MSI Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ is a feature-rich Micro-ATX motherboard that offers solid connectivity and flexibility for a wide range of builds. It supports an AM5 CPU socket and integrates Wi-Fi 7 for modern wireless performance, making it a suitable choice for users looking for a stable and future-proof system. The board also includes RGB lighting for customization, enhancing its visual appeal in any setup.

In terms of memory, the motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, with overclocking capabilities that push speeds up to 8200 MHz. It offers two M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and ample expansion options, including PCIe 5.0 slots and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. RAID configurations like RAID 1 and RAID 10 are also supported, ensuring reliable storage management.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7, offering future-proof wireless connectivity across multiple standards.
Includes five fan headers, allowing for extensive cooling options in high-performance setups.
Offers dual M.2 sockets for fast storage expansion and flexibility.
Supports RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 0 configurations, providing versatile storage options for redundancy or performance.
Has RGB lighting for customizable aesthetic appeal.

Cons

Lacks support for PCIe 4.0 x16 and PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, limiting GPU upgrade options.
Does not support ECC memory, which may be a drawback for users needing error correction in memory-intensive tasks.
No support for S/PDIF Out port, limiting high-quality digital audio output options.
Does not include RAID 5 or RAID 0+1 support, restricting some advanced storage configurations.

Who is this for?

The MSI Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard is ideal for users who need a reliable, future-proof solution for their builds. With support for Wi-Fi 7 and multiple RAID configurations, it is well-suited for users who prioritize fast connectivity and versatile storage management. Its ample fan headers also make it a great choice for users who need to manage cooling in performance-oriented systems.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users requiring extensive GPU support, as it lacks PCIe 4.0 x16 and PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. It also doesn't support ECC memory, making it less ideal for users in fields where data integrity is critical, such as scientific computing or server environments.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	September 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 Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard is built with an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, designed in a Micro-ATX form factor. It offers versatile wireless connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi 7 support, as well as Bluetooth 5.4. The board includes RGB lighting for customization and easy overclocking features, making it ideal for users looking to tweak their system's performance. Additionally, it comes with HDMI 2.1 support, a 3-year warranty, and a user-friendly BIOS reset function.

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 B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots, with a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, and overclocked speeds reaching up to 8200 MHz. It operates with dual memory channels to enhance data transfer efficiency. However, it does not support ECC memory, making it more suitable for general use rather than error-correcting applications.

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 Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard provides a diverse selection of ports for connectivity. It includes three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) and three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A), along with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C), and one DisplayPort output. Additionally, it features an HDMI output, one RJ45 port, and a USB Type-C port for modern devices. Notably, this motherboard lacks legacy ports like VGA, PS/2, or eSATA, making it suitable for more contemporary setups.

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	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 Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard offers a variety of expansion connectors to enhance connectivity. It includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and four additional USB 2.0 ports. There are also two M.2 sockets for high-speed storage, along with four SATA 3 connectors for additional drives. For cooling, the board is equipped with five fan headers, and it supports a TPM connector for added security. However, it does not include U.2 or mSATA 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 Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard features a variety of expansion slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot for flexible GPU and expansion card support. It also offers two PCIe x1 slots, but does not include any PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, or PCI slots. This setup provides ample room for modern hardware, though users seeking additional PCIe 4.0 x16 or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots will need to look elsewhere.

Audio:

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

The MSI Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels, providing a rich and immersive sound experience for users. It is equipped with three audio connectors for flexible speaker and headset setups. However, it does not include an S/PDIF Out port, limiting digital audio output options.

Storage:

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

The MSI Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard supports several RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), and RAID 0 for flexible storage management. However, it does not support RAID 5 or RAID 0+1, limiting certain advanced RAID setups for users seeking fault tolerance with performance.

Final Verdict

The MSI Pro B850M-A Wi-Fi PZ motherboard offers solid performance with its support for Wi-Fi 7 and a range of RAID configurations, making it a versatile choice for users seeking reliable connectivity and storage flexibility. Its design also includes ample fan headers, catering to users focused on system cooling. However, it may not be the best option for those needing extensive GPU support or error-correcting memory. Overall, this motherboard is an excellent choice for general users building a dependable system, but less suited for high-demand, specialized tasks.