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

Subsequent-generation motherboards which are on the bleeding edge of recent PC applied sciences usually include a hefty price ticket. Extra inexpensive choices are likely 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 targeted set of options for players, it additionally is available in underneath $300. It’s going to preserve your eyes pleased with nice design aesthetics and colours, too. No ugly motherboard for the sake of assembly a worth right here, of us! 

We’ll go over the specs and options, design, and efficiency. For those who’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

• ATX type issue 
• AMD B650 chipset 
• Helps AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs 
• 12+2 Energy Levels 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 gorgeous “under $300” choice. 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 diminished model of the X670E—however with a greater value-to-performance ratio. The costlier 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.

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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 be capable 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. Probably the most smart pairing with this motherboard is probably going one thing such because the 7700X, supplying 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 to add 4 sticks for a complete of 128GB of RAM. It’s quick and 128GB ought to be greater than sufficient for many customers—each players and content material creators ought 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 wish to all the time put your GPU within the high 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 protecting them, as properly. Efficiency is tremendous speedy—and should you want extra storage, 4 SATA ports are additionally out there for SSDs and arduous 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 costlier motherboard class such because the Asus X670E Strix. 

USB ports

With 9 rear USB ports, together with USB C, your bases can be coated. 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 in-built iGPUs. When you don’t wish to sport on these, they will serve in a pinch for some troubleshooting.

Networking

Connectivity choices are customary problem right here, with Wi-Fi 6E and a couple 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 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 be discovered on many higher-priced motherboards of this era. True audiophiles might wish to use exterior options for the very best quality, however this can suffice for 99 p.c 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 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. It is 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 bother arises. Whereas costlier motherboards might have screens for displaying error codes, the Q-LED offers you the data wanted too. 

Lastly, 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

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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 numerous visible cues with Asus’s personal “Prime” lineup of motherboards, which have workstation attraction.

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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 might 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. Each a part of this motherboard’s design integrates effortlessly with the general shade scheme. There aren’t any jarring design components to throw off this constantly pleasing look.

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The I/O defend space on the highest left has that glorious built-in defend 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 incorrect!

We will’t discuss in regards to the design with out mentioning the colour scheme for builders who need one thing totally different: The silver and “white” components to this motherboard will match completely in a lighter, white-themed construct, which is in style with many DIY fanatics.

General, not many under-$300 motherboards provide 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 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 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 might probably actually nonetheless do it properly. For those who’re chasing the most effective numbers, that you just’ll additionally must face diminishing returns in your cash by shopping for costlier 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 lower cost 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 supply 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 coated.

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The opposite parts of this motherboard that you would be able to technically categorize underneath “performance” are billed to be “just right.” Loads of USB, however after all 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 large 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 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 may select the easy choice. We’d suggest not less than turning on the DDR5 RAM Expo profile, to ensure you’re actually making the most of the complete efficiency. 

Extra frequent BIOS updates might be dangerous, however with a brand-new platform similar to AMD’s AM5 B650, updates can repair numerous 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 might fluctuate relying on BIOS model. (In comparison with what customers are usually used to in earlier generations) 

Entering 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 offers precisely what you want for $279. Wouldn’t it be good to see these motherboards even cheaper? Certain, however with new included tech similar to DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, some added price is to be anticipated. 

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

The aesthetics are equally simple. “ROG Strix” may be a well-liked gamer lineup, however this mannequin is properly understated, so it might probably simply have a look at house in a workstation construct. For those who’re after a white- or silver-themed construct, this motherboard is certain 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 “just right.”