B850M-X [WiFi] quick review.

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   Finally built an AM5 system, after building 10 AM4 systems, all AsRock.
I go for AsRock for their ECC memory support.

* B850M-X WiFi
* Ryzen 7 9800X3D with Noctua NH-D12L
* Micron MTC20C2085S1EC56BR (ECC Unbuffered 5600MT/s 46-45-45-90)
* Micron MTC20C2085S1EC56BR (ECC Unbuffered 5600MT/s 46-45-45-90)
* NVMe0: SK Hynix Platinum P41 2TB
* NVMe1: SK Hynix Gold P31 1TB
* SATA0: Samsung 850 PRO 1TB
* SATA1: Samsung 850 PRO 1TB
* SATA2: LG WH14NS40 BD-RW (flashed to WH16NS60 1.03 Mk)
* SATA3: LG WH14NS40 BD-RW (flashed to WH16NS60 1.03 Mk)
* No dGPU at the moment.
* One Intel i210 PCIe ethernet card.
* Seasonic PRIME PX-500 (Fanless)
* MediaTek MT7922 WiFi card replaced with Intel AX210NGW

Some interesting notes about B850M-X and B850M-X WiFi.

* It's the only non-mini-ITX board with just two DIMM slots.  I consider four DIMM slots useless on AM5, except for in niche use cases.  The ratio of 4-DIMM to 2-DIMM motherboard is inverted in my opinion, but I bet normies flock to 4-DIMM boards anyway.  64GB DDR5 DIMMs just started to show up in the market, so we can get 128GB with just two DIMM slots.  No need to reduce speed/reliability with 4 DIMMs.
* It's unlike all other AsRock B850 (and maybe B870) micro-ATX models, in that both m.2 NVMe slots are connected directly to the CPU.  All their other motherboards route 4 CPU-direct PCIe lanes to the 2nd PCIe x4 slot.  This can be more flexible, since you can always use an m.2 NVMe PCIe adapter, whereas the other direction is a lot more complicated.  But for my use, I like both NVMe slots being connected directly to the CPU.

A couple of complaints.

* What's up with the cheap Realtek ALC897?  Give me ALC1220 or ALC1200 and charge $10 more.  Heck, I'd have paid $20 more for it.
* MediaTek MT7922 (AMD RZ616) is probably fine, but I wish they'd give you the option to choose.  Yes, I could've bought a non-WiFi version, but it doesn't come with the antenna connectors, so I chose to get the WiFi version and replace the WiFi card.  It was only $10 difference, though, plus $20 for the AX210, of course.

All in all, pretty unusual board for a great price.

Last note: Some people might feel uneasy with 6+1+1 VRM, maybe with 9950X or something.  It's probably fine for most uses, though.  I never enable boost on any of my CPUs, so it's not an issue for me.  Heck, I'm running in ECO mode (65W TDP, 88W PPT).  I might be the only person in the world who runs 9800X3D in that setting, without dGPU and with ECC memory.  What's crazy is that the 9800X3D's base clock is way higher than 5800X3D's boost clock.  Big generational difference.

