platform for most gaming and general-use setups. Overall, it's a dependable and flexible motherboard for those looking to build a robust PC without compromise.