Asus ProArt B650-Creator Motherboard Review: A Powerful Choice for Creators
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Asus ProArt B650-Creator is an ATX motherboard designed for creative professionals who demand high performance and robust features. It packs a punch with its AMD B650 chipset, offering support for the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series processors. This motherboard caters to demanding workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design, making it a powerful addition to any creator’s setup.
Features
The ProArt B650-Creator is loaded with features designed to elevate your creative workflow. Here’s a closer look at some of its key highlights:
Memory and Storage
The motherboard boasts four DDR5 DIMM slots, allowing for a maximum of 192GB of memory. This ensures ample bandwidth for demanding applications and multitasking. It also features three M.2 slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x4 slot for blazing-fast storage speeds. The two PCIe 4.0 x4 slots offer further expansion options, providing flexibility for various storage configurations.
Connectivity
The ProArt B650-Creator offers robust connectivity options. It includes two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for high-performance graphics cards, a Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port for lightning-fast network speeds, and a Realtek 1Gb Ethernet port for additional network connectivity. The motherboard also includes a variety of USB ports, including a Type-C port with DisplayPort support for connecting external monitors.
Audio
The motherboard’s audio system is powered by a Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC. It features a dedicated audio PCB layer, audio cover, and unique de-pop circuit for an immersive and clear audio experience. This is essential for creators who work with audio or want to enjoy high-fidelity audio playback.
Cooling
The ProArt B650-Creator features a comprehensive cooling solution. It includes dedicated heatsinks for the M.2 slots and VRM, ensuring efficient heat dissipation for optimal performance. The motherboard also includes multiple fan headers for customizing your cooling setup.
BIOS and Software
The ProArt B650-Creator comes with a user-friendly UEFI BIOS that provides comprehensive control over system settings. It also offers a suite of ASUS-exclusive software, including Armoury Crate, AI Suite 3, and ProArt Creator Hub. These tools provide a wide range of features for system optimization, monitoring, and creative workflows.
Performance
I tested the ProArt B650-Creator with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor and 32GB of DDR5 RAM. In benchmark tests, the motherboard consistently delivered impressive performance across various applications. It handled demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming with ease. The high bandwidth of the DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot contributed to the overall responsiveness and speed.
The Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port significantly boosted network transfer speeds, making it ideal for large file transfers or streaming high-resolution video content. The integrated audio system delivered clear and detailed audio, enhancing the multimedia experience.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Asus ProArt B650-Creator motherboard:
Pros
- AMD B650 chipset for high performance
- Support for latest AMD Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series processors
- Four DDR5 DIMM slots for up to 192GB of memory
- Three M.2 slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x4 slot
- Two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for high-performance graphics cards
- Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet for fast network speeds
- Comprehensive cooling solution with heatsinks and multiple fan headers
- User-friendly UEFI BIOS with a range of customization options
- ASUS-exclusive software for system optimization and creative workflows
- High-quality audio system with dedicated audio PCB layer and audio cover
Cons
- The price point may be high for some users
- The onboard Wi-Fi is not included, requiring a separate Wi-Fi card for wireless connectivity
Final Verdict
The Asus ProArt B650-Creator motherboard is a powerful and feature-rich option for creative professionals. It delivers exceptional performance, robust connectivity, and a comprehensive set of features designed to enhance creative workflows. While the price may be a consideration for some users, the performance, features, and reliability make it a worthwhile investment for those who demand the best. If you’re looking for a high-end motherboard that can handle demanding creative tasks, the Asus ProArt B650-Creator is a strong contender.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Supported Socket | AMD Socket AM5 |