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eccential Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 10 Oct 2022 Location: Nevada Status: Offline Points: 5415	Post Options Post Reply Quote eccential Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: B850M-X [WiFi] quick review. Posted: 14 Feb 2025 at 8:56pm
	Finally built an AM5 system, after building 10 AM4 systems, all AsRock. I go for AsRock for their ECC memory support. * B850M-X WiFi * Ryzen 7 9800X3D with Noctua NH-D12L * Micron MTC20C2085S1EC56BR (ECC Unbuffered 5600MT/s 46-45-45-90) * Micron MTC20C2085S1EC56BR (ECC Unbuffered 5600MT/s 46-45-45-90) * NVMe0: SK Hynix Platinum P41 2TB * NVMe1: SK Hynix Gold P31 1TB * SATA0: Samsung 850 PRO 1TB * SATA1: Samsung 850 PRO 1TB * SATA2: LG WH14NS40 BD-RW (flashed to WH16NS60 1.03 Mk) * SATA3: LG WH14NS40 BD-RW (flashed to WH16NS60 1.03 Mk) * No dGPU at the moment. * One Intel i210 PCIe ethernet card. * Seasonic PRIME PX-500 (Fanless) * MediaTek MT7922 WiFi card replaced with Intel AX210NGW Some interesting notes about B850M-X and B850M-X WiFi. * It's the only non-mini-ITX board with just two DIMM slots. I consider four DIMM slots useless on AM5, except for in niche use cases. The ratio of 4-DIMM to 2-DIMM motherboard is inverted in my opinion, but I bet normies flock to 4-DIMM boards anyway. 64GB DDR5 DIMMs just started to show up in the market, so we can get 128GB with just two DIMM slots. No need to reduce speed/reliability with 4 DIMMs. * It's unlike all other AsRock B850 (and maybe B870) micro-ATX models, in that both m.2 NVMe slots are connected directly to the CPU. All their other motherboards route 4 CPU-direct PCIe lanes to the 2nd PCIe x4 slot. This can be more flexible, since you can always use an m.2 NVMe PCIe adapter, whereas the other direction is a lot more complicated. But for my use, I like both NVMe slots being connected directly to the CPU. A couple of complaints. * What's up with the cheap Realtek ALC897? Give me ALC1220 or ALC1200 and charge $10 more. Heck, I'd have paid $20 more for it. * MediaTek MT7922 (AMD RZ616) is probably fine, but I wish they'd give you the option to choose. Yes, I could've bought a non-WiFi version, but it doesn't come with the antenna connectors, so I chose to get the WiFi version and replace the WiFi card. It was only $10 difference, though, plus $20 for the AX210, of course. All in all, pretty unusual board for a great price. Last note: Some people might feel uneasy with 6+1+1 VRM, maybe with 9950X or something. It's probably fine for most uses, though. I never enable boost on any of my CPUs, so it's not an issue for me. Heck, I'm running in ECO mode (65W TDP, 88W PPT). I might be the only person in the world who runs 9800X3D in that setting, without dGPU and with ECC memory. What's crazy is that the 9800X3D's base clock is way higher than 5800X3D's boost clock. Big generational difference.

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25508	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 12:22am
	Thanks for your review eccential, let us know how it holds up for you long term


etre Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2025 Location: Romania Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote etre Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 9:35pm
	B850M-X has 6-2-1 vrm phases. Isn't that too little for a 9800x3D ? For this reason alone I went with a ASRock B850M Pro-A which has 8+2+1 phases. Recommended for OC would have been B850M Steel Legend WiFi but wasn't available where I am. For me Pro-A and Pro RS models are the best entry level MBs for 9800x3D. All the basic requirements, like supporting 3 m.2, 2.5Gb network, decent VRMs with 8+4 pins connectors. I don't care so much about sound since I'm using an external DAC. How hot are the VRMs on that B850-X running with a 9800x3D at full load ?

eccential Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 10 Oct 2022 Location: Nevada Status: Offline Points: 5415	Post Options Post Reply Quote eccential Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 11:14pm
	AsRock lists every AM5 CPU in its supported list, including 170W 9950X. Even boards like AsRockRack B650D4U have relatively simple VRM setup. I think the "gamer" motherboard market is a bit overboard. You're asking the wrong person for the VRM temp question, because I'm running my CPU in 65W ECO mode (laugh). Basically, it's non-issue to me. I might run it at 105W ECO mode if I needed more perf, but I wouldn't bother going further. As for B850M Pro-A comparison, I prefer the 2-DIMM slots on B850M-X, and I can always add the 3rd NVMe by using an x4 PCIe slot. B850M-X has an extra PCIe slot over Pro-A, after all.

Peter425 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2025 Location: Amsterdam Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote Peter425 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2025 at 1:17am
	That?�s an impressive AM5 setup! AsRock is definitely a solid choice for ECC memory support, and your component selection is well thought out. The B850M-X WiFi is an interesting motherboard, especially with both NVMe slots connected directly to the CPU?�great for performance. Your choice of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D with a Noctua NH-D12L makes for an efficient, cool-running system, especially with ECO mode enabled. Running it at 65W TDP / 88W PPT is a unique approach, but it?�s great for stability and longevity. It?�s fascinating how much of a leap the 9800X3D's base clock is compared to the 5800X3D's boost clock?�definitely a huge generational jump. As for your complaints, I totally get the ALC897 frustration. It?�s surprising they didn?�t go with ALC1220 or ALC1200, considering the cost difference is minimal. The MediaTek MT7922 (AMD RZ616) is decent, but I agree?�having an option to choose WiFi modules would be ideal. Your AX210NGW swap makes perfect sense for better compatibility and performance. Overall, this is a well-balanced, forward-thinking build, especially with ECC memory, dual NVMe, fanless PSU, and BD-RW drives. It?�s rare to see someone optimize an AM5 system this way, but it?�s refreshing to see a focus on stability, efficiency, and longevity rather than just raw power. Nice work.
	PTR425