MSI Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E is an ATX motherboard designed for high-performance systems, featuring an AM5 CPU socket and support for the B850 chipset. It offers versatile connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E support and integrated Bluetooth 5.3, making it a solid choice for modern setups.

With up to 256GB of DDR5 memory support and a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz (overclockable to 8200 MHz), this motherboard ensures fast and efficient performance. It also includes ample expansion options with PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and two M.2 sockets, while providing RAID 1 and RAID 0 support for flexible storage configurations.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster and more reliable wireless connectivity.
Offers 256GB maximum memory with DDR5 support for high-speed performance.
Includes RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0 support for flexible storage configurations.
Has RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics.
Equipped with 6 fan headers for efficient cooling management.

Cons

Does not support PCIe 5.0 or Thunderbolt ports, limiting expansion options.
Lacks an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.
No support for RAID 5 or RAID 0+1, limiting advanced redundancy options.
No integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for visual output.
Does not include U.2 or mSATA connectors for additional storage options.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users seeking a reliable, high-performance system with Wi-Fi 6E and 256GB maximum memory support, especially for tasks that require fast connectivity and large memory capacity. It is also well-suited for users who want customizable aesthetics with RGB lighting and need advanced storage configurations like RAID 1 and RAID 10 for data redundancy or performance.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be suitable for users who require cutting-edge expansion options like PCIe 5.0 or Thunderbolt support, as these are absent. Additionally, users who need advanced RAID configurations such as RAID 5 or RAID 0+1 for higher redundancy or those who require integrated graphics for basic display tasks will find this product lacking.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	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	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, designed for the ATX form factor. It includes Wi-Fi 6E support for enhanced wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device pairing. With RGB lighting and easy overclocking features, this motherboard also allows for quick BIOS resets thanks to the Clear CMOS button. It comes with a 3-year warranty and does not include integrated graphics or a dual BIOS feature.

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 Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard supports a maximum memory size of 256GB and features DDR5 memory, delivering high-speed performance. With a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, it can be overclocked to 8200 MHz for improved performance. The motherboard offers 4 memory slots and operates with 2 memory channels, though it does not support ECC memory.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	3
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 Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) and USB Type-C ports for fast data transfer. It also includes HDMI output for video display and a DisplayPort output, along with an RJ45 port for network connectivity. However, it does not feature USB 4, Thunderbolt ports, or legacy PS/2 and VGA connectors.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
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)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	6
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 Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard provides several expansion options, including 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and 4 additional USB 2.0 ports. It also offers 4 SATA 3 connectors for storage, 2 M.2 sockets for high-speed drives, and 6 fan headers to support efficient cooling. Additionally, the board includes a TPM connector for enhanced security but does not feature U.2 or mSATA connectors.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	0
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 Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard offers a variety of expansion slots, including 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 1 PCIe x1 slot, and 1 PCIe x4 slot for flexible component installations. It does not include PCIe 5.0, PCIe 2.0 x16, or PCI slots, providing a solid mix of options for modern hardware while limiting older connections.

Audio:

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

The MSI Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound quality. It includes 3 audio connectors for flexible audio setup, though 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 Pro B850-S Wi-Fi6E motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0 for enhanced storage options. However, it does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1 for additional redundancy or mirroring capabilities.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers excellent performance for users seeking a stable and customizable platform, with features like Wi-Fi 6E support, up to 256GB memory capacity, and advanced RAID configurations such as RAID 1 and RAID 10 for data redundancy. However, its lack of PCIe 5.0 and Thunderbolt support limits its appeal to users seeking the latest expansion options. Overall, it’s a solid choice for most high-performance builds but may not meet the needs of those requiring cutting-edge connectivity and expansion capabilities.