B85M-E/CSM
Best reliable foundation for budget friendly PC builds.
The ASUS B85M-E/CSM Micro ATX motherboard is a solid foundation for building Intel-based desktop systems. Offering support for Intel 4th Generation Core processors and up to 32GB of DDR3 memory, it provides excellent performance for everyday computing. With multiple PCIe slots for expandability and a comprehensive set of USB and storage options, this motherboard ensures that users can build a versatile and future-proof system. Whether for business or personal use, it’s an ideal choice for users seeking stability and scalability in their desktop builds. This motherboard is an excellent choice for building or upgrading a home or office system. It delivers dependable performance for general computing tasks, multimedia use, and light gaming, while also offering plenty of room for future expansion with its various connectivity options.
$133.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.3
/ 5
Category Rank
895
/ 1230
#895 in Motherboards
Price vs Category Average
-60%
Below average
Who it's for
- Small business owners needing dependable, stable computing infrastructure.
- Budget-conscious builders seeking reliable performance for essential computing.
- Users with limited space desiring a compact yet capable desktop computer.
Who should skip it
- Performance enthusiasts wanting to push their CPU limits through overclocking.
- Users requiring the latest storage speeds or extensive peripheral connectivity.
- Forward-thinking users planning for future CPU upgrades and technological advancements.
Performance breakdown
Legacy Connectivity
Robust support for older peripherals through integrated serial and parallel ports.
System Stability
Corporate-grade reliability ensures consistent uptime for essential office workflows.
Expansion Potential
Limited PCIe slots restrict heavy multi-GPU or high-end add-on configurations.
BIOS Interface
Intuitive UEFI design makes basic system tuning accessible for most users.
Thermal Management
Adequate cooling for standard office tasks but lacks advanced overclocking heat-sinking.
Form Factor Utility
Compact Micro-ATX footprint fits perfectly into space-constrained professional desktop builds.
Know before you buy
This motherboard uses the LGA 1150 socket, which supports 4th Generation Intel Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron processors.
Yes, the B85M-E/CSM follows the Micro-ATX form factor, making it a suitable choice for smaller cases that still offer enough room for basic expansion.
CSM stands for Corporate Stable Model. It indicates that this board is part of a program designed to provide businesses with long-term product availability and a stable supply cycle.
It features a PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot, which is compatible with most modern graphics cards. However, keep in mind that this is an older platform, so it may bottleneck high-end, current-generation GPUs.
The board has four DIMM slots and supports up to 32GB of DDR3 memory. Ensure your RAM modules are compatible with the 1600/1333 MHz speed specifications.
Yes, the board includes integrated HDMI, DVI-D, RGB, and DisplayPort outputs, allowing you to connect multiple displays simultaneously if you are using a processor with integrated graphics.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.