🛠️ Gigabyte GA‑B250M‑Gaming 5 Motherboard
🧠 Platform & CPU Support
Socket: Intel LGA1151 — supports 6th and 7th Gen Intel Core / Pentium / Celeron processors.
Chipset: Intel B250 Express — mainstream chipset with good expansion and feature set.
Note: This board does not support Intel 8th/9th Gen CPUs (like Core i5‑8500).
🧠 Memory (RAM)
Memory Type: DDR4‑DIMM only (no DDR3).
DIMM Slots: 4 × DDR4 sockets (dual‑channel).
Max Capacity: Up to 64 GB total.
Supported Speeds: DDR4‑2133 and DDR4‑2400 (2400 MHz with 7th Gen CPU/XMP).
👉 Important: DDR3 RAM (like G.Skill 2 GB DDR3) will not work here — the board requires DDR4 memory.
📦 Expansion & Slots
PCIe Slots:
• 1 × PCIe 3.0 ×16 (x16 for GPU)
• 1 × PCIe 3.0 ×16 (x4 from chipset)
• 2 × PCIe 3.0 ×1 slots.
Graphics Outputs:
• DVI‑D and HDMI (for CPUs with integrated graphics).
Multi‑Graphics: Supports AMD CrossFire (dual‑GPU setups).
💾 Storage
1 × M.2 slot (supports SATA & PCIe NVMe SSDs).
6 × SATA 6 Gb/s ports (for HDDs/SSDs).
🔌 Connectivity
USB: Multiple USB 3.1 Gen1 + USB 2.0 ports (back panel & internal).
LAN: Intel Gigabit Ethernet.
Audio: Realtek ALC audio codec (supports 2/4/5.1/7.1 + S/PDIF).
RGB: Built‑in RGB Fusion lighting & headers for LED strips.
📌 Compatibility Summary
Feature Specification
Socket Intel LGA1151 (6th & 7th Gen)
Chipset Intel B250 Express
Memory Type DDR4 only (no DDR3)
DIMM Slots 4 × DDR4
Max RAM Up to 64 GB
PCIe Slots x16 + x4 + x1 slots
Storage 1 × M.2 + 6 × SATA 6 Gb/s
Graphics Outputs DVI‑D + HDMI
Network Intel Gigabit LAN
🧠 What You Can Use With It
✅ Intel 6th & 7th Gen CPUs (e.g., Core i3/i5/i7 Skylake/Kaby Lake).
✅ DDR4 RAM — e.g., 8 GB, 16 GB kits (keep in mind max 64 GB).
✅ M.2 NVMe or SATA SSDs.
✅ Mid‑range gaming components, moderate GPU setups (including CrossFire).