MSI
Motherboard
MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
Key Features
Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.2
PCIe 4.0
RAID Support
2.5GbE Ethernet
MSRP:
$189
Technical Specifications
MSRP
$189
Manufacturer
MSI
Socket
AM5
Chipset
AMD B650
Form Factor
ATX
Memory
4 slots • max 192GB • DDR5 • speeds: DDR5-4800 to DDR5-6400 • No ECC
Expansion Slots
2x PCIe x16 • 1x PCIe x1 • 2x M.2 slots
Storage
4 SATA ports • SATA 6.0 Gb/s • RAID supported
Connectivity
Ethernet: 2.5 Gb/s • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E • Bluetooth 5.2
USB Ports
2x USB 3 2 GEN 2 • 4x USB 3 2 GEN 1 • 6x USB 2 0
Headers
2x USB 2 0 • 1x USB 3 2 GEN 1 • 1x USB 3 2 GEN 2
Video
Onboard: Depends on CPU
Back Connect
No
VRM Phases
12
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Latest AM5 platform supports newest AMD Ryzen processors with future upgrade path
- Current-generation platform ensures long-term software and hardware support
- DDR5 memory support provides superior bandwidth for modern applications
- High memory capacity support ideal for professional workloads and future-proofing
- Solid VRM implementation supports reliable CPU operation and moderate overclocking
- Balanced chipset offers good features with overclocking capabilities
- Multiple PCIe x16 slots enable multi-GPU setups and professional expansion cards
- Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth eliminate need for separate wireless adapters
Cons
- Limited SATA ports for full-size motherboard may restrict storage arrays
- Lack of USB-C connectivity limits modern device compatibility
- Some modern connectivity features missing at this price point
Community Insights
- A very common discussion point is the board’s strong value proposition for Ryzen 7000 series builds. Users praise the B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI for offering a good balance of features—such as PCIe 5.0 support, DDR5 compatibility, reliable VRMs, and built-in WiFi—while maintaining an accessible price point compared to higher-end X670 boards.
- Some early adopters experienced initial BIOS or RAM compatibility issues, a common topic in user discussions. However, the community notes that MSI has released several BIOS updates that significantly improved system stability and compatibility with a wider range of DDR5 memory kits, making the board much more plug-and-play over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI support overclocking for Ryzen 7000 CPUs?
Yes, the B650 chipset and this MSI motherboard support CPU and memory overclocking, making it possible to tweak Ryzen 7000 series processors and DDR5 RAM for better performance via the BIOS.
How many M.2 slots and PCIe Gen5 lanes are available?
The motherboard typically comes with two or three M.2 slots, with at least one supporting PCIe Gen5 (for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs), and the main PCIe x16 slot also supports PCIe Gen5—ideal for future-proofing with next-gen GPUs and storage.
Performance Guide & Use Cases
Best For
Mainstream gaming and productivity builds
Content creation workstations
Wireless gaming setups
Performance tuning enthusiasts
Value-conscious all-in-one builds
Overkill Scenarios
Typical home computing and office work
Avoid For
Users using modern USB-C devices
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