Introduction: In this article, we take an in-depth look at the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi, an motherboard offering impressive features for users looking to take advantage of AMD's AM5 socket without breaking the bank.
Design and aesthetics
The ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi features a similar design to the ROG Strix B550-E Gaming WiFi for AMD's AM4 processors. Both models sport a black ATX PCB and heatsinks, with a magenta stripe on the I/O panel cover and PCH cooler to catch the eye.
Technical characteristics
Among the technical characteristics of the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi, we find:
- Motherboard format: ATX
- CPU socket: LGA AM5 (for Ryzen 7000)
- Electrical connections: 1x ATX 24 pin, 1x EPS12V 8 pin, 1x 4 pin +12V
- VRM equipment: 15 phases/MOSFET (12+2+1)
- Price: from 294 euros
This motherboard offers 4x DDR5 (dual channel) for memory banks, supporting up to 6400 MHz (1DPC) and a maximum memory expansion of 128 GB. It also offers various expansion options: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 ( x16) via CPU, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4) via AMD B650 (shared) and 2x PCIe 4.0 x1 via AMD B650.
USB storage and interfaces
On the storage side, the ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi has 4x SATA 6 Gbps via AMD B650, 1x M.2 M-Key with PCIe 5.0 x4 via CPU and 2x M.2 M-Key with PCIe 4.0 x4 via AMD B650. USB interfaces include 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 (3x external) via the processor, as well as various other options via the chipset and ASMedia ASM1074.
Graphics, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
For graphics connections, it offers 1x HDMI 2.1 and 1x DisplayPort 1.4. WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and Bluetooth 5.2 are supported via the AMD WiFi-6E RZ616 (MediaTek MT7922A22M), with tri-band capability and a maximum speed of 2.4 Gbps s. However, there is no Thunderbolt support on this motherboard.
Local network and audio
The local network is managed by an Intel I225-V 2.5 Gbit/s LAN connection (step B3), and the Real audio codec
Audio codec and connectors
The Realtek ALC4080 8-channel audio codec is complemented by a Savitech SV3H712 amplifier. The motherboard also has 5 3.5mm audio jacks.
LED lighting and fan management
RGB LED lighting is present on the I/O panel cover, with 1 4-pin RGB connector and 3 3-pin ARGB connectors. For managing fans and water cooling, the motherboard offers 1 x 4-pin CPU fan connector, 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT connector, 1 x 4-pin AIO pump connector, and 4 x 4-pin chassis fan connectors. pins.
On-board amenities
Among the conveniences on board are status LEDs, BIOS Flash button (external), CPU OV jumper and Q unlock button.
Warranty and accessories included
The manufacturer's warranty is 3 years (only through resellers). Included accessories include the motherboard manual, two SATA cables, one 2T2R Wi-Fi antenna, one M.2 Q latch, two M.2 rubber spacers, one M.2 thermal pad, seven cable ties, one ROG keychain, ROG stickers, and an ROG Strix thank you card.
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi motherboard is an interesting option for users looking to upgrade to AMD's AM5 socket without spending a fortune. It offers a good balance between price and performance, with an attractive design and a comprehensive feature set. However, it's important to note that some users might experience some limitations, including the lack of Thunderbolt support and potentially less plentiful storage and expansion options than on more expensive models.
