Buying Guide
The Best B850 Motherboards
Seven B850 boards compared on M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7, wired LAN, power stages and warranty for Ryzen 9000 builds.
By The PC Journal editorial team
13 min read7 products evaluated
B850 is AMD's mid-range chipset for Ryzen 9000, with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot as standard. Boards differ most on networking, M.2 count and power delivery.
We compared seven B850 boards. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Our 7 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best All-Round B850
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi
Four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7.
Best for: Most B850 builds.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Most Features
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi
A 16+2+2 layout, four M.2 slots and 19 USB ports.
Best for: Builders who want X870-class features.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi
5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 at an entry B850 price.
Best for: Budget Ryzen 9000 builds.
Our take Check price for MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
ASUS TUF Gaming B850-E WiFi
The TUF B850-E offers three M.2 slots, rear USB 20Gbps and 10Gbps Type-C ports and BIOS Flashback.
Best for: Buyers who want rear usb 20gbps and 10gbps type-c ports.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850-E WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE
The B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE is a white B850 board with Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gbps LAN and three M.2 slots.
Best for: Buyers who want wi-fi 7 built in.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE (opens in a new tab)
Longest Warranty
GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI6E
A five-year warranty.
Best for: Builders who keep boards for years.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI6E (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
ASRock B850 Pro-A
The B850 Pro-A drops Wi-Fi to keep its price low, but keeps a 14+2+1 layout, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for: Buyers who want 14+2+1 power stage layout.
Our take Check price for ASRock B850 Pro-A (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best All-Round B8501 of 7
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Tomahawk MAX covers what most Ryzen builds need: four M.2 slots, 5Gbps Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7.
Best for
- Most B850 builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the B850 Pro-A cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the Strix B850-F on M.2 slot count (4). It matches the B850 Gaming Plus on wired network speed (5Gbps). You also get a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor and a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was priced above the TUF B850-E and below the Strix B850-F at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor
Cons
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Most Features2 of 7
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Strix B850-F offers a 16+2+2 layout, four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and 19 USB ports.
Best for
- Builders who want X870-class features.
Skip if
- Its wired network speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It brings X870-class features to B850. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Tomahawk MAX at 4. You get 16+2+2 power stages here, which sets it apart from the B850 Pro-A and its 14+2+1 power stages.
It also offers a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all.
It was the highest-priced of the 7 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the B850 Tomahawk MAX and the rest. The maker doesn't give its wired network speed; if that figure matters, the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 5Gbps.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 16+2+2
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+2 power stage layout
- 19 USB ports in total
Cons
- No published wired network speed
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Best Value3 of 7
MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Gaming Plus WiFi brings 5Gbps Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 to an entry-level B850 price, with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for
- Budget Ryzen 9000 builds.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the B850 Pro-A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Three M.2 slots cover most gaming builds. It matches the TUF B850-E, the B850 Eagle ICE and the B850 Eagle on M.2 slot count (3). It matches the B850 Tomahawk MAX on wired network speed (5Gbps).
It also comes with memory support to DDR5-8200 (OC). It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was priced above the B850 Eagle ICE and below the TUF B850-E at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- Memory support to DDR5-8200 (OC)
Cons
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Solid Alternative4 of 7
ASUS TUF Gaming B850-E WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF B850-E offers three M.2 slots, rear USB 20Gbps and 10Gbps Type-C ports and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want rear usb 20gbps and 10gbps type-c ports.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi is a problem.
Why we like it
Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is its main compromise. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Gaming Plus, the B850 Eagle ICE and the B850 Eagle at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the B850 Eagle ICE and the B850 Pro-A at 2.5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B850 Eagle; the B850 Eagle ICE goes with a wi-Fi 7. 8+2+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the B850 Eagle ICE uses 8+2+2 power stages. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Its price falls between the B850 Gaming Plus and the B850 Tomahawk MAX, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 8+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- Rear USB 20Gbps and 10Gbps Type-C ports
- BIOS Flashback
- Three M.2 slots
- Wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, ahead of the B850 Eagle
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Worth Considering5 of 7
GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE is a white B850 board with Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gbps LAN and three M.2 slots.
Best for
- Buyers who want wi-fi 7 built in.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the B850 Pro-A was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its 8+2+2 layout suits six- to eight-core chips. It matches the B850 Gaming Plus, the TUF B850-E and the B850 Eagle on M.2 slot count (3). It matches the TUF B850-E and the B850 Pro-A on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).
Like the B850 Eagle, it has 8+2+2 power stages, while the TUF B850-E uses 8+2+1 power stages. You also get EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was priced above the B850 Eagle and below the B850 Gaming Plus at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 8+2+2
- Form factor: ATX
- Warranty: 3-year
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- White ICE finish
- EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal
- Wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, ahead of the B850 Eagle
Cons
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Longest Warranty6 of 7
GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI6E on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Eagle WIFI6E stands out for Gigabyte's five-year warranty.
