ASUS ROG Strix B650E-E Gaming WiFi motherboard: features and specs

The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-E Gaming WiFi is a motherboard for AMD's AM5 socket, with DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0 and built-in WiFi 6E. It is designed for gaming and enthusiast builds around Ryzen processors.

Socket and processor support

The AM5 socket supports AMD Ryzen Desktop 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series processors. ASUS notes that a BIOS update may be required for the 9000 and 8000 Series, so a board with an older BIOS may not start with a newer processor until it is updated. Check ASUS's support page for your processor before you buy.

Power delivery and cooling

The board has 16+2 teamed power stages, dual ProCool power connectors, alloy chokes and durable capacitors. The power stages feed the processor with steady, low voltage, so a stronger design typically helps with multi-core chips under heavy loads. The VRM heatsinks have airflow channels and are bonded to the power stages with high-conductivity thermal pads, which ASUS says optimizes thermals.

Storage and expansion

There are four M.2 slots: two PCIe 5.0 and two PCIe 4.0, all with heatsinks. PCIe 5.0 drives are the fastest class of SSD, and a heatsink helps them avoid slowing down from heat. The two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots are reinforced slots, which ASUS designs to hold heavy graphics cards more securely. Since the CPU supplies a limited number of lanes, using all slots at once may change how they run, so the manual is worth reading.

Connectivity

ASUS lists a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port on the rear (20Gbps) and a front-panel connector for it, plus eleven additional USB ports. Video outputs are HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, which work with processors that have integrated graphics. Networking includes on-board WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2 and Intel 2.5G Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard. WiFi 6E adds the 6GHz band, which needs a compatible router. AI Networking and Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation are ASUS software features for setup and calls.

Audio and lighting

The audio uses an ALC4080 codec with a Savitech SV3H712 amplifier, alongside DTS Sound Unbound and Sonic Studio III software. Aura Sync RGB lighting includes one RGB header and three addressable Gen 2 headers for strips and fans.

Size

It measures about 12.0 inches wide in the ATX form, according to common ATX standards, and the listing's shipping dimensions are 10.9 x 3.1 x 13.5 inches with a weight of 5.0 lb. ATX boards fit mid-tower and larger cases.

Who it suits

It suits builders who want a feature-rich AM5 board with fast SSD support, solid power delivery and built-in wireless. Someone building a simple office PC may not need this many features.

What to check before you buy

• Processor and BIOS: confirm your Ryzen model and whether a BIOS update is needed.
• Memory: the board takes DDR5 only.
• Case size: check that your case supports ATX boards.
• M.2 lane sharing: read the manual to see how populating slots affects other ports.
• Cooler mounting: check your cooler supports AM5.
• Wireless: WiFi 6E benefits need a matching router.

The short version

• ATX motherboard for AMD AM5, supporting Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series.
• 16+2 power stages with dual ProCool connectors and VRM heatsinks.
• Four M.2 slots: two PCIe 5.0 and two PCIe 4.0.
• WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5G Ethernet and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C.
• HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and Aura Sync RGB lighting.

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