MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi6E

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi6E is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for gaming and high-performance builds. It features a Wi-Fi 6E module, ensuring fast wireless connectivity and future-proofing your setup with the latest standards.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM at speeds up to 5600 MHz, with an overclocked speed of 8200 MHz. It offers one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, two PCIe x1 slots, and supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 1 and RAID 0. Additional features include integrated Bluetooth 5.3, dual BIOS, and a total of five fan headers for efficient cooling management.

Pros

Supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0 for data redundancy and improved performance.
Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, offering future-proof wireless connectivity for high-speed internet access.
Features dual BIOS, providing extra security and recovery options in case of system failure.
Includes five fan headers, allowing for effective cooling management in high-performance setups.
Has RGB lighting for customization, adding a visually appealing aspect to the system.

Cons

Does not support ECC memory, limiting its use in systems that require error-correcting capabilities.
Lacks S/PDIF Out port, which may limit high-quality digital audio output options.
No support for PCIe 5.0 or higher-speed PCIe slots, limiting future upgrade options for expansion cards.
Does not include mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting options for storage expansion with certain legacy devices.
No VGA connector, which might be an issue for older monitors or specific configurations.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users who need a compact Micro-ATX form factor with Wi-Fi 6E support for high-speed internet connectivity. It is well-suited for gamers or performance enthusiasts looking to build a system with easy overclocking options and enhanced cooling potential, thanks to the multiple fan headers. Additionally, it caters to users who require multiple RAID configurations for data redundancy and high-performance storage setups.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users who require ECC memory support for mission-critical workloads or those planning to use advanced storage options such as mSATA or U.2 connectors, as these are not included. It is also not a good fit for users needing PCIe 5.0 support or legacy connectivity options like VGA, which are absent from this model.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-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)
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 B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi6E motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is compatible with the B850 chipset, offering a Micro-ATX form factor. It supports Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, including Wi-Fi 4, 5, and 6, alongside Bluetooth 5.3. Notable extras include RGB lighting, easy overclocking, and dual BIOS for flexibility, while it lacks integrated graphics and aptX support. The motherboard comes with a 3-year warranty and has dimensions of 243.8 mm by 243.8 mm.

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-Fi6E supports a maximum memory of 256GB with DDR5 RAM. It has four memory slots and operates on dual memory channels, allowing for efficient performance. The motherboard supports a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, and can be overclocked to reach speeds of up to 8200 MHz. However, it does not support ECC memory.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
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-Fi6E motherboard offers a versatile selection of ports, including four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-C). It also features an HDMI output, a DisplayPort output, and a USB Type-C connector. Additionally, the board includes one RJ45 Ethernet port, but lacks USB 2.0 ports, Thunderbolt, and VGA support.

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-Fi6E offers a range of connectors, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port for expansion. It supports four SATA 3 connectors, two M.2 sockets, and five fan headers for optimal system cooling. Additionally, the motherboard includes a TPM connector for security features, but it does not support mSATA or U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	0
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 B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi6E motherboard features one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion cards and two PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion. It does not include PCIe 5.0, PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x4, or PCIe x8 slots, focusing on a more streamlined slot configuration.

Audio:

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

The MSI B850M Gaming Plus Wi-Fi6E supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound, and includes three audio connectors for flexible audio setup. However, it does not feature 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-Fi6E motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0 for various levels of redundancy and performance. It does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1 configurations.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers a solid balance of features for users looking to build a compact, high-performance system. With its Wi-Fi 6E support, easy overclocking capabilities, and multiple RAID configuration options, it excels in delivering fast connectivity and flexible storage solutions. While it lacks support for ECC memory and some advanced connectivity like mSATA or PCIe 5.0, it remains a strong choice for gamers and performance-oriented builders who need reliable and expandable options in a smaller form factor.