ASUS TUF Gaming B850M-Plus II M.2 Slots Review 2025
The ASUS TUF Gaming B850M-Plus II motherboard shines with four M.2 slots supporting PCIe 5.0 speeds, ideal for gamers and creators building high-storage rigs. Our hands-on review tests performance, cooling, and value.
Key specs: AMD B850 chipset, DDR5, WiFi 7, robust VRM for Ryzen 9000 series.
M.2 Slot Breakdown
Four slots: 2x PCIe 5.0 x4, 2x PCIe 4.0 x4. All with heatsinks.
- Slot 1: CPU direct, 22110 size
- Slot 2: Optimal for primary SSD
- Dissipator tech prevents throttling
Performance Benchmarks
CrystalDiskMark hits 14GB/s reads on PCIe 5.0 NVMe.
- Gaming Load: Stable temps
- Content Creation: Multi-drive RAID
Build Quality and Features
Military-grade components, Q-Release for GPUs, BIOS Flashback.
- 16+2 DrMOS VRM
- 5G LAN + WiFi 7
- USB4 ports
Overclocking and Cooling
Supports EXPO RAM OC, active chipset cooler included.
- PBO Scalar tweaks
- M.2 thermal pads 7W/mK
Pros, Cons, and Value
Pros: Future-proof storage, durable. Cons: Micro-ATX limits expansion.
- Price: $250
- Verdict: 9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
How many M.2 slots does it have?
Four high-speed M.2 slots with dedicated heatsinks for optimal SSD performance.
Does it support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?
Yes, two slots are PCIe 5.0 ready for next-gen storage speeds up to 16GB/s.
Is WiFi included?
WiFi 7 (802.11be) with Bluetooth 5.4 for ultra-fast wireless connectivity.
Compatible CPUs?
AMD Ryzen 7000/8000/9000 series on AM5 socket.
Value for money?
Excellent at $250, outperforming competitors in storage and durability.