After reviewing the MSI MAG B550 gaming motherboard, we review the Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard. The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard, we are looking at here costs less at $250. But, it still comes with a lot of appreciated features.
In addition, the Asus B550 product stack currently consists of 11-motherboards that range in price from $134 up to the B550-E gaming with an MSRP of $279. In between, there’re several options that include motherboards from the Asus ROG Strix, TUF, and prime lineups as well.
Within this lineup are ATX form factor, micro ATX form factor, and mini-ITX form factor motherboards all designed to support the latest AMD Ryzen processors to maximize connectivity.
Sitting second from the top of Asus B550-F gaming motherboards, this motherboard includes a 14-phase power delivery design, 2.5GbE LAN, an integrated Intel WIFI 6, two M.2 slots, 6 SATA ports, and premium audio among other quality features.
In our testing, this Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard performs very well and matching the other motherboard that we have tested so far.
We did not across anything out of the ordinary during our stock runs and with an optimized default set, this Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard had no issue boosting to the factory 4.6GHz clock speed.
Overclocking the 12-cores and 24-thread AMD Ryzen 9 3900X also went without any issue. Although, our sample was able to push all cores and threads on the CPU up to 4.3 GHz base frequency speed while running our 4 and 8 GB of RAM memory at a very fast memory speed of up to 3600MHz, which is quite amazing and durable.
Specifcations
- AMD AM4 CPU socket
- B550 chipset
- 14-phase power delivery design
- Display port
- An HDMI port
- Video port
- 5Gbe Network LAN
- 2-way Crossfire X
- 6 SATA 3
- Extensive USB headers
- 4-pin fan headers
- 4-LEDs
- 3-years warranty from Asus
Features
- User manual
- WIFI antenna
- Support DVD
- Case badge
- 4 SATA cables
- ARGB LED extension cable
- 2 rubber package
- Cable ties
At first, glance, what stands out with this best Asus motherboard are the black PCB, heatsinks, and slots as well. So, the only component that aren’t black highlights on the chipset heatsink along with the ROG name and ROG LEDs on the IO shroud respectively.
Additionally, slogans such as a game on and others can also be seen in black on the IO shroud as well. Like other B550 motherboards that we have looked at so far, then this Asus ROG Strix B550-F gaming motherboard doesn’t have a fan on the chipset heatsink as the B550 chipset itself uses less power.
Because it does not have to support as many PCIe 4.0 lanes. Given the dark theme, this Asus motherboard should match most build themes. Starting off at the top of this motherboard, the IO shroud reaches out over the rear IO bits and partially covers the large VRM heatsink on the left side.
Above that, there’re two EPS connectors, one 8-pin power connector, and 4-pin optional as well. Moving right across the top, there’re two 4-pin DC fan headers along with the first RGB header.
Also, there’re two additional fan headers located to the right of the IO shroud and above the M.2 slot. Moreover, all the fan headers are able to output up to 1A/12 watt which is adequate for a majority of fans and AIOs as well.
In addition, this best quality Asus motherboard supports single side latching DIMMs slots which are capable of handling up to 128GB of RAM memory with a fast or quick memory speed of up to 4400MHz, which is noticeably less than the B550 MSI MAG B550 gaming TOMAHAWK motherboard.
That said, AMD’s self-proclaimed sweet spot for memory is in the DDR4 RAM memory 3600 or 3733 range which also keeps the infinity fabric at a 1:1 ratio with the RAM speed.
Once past that, the infinity fabric ratio is not 1:1, and the latency increase dramatically. So, most of the users should possibly stick to memory speeds below 4000MHz.
Located on the far right side of this gaming motherboard, there is a 24-pin power connector along with a front-panel USB 3.2 Generation 1 header.
Just above, these’re 4 LED lights that light up during the motherboard booting process and checking key components like VGA, CPU, DRAM, and boot as well. If any error occurs, then the critical components LED stays lit until the problem is resolved.
This’s convenient when troubleshooting POST issues especially when the motherboard does not have a debug LED screen to display specific codes.
Moreover, sliding down to the bottom half of the motherboard, the audio section is found on the far left side and is mostly uncovered outside of the SupremeX audio chip hidden under the Faraday cage to prevent EMI. Visible are the Nicicon audio capacitors along with the two optional amplifiers.
SO, the input sensitivity is automatic and ranges from 32 to 600 Ohm headphone impedance which allows greater flexibility and proper output as well. Although, the premium audio section will be adequate for a lot of users.
Furthermore, in the middle of the motherboard, we see 2 full-length PCIe slots with the primary GPU slot reinforced to prevent sagging and hearing from heavy video cards respectively.
However, the top slot is fed from the CPU which providing 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes. So, the 2nd full-length PCIe slot is fed from the chipset and running at the PCIe 3.0 x 4 speeds.
Additionally, the two-way Crossfire X is also supported. This Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard provides an additional 3 PCIe 3.0 x 1 slot. On the right of this Asus gaming motherboard, there’re six SATA 3 6Gbps ports and all fed from the B550 chipset.
These durable ports support RAID 0,1 and 10. Port sharing is inevitable on this B550 chipset and the Asus ROG Strix B550 gaming motherboard shut down SATA 5 or 6 ports when any M.2 module is installed in M.2.
Also, Across the bottom edge of this Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard, there are several headers that cover USB, fan control, audio, and many more. Below, is a list of the headers and jumpers here from left to right, so take a look at these headers.
- Front panel audio
- Thunderbolt header
- Temperature sensor header
- Chassis fan headers
- Clear CMOS header
- System panel header
Final words:
This Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard delivers premium-quality features including SupremeFX audio, an integrated Intel WIFI 6, solid power delivery, and many more.
This best quality Asus motherboard is a good option for those people, who want a budget motherboard under $200. This motherboard is specifically designed for gaming and it has a durable 14-phase delivery design, which is quite exceptional.
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