At a look
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Competent options for the $279 MSRP
- Understated however engaging design that matches into white-themed builds
- Good BIOS and total construct high quality
Cons
- More demanding workstation customers will want extra options
- $279 is sweet, however not nice for a “no frills” motherboard
- Gamers who need a flashier visible choice could need to skip this
Our Verdict
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi is undoubtedly a superb motherboard for normal PC customers, but it surely lacks options comparable to USB4 and 10GbE that extra highly effective workstations would possibly want. Still, its understated design, sturdy construct, and inexpensive worth make this a superb choice for these in search of a no-frills motherboard together with next-gen PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5.
Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi
$279.99
Next-generation motherboards which are on the bleeding edge of latest PC applied sciences usually include a hefty price ticket. More inexpensive choices are inclined to compromise on options and skimp on aesthetics.
Asus is trying to buck that development, with the ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi motherboard. With a centered set of options for players, it additionally is available in beneath $300. It will preserve your eyes proud of nice design aesthetics and colours, too. No ugly motherboard for the sake of assembly a worth right here, people!
We’ll go over the specs and options, design, and efficiency. If you’re trying to step into AMD’s next-generation AM5 platform, is that this a viable choice to save lots of a couple of dollars and nonetheless get cutting-edge efficiency?
Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi: Features and specs
Thiago Trevisan
- ATX type issue
- AMD B650 chipset
- Supports AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs
- 12+2 Power Stages with 60amp per stage
- DDR5 RAM, twin channel as much as 4 DIMM (as much as 128GB)
- 3x onboard M.2 slots with Q-Latch (1x PCIe Gen 5)
- 1x PCIE 16x slot (CPU) with Q-Release (PCIe Gen 4)
- 1x PCIe 16x slot (chipset) plus two 1x slots (PCIe Gen 4)
- DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1
- 9x USB ports on again
- 2.5GbE LAN
- Wi-Fi 6E
- RGB headers for Aura Sync
- 4 SATA 6Gb/s ports
- 7 fan headers (CPU, AIO, chassis)
- BIOS Flashback
- Preinstalled I/O defend
- ROG SupremeFX 7.1 ALC4080 audio codec
- MSRP $279.99
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi has an MSRP of $279, making it a beautiful “under $300” choice. AMD’s AM5 platform began off with larger platform prices with X670E. It’s nice to see motherboard choices at these worth factors, whereas nonetheless retaining nice performance.
AMD’s B650 chipset is a barely lowered model of the X670E—however with a greater value-to-performance ratio. The dearer X670E gives extra theoretical USB, SATA ports, and PCIe Gen 5 lanes, however in a sensible sense, B650 will cowl most use instances at a decrease value of entry.
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CPU selection
Ryzen 7000 is on the menu right here—beginning with the 7600X, 7700X, 7900X, and 7950X. You’ll additionally have the ability to use the newer “non X” variants, which have some energy financial savings. The high-performance “X3D” variants are coming quickly—and these may also be appropriate. The top pairing with this motherboard is probably going one thing such because the 7700X, providing you with nice gaming and productiveness efficiency for the value. (But it’ll deal with a Ryzen 9 7950X, too!)
DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5
AM5 is DDR5 RAM solely, and also you’ll have the ability to add 4 sticks for a complete of 128GB of RAM. It’s quick and 128GB needs to be greater than sufficient for many customers—each players and content material creators needs to be completely satisfied right here.
You’ll get a extra restricted serving of PCIe Gen 5 on B650, with only a single M.2 slot. The 16x PCIe slots are each Gen 4, which remains to be greater than sufficient, as the latest GPUs match it. The second 16x slot comes from the chipset, so that you’ll need to all the time put your GPU within the prime CPU-sourced slot for finest efficiency. You’ll additionally get two 1x slots, which is beneficial for smaller add-in playing cards.
Storage
NVMe slots are offered, occasions three! One will likely be PCIe Gen 5, and the opposite two Gen 4. You’ll have good cooling thermal pads protecting them, as properly. Performance is tremendous speedy—and if you happen to want extra storage, 4 SATA ports are additionally out there for SSDs and laborious drives.
Both players and less-picky content material creators will likely be completely satisfied—these needing extra SATA or NVMe slots should soar as much as a dearer motherboard class such because the Asus X670E Strix.
USB ports
With 9 rear USB ports, together with USB C, your bases will likely be lined. You’re not getting Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 right here, that are usually solely out there on far more costly motherboards, as anticipated.
DisplayPort and HDMI-out are helpful right here since Ryzen 7000 CPUs have inbuilt iGPUs. While you don’t need to recreation on these, they will serve in a pinch for some troubleshooting.
Networking
Connectivity choices are normal subject right here, with Wi-Fi 6E and a pair of.5GbE LAN. This is identical networking functionality provided on many motherboards costing a whole bunch of {dollars} extra, so that you’ll be in good firm.
Sure, it lacks 10GbE networking, however that’s not anticipated at this worth level. You’ll have to make use of a high-end gaming motherboard just like the Gigabyte Aorus Xtreme, or a productiveness centered board such because the Asus Z790 ProArt to get that performance.
Audio
Audio is properly represented for many makes use of, with a wide variety of ports within the again. You’ll get the Asus SupremeFX 7.1 ALC4080 codec, which can also be discovered on many higher-priced motherboards of this technology. True audiophiles could need to use exterior options for the very best quality, however it will suffice for 99 % of customers.
