Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for Developers
Five motherboards compared, from the PRO B850-P to the X870 Pro-A, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A developer workstation benefits from fast Wi-Fi, 2.5GbE or better and room for several SSDs. Every pick has Wi-Fi 7 and cost $300 or less.
Our comparison rests on published figures for M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi; where a maker leaves out M.2 slots, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Wired Network Speed
MSI PRO B850-P WiFiThe fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps).
Best for: Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFiA PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Check price for ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most M.2 Slots
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFiThe most M.2 slot count here (4).
Best for: Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Check price for ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFiMemory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).
Best for: Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).
Check price for ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFiTwo rear USB4 Type-C ports.
Best for: Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C ports.
Check price for ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). | Buyers who put wired network speed first. | Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Check price for ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The most M.2 slot count here (4). | Buyers who put M.2 slot count first. | Check price for ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC). | Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC). | Check price for ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Two rear USB4 Type-C ports. | Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C ports. | Check price for ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Wired Network Speed1 of 5
MSI PRO B850-P WiFi
The PRO B850-P keeps Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on a budget board, with tool-free M.2 clips.
Best for
- Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: m.2 slot count of 3, behind the B850 Steel Legend (4).
Why we like it
Three M.2 slots are enough for most gaming builds. It matches the B850M Steel Legend on M.2 slot count (3). Its 5Gbps wired network speed is the fastest here; the B850M Steel Legend comes next at 2.5Gbps.
You also get a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the B850M Steel Legend was closest.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
- Tool-free EZ M.2 clips
Cons
- M.2 slot count of 3, behind the B850 Steel Legend (4)
The catch
What it gives up: M.2 slot count of 3, behind the B850 Steel Legend (4); by contrast, the B850 Steel Legend offers 4.
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi
The B850M Steel Legend fits a 12+2+1 layout, Wi-Fi 7 and three M.2 slots, one of them PCIe 5.0, onto a Micro-ATX board.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the B850 Steel Legend offers 4.
Why we like it
It is the Micro-ATX pick with the most features here. On M.2 slot count it ties with the PRO B850-P at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the B850 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A at 2.5Gbps.
12+2+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the B850 Steel Legend uses 14+2+1 power stages. You also get BIOS Flashback and a white and silver finish. 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.
As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots. Its price falls between the PRO B850-P and the B850 Steel Legend, based on our last check.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 12+2+1
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B850
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- BIOS Flashback
- White and silver finish
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the B850 Steel Legend (4)
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
The catch
If M.2 slot count is your priority, the B850 Steel Legend (4) is the stronger choice.
Most M.2 Slots3 of 5
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi
The B850 Steel Legend pairs four M.2 slots with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and a white finish.
Best for
- Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the PRO B850-P cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It fits light-themed builds that still need plenty of storage. Nothing else here matches its 4 M.2 slot count; the PRO B850-P comes closest at 3. It matches the B850M Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).
Like the X870 Steel Legend, it has 14+2+1 power stages, while the B850M Steel Legend uses 12+2+1 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. It was priced above the B850M Steel Legend and below the X870 Steel Legend at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi
The X870 Steel Legend brings USB4, Wi-Fi 7 and a 14+2+1 layout to one of the lowest X870 prices.
Best for
- Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).
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
The maker doesn't state its M.2 count, so check the manual. Like the B850 Steel Legend, it has 14+2+1 power stages, while the B850M Steel Legend uses 12+2+1 power stages. It shares an X870 chipset with the X870 Pro-A; the B850M Steel Legend goes with a B850 chipset.
It also offers memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) and a white and silver finish. 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. If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the B850 Steel Legend instead: it offers 4, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- X870
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
- Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
- No published wired network speed
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi
The X870 Pro-A stands out for two rear USB4 Type-C ports, and it adds memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).
Best for
- Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C ports.
Skip if
- Its M.2 slot count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 2.5Gbps wired network speed. It has a 16+2+1 phase VRM, one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and a Gen5 M.2 slot. DDR5 is supported up to 8,000+ with overclocking.
On wired network speed it ties with the B850M Steel Legend and the B850 Steel Legend at 2.5Gbps. You get 16+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the B850 Steel Legend and its 14+2+1 power stages. Like the X870 Steel Legend, it has an X870 chipset, while the B850M Steel Legend uses a B850 chipset. 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.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+2+1
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- X870
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+1 power stage layout
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
- Two rear USB4 Type-C ports
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
- Wired network speed trails the PRO B850-P (5Gbps)
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the B850 Steel Legend offers 4.
