ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: four DDR5 slots, pairs recommended

The board has four full-size 288-pin DDR5 DIMM slots running in dual channel. Only unbuffered modules are supported, and older DDR, DDR2, DDR3 or DDR4 modules must never be installed. Nothing is soldered, so all memory can be replaced or expanded. XMP and EXPO profiles are supported, and ASRock quotes speeds up to 7200 MT/s, which is an overclock figure rather than a guaranteed speed.

The maximum capacity depends on which document you read. ASRock's manuals say 192GB (4 x 48GB), while ASRock's current product page and Kingston's compatibility page say 256GB (4 x 64GB). Kingston lists 8, 16, 32, 48 and 64GB modules for this board. The newer figure probably reflects later BIOS support, but the documents don't say so directly.

For dual channel, use identical pairs with the same brand, speed, size and chip type. One or three modules won't enable dual channel. Filling all four slots may force the memory to run slower, particularly with standard JEDEC memory rather than EXPO kits. ECC support is also unclear: some ASRock pages say ECC/non-ECC while one manual copy says non-ECC only, and it isn't stated whether error correction is actually active, so check before buying ECC modules.

Buying tips

• Buy a matched 2-module kit, or a single tested 4-module kit if you want all four slots filled; don't combine two separate kits
• Check ASRock's Memory Support List for the exact kit you are considering
• 32GB, 48GB and 64GB modules may need a BIOS update first, so update before installing them
• Don't count on ECC working; confirm before buying ECC modules
• Expect a long first boot after a BIOS reset or CMOS clear while memory trains; ASRock's manual gives about 315 seconds for 4 x 32GB, and this is normal

Storage: three NVMe M.2 slots plus four SATA ports

There are three Key M M.2 slots that take 2260 and 2280 drives, all listed as PCIe NVMe. M2_1 is wired to the CPU and runs at PCIe Gen5 x4. M2_2 is Gen4 x4 and M2_3 is Gen4 x2, both via the chipset. NVMe SSDs are supported as boot drives. The documents don't mention SATA M.2 drive support, so stick to NVMe M.2 drives. The small 2230 Key E slot is for the WiFi module only and is not for storage.

This is a bare motherboard with no drive bays. It has four SATA3 (6 Gb/s) ports for 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch drives, and how many you can mount depends on your case. No maximum drive capacity is specified. RAID 0, 1 and 10 are listed for SATA and for M.2 NVMe, although RAID 10 on NVMe needs additional M.2 expansion cards. The PCIE2 slot is PCIe 3.0 running at x4, so it can host an add-in NVMe adapter.

Note that PCIe and M.2 availability can vary depending on which CPU is installed. Don't confuse this board with the ATX B650 Pro RS and B650 Pro RS WiFi, which have a different M.2 and SATA layout.

Buying tips

• Put your fastest Gen5 or Gen4 NVMe drive in M2_1
• Use M2_3 for a secondary drive, as it is limited to Gen4 x2
• Buy NVMe M.2 drives in 2280 or 2260 length rather than SATA M.2
• Check your case has enough 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch mounts before buying SATA drives
• Check ASRock's PCIe/M.2 bandwidth table for your chosen CPU

CPU: AM5 socket, Ryzen 7000, 8000G and 9000

The CPU is socketed and replaceable. The board uses AMD Socket AM5 (LGA1718) with the B650 chipset and supports Ryzen 7000, 8000G and 9000 series processors. ASRock's original manual listed only Ryzen 7000, and the current spec adds the newer families. ASRock's documents don't spell out the pin count; these CPUs use LGA1718.

Most CPUs released after the board's launch need a BIOS update before they will work. Ryzen 8000G needs BIOS 2.02 or later (a third-party list gives 2.10 for the 8700F), and Ryzen 9000 needs 3.01 or later. Those minimums come from a third-party compatibility list, and some of its entries look unreliable, so treat them as approximate and confirm against ASRock's own CPU support list. The latest BIOS listed by ASRock is 4.20, and it is wise to update to the latest version before fitting any 9000-series chip. ASRock's BIOS pages describe updating with Instant Flash or Flashback.

ASRock gives no official maximum TDP. A third-party list shows 170W chips such as the Ryzen 9 9950X and 7950X, and also a 200W entry that ASRock hasn't confirmed. How well this micro-ATX board's power delivery handles 170W parts isn't documented, so keep that in mind for top-end chips. ASRock says you need a larger heatsink and fan with thermal grease, and BIOS 3.08 added a 'TDP to 105W' option for particular processors. Ryzen 5 7500F and Ryzen 7 8700F have no integrated graphics and need a discrete graphics card.

