MSI PRO B650M-A
MSI PRO B650M-A Specifications Review
MSI PRO B650M-A by MSI is a Micro-ATX form factor motherboard based on the mid-range B650M chipset and AM5 socket, providing a balanced set of features and connectivity. It is designed to support DDR5 memory, with 4 slots, a maximum capacity of 256 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 7200 MHz.
VRM Quality
The MSI PRO B650M-A has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 55 A across 8 phases. Best for low-power CPUs (≤65 W TDP). Using high-wattage chips or overclocking could cause severe thermal issues and instability. Recommended for budget builds, office workstations, and media PCs.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The MSI PRO B650M-A offers a balanced expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 4.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 4.0, fast enough for modern GPUs and high-speed NVMe SSDs. It also includes 2 x16 slots , and 1 x1 slot. These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard includes basic to moderate connectivity options, such as wireless networking with the Wi-Fi 6E standard, and wired Realtek® 8125BG 2.5G ethernet supporting speeds up to 2500 Gbps. Bluetooth 5.3 support is included for common wireless devices. USB ports are adequate for everyday devices, and more details are available in the specs table.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 , DisplayPort version 1.4 . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek® ALC897 Codec) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones. Additional features include optical S/PDIF output for clean digital audio.
Overall Quality and Value
MSI PRO B650M-A is a dependable choice with a respectable overall quality score of 53.20. It provides all the essential features and stable performance expected in a mainstream system, covering typical use cases without unnecessary extras.
This motherboard has a solid 56.9% value efficiency, providing decent performance relative to its price. It represents a balanced option for users seeking fair capabilities without paying a premium.
General Information
| Manufacturer | MSI |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | MSI PRO B650M-A |
| Current Price Amazon | $178 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 1 day, 22 hours ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | B650M / AM5 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 8 (55 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 8+2 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 256 GB / 7200 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 4.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen4 | Gen3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| x1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 2 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2280, 2260 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® ALC897 Codec |
|---|---|
| Optical S/PDIF Output | ✔️ Present |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K 60Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.4 (Max: 4K 60Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 4 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Header (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: Realtek® 8125BG 2.5G LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Version: Wi-Fi 6E Bandwidth: 20/40/80/160MHz Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz |
| Bluetooth |
Version: 5.3 |
Button Features
| Buttons |
BIOS Flashback |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports AMD EXPO. The maximum overclocking frequency depends on the memory configuration: 1DPC 1R up to 7200+ MHz, 1DPC 2R up to 6000+ MHz, 2DPC 1R up to 6000+ MHz, and 2DPC 2R up to 5400+ MHz. Supports un-buffered memory. |
|---|---|
| Display | Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed. |
| Expansion | • Supports x16/x4 (For Ryzen™ 9000/ 7000 Series processors) • Supports x8/x4 (For Ryzen™ 8700/ 8600/ 8400 Series processors) • Supports x4/x4 (For Ryzen™ 8500/ 8300 Series processors) PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU) PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset) PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset) |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio |
| Networking | The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot. Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX. Wi-Fi 6E 6GHz may depend on every country’s regulations and will be ready in Windows 11. Bluetooth 5.3 will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 and Windows 11. |
| Dimensions | 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
MSI PRO B650M-A Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$170
|
↓
-5.6%
|
54.4%
|
18.0%
|
80.0%
|
83.0%
|
51.0%
|
40.0%
|
60.8%
|
|
|
$150
|
↓
-8.8%
|
53.8%
|
24.0%
|
74.0%
|
66.0%
|
62.0%
|
43.0%
|
68.2%
|
|
|
$155
|
↓
-0.2%
|
53.6%
|
24.0%
|
80.0%
|
65.0%
|
59.0%
|
40.0%
|
65.5%
|
|
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
53.4%
|
25.0%
|
84.0%
|
75.0%
|
38.0%
|
45.0%
|
N/A | |
|
$178
|
↑
26.8%
|
53.2%
|
23.0%
|
76.0%
|
59.0%
|
65.0%
|
43.0%
|
56.9%
|
|
|
$110
|
↓
-8.3%
|
52.8%
|
20.0%
|
78.0%
|
66.0%
|
60.0%
|
40.0%
|
91.2%
|
|
|
$195❗
|
↓
-0.8%
|
52.2%
|
25.0%
|
78.0%
|
62.0%
|
51.0%
|
45.0%
|
51.0%
|
|
|
$170
|
↓
-4.8%
|
52.2%
|
25.0%
|
73.0%
|
67.0%
|
51.0%
|
45.0%
|
58.3%
|
|
|
$140
|
0.0%
|
51.8%
|
20.0%
|
73.0%
|
66.0%
|
60.0%
|
40.0%
|
