Orange Is Back! Gigabyte Launches B850 FORCE Motherboard for Ryzen Enthusiasts
Gigabyte has officially listed its latest B850M AORUS FORCE motherboard on its website, confirming the long-awaited revival of its legendary SOC Force series , now tailored for AMD’s AM5 platform .
Previously associated with Intel CPUs and known for their bold orange aesthetic , the Force series made a strong impression in past generations with models like the GA-Z97X-SOC Force and GA-Z170X-SOC Force . The new B850M FORCE continues that legacy but is built from the ground up for AMD Ryzen 7000 and upcoming Ryzen 9000 processors .
First spotted by hardware leaker @unikoshardware on X (formerly Twitter) , the board features an M-ATX form factor with a striking black PCB adorned with white and orange design elements extending to the heatsinks and chipset cover — a visual nod to the original Force lineup.
A Wi-Fi 6E version is also available, offering the same robust feature set with added wireless connectivity for modern builds.
Design and Specifications Overview
Despite being a mid-sized motherboard, the B850M FORCE comes equipped with only two DDR5 DIMM slots , which Gigabyte justifies as a stability-focused choice — fewer sticks often mean better compatibility and overclocking potential. It supports DDR5 memory overclocking up to 9,600MT/s , making it ideal for performance-driven users.
Storage options are generous:
- Three M.2 slots , all supporting PCIe Gen 4
- The top slot is PCIe Gen 5-ready when paired with Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series CPUs
- Two slots are directly connected to the CPU, while the third runs through the chipset
- Also includes four SATA III ports for adding traditional SSDs or HDDs
This configuration gives builders flexibility whether they’re focusing on ultra-fast NVMe storage or need room for high-capacity drives.
Gigabyte B850M FORCE Specifications
Processor Support
- Compatible with AMD Socket AM5
- Supports Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 Series CPUs
- Offers PCIe 5.0 support for Ryzen 9000/7000 processors
- Ryzen 8000 Phoenix variants support PCIe 4.0 x8 or x4 modes
Memory
- 2 x DDR5 DIMM slots supporting up to 128GB
- Overclocking support up to 9600MT/s
- Designed with dual-channel architecture for improved bandwidth
Integrated Graphics
- Built-in AMD Radeon Graphics
- Video outputs include:
- HDMI – supports up to 4096×2160@60Hz
- DisplayPort – supports up to 3840×2160@144Hz
Audio
- Powered by Realtek Audio CODEC
- Supports high-definition audio with 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel output
Networking
- Equipped with Realtek 2.5GbE LAN chip
- Speed options: 2.5 Gbps / 1 Gbps / 100 Mbps
Expansion Slots
- 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (CPU-based)
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot (chipset-based)
Storage Options
- Three M.2 slots :
- M2A_CPU & M2B_CPU : Direct CPU connection, PCIe Gen 4 support
- M2C_SB : Chipset-connected, PCIe Gen 4 support
- Also includes four SATA III ports for traditional SSDs and HDDs
USB Connectivity
- Back Panel Ports:
- 1 x USB Type-C® (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (Red)
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- Internal Headers:
- 1 x USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 4 x USB 2.0 Type-A
Other Notable Features
- X3D Turbo Mode : One-click optimization for Ryzen 9000 X3D and non-X3D CPUs
- Onboard Debug LEDs : Simplify troubleshooting during system builds
- Updated BIOS UI : Enhanced interface with better navigation and tuning tools
- Wi-Fi 6E Option : Available via an adapter-style antenna mount
Rear I/O Panel Overview
The rear I/O includes:
- HDMI and DisplayPort for integrated graphics
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C and Type-A ports
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red)
- USB 2.0 Type-A ports
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port
- Wi-Fi antenna connector (on Wi-Fi variant)
- 3.5mm audio jacks (Line-Out, Line-In, Mic-In)
- And notably — a PS/2 port , included as a tribute to the original Force series design
Nostalgia Meets Modern Tech: A Growing Trend
Gigabyte isn’t alone in bringing back classic designs with modern upgrades. MSI recently revived its Cyclone GPU series , showcasing retro-inspired cooling solutions on next-gen RTX 50-series hardware. The RTX 5070 Cyclone Visual made its debut at Computex, followed by the RTX 5060 Cyclone OC , featuring a round aluminum heatsink, two heatpipes, and a single fan — combining vintage looks with cutting-edge performance.
Final Thoughts
With the B850M AORUS FORCE , Gigabyte successfully bridges the gap between past and present — delivering a stylish, feature-rich motherboard with solid performance credentials. Whether you’re a Ryzen enthusiast, a builder with an eye for aesthetics, or just a fan of PC history, this board is definitely worth considering.
