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ASRock · AM5 · B850I

ASRock AMD B850i Lightning

Mini-ITX · DDR5 · 2 DIMMs · 10-phase VRM · Wi-Fi 6E

Quality
62
VRM
51
Value
74
Amazon
$160
ASRock AMD B850i Lightning
View ASRock AMD B850i Lightning Gallery in high resolution
$160
Available Updated 3 days, 14 hours ago Prime FBA
Overall62.4
VRM51.0
Chipset78.0
Expansion / storage44.0
Connectivity55.0
Audio84.0
Quality / price74.1
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Written analysis

ASRock AMD B850i Lightning at a glance

The ASRock AMD B850i Lightning uses the Mini-ITX form factor, AM5 socket, and B850I chipset. This is a balanced mainstream platform: enough expansion and connectivity for a performance PC without paying only for flagship extras.

Memory support is DDR5 across 2 DIMM slots, with up to 128 GB and rated overclocked speeds up to 8200 MT/s. ECC modules are accepted, subject to CPU support. XMP / EXPO memory-profile support is recorded for easier tuning.

Best fit: a performance gaming and productivity PC that needs a balanced board without workstation-class excess.

Power delivery

The calculated VRM score is 51.0, placing the power delivery in the mid-range class. The board lists 10 CPU power phases, 110 A power stages in a 10+1+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 1. It is a sensible match for mainstream processors, with conservative tuning on higher-power chips.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 44.0: focused on the essentials. The platform supports PCIe 5.0. Physical expansion includes 1 ×16 slot.

On-board storage consists of 2 M.2 slots and 2 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 2280. The two-slot layout covers a typical OS-and-games or OS-and-project-drive setup.

Connectivity and rear I/O

The connectivity score is 55.0, rated adequate . Wireless networking is Wi-Fi 6E ; wired networking is 2.5 Gigabit LAN at up to 2500 Mbps. Bluetooth 5.2 is included. The recorded USB provision is 8 rear connections and 5 front-panel connections. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.1, USB-C DisplayPort. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 84.0. This is a high-end onboard implementation using Realtek ALC1220, suitable for good headsets, powered speakers, and everyday content work. The rear panel has 2 analogue jacks, with gold-plated contacts. Optical S/PDIF is present for digital audio equipment.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 62.40, a mainstream result. The essential platform features are covered, while premium I/O and tuning extras are more selective.

At the recorded Amazon price, the quality-to-price score is 74.1—an excellent value relative to the other boards in the catalog.

Board data

Full specifications

Platform, expansion, storage, rear I/O, internal headers, networking, audio, and board controls in one sheet.

General

Manufacturer
ASRock
Motherboard
ASRock AMD B850i Lightning
Chipset / socket
B850I / AM5
Form factor
Mini-ITX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$160
Availability
In stock
Price updated
3 days, 14 hours ago

VRM

CPU phases
10 (110 A)
Power design
10+1+1
EPS connector
1

Memory

Type / slots
DDR5 / 2 DIMMs
Max capacity / OC
128 GB / 8200 MT/s
XMP / EXPO
Yes
ECC
Modules supported

PCIe

Supported version
PCIe 5.0
x16 physical
1
x16 Gen 5
1

Storage

M.2 slots
2
M.2 lengths
2280
SATA ports
2

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.1 · 4K 120Hz
DisplayPort
No
USB-C DisplayPort
Yes · 1.4 · 4K 60Hz

USB

Rear USB 2.0
4
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
1
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10 Gbps
2
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 10 Gbps
1
Front USB 2.0
2
Front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C 5 Gbps
1
Header USB 2.0
2
Header USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2

Networking

Ethernet
2.5 Gigabit LAN
LAN ports
1
LAN speed
2500 Mbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi bandwidth
2x2
Bands
2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
Antenna connectors
2
Bluetooth
5.2

Audio

Chipset
Realtek ALC1220
Analog jacks
2
Gold-plated jacks
Yes
Optical S/PDIF
Yes
Spatial audio
Rear output

Buttons

BIOS flashback
Yes
Clear CMOS
No
Q-Flash Plus
No
Smart button
No
Onboard start / reset
No

