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MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi specifications and in-depth review

MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi is a versatile ATX motherboard designed for gamers and professionals. It offers a range of advanced features, including Wi-Fi 7 support, ensuring fast wireless connectivity. This board is built with an AM5 CPU socket and supports a variety of high-performance components.

With a maximum memory capacity of 256GB, this motherboard supports DDR5 RAM and can handle speeds up to 5600 MHz, with overclocking potential reaching 8200 MHz. It also includes essential connectivity options such as USB Type-C, DisplayPort, and a total of four M.2 sockets, ensuring ample expansion for storage and peripherals.

Pros
  • Supports Wi-Fi 7, providing fast wireless connectivity for a variety of devices.
  • Includes RGB lighting, adding customizable visual appeal to the system build.
  • Provides 256GB of maximum memory support, offering high capacity for demanding applications.
  • Has 7.1 audio channels, allowing for immersive audio experiences.
  • Offers a TPM connector for added security features.
Cons
  • Lacks support for RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 0+1, limiting advanced storage configurations.
  • Does not have integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for display output.
  • Lacks HDMI and Thunderbolt ports, reducing the flexibility for high-speed connections and video output.
Who is this for?

The MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi is ideal for users seeking a high-performance motherboard for gaming or intensive applications, thanks to its support for Wi-Fi 7 and 256GB of maximum memory. The inclusion of RGB lighting also makes it a solid choice for users who want to customize the visual aesthetics of their build. Additionally, its 7.1 audio channels enhance the overall multimedia experience, making it suitable for both gaming and entertainment setups.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best choice for users who require advanced RAID configurations, as it lacks support for RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 0+1. It also may not be ideal for those relying on integrated graphics, as the board does not include an integrated GPU, requiring a separate graphics card. Furthermore, the absence of HDMI and Thunderbolt ports makes it less suitable for users who need versatile connectivity options or video output without a dedicated GPU.

General info:

CPU socket AM5
chipset B850
form factor ATX
release date January 2026
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 MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, making it suitable for modern processors. It has an ATX form factor and offers versatile wireless connectivity, including support for Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E, and the latest Wi-Fi 7. The board also includes Bluetooth 5.4, RGB lighting, and an easy-to-reset BIOS. However, it lacks integrated graphics and dual BIOS functionality, and it does not support Bluetooth aptX.

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 MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, providing ample capacity for demanding applications. With a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, the board allows for overclocking up to 8200 MHz, offering flexibility for performance tuning. It has 4 memory slots and supports dual-channel memory, but 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 MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi motherboard offers a range of ports for connectivity, including USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A and USB-C), and a DisplayPort output. It also features four USB 2.0 ports and a single RJ45 Ethernet port. However, it lacks HDMI, Thunderbolt, and eSATA ports, along with older connectors like DVI and VGA.

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
M.2 sockets 3
Has TPM connector ✓
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0

The MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi provides a variety of expansion options, including four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and three M.2 sockets for high-speed storage. It also includes SATA 3 connectors for additional storage devices and six fan headers for improved cooling. The board features a TPM connector for added security but lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors.

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 MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi motherboard offers a variety of expansion slots, including a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-performance graphics cards and PCIe x1 slots for additional add-on cards. It also provides a PCIe x4 slot for further expansion, though it lacks support for PCIe 4.0 x16 and older PCI slots, as well as PCIe 3.0 x16 or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots.

Audio:

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

The MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output. It also provides two audio connectors for additional audio setup options, ensuring flexibility for your audio needs.

Storage:

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

The MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi motherboard supports RAID 1 for data mirroring and RAID 0 for improved read/write performance. However, it does not support RAID 10, RAID 5, or RAID 0+1 configurations, limiting its RAID options to basic mirroring and striping setups.

Final Verdict

The MSI MAG B850 Gaming Plus Max Wi-Fi motherboard is a solid choice for users looking for a high-performance board with extensive connectivity, including support for Wi-Fi 7 and up to 256GB of RAM. Its RGB lighting and 7.1 audio channels make it particularly appealing for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. While it lacks integrated graphics and some advanced RAID configurations, its robust features and customizable options make it an excellent option for building powerful gaming or productivity systems.