The End of an Era — and the Dawn of B850 Motherboards
In the ever-evolving world of PC hardware, change is both inevitable and exciting. Most importantly, AMD has discontinued the B650 chipset in favor of the new B850 platform. This strategic move is not just a simple replacement but rather a definitive step toward future-proofing the AM5 ecosystem. With a clear focus on enhanced connectivity, improved storage speeds, and robust future support, AMD is addressing the evolving needs of gamers, creators, and professional users.
This transition is fueled by the company’s long-term commitment to performance and technological advances. Because technology is constantly changing, problems such as slower data transfer speeds are now being addressed with the mandatory PCIe Gen 5 support on the new B850 motherboards—a feature highlighted by Tom’s Hardware. Therefore, in a market that demands both speed and adaptability, the B850 chipset embodies the practical advancements that AMD envisions for the near future.
Why is AMD Sunsetting the B650?
Initially introduced in 2022, the B650 chipset served as an affordable entry point into the AM5 family. However, because consumer demands have shifted towards more advanced storage and connectivity options, AMD’s decision to sunsetting the B650 reflects a proactive adaptation to these challenges. Most importantly, the emerging market trends and technology upgrades have rendered the B650 less appealing, as evidenced by widespread expectations to integrate higher-speed storage features and more versatile I/O configurations.
Furthermore, AMD and its partners are quickly transitioning their efforts towards the B850 chipset, ensuring that inventory shifts away from the older B650 boards as soon as possible. Besides that, retailers are already indicating that B650 boards will gradually become scarce, with most systems and customized builds concentrating on the B850 until the former is phased out by Q3 2025. As noted by Guru3D, the industry is already bracing for a total migration, ensuring that users have access to the latest technology enhancements.
