Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi evaluate: A balanced, no-frills mobo

Worth When Reviewed

$279.99

Greatest Costs Right now: Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi

Subsequent-generation motherboards which can be on the bleeding edge of latest PC applied sciences typically include a hefty price ticket. Extra reasonably priced choices are inclined to compromise on options and skimp on aesthetics.

Asus is trying to buck that pattern, with the ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi motherboard. With a targeted set of options for avid gamers, it additionally is available in beneath $300. It should hold 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. When you’re trying to step into AMD’s next-generation AM5 platform, is that this a viable possibility to avoid wasting a couple of bucks and nonetheless get cutting-edge efficiency?

Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi: Options and specs

• ATX type issue 
• AMD B650 chipset 
• Helps AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs 
• 12+2 Energy Phases 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-Launch (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 protect 
• 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 sexy “beneath $300” possibility. AMD’s AM5 platform began off with greater 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 decreased model of the X670E—however with a greater value-to-performance ratio. The dearer X670E provides extra theoretical USB, SATA ports, and PCIe Gen 5 lanes, however in a sensible sense, B650 will cowl most use circumstances at a decrease price of entry.

CPU selection

Ryzen 7000 is on the menu right here—beginning with the 7600X, 7700X, 7900X, and 7950X. You’ll additionally be capable of use the newer “non X” variants, which have some energy financial savings. The high-performance “X3D” variants are coming quickly—and these will even be appropriate. Essentially the most wise pairing with this motherboard is probably going one thing such because the 7700X, providing you with nice gaming and productiveness efficiency for the worth. (Nevertheless it’ll deal with a Ryzen 9 7950X, too!) 

DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5

AM5 is DDR5 RAM solely, and also you’ll be capable of add 4 sticks for a complete of 128GB of RAM. It’s quick and 128GB must be greater than sufficient for many customers—each avid gamers and content material creators must be blissful 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 continues 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 high CPU-sourced slot for finest efficiency. You’ll additionally get two 1x slots, which is beneficial for smaller add-in playing cards. 

It’s nice to see DIY-friendly options in a sub-$300 motherboard, akin to Q-Latch for straightforward set up of M.2 drives and Q-Launch for straightforward elimination of graphics playing cards.

Storage

NVMe slots are supplied, occasions three! One might be PCIe Gen 5, and the opposite two Gen 4. You’ll have good cooling thermal pads masking them, as properly. Efficiency is tremendous speedy—and in case you want extra storage, 4 SATA ports are additionally obtainable for SSDs and arduous drives. 

Each avid gamers and less-picky content material creators might be blissful—these needing extra SATA or NVMe slots should bounce 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 might be lined. You’re not getting Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 right here, that are sometimes solely obtainable on far more costly motherboards, as anticipated. 

DisplayPort and HDMI-out are helpful right here since Ryzen 7000 CPUs have in-built iGPUs. Whilst you don’t need to recreation on these, they will serve in a pinch for some troubleshooting.

Networking

Connectivity choices are normal situation right here, with Wi-Fi 6E and a pair of.5GbE LAN. This is identical networking functionality supplied on many motherboards costing a whole lot of {dollars} extra, so that you’ll be in good firm. 

Certain, 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 targeted board such because the Asus Z790 ProArt to get that performance. 

Audio

Audio is properly represented for many makes use of, with a wide selection 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 era. True audiophiles might need to use exterior options for the highest quality, however this can suffice for 99 % of customers. 

Different attention-grabbing 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-Launch for the PCIe GPU slot simplifies the method of eradicating a graphics card. 

Built-in I/O shields shouldn’t be underestimated. This can be a nice DIY inclusion. No extra ending your construct and realizing that the again I/O protect continues to be sitting in your desk! 

BIOS Flashback and Q-LED are additionally each right here—very nifty options that may prevent when bother arises. Whereas dearer motherboards might have screens for displaying error codes, the Q-LED offers you the data wanted too. 

Lastly, the preliminary unboxing expertise is first rate—we’re not anticipating “Excessive” 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

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 vital to delineate its gaming heritage. 

Likewise, it shares a variety of visible cues with Asus’s personal “Prime” lineup of motherboards, which have workstation attraction.

As we go down the motherboard’s central space, we discover thermal armor positioned over the M.2 drive places. Many cheaper motherboards might have armor over only one slot—so it is a good useful and aesthetic contact. It helps that heart space look extra completed and purposeful.

The lower-right additionally encompasses a good cowl over the motherboard space. Each a part of this motherboard’s design integrates effortlessly with the general colour scheme. There aren’t any jarring design parts to throw off this constantly pleasing look.

The I/O protect space on the highest left has that glorious built-in protect already put in, plus some good visible touches. The VRM space continues the identical design up high, finishing a visually agreeable look that may do no unsuitable!

We are able to’t speak 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 fashionable with many DIY fans.

General, not many under-$300 motherboards supply this easy however lovely visible design. It appears to be like and feels premium, with high-quality surfaces and supplies used all through. 

Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi: Efficiency, 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 phases 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 gained’t match the burly VRM you’d discover on one thing just like the Asrock X670E Taichi, however that’s additionally not wanted. Whereas overclocking isn’t the principle forte of this Strix, it may possibly actually nonetheless do it properly. When you’re chasing the most effective numbers, you already know that you simply’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 hold 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. 

Whereas 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. Certain, 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.

The opposite parts of this motherboard which you could technically categorize beneath “efficiency” are billed to be “good.” Loads of USB, however in fact not one of the USB4 choices so as to add to the worth. Networking is quick, however for quicker 10GbE you’ll must pony up huge bucks. See the pattern? Precisely the efficiency you want, and nothing that you simply don’t!

The Asus BIOS continues its ease-of-use excellence right here. You may manually tinker as a lot as you’d ever need. (Or as a lot as is smart with fashionable CPUs, as most overclocking has been largely maxed out from the manufacturing unit it appears!) 

If the BIOS intimidates you, don’t fear—you’ll be able to select the easy possibility. We’d advocate not less than turning on the DDR5 RAM Expo profile, to be sure to’re actually profiting from the total efficiency. 

Extra frequent BIOS updates will be dangerous, however with a brand-new platform akin to AMD’s AM5 B650, updates can repair a variety of early teething points. Needless to say some customers have discovered boot occasions to be longer on AMD’s new platform for the preliminary boot, so your mileage might differ relying on BIOS model. (In comparison with what customers are sometimes used to in earlier generations) 

Moving into software program, Asus additionally has Armoury Crate, which self-installs upon preliminary boot. Whereas 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.

Must you purchase the Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi?

The Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi offers precisely what you want for $279. Would it not be good to see these motherboards even cheaper? Certain, however with new included tech akin to DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, some added price is to be anticipated. 

A minimum of you’re not paying for further options it’s possible you’ll by no means use, akin to 10GbE LAN, USB4, and different frivolities. Whereas these things could also be important for the customers that want them, they’re not useful for many who simply want an excellent motherboard. 

The aesthetics are equally easy. “ROG Strix” may be a well-liked gamer lineup, however this mannequin is properly understated, so it may possibly simply take a look at house in a workstation construct. When you’re after a white- or silver-themed construct, this motherboard is bound to show heads with out breaking the financial institution. 

Whether or not you’re a content material creator or a gamer, it is a Goldilocks board that will get it “good.”