Introduction: In this article, we take an in-depth look at the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi, a motherboard affordable that offers impressive features for users who want to take advantage of AMD’s AM5 socket without breaking the bank.

Design and aesthetics

The ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi features a design similar to the ROG Strix B550-E Gaming WiFi for AMD’s AM4 processors. Both models feature a black ATX PCB and heatsinks, with a magenta stripe on the I/O panel cover and a PCH cooler to catch the eye.

Specifications

Among the technical characteristics of the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi, we find:

• Motherboard form factor: ATX
• CPU socket: LGA AM5 (with 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, supports 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, ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi features 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. However, there is no Thunderbolt support on this motherboard.

Local area network and sound

The local network is managed by an Intel I225-V 2.5 Gbit/s LAN connection (step B3) and the Real audio codec

Audio encoder and connectors

The 8-channel Realtek ALC4080 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 on the I/O panel cover, with 1 4-pin RGB connector and 3 3-pin ARGB connectors. For fan management 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 fan connectors.

Amenities on board

Among the amenities on board are status LEDs, Flash BIOS button (external), CPU OV jumper and Q unlock button.

Warranty and accessories included

The manufacturer’s warranty is 3 years (resellers only). Included accessories include 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 a ROG Strix thank you card.

conclusion

The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi motherboard is an interesting choice for users looking to upgrade to AMD’s AM5 slot 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 may experience some limitations, including a lack of Thunderbolt support and potentially less plentiful storage and expansion options than more expensive models.