ASUS TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II AM4 motherboard: features, specs and fit

The ASUS TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II is an ATX motherboard for AMD's AM4 socket. It supports Ryzen processors from the 1st to the 5000 series and uses DDR4 memory, which makes it a fit for upgrading or building a Ryzen system around that platform. Here is what the main specs mean and what to check first.

Socket and processor support

AM4 is AMD's long-running desktop socket. ASUS lists compatibility with Ryzen 5000 and 3rd, 2nd and 1st generation Ryzen CPUs. There is one important caveat that ASUS itself states: to use a Ryzen 5000 series processor, the board's BIOS must be up to date. A board that shipped with an older BIOS may not recognise a newer CPU until it is updated, and that is where BIOS FlashBack comes in.

BIOS FlashBack

BIOS FlashBack typically lets you update the BIOS from a USB drive using a dedicated button, without a processor or memory installed. ASUS suggests searching its support site by model name, then opening Drivers and Tools, then BIOS & Firmware. The board has a 256Mb BIOS flash ROM.

Power and cooling

ASUS lists DrMOS power stages, alloy chokes and durable capacitors, which it says give reliable power for high-core-count AM4 processors. The VRM and chipset heatsinks are fanless, and there are multiple hybrid fan headers managed through the Fan Xpert 2 utility. ASUS describes the components as military-grade, a TUF branding term for its durability testing.

Memory, storage and display

The listing mentions DDR4 up to 4400 (overclocked). Faster memory speeds depend on the CPU and the modules you buy. Storage includes dual M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs. Video output is HDMI 2.0b (4K at 60Hz) and DisplayPort 1.2, which works only with processors that include integrated graphics, such as Ryzen G-series chips; other Ryzen CPUs need a separate graphics card.

Connectivity and audio

ASUS lists a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port at the back and a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector. The listing also mentions a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C feature. For audio, the board uses a codec with DTS Sound Unbound, and ASUS AI Noise Cancelling Mic technology is meant to reduce background noise on voice chat.

Lighting and software

One RGB header supports lighting strips, controlled through ASUS's Armoury Crate utility. Check the manual for the supported header type.

Who it suits

It suits builders upgrading within the AM4 family, or putting together a system with Ryzen 5000 processors and DDR4 memory they already own. It is less suited to anyone who wants the newest memory and PCIe standards, which come with newer platforms.

What to check before you buy

• Processor and BIOS: confirm your exact CPU is supported and what BIOS version the board ships with.
• Memory: DDR4 only; check module speed against the CPU's supported range.
• Graphics: check whether your CPU has integrated graphics before relying on the video ports.
• Case size: it is ATX; check your case and the cooler mounting for AM4.
• Storage: count your M.2 and SATA drives against the slots.
• Power: check your power supply's connectors.

The short version

• ATX motherboard for AMD AM4, with support for Ryzen 1st to 5000 series.
• DrMOS power stages and fanless VRM and chipset heatsinks.
• DDR4 memory, dual M.2 NVMe slots, HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.2.
• BIOS FlashBack for updates, which matters for Ryzen 5000.
• RGB header, Armoury Crate software and AI Noise Cancelling Mic.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.