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

Value When Reviewed

$279.99

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

$279.99

$279.99

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

Asus is seeking to buck that pattern, 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 can hold your eyes pleased with nice design aesthetics and colours, too. No ugly motherboard for the sake of assembly a value right here, of us! 

We’ll go over the specs and options, design, and efficiency. In the event you’re seeking to step into AMD’s next-generation AM5 platform, is that this a viable choice to avoid wasting a couple of dollars and nonetheless get cutting-edge efficiency?

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

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• 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 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 “beneath $300” choice. AMD’s AM5 platform began off with increased platform prices with X670E. It’s nice to see motherboard choices at these value factors, whereas nonetheless retaining nice performance. 

AMD’s B650 chipset is a barely diminished 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 can even be suitable. Essentially the most smart 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 surely’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 happy 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 most recent GPUs match it. The second 16x slot comes from the chipset, so that you’ll need to at all times put your GPU within the prime CPU-sourced slot for greatest 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 can 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 for those who want extra storage, 4 SATA ports are additionally accessible for SSDs and laborious drives. 

Each players and less-picky content material creators can be completely happy—these needing extra SATA or NVMe slots should leap 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 can be lined. You’re not getting Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 right here, that are sometimes solely accessible on rather more costly motherboards, as anticipated. 

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

Networking

Connectivity choices are commonplace subject right here, with Wi-Fi 6E and a pair of.5GbE LAN. This is similar networking functionality provided on many motherboards costing tons of of {dollars} extra, so that you’ll be in good firm. 

Certain, it lacks 10GbE networking, however that’s not anticipated at this value 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 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 technology. True audiophiles could 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 simple, as these small screws are at all times 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 defend continues 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. Whereas dearer motherboards could have screens for displaying error codes, the Q-LED provides you the data wanted too. 

Lastly, the preliminary unboxing expertise is respectable—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

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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 loads 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 areas. Many cheaper motherboards could 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 includes a good cowl over the motherboard space. Each a part of this motherboard’s design integrates effortlessly with the general coloration scheme. There aren’t any jarring design parts to throw off this constantly 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 flawed!

We are able to’t speak in regards to 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 fanatics.

General, not many under-$300 motherboards provide this easy however lovely visible design. It appears 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 is just not the principle forte of this Strix, it could definitely nonetheless do it properly. In the event you’re chasing the most effective numbers, that you just’ll additionally should 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.

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The opposite parts of this motherboard that you may 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 value. Networking is quick, however for quicker 10GbE you’ll must pony up massive bucks. See the pattern? Precisely the efficiency you want, and nothing that you just don’t!

The Asus BIOS continues its ease-of-use excellence right here. You possibly can manually tinker as a lot as you’d ever need. (Or as a lot as is sensible 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 possibly can select the straightforward choice. We’d advocate at the least turning on the DDR5 RAM Expo profile, to ensure you’re actually benefiting from the complete efficiency. 

Extra frequent BIOS updates might be dangerous, however with a brand-new platform reminiscent of AMD’s AM5 B650, updates can repair loads of early teething points. Remember the fact that some customers have discovered boot occasions to be longer on AMD’s new platform for the preliminary boot, so your mileage could fluctuate 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?

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

At the very least you’re not paying for additional options chances are you’ll by no means use, reminiscent of 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 a great motherboard. 

The aesthetics are equally simple. “ROG Strix” could be a preferred gamer lineup, however this mannequin is properly understated, so it could simply take a look at residence in a workstation construct. In the event 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.”