Biostar B850MT-E PRO Review: AMD’s budget-friendly B850 chipset is finally here, and with it comes Biostar’s latest micro-ATX entry: the B850MT-E PRO.
Priced at around $149, this board aims to be an affordable launchpad for AM5 builders looking to upgrade to Ryzen 7000, 8000, or even 9000 series CPUs without breaking the bank.
AM5 is AMD’s future, and the B850 chipset is the stepping stone that makes that future accessible. Unlike the premium X870E and X870 boards, B850 models like the MT-E PRO cut costs without cutting too many corners. You still get PCIe Gen5 NVMe support, USB 3.2 Gen2 (20 Gbps), DDR5 memory (up to 5600 MT/s and beyond), and both CPU and memory overclocking support. However, USB4 and Gen5 GPU lanes are missing – fair tradeoffs at this price point.
The B850MT-E PRO keeps things simple. It’s a micro-ATX board that caters to gamers and creators who need essential features without fluff. It uses AMD’s Promontory 21 chipset die (minus native USB4) and supports LGA 1718 socket CPUs. Expect compatibility with most coolers thanks to AMD maintaining the 45x45mm IHS footprint from previous generations.
Performance-wise, the board is a solid baseline. You won’t find extravagant power phases or high-end thermal armor, but it handles Ryzen 7000 chips with composure. Gamers can expect stable frame rates, and creators will benefit from fast Gen5 NVMe SSDs – if they choose to install them.
The B850MT-E PRO also targets Intel’s B760 lineup, competing directly on features, overclocking, and pricing. While some may see the Biostar brand as a riskier choice, recent generations have proven surprisingly robust and reliable, especially for budget-conscious users.
Bottom line: this isn’t a board for hardcore overclockers or RGB enthusiasts. It’s for those who want a dependable, modern AM5 system with Gen5 NVMe, DDR5, and upgrade flexibility – all at a sub-$150 price.