ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E
ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E Specifications Review
ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E by ASRock is a Micro-ATX form factor motherboard based on the mid-range B850M 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 8000 MHz.
VRM Quality
The ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 50 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 ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E offers a balanced expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 5.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 5.0, the newest standard offering extremely high bandwidth for next-generation graphics cards and ultra-fast NVMe storage. It also includes 1 x16 slot , 1 x4 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 3 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 wireless Wi-Fi 6E and wired 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s ethernet supporting speeds up to 2500 Gbps. Bluetooth 5.2 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 Audio 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.
Overall Quality and Value
ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E is a dependable choice with a respectable overall quality score of 52.80. It provides all the essential features and stable performance expected in a mainstream system, covering typical use cases without unnecessary extras.
This motherboard offers an impressive 91.2% performance-to-price ratio, delivering excellent value by combining strong performance with reasonable cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
General Information
| Manufacturer | ASRock |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E |
| Current Price Amazon | $110 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 2 days ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | B850M / AM5 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 8 (50 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 8+2+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 256 GB / 8000 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 5.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen5 | Gen4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| x4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 3 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2280 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec |
|---|---|
| Analog Audio Jacks | 3 jacks |
| Spatial/Surround Audio | ✔️ Rear Output Supports Spatial Audio |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K 120Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.4 (Max: 4K 120Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear 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-A (10 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (5 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 5 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Version: Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E Frequency Bands: ['2.4GHz', '5GHz', '6GHz'] Antenna Connectors: 2 |
| Bluetooth |
Version: 5.2 |
Button Features
| Buttons |
BIOS Flashback |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports un-buffered memory. Also supports EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules. |
|---|---|
| Display | Features Integrated AMD RDNA™ graphics, but actual support may vary by CPU. The HDMI port is TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible and supports HDR and HDCP 2.3. The DisplayPort port supports DSC (compressed) and HDCP 2.3. |
| Expansion | The primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (PCIE1) features 15μ Gold Contact. The board also includes one M.2 Socket (Key E) for a type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe module. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | Features 7.1 CH HD Audio. The rear panel has three jacks: Line in, Front Speaker, and Microphone. |
| Networking | Supports 2x2 diversity technology and MU-MIMO. |
| Dimensions | 24.4cm x 24.4cm |
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.
ASRock AMD B850M Pro A WiFi 6E 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$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%
|
|
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
51.0%
|
22.0%
|
71.0%
|
64.0%
|
58.0%
|
40.0%
|
74.6%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification |
No image available |
Perf Chart | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$150
|
↓
-8.8%
|
$155
|
↓
-0.2%
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
$178
|
↑
26.8%
|
$110
|
↓
-8.3%
|
$195❗
|
↓
-0.8%
|
$170
|
↓
-4.8%
|
$140
|
0.0%
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
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| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE | GIGABYTE | ASUS | MSI | ASRock | Asus | ASUS | ASRock | MSI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B650 / AM5 | B850M / AM5 | AMD B850 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | B850M / AM5 | B650M-E / AM5 | B840 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | B840 / AM5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (55 A) | 8 (50 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (50 A) | 7 (60 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 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 | 7+2+1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 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 | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | 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 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 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 | 1x16 Gen4 | 4x16 Gen3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | 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 | Realtek® ALC897 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | 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) | Realtek® 8125D 2.5G LAN (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.2 / 5.3 | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.3 | v5.2 | v5.2 | v5.3 | v5.2 | v5.4 | Rear USB |
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| USB Headers |
|
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| Front USB |
❌ |
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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:
- 4 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
- Supports DDR5 ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 8000+(OC)
- Max. capacity of system memory: 256GB
- Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) and EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules
Graphics:
- 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (compressed), supports HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
Storage:
- 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
- 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors
Expansion Slots:
- 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 Slot (PCIE2), supports x4 mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module
- 15μ Gold Contact in VGA PCIe Slot (PCIE1)
USB:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (Rear)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
Chipset:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
- 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (2 Rear, 4 Front)
- 8 x USB 2.0 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
Internal I/O:
- 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
- 1 x RGB LED Header*
- 3 x Addressable LED Headers**
- 2 x CPU Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)***
- 3 x Chassis Fan Connectors (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 4 pin 12V Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
- 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
- 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
- 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header
Back Panel I/O:
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
- 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
- 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
- HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
WiFi:
- 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
Audio:
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