ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E AM5 Motherboard Review: A Solid Choice for AM5 Builds

ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E AM5 Motherboard Review: A Solid Choice for AM5 Builds

Table of Contents

Introduction

The ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E AM5 is a mid-range mATX motherboard designed for AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series processors. It boasts a robust feature set including support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 4.0, and a plethora of connectivity options. In this review, we’ll delve into the details of this motherboard, exploring its performance, features, and overall value.

Key Features

The ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E AM5 packs a punch in terms of features. Here are some of the highlights:

  • AMD B650 chipset
  • Support for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors
  • 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, supporting up to 192GB of memory
  • Two M.2 slots, one supporting PCIe 4.0
  • 2.5Gb Ethernet for fast network speeds
  • Extensive I/O panel with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and PS/2
  • TUF Gaming Armor for enhanced durability
  • ASUS’s signature BIOS and software utilities

Performance

The ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E AM5 delivered solid performance in our tests. We paired it with a Ryzen 7 7700X processor and 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, and the system consistently provided smooth and responsive performance for both gaming and productivity tasks.

The PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot showed its strength, delivering impressive read and write speeds for NVMe SSDs. The 2.5Gb Ethernet provided significantly faster network speeds compared to standard Gigabit Ethernet, making a noticeable difference in online gaming and file transfers.

Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

  • Solid performance at a competitive price point
  • Robust feature set including DDR5 support, PCIe 4.0, and 2.5Gb Ethernet
  • Excellent build quality and durability with TUF Gaming Armor
  • User-friendly BIOS and software utilities
  • Comprehensive connectivity options

**Cons:**

  • Limited overclocking potential compared to higher-end B650 motherboards
  • No Wi-Fi built-in, requiring a separate adapter

Final Verdict

The ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E AM5 is a well-rounded mATX motherboard that offers excellent value for its price. It provides solid performance, robust features, and great build quality. If you’re looking for a reliable foundation for your next AMD Ryzen 7000 series build, this motherboard is a solid choice. While it may not be ideal for extreme overclocking enthusiasts, it’s perfect for gamers and content creators who need a balanced combination of performance, features, and affordability.

Specifications

Feature Specification
Chipset AMD B650
Socket AMD AM5
Memory 4x DDR5 DIMM, up to 192GB
M.2 Slots 2x (1x PCIe 4.0, 1x PCIe 3.0)
Ethernet 2.5Gb Ethernet
I/O Panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, PS/2, Audio Jacks