Best for
- Builders who keep boards for years.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It pays for that with 1Gbps Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Gaming Plus, the TUF B850-E and the B850 Eagle ICE at 3. On wired network speed it trails the group at 1Gbps, while the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the TUF B850-E; the B850 Eagle ICE goes with a wi-Fi 7. It shares 8+2+2 power stages with the B850 Eagle ICE; the TUF B850-E goes with 8+2+1 power stages. You also get EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal and a PCIe 5.0 slot.
Its price falls between the B850 Pro-A and the B850 Eagle ICE, based on our last check. If M.2 slot count is your priority, the B850 Tomahawk MAX (4) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 1Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 8+2+2
- Form factor: ATX
- Warranty: 5-year
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal
- PCIe 5.0 slot
- A five-year warranty
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count trails the B850 Tomahawk MAX (4)
- Wired network speed trails the B850 Tomahawk MAX (5Gbps)
Well-Rounded Choice7 of 7
ASRock B850 Pro-A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Pro-A drops Wi-Fi to keep its price low, but keeps a 14+2+1 layout, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want 14+2+1 power stage layout.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its M.2 slot count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It suits desks with a network cable. It matches the TUF B850-E and the B850 Eagle ICE on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). It is the only pick here with 14+2+1 power stages; the Strix B850-F has 16+2+2 power stages instead.
It also comes with memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) and no Wi-Fi, which keeps the price down for wired setups. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the B850 Eagle was closest. If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the B850 Tomahawk MAX instead: it offers 4, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Power stages: 14+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- BIOS Flashback
- Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)
- No Wi-Fi, which keeps the price down for wired setups
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
How We Chose These B850 Motherboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power delivery
- We noted power stage layouts where the maker lists them.
- Storage
- We counted listed M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support.
- Platform
- We checked socket, chipset and form factor from each listing.
- Connectivity
- We compared Wi-Fi, wired LAN speed and USB4.
What to Look for in a B850 Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Networking matters for daily use
Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps Ethernet help only if your router supports them, but built-in Wi-Fi saves a PCIe card.
Count M.2 slots
Most games now install to NVMe drives. Count how many M.2 slots you need now and later, and check which ones share lanes with other ports.
Power delivery for high-end CPUs
Boards with more and stronger power stages run hot 16-core chips more comfortably. For eight-core gaming CPUs, most current boards are enough.
Match the chipset to your plans
On AM5, B850 covers most gaming builds with PCIe 5.0 for at least one slot. X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes and USB4 for heavy expansion.
Features, not frame rates, separate the chipsets.
Check BIOS support and Flashback
A board may need a BIOS update before it runs a newer CPU. BIOS Flashback lets you update without a working CPU installed.
Check the rear and front I/O
Count USB ports you use every day and confirm a front USB-C header if your case has a USB-C port.
How to Choose a B850 Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most B850 builds | B850 Tomahawk MAX | Four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 |
| Builders who want X870-class features | Strix B850-F | A 16+2+2 layout, four M.2 slots and 19 USB ports |
| Budget Ryzen 9000 builds | B850 Gaming Plus | 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 at an entry B850 price |
| Builders who keep boards for years | B850 Eagle | A five-year warranty |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B850 Tomahawk MAX | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| Strix B850-F | 4 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+2 |
| B850 Gaming Plus | 3 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| TUF B850-E | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 8+2+1 |
| B850 Eagle ICE | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 8+2+2 |
| B850 Eagle | 3 | 1Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 8+2+2 |
| B850 Pro-A | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Not listed | 14+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B850 Pro-A |
| About $150 to $250 | B850 Eagle, B850 Eagle ICE, B850 Gaming Plus, TUF B850-E, B850 Tomahawk MAX, Strix B850-F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is built-in Wi-Fi worth it?
Yes if you cannot run a cable. Otherwise wired Ethernet is more consistent.
Should I fill all four memory slots?
Two sticks usually run faster and more reliably on DDR5. Buy a two-stick kit with the capacity you need.
Do I need PCIe 5.0?
Current graphics cards barely benefit. PCIe 5.0 matters more for the fastest SSDs.
What size motherboard should I buy?
ATX fits most mid-towers and has the most slots. Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX suit smaller cases with fewer expansion needs.
Will a new board work with my CPU out of the box?
Usually, but check the board's CPU support list. If your chip needs a newer BIOS, BIOS Flashback updates it from a USB drive.
Do I need X870E for gaming?
No. A B850 board runs the same CPUs at the same speed; X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes, USB4 and expansion.
Bottom Line
The B850 Tomahawk MAX is the default pick. The Strix B850-F adds USB ports and power stages, while the B850 Gaming Plus keeps 5Gbps LAN for less.