Additional information

Memory notes
Features Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology. Supports un-buffered memory. Also supports EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules.
Display notes
Integrated graphics support may vary by CPU. The HDMI port is TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, and HDCP 2.3. The USB Type-C port supports DP 1.4 HBR3, and its DP-alt mode supports DP1.4a.
Expansion notes
The PCIE1 slot's speed depends on the installed CPU. It will run at Gen5x16 with 9000 and 7000 series processors, Gen4x8 with 8000 (Phoenix 1) series processors, and Gen4x4 with 8000 (Phoenix 2) series processors. The board also includes one Vertical M.2 Socket (Key E) for a type 2230 WiFi/BT module.
M2_1
5.0 4 · 2280 · CPU — M2_1 will run at Gen5x4 with 9000 and 7000 series processors and Gen4x4 with 8000 (Phoenix 1 and Phoenix 2) series processors.
M2_2
4.0 4 · 2280 · Chipset
Storage notes
M2_1 is the first priority for M.2 installation. Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks.
USB notes
All USB ports support ESD Protection. The rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port (USB32_TC1) supports a maximum speed of 40 Gb/s with selected processors and also supports DP-alt mode (DP1.4a). Two of the rear USB 3.2 ports are Lightning Gaming Ports.
Audio notes
7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection; Impedance Sensing on Rear Out port; Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel; Nahimic Audio.
Networking notes
Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/axe. Supports MU-MIMO. The Wi-Fi 6E module is supported by Microsoft Windows® 11 only. There is no driver available for Windows® 10. The availability of the 6GHz band will depend on the different regulation status of each country and region. It will be activated (for supported countries) through Windows® Update and software updates once available. A 6GHz compatible router is required for 6E functionality.
Fan / RGB headers
1 CPU · — OPT · 1 AIO · 1 chassis · 2 ARGB · — RGB
Thermal sensors
1
Other headers
Front audio
Dimensions
17 cm x 17 cm

Extracted notes sit here. Official manufacturer copy is at the bottom of the page.

Amazon

Price history

Nearby quality

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VRM fit

VRM-appropriate CPUs

AM5 processors whose TDP sits in this board’s VRM window. Socket match is required; chipset extras still matter on sTR5. This is a power-delivery filter, not a ranked CPU guide.

Open AM5 CPUs in the CPU table

Discussion

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Vendor copy

Official manufacturer data

Raw manufacturer text kept for reference. Structured specs above are extracted from this copy and are the source for scores and tables.

Memory

Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology
- 2 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
- Supports DDR5 ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 8200+(OC)*
- Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB*
- Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) and EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules*

Graphics

Integrated AMD RDNA™ graphics (Actual support may vary by CPU)
- 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, supports DP 1.4 HBR3 and max. resolution up to 4K 60Hz (DP-alt mode supports DP1.4a)

Expansion slots

CPU:
- 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Vertical M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module

*PCIE1 will run at Gen5x16 with 9000 and 7000 series processors, Gen4x8 with 8000 (Phoenix 1) series processors and Gen4x4 with 8000 (Phoenix 2) series processors.
Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks

Storage

CPU:
- 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
- 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

* M2_1 is the first priority for M.2 installation.
M2_1 will run at Gen5x4 with 9000 and 7000 series processors and Gen4x4 with 8000 (Phoenix 1 and Phoenix 2) series processors.
Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks

USB

CPU:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (Rear)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear) Chipset:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (1 Rear, 2 Front)
- 6 x USB 2.0 (4 Rear, 2 Front)

* All USB ports support ESD Protection

Internal I/O

- 1 x Thermistor Cable Header
- 2 x Addressable LED Headers*
- 1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)**
- 1 x Chassis Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)**
- 1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)**
- 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
- 1 x 8 pin 12V Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
- 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
- 1 x USB 2.0 Header (Supports 2 USB 2.0 ports)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Header (Supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
- 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header

* Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
** CPU_FAN1, CHA_FAN1 and AIO_PUMP support the fan power up to 3A (36W).
CPU_FAN1, CHA_FAN1 and AIO_PUMP can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.

Rear I/O

- 2 x Antenna Ports
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)*
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s) (DP-alt mode supports DP1.4a.)**
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Port*
- 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
- 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
- 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
- 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

* USB32_23 are Lightning Gaming Ports.

** USB32_TC1 supports a maximum speed of 40 Gb/s with selected processors. DP-alt mode supports DP1.4a.

Wireless

- 802.11axe Wi-Fi 6E Module
- Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/axe
- Supports Dual-Band 2x2 with extended 6GHz band* support
- 2 antennas to support 2 (Transmit) x 2 (Receive) diversity technology
- Supports Bluetooth 5.2
- Supports MU-MIMO

*The Wi-Fi 6E module is supported by Microsoft Windows® 11 only. There is no driver available for Windows® 10. The availability of the 6GHz band will depend on the different regulation status of each country and region. It will be activated (for supported countries) through Windows® Update and software updates once available.
A 6GHz compatible router is required for 6E functionality.

Audio

- 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec)
- Impedance Sensing on Rear Out port
- Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
- Nahimic Audio

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