ASUS Releases New AMD B850 Motherboard

ASUS has quietly launched its first AMD B850 motherboard with the GC-HPWR connector, which can provide up to 600 W to a compatible graphics card without the need for external cables. The TUF Gaming B850 BTF Wi-Fi W motherboard supports Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 CPUs, including the latest 9950X3D, and offers all the standard features expected from a mid-range AMD motherboard.

Looking at the main specifications, the motherboard features a 14+2+1 power stage design, an eight-layer PCB, support for DDR5 memory up to 8000 MT/s, PCIe 5.0 x16 with an updated Q-Release system, one Gen 5 M.2 slot, ALC1220P audio, and BIOS flashback.

ASUS introduced its Back to the Future (BTF) lineup to move all motherboard connectors to the back of the PCB. While this may make installation and cable routing more challenging, it results in a cleaner-looking motherboard and system without the usual tangle of wires. BTF-compatible GPUs replace standard connectors with a metal plug at the end of the PCIe slot, eliminating the need for power cables.

ASUS is now incorporating this connector into its more affordable B850 boards, potentially making this unique GPU power solution more widespread. The BTF design hides all cable connectors on the front, including the GC-HPWR connector at the end of the PCIe x16 slot. However, the motherboard is compatible with modern graphics cards that use standard connectors as well.

To achieve a completely cable-free setup, users will need to pair the motherboard with one of ASUS's BTF graphics cards, currently limited to the RTX 40-series. ASUS may expand the BTF lineup in the future, as indicated by the inclusion of this new connector on mid-range motherboards.

Pricing and release date information for the TUF Gaming B850 BTF Wi-Fi W motherboard have not been disclosed by ASUS.