70.3%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification |
No image available |
Perf Chart | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$170
|
↓
-5.6%
|
$150
|
↓
-8.8%
|
$155
|
↓
-0.2%
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
$178
|
↑
26.8%
|
$110
|
↓
-8.3%
|
$195❗
|
↓
-0.8%
|
$170
|
↓
-4.8%
|
$140
|
0.0%
|
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| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE | GIGABYTE | GIGABYTE | ASUS | MSI | ASRock | Asus | ASUS | ASRock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B850 / AM5 | B650 / AM5 | B850M / AM5 | AMD B850 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | B850M / AM5 | B650M-E / AM5 | B840 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 6 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (55 A) | 8 (50 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (50 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 6+2+2 | 8+2+1 | 8+2+2 | 8 + 2 + 1 | 8+2 | 8+2+1 | 8(60A)+2(60A)+1 | 8+2+1 | 8+2+1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 8200 MHz | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | 256 GB / 8200 MHz | 128 GB / 8400 MHz | 256 GB / 7200 MHz | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | 192 GB / 7600 MHz | 256 GB / 7600 MHz | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | Realtek® GbE LAN chip (1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethern… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8125BG 2.5G (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet (1 ports) | Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.3 | v5.2 / 5.3 | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.3 | v5.2 | v5.2 | v5.3 | v5.2 | Rear USB |
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| USB Headers |
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| Front USB |
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❌ |
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VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$266
|
0.0%
|
45.2%
|
63.7%
|
65 W / 61 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 5.10 GHz | Phoenix | Radeon 780M | |
|
$180
|
↓
-14.3%
|
45.1%
|
63.5%
|
65 W / 61 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.10 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Phoenix | None | |
|
$188
|
0.0%
|
35.8%
|
63.7%
|
65 W / 61 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.30 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Phoenix | Radeon 760M | |
|
$149
|
0.0%
|
34.7%
|
62.3%
|
65 W / 61 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Phoenix | None | |
|
$149
|
0.0%
|
31.3%
|
57.3%
|
65 W / 61 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 3.50 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Phoenix2 | Radeon 740M |
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
Memory Support DDR5 7200+(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5400(OC)/ 5200(OC)/ 5000(OC)/ 4800(JEDEC) MHz
Max. overclocking frequency:
• 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7200+ MHz
• 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6000+ MHz
• 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6000+ MHz
• 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5400+ MHz
Supports Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Supports AMD EXPO
Graphics:
Support HDMITM 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*
1x DisplayPort
Supports DP1.4, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*
*Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
Storage:
M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devices
M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devices
4x SATA 6G
• The M2_2 slot will be unavailable when using Ryzen™ 8500/ 8300 Series processor
Expansion Slots:
• Supports x16/x4 (For Ryzen™ 9000/ 7000 Series processors)
• Supports x8/x4 (For Ryzen™ 8700/ 8600/ 8400 Series processors)
• Supports x4/x4 (For Ryzen™ 8500/ 8300 Series processors)
1x PCI-E x1 slot
PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
USB:
4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
4x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Front)
Internal I/O:
2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
1x CPU Fan
1x Pump Fan
3x System Fan
2x Front Panel (JFP)
1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
1x Front Audio (JAUD)
1x Com Port (JCOM)
1x Tuning Controller connector(JDASH)
2x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
2x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
4x USB 2.0 ports
2x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
1x USB 10Gbps Type C ports
Back Panel I/O:
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps (Type-A)
2.5G LAN
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Audio connectors
Flash BIOS Button
DisplayPort
HDMI™
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-A)
WiFi:
The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot
Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX
Supports 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz,160MHz bandwidth in 2.4GHz/ 5GHz or 6GHz* bands
Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax
Supports Bluetooth® 5.3**
* Wi-Fi 6E 6GHz may depend on every country’s regulations and will be ready in Windows 11.
** Bluetooth 5.3 will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 and Windows 11.
Audio:
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio Supports S/PDIF output
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