| Supported Processors | AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series/ 8000 Series Desktop Processors |
| Chipset | AMD B650 |
| DIMM Slots | 4 x DIMM |
| Max Memory | 192GB DDR5 7600+(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5400(OC)/ 5200/ 5000/ 4800 ECC & Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory |
| Memory Architecture | Dual Channel |
| Memory Features | AMD EXPO™, OptiMem II |
| Ports | 1 x HDMI (4K@60Hz), 1 x USB Type-C (supports DisplayPort 8K@60Hz) |
| PCIe Slots (Ryzen 7000/8000) | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x16 or x8/x8), 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4), 1 x PCIe 4.0 x1 |
| M.2 Slots | 3 x M.2 (1x PCIe 5.0 x4, 2x PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| SATA Ports | 4 x SATA 6Gb/s |
| RAID Support | NVMe RAID 0/1/10, SATA RAID 0/1/10 |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet |
| Wireless Slot | M.2 slot (Key E, PCIe) |
| Rear USB | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C, DisplayPort), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 2 x USB 2.0 (Type-A) |
| Front USB | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (Type-C, 60W PD/QC4+), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports), 2 x USB 2.0 headers (4 ports) |
| Audio Codec | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC |
| Audio Features | Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, Up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback, Power pre-regulator, Rear optical S/PDIF out port, Premium audio capacitors, Dedicated audio PCB layers, Audio cover, Unique de-pop circuit |
| HDMI | 1 x HDMI port |
| USB | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C, DisplayPort), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 2 x USB 2.0 (Type-A) |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | 5 x Audio jacks, 1 x Optical S/PDIF out port |
| Other | 1 x DisplayPort (Input only), 1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button |
| Fan & Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header, 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header, 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header, 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers |
| Power | 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector, 1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector, 1 x 4-pin +12V Power connector, 1 x 6-pin PCIe Power connector |
| Storage | 3 x M.2 slots (Key M), 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports |
| USB | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connector (Type-C), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports), 2 x USB 2.0 headers (4 ports) |
| Miscellaneous | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers, 1 x Aura RGB header, 1 x Clear CMOS header, 1 x COM Port header, 1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP), 1 x M.2 slot (Key E), 1 x 20-5 pin System Panel header, 1 x Thermal Sensor header, 1 x Thunderbolt™ (USB4®) header |
| Protection | ASUS 5X PROTECTION III, DIGI+ VRM, Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection, ESD Guards, LANGuard, Overvoltage Protection, Safeslot, Stainless-Steel Back I/O |
| Q-Design | M.2 Q-Latch, Q-Connector, Q-DIMM, Q-LED, Q-Slot |
| Thermal Solution | M.2 heatsinks, VRM heatsink design |
| EZ DIY | BIOS FlashBack™ button, BIOS FlashBack™ LED, ProCool, Pre-mounted I/O shield, SafeSlot, SafeDIMM |
| AURA Sync | Aura RGB header, Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Business Features | 24/7 Reliability, Overcurrent Protection |
| Front Panel USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 with Quick Charge 4+ Support (60W charging, 5/9/15/20V max. 3A, PPS:3.3–21V max. 3A, Compatible with QC 4.0/3.0/2.0, PD3.0 and PPS) |
| ASUS Exclusive Software | Armoury Crate (Aura Creator, Aura Sync, Fan Xpert 4, Power Saving, Two-Way AI Noise Cancellation), AI Suite 3 (TurboV EVO, DIGI+ VRM, PC Cleaner), ASUS CPU-Z, ASUS Control Center Express (ACCE), CreationFirst, Norton Anti-virus (Free Trial), ProArt Creator Hub, WinRAR |
| UEFI BIOS | ASUS EZ DIY (ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, ASUS EZ Flash 3, ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode) |
| BIOS | 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Manageability | WOL by PME, PXE |
| Cables | 1 x DisplayPort cable, 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables |
| Miscellaneous | 1 x Q-connector, 1 x Rubber Packages for M.2, 1 x Screw packages for M.2 SSD, 1 x Screw package for M.2 Key E, 1 x ProArt ruler |
| Documentation | 1 x ACC Express Activation Key Card, 1 x User guide |
| Operating System | Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| Form Factor | ATX Form Factor (12 inch x 9.6 inch / 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm) |
