ASUS TUF Gaming B850M-PLUS WiFi Motherboard: features, specs and fit

The ASUS TUF Gaming B850M-PLUS WiFi is a micro-ATX motherboard for AMD's AM5 socket. It is aimed at people building a compact gaming or everyday desktop who want current standards, including DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E, in a board that fits smaller cases.

Socket and chipset

AM5 supports AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series desktop processors, according to ASUS. The B850 chipset is the part of the platform that decides which ports and expansion options the board provides. Because processor support can depend on the firmware installed, check ASUS's support page for the BIOS version your chip needs. The board also lists BIOS Flashback, a feature that lets you update the firmware from a USB drive without a processor installed.

Power delivery

The listing describes 14+2+1 80A DrMOS power stages, an 8-layer PCB, 8+8 pin ProCool power connectors, alloy chokes and durable capacitors. In practice, the power stages convert the supply's voltage to what the processor needs. More stages and a thicker, multi-layer board typically help the board hold steady voltage under sustained load, which matters most with higher-core-count Ryzen chips.

Storage and expansion

There are three M.2 slots: one PCIe 5.0 slot and two PCIe 4.0 slots, covered by a large M.2 heatsink. NVMe drives can run hot at full speed, so the heatsink helps them avoid throttling. The M.2 Q-Latch holds a drive in place without a tiny screw. The graphics slot is PCIe 5.0 x16 with Q-Release, a button that makes removing a heavy graphics card easier. Newer cards that use PCIe 5.0 can take advantage of it, and PCIe 4.0 cards work too.

Connectivity

ASUS lists Wi-Fi 6E, Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port and a front USB 10Gbps Type-C connector. For video, the board has DisplayPort and HDMI, which are used with processors that have integrated graphics. The Q-Antenna feature is a tool-free way to attach the Wi-Fi antenna. DTS Audio Processing and Aura Sync lighting control are also listed.

Size

The board is a micro-ATX format, about 10.8 x 10.8 inches and 2.6 lb. This is smaller than a full ATX board, so it suits compact towers, though it has fewer expansion slots.

Who it suits

It suits builders putting together a new AM5 desktop who want DDR5, a PCIe 5.0 graphics and storage path, and built-in wireless in a smaller footprint.

What to check before you buy

• Processor: confirm your Ryzen model is supported and whether a BIOS update is needed.
• Memory: this board uses DDR5 only.
• Case: make sure it accepts micro-ATX boards.
• Integrated graphics: the video ports only work if your processor includes graphics.
• Slots: count your drives and add-in cards against the three M.2 slots and the available PCIe slots.
• Cooler and power: check your cooler's AM5 mounting and your power supply's 8-pin connectors.

The short version

• Micro-ATX AM5 board for Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series processors.
• 14+2+1 80A DrMOS stages on an 8-layer PCB.
• DDR5, PCIe 5.0 x16, one PCIe 5.0 and two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots.
• Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, USB 20Gbps and 10Gbps Type-C.
• BIOS Flashback and Aura Sync.

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