Buying tips

• Pick a Ryzen 7000, 8000G or 9000 chip; check the BIOS needed before you buy
• If you can't boot with a new CPU, use Instant Flash or Flashback as described in the manual
• Budget for a capable cooler, especially for 120W to 170W chips
• Choose a chip with integrated graphics if you have no discrete GPU
• Size your power supply for the CPU plus graphics card, as no wattage requirement is given

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up important files before changing any hardware.
• Note your current BIOS version in the BIOS screen and check ASRock's BIOS page for the latest one.
• For a new CPU or 32GB or larger RAM modules, update the BIOS first, ideally before installing the part.
• Check the owner's manual for the exact layout, screw positions and Flashback procedure.
• Have a small screwdriver ready, plus thermal grease if you are changing the CPU cooler.

Steps

1. Back up and update the BIOS
   Back up your data. If you are fitting a newer CPU or high-capacity RAM, update the BIOS first using Instant Flash or Flashback as described in the manual.
2. Power off and unplug
   Shut down the PC, switch off the power supply and unplug the power cable and other cables.
3. Ground yourself
   Touch bare metal on the case or use an anti-static wrist strap before handling parts, and hold components by their edges.
4. Open the case
   Remove the side panel to reach the board. See the owner's manual for the exact locations of the DIMM slots, M.2 slots, SATA ports and CPU socket.
5. Install the part
   For RAM, fit identical modules in matching pairs, lining up the notch and pressing firmly until seated. For an M.2 SSD, use M2_1 for your fastest drive and secure it as shown in the manual. For a SATA drive, mount it in a case bay and connect the SATA and power cables. For a CPU, follow the manual's instructions for the socket, then fit the heatsink with thermal grease and fasten the CPU and heatsink securely.
6. Close up and reconnect
   Refit the side panel, reconnect the cables and power on.
7. Check in the BIOS
   Enter the BIOS and confirm that the new RAM, drive or CPU is detected. After a memory change the first boot can take a few minutes while the memory trains, which is normal.

Good to know

• ASRock's own documents disagree on maximum RAM: 192GB in the manuals versus 256GB on the product page.
• Whether ECC memory actually works with error correction isn't confirmed; check before buying ECC modules.
• The minimum BIOS versions for CPUs come partly from a third-party list; confirm against ASRock's CPU support list.
• ASRock gives no official maximum CPU TDP, and VRM capability for 170W chips isn't documented.
• The WiFi and non-WiFi boards appear to share the same memory and storage layout, but the non-WiFi board's WiFi slot setup isn't confirmed.
• The ATX B650 Pro RS and B650 Pro RS WiFi are different boards with a different M.2 and SATA layout, so don't use their specs for this one.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi take?

ASRock's manuals say 192GB, while the product page and Kingston say 256GB using four 64GB modules. Large modules may need a BIOS update first.

What type of RAM does it use?

It uses unbuffered DDR5 DIMMs in four slots, in dual channel. DDR4 and older modules must not be installed. XMP and EXPO profiles are supported, and 7200 MT/s is an overclock figure.

Does it support PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs?

Yes, but only in M2_1, which runs at PCIe Gen5 x4. M2_2 is Gen4 x4 and M2_3 is Gen4 x2.

Can I use a SATA M.2 SSD?

The documents list the M.2 slots as NVMe and don't mention SATA M.2 support, so choose NVMe drives. For SATA drives, use the four SATA3 ports instead.

Does it support Ryzen 9000 CPUs?

Yes, but you need BIOS 3.01 or later, and updating to the latest BIOS is recommended. Ryzen 8000G needs 2.02 or later.

What is the maximum CPU power it supports?

ASRock gives no official maximum TDP. A third-party list shows 170W chips such as the Ryzen 9 9950X, but VRM capability for these isn't documented, so use a good cooler and check ASRock's CPU support list.

Official documents and references

• PDF ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi manual
  Official manual with slot layout, memory and CPU installation
• ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi BIOS downloads
  BIOS versions and update notes
• ASRock B650M Pro RS product page
  Official specs including the 256GB memory figure
• PDF ASRock B650M Pro RS manual
  Non-WiFi manual with memory and boot-time details
• Kingston memory for B650M Pro RS WiFi
  Compatible DDR5 modules and notes on four-DIMM use
• Pangoly CPU compatibility list
  Third-party list of compatible CPUs and BIOS versions
• ASRock board comparison
  Supported Ryzen series and PCIe/M.2 availability by CPU