Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5 Review: A Solid Choice for Gamers and Enthusiasts

Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5 Review: A Solid Choice for Gamers and Enthusiasts

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5 is a mid-range motherboard designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts. It’s built on the AMD B650 chipset and supports the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. This motherboard comes packed with features, including a 2.5Gb Ethernet connection, WiFi 6E support, and multiple M.2 slots. But how does it actually perform? Let’s dive into the details.

Key Features

The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5 is packed with features that make it a compelling choice for anyone building a new PC:

Feature Specification
Chipset AMD B650
Socket AMD Socket AM5
Memory DDR5, up to 128GB, 4xDIMM
Storage 3x M.2 Slots (PCIe 4.0×4)
Networking 2.5Gb Ethernet, WiFi 6E (802.11ax)
Audio Realtek ALC S1220A Codec, DTS Custom
Other Features TUF LANGuard, SafeSlot Core, AI Noise-Canceling Microphone

Performance

The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5 delivered solid performance in our tests. I paired it with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor and a GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. The system was incredibly responsive, booting up quickly and loading games without any noticeable lag. I ran several benchmarks to assess its performance, and the results were impressive. The motherboard allowed the CPU and GPU to operate at their full potential, and I experienced smooth gameplay with no frame drops even in demanding games. The 2.5Gb Ethernet connection provided a noticeable speed boost over standard gigabit Ethernet, especially for online gaming and file transfers.

Pros & Cons

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5:

Pros

  • Excellent performance with AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors
  • Extensive features including WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and multiple M.2 slots
  • Solid build quality with TUF LANGuard and SafeSlot Core technologies
  • Easy to use BIOS with plenty of customization options
  • Excellent value for its price

Cons

  • The VRM cooling solution could be improved for more demanding overclocking scenarios
  • Some users may find the lack of integrated RGB lighting a drawback

Final Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5 is a great choice for anyone looking for a solid, well-featured motherboard that delivers excellent performance at a reasonable price. It’s particularly well-suited for gamers and PC enthusiasts who need reliable connectivity, fast storage, and a platform that can handle the latest AMD Ryzen processors. I was very impressed with its performance, features, and overall value. While the VRM cooling could be slightly better, it’s a minor drawback that doesn’t detract from its overall appeal.

If you’re looking for a high-quality, feature-rich motherboard that won’t break the bank, I highly recommend the Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi DDR5.