ASRock AMD B850M X
ASRock AMD B850M X Specifications Review
ASRock AMD B850M X 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 2 slots, a maximum capacity of 128 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 8200 MHz.
VRM Quality
The ASRock AMD B850M X has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 60 A across 6 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 X 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 has essential connectivity features with wired 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s Ethernet . USB connectivity covers basic needs. Please refer to the specification table for details.
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 X is basic and functional, carrying an overall quality score of 46.60. It is designed for budget-conscious builds or office setups where advanced features are not required, handling standard tasks effectively but lacking the polish or expandability of higher-tier models.
This motherboard has a solid 55.3% 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 | ASRock |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | ASRock AMD B850M X |
| Current Price Amazon | $160❗N/A |
| Amazon Price Updated | 3 weeks ago. |
| Motherboard Available | False |
| Chipset / Socket | B850M / AM5 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 6 (60 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 6+1+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 2 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 128 GB / 8200 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 4.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen4 |
|---|---|---|
| x16 | 2 | 2 |
| x1 | 1 | 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 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) | 2 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 3 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (5 Gbps) | 1 |
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 1 Type-C (5 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 3 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Module: Not Included |
| Bluetooth | Supported: No |
Button Features
| Buttons |
BIOS Flashback |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports un-buffered memory and EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules. Please refer to the Memory Support List on ASRock's website for more information. |
|---|---|
| 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 x16 slot (PCIE1) speed depends on the installed CPU: it runs at Gen4x16 with 9000/7000 series, Gen4x8 with 8000 (Phoenix 1) series, and Gen4x4 with 8000 (Phoenix 2) series. The second x16 slot (PCIE3) is electrically wired to run at x4 mode. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | Features 7.1 CH HD Audio and Nahimic Audio. The rear panel has jacks for Line in, Front Speaker, and Microphone. |
| Networking | Features 2 x Antenna Mounting Points. |
| 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 X 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$144
|
↓
-15.0%
|
48.0%
|
18.0%
|
74.0%
|
63.0%
|
45.0%
|
40.0%
|
63.1%
|
|
|
$120
|
↓
-7.6%
|
47.8%
|
20.0%
|
76.0%
|
46.0%
|
57.0%
|
40.0%
|
75.7%
|
|
|
$100❗
|
0.0%
|
47.6%
|
20.0%
|
73.0%
|
63.0%
|
42.0%
|
40.0%
|
90.4%
|
|
|
$115
|
↑
4.6%
|
46.8%
|
14.0%
|
74.0%
|
51.0%
|
50.0%
|
45.0%
|
77.3%
|
|
|
$160❗
|
0.0%
|
46.6%
|
18.0%
|
78.0%
|
63.0%
|
34.0%
|
40.0%
|
55.3%
|
|
|
$171
|
↑
0.0%
|
45.6%
|
14.0%
|
69.0%
|
55.0%
|
45.0%
|
45.0%
|
50.7%
|
|
|
$172
|
↑
0.1%
|
45.6%
|
24.0%
|
69.0%
|
55.0%
|
35.0%
|
45.0%
|
50.3%
|
|
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
44.4%
|
24.0%
|
68.0%
|
34.0%
|
56.0%
|
40.0%
|
49.6%
|
|
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
43.6%
|
22.0%
|
71.0%
|
51.0%
|
34.0%
|
40.0%
|
63.7%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$144
|
↓
-15.0%
|
$120
|
↓
-7.6%
|
$100❗
|
0.0%
|
$115
|
↑
4.6%
|
$160❗
|
0.0%
|
$171
|
↑
0.0%
|
$172
|
↑
0.1%
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE | MSI | ASRock | GIGABYTE | ASRock | GIGABYTE | Gigabyte | ASRock | MSI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B650 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | B850M / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | B650I / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX | Micro-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 6 (60 A) | 7 (55 A) | 8 (50 A) | 5 (60 A) | 6 (60 A) | 5 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 7 (60 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 6+2+2 | 7+2+1 | 8+2+1 | 5+2+2 | 6+1+1 | 5 + 2 + 1 | 8+2+2 | 8+2+1 | 7 + 2 +1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | 256 GB / 7200 MHz | 128 GB / 7200 MHz | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | 128 GB / 8200 MHz | 128 GB / 7600 MHz | 256 GB / 8200 MHz | 128 GB / 7200 MHz | 128 GB / 8000 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x1 Gen3 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek ALC897 | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 | 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) | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | Realtek® RTL8111H GbE LA… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8125BG 2.5G (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek ® 8125D 2.5G LAN (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | ❌ | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.2 | ❌ | Rear USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USB Headers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%20Gallery/7ad665bb1dc9419c81_3Mvoz7Y.jpg)
%20Gallery/ffb8195529ca4faa89f9f8f89cb8962e.jpg)
VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No compatible CPU available. The motherboard's VRM is too weak to be recommended with any CPU in the database. | |||||||||
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
- 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
*Please refer to Memory Support List on ASRock's website for more information.
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_2, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors
*Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
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.
M2_2 will run at Gen4x4 with 9000 and 7000 series processors, Gen4x4 with 8000 (Phoenix 1) series processors and Gen4x2 with 8000 (Phoenix 2) series processors.
Expansion Slots:
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x1 Slot (PCIE2)*
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE3), supports x4 mode*
- 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module
*PCIE1 will run at Gen4x16 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
USB:
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (Rear)
- 1 x USB 2.0 (Rear (USB_2))
Chipset:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (1 Rear, 1 Front)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (Front)
- 5 x USB 2.0 (1 Rear (USB_1), 4 Front)
*All USB ports support ESD Protection
Internal I/O:
- 1 x SPI TPM Header
- 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/Water Pump Fan Connectors (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
- 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 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
*Supports in total up to 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip
**Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
***CPU_FAN1 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).
***CPU_FAN2, CHA_FAN1~3 and AIO_PUMP support the fan power up to 3A (36W).
CPU_FAN2, CHA_FAN1~3 and AIO_PUMP can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.
Back Panel I/O:
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C Port
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports
- 2 x USB 2.0 Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
- 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
- HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
Audio:
- Nahimic Audio
Add Comment on ASRock AMD B850M X