ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-E WIFI (90MB1FV0-M0EAY0) Review: A Solid AMD B650 Motherboard
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-E WIFI (90MB1FV0-M0EAY0) is a micro-ATX motherboard based on AMD’s B650 chipset, designed to cater to gamers and enthusiasts seeking a reliable and feature-rich platform for AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processors. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its key features, performance, and overall value proposition to see if it lives up to the TUF Gaming reputation.
Key Features
The B650M-E WIFI packs a punch with a wealth of features, including:
- AMD B650 chipset for excellent performance and compatibility with Ryzen 7000 Series CPUs
- Four DDR5 memory slots supporting up to 192GB of memory, with speeds ranging from 4800MHz to 7600MHz+ (overclocked)
- Two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for high-speed storage options
- Integrated Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless connectivity
- Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet for faster networking speeds
- Robust audio solution with Realtek’s high-definition audio codec
- Comprehensive I/O panel with multiple USB ports, including USB Type-C, and DisplayPort and HDMI outputs
- ASUS TUF Protection features for enhanced durability and reliability
- ASUS Q-Design features for easy building and upgrades
- ASUS Aura Sync for customizable RGB lighting
- ASUS AI Suite 3 software for system monitoring and optimization
Performance and Overclocking
I’ve tested the B650M-E WIFI with a Ryzen 7 7700X CPU and 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory. The motherboard delivered exceptional performance across the board, handling demanding tasks with ease. Games ran smoothly at high settings, and content creation applications like video editing and 3D modeling were a breeze. I also experimented with overclocking the CPU and memory, achieving impressive results. The motherboard’s BIOS offers extensive options for fine-tuning performance.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent performance and stability
- Wide range of features, including Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Robust build quality with TUF Protection features
- Easy to use BIOS with extensive overclocking options
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- The lack of a third M.2 slot might limit some users’ storage options
- The included audio codec, while good, doesn’t quite match the high-end offerings in this price range
Final Verdict
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-E WIFI (90MB1FV0-M0EAY0) is a solid choice for building a high-performance PC with an AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processor. Its combination of features, performance, and reliability makes it an excellent option for gamers, enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a stable and feature-rich platform. While some might miss a third M.2 slot, the motherboard’s overall value proposition remains strong. I highly recommend the ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-E WIFI for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed AM5 motherboard.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Socket AM5 for AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Desktop Processors |
| Chipset | AMD B650 |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM slots, Max. 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 and Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory, Dual Channel Memory Architecture, Supports AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO™), OptiMem II |
| Graphics | 2 x DisplayPort (max. 8K@60Hz), 1 x HDMI port (4K@60Hz) |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series), 2 x PCIe 4.0 x1 slots (AMD B650 Chipset) |
| Storage | 2 x M.2 slots, 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (supports PCIe RAID 0/1/10 and SATA RAID 0/1/10) |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, TUF LANGuard |
| Wireless & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Supports 2.4/5GHz frequency band, Bluetooth® v5.2 |
| USB (Rear) | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10G) ports (1 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C®), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) ports (2 x Type-A), 4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A) |
| USB (Front) | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) connector (supports USB Type-C®), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) header supports 2 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports |
| Audio | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC, Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback |
| Back Panel I/O Ports | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10G) ports (1 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C®), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) ports (2 x Type-A), 4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A), 2 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x Wi-Fi Module, 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port, 3 x Audio jacks, 1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button, 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port |
| Internal I/O Connectors | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header, 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header, 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header, 2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers, 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector, 1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector, 1 x 4-pin +12V Power connector, 2 x M.2 slots (Key M), 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) connector (supports USB Type-C®), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) header supports 2 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports, 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 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function |
| Special Features | ASUS TUF PROTECTION, ASUS Q-Design, ASUS Thermal Solution, ASUS EZ DIY, Aura Sync |
| Software Features | ASUS Exclusive Software (Armoury Crate, AI Suite 3, DTS Audio Processing, MyASUS, Norton 360 for Gamers (60 Days Free Trial), WinRAR), UEFI BIOS |
| BIOS | 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Manageability | WOL by PME, PXE |
| Accessories | 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables, 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas, 1 x TUF Gaming sticker, 1 x M.2 Rubber Package, 1 x Screw package for M.2 SSD, 1 x TUF Certification card, 1 x User guide |
| Operating System | Windows® 11, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| Form Factor | micro-ATX Form Factor, 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm) |