How We Chose These Motherboards for Developers
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared five boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out M.2 slot count.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the PRO B850-P to the X870 Pro-A, state wi-Fi, form factor and socket and share Wi-Fi 7 wi-Fi and AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The X870 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A give no M.2 slot count; the X870 Steel Legend gives no wired network speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the PRO B850-P ($100 to $150) to the X870 Pro-A ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Motherboard for Developers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Wired network speed across these picks
Here wired network speed runs from 2.5Gbps on the X870 Pro-A to 5Gbps on the PRO B850-P, a 100% spread. The PRO B850-P is the pick for wired network speed. The X870 Steel Legend gives no wired network speed figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
M.2 slot count
The B850 Steel Legend tops M.2 slot count at 4 and the B850M Steel Legend sits lowest at 3. If M.2 slot count is your first filter, the B850 Steel Legend sets the ceiling at 4. The X870 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A give no M.2 slot count figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
USB4
The X870 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A have it. Sort out USB4 before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 2.
Features beyond the spec table
The B850M Steel Legend: BIOS Flashback. The B850 Steel Legend: a white and silver finish. The X870 Pro-A: memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the PRO B850-P and the B850M Steel Legend; $150 to $250 buys the B850 Steel Legend, the X870 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A at our last check.
How to Choose a Motherboard for Developers
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put wired network speed first | PRO B850-P | The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) |
| Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot | B850M Steel Legend | A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot |
| Buyers who put M.2 slot count first | B850 Steel Legend | The most M.2 slot count here (4) |
| Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) | X870 Steel Legend | Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) |
| Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C ports | X870 Pro-A | Two rear USB4 Type-C ports |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The PRO B850-P leads on wired network speed at 5Gbps, ahead of the B850M Steel Legend at 2.5Gbps. "Not listed" marks M.2 slot count where the X870 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A leave the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRO B850-P | 3 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| B850M Steel Legend | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 12+2+1 |
| B850 Steel Legend | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+1 |
| X870 Steel Legend | Not listed | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+1 |
| X870 Pro-A | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the PRO B850-P, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the X870 Pro-A at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | PRO B850-P, B850M Steel Legend |
| About $150 to $250 | B850 Steel Legend, X870 Steel Legend, X870 Pro-A |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the B850M Steel Legend compare with the PRO B850-P on wired network speed?
Between the top two, it is 5Gbps on the PRO B850-P against 2.5Gbps on the B850M Steel Legend, a 100% difference. The X870 Steel Legend doesn't state a wired network speed figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the B850 Steel Legend ahead of the PRO B850-P on M.2 slot count?
The B850 Steel Legend leads at 4, with the PRO B850-P at 3. No M.2 slot count figure is published for the X870 Steel Legend and the X870 Pro-A, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the X870 Pro-A worth paying more than the PRO B850-P?
The X870 Pro-A matches or trails the PRO B850-P on wired network speed, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The PRO B850-P leads on wired network speed (5Gbps). The PRO B850-P sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the X870 Pro-A in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them.
What makes the PRO B850-P the Fastest Wired Network Speed?
The label rests on the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). The B850M Steel Legend is next on wired network speed at 2.5Gbps, so this pick's 5Gbps is 100% further out. It suits anyone who puts wired network speed first.
Do the B850M Steel Legend and the B850 Steel Legend differ on power stages?
The B850M Steel Legend uses 12+2+1; the B850 Steel Legend and the X870 Steel Legend use 14+2+1; the X870 Pro-A uses 16+2+1. The maker of the PRO B850-P doesn't state power stages, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the PRO B850-P and the B850M Steel Legend apart?
The PRO B850-P: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. The B850M Steel Legend: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The B850 Steel Legend: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the PRO B850-P, chosen for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). Look at the B850M Steel Legend for a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, the B850 Steel Legend for the most M.2 slot count here (4) and the X870 Steel Legend for memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) if those matter more to you.
Buy a board with a BIOS flashback button so you can update firmware without a working CPU.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 7800X3D
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- Related guideThe Best B850 Motherboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Motherboards Under $120
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for Gaming PCs
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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