Other fascinating options
It’s nice to see DIY pleasant options constructed right into a sub-$300 motherboard class. Q-Latch for M.2 drives makes set up tremendous straightforward, as these small screws are all the time irritating. Q-Release for the PCIe GPU slot simplifies the method of eradicating a graphics card.
Integrated I/O shields shouldn’t be underestimated. This is a superb DIY inclusion. No extra ending your construct and realizing that the again I/O defend remains to be sitting in your desk!
BIOS Flashback and Q-LED are additionally each right here—very nifty options that may prevent when hassle arises. While dearer motherboards could have screens for displaying error codes, the Q-LED offers you the knowledge wanted too.
Finally, the preliminary unboxing expertise is respectable—we’re not anticipating “Extreme” ranges of packaging right here. The included equipment, such because the Wi-Fi antenna, SATA cables, and ROG-themed goodies are all becoming for this class of motherboard.
Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi: Design
Thiago Trevisan
The Asus Strix ROG B650-A Gaming WiFi blends the gaming and workstation aesthetics elegantly. It’s not excessive with the everyday RGB design of gamer choices, however nonetheless has these accents the place most essential to delineate its gaming heritage.
Likewise, it shares lots of visible cues with Asus’s personal “Prime” lineup of motherboards, which have workstation enchantment.
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As we go down the motherboard’s central space, we discover thermal armor positioned over the M.2 drive places. Many cheaper motherboards could have armor over only one slot—so it is a good practical and aesthetic contact. It helps that middle space look extra completed and purposeful.
The lower-right additionally contains a good cowl over the motherboard space. Every a part of this motherboard’s design integrates effortlessly with the general coloration scheme. There are not any jarring design parts to throw off this persistently pleasing look.
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The I/O defend space on the highest left has that wonderful built-in defend already put in, plus some good visible touches. The VRM space continues the identical design up prime, finishing a visually agreeable look that may do no mistaken!
We can’t discuss concerning the design with out mentioning the colour scheme for builders who need one thing completely different: The silver and “white” parts to this motherboard will match completely in a lighter, white-themed construct, which is well-liked with many DIY lovers.
Overall, not many under-$300 motherboards provide this easy however lovely visible design. It seems to be and feels premium, with high-quality surfaces and supplies used all through.
Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi: Performance, software program, and BIOS
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi has simply the efficiency you want—and none of what you don’t.
12+2 energy levels suffice, and whereas they don’t look as beefy on paper as some “overkill” choices on the market, it’s simply what’s wanted right here.
No, it received’t match the burly VRM you’d discover on one thing just like the Asrock X670E Taichi, however that’s additionally not wanted. While overclocking shouldn’t be the primary forte of this Strix, it will possibly actually nonetheless do it properly. If you’re chasing the most effective numbers, you understand that you just’ll additionally must face diminishing returns in your cash by shopping for dearer choices.
The Ryzen 7600X and 7700X work nice right here and assist preserve platform prices decrease. New non-X SKUs such because the Ryzen 7900 additionally present nice efficiency at a cheaper price and energy draw, which appears to match properly with this $279 MSRP.
While X670E motherboards have extra stuff, you’ll nonetheless discover next-gen options on this motherboard. DDR5 is right here to offer the quickest RAM speeds—together with PCIe Gen 5. Sure, solely a single M.2 slot is Gen 5, however most {hardware} now will barely saturate even PCIe Gen 4—so that you’re lined.
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The different parts of this motherboard that you may technically categorize beneath “performance” are billed to be “just right.” Plenty of USB, however after all not one of the USB4 choices so as to add to the value. Networking is quick, however for quicker 10GbE you’ll must pony up massive bucks. See the development? Exactly the efficiency you want, and nothing that you just don’t!
The Asus BIOS continues its ease-of-use excellence right here. You can manually tinker as a lot as you’d ever need. (Or as a lot as is smart with trendy CPUs, as most overclocking has been principally maxed out from the manufacturing unit it appears!)
If the BIOS intimidates you, don’t fear—you’ll be able to select the straightforward choice. We’d advocate at the very least turning on the DDR5 RAM Expo profile, to ensure you’re actually benefiting from the total efficiency.
More frequent BIOS updates might be dangerous, however with a brand-new platform comparable to AMD’s AM5 B650, updates can repair lots of early teething points. Keep in thoughts that some customers have discovered boot occasions to be longer on AMD’s new platform for the preliminary boot, so your mileage could differ relying on BIOS model. (Compared to what customers are usually used to in earlier generations)
Stepping into software program, Asus additionally has Armoury Crate, which self-installs upon preliminary boot. While traditionally we’ve shied away from recommending vendor-provided motherboard software program, issues have improved drastically. The software program is now significantly better built-in, permitting fan management, driver updates, and Aura Sync RGB goodies.
Should you purchase the Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi?
Thiago Trevisan
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi gives precisely what you want for $279. Would or not it’s good to see these motherboards even cheaper? Sure, however with new included tech comparable to DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, some added value is to be anticipated.
At least you’re not paying for further options you could by no means use, comparable to 10GbE LAN, USB4, and different frivolities. While these things could also be important for the customers that want them, they’re not useful for many who simply want a superb motherboard.
The aesthetics are equally easy. “ROG Strix” is likely to be a well-liked gamer lineup, however this mannequin is properly understated, so it will possibly simply take a look at house in a workstation construct. If you’re after a white- or silver-themed construct, this motherboard is bound to show heads with out breaking the financial institution.
Whether you’re a content material creator or a gamer, it is a Goldilocks board that will get it “just right.”
…. to be continued
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