ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS AM4 Motherboard: features, specs and fit

The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS is an ATX motherboard for AMD's AM4 socket. It supports Ryzen 3000 and Ryzen 5000 processors and adds PCIe 4.0, dual M.2 storage slots and 2.5Gb Ethernet. It's the central board for a desktop PC build or an upgrade.

Socket and CPU support

AM4 is the socket used for several generations of Ryzen processors. ASUS lists this board for Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 and 3rd Gen Ryzen CPUs. It notes that installing a Ryzen 5000 chip may need an up-to-date BIOS. The BIOS Flashback feature is useful here, as it typically lets you update the BIOS from a USB drive without a processor installed. Check ASUS's support page for the model's CPU list and BIOS versions before pairing a CPU.

What PCIe 4.0 means

PCIe 4.0 doubles the per-lane data rate of PCIe 3.0. On this board, one M.2 slot runs at PCIe 4.0 x4, which suits fast NVMe SSDs, and there are two M.2 slots in total. The board also lists PCIe 4.0 for the AM4 and Ryzen pairing. Whether you see the full benefit depends on the CPU, the SSD and the graphics card you choose.

Power and cooling

ASUS describes 8+2 DrMOS power stages with alloy chokes and durable capacitors, which it says provide reliable power to high-core-count Ryzen CPUs. Cooling comes from a fanless VRM and chipset heatsink, several hybrid fan headers and the Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI Q-Fan Control utility. Hybrid headers generally accept either 3-pin or 4-pin fans.

Networking, video and ports

The board has a 2.5Gb LAN port with ASUS LANGuard, which is faster than standard gigabit Ethernet if your router and switch also support 2.5Gb. Video output includes HDMI 2.1 (4K at 60Hz) and DisplayPort 1.2, used when the CPU has integrated graphics. Ports include USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A, a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector, a Thunderbolt 3 header and an SPI TPM header.

Audio and lighting

A SupremeFX S1220A codec with DTS Sound Unbound and Sonic Studio III handles audio, and ASUS AI Noise Cancelling Mic technology is listed for clearer voice chat. For lighting, the board has Aura Sync RGB, RGB headers and a Gen 2 addressable RGB header.

Who it suits

It suits builders who want an AM4 ATX board with PCIe 4.0 storage, a couple of M.2 drives and 2.5Gb networking. It also suits upgraders who already own an AM4 CPU. New builders may weigh newer sockets and memory types.

What to check before you buy

• CPU and BIOS: confirm your processor is supported, and whether you need a BIOS update.
• Case and form factor: it measures about 13.3 x 10.7 inches (ATX); check your case.
• Memory: check the supported memory type and speeds in the manual.
• Storage: check which M.2 slot gives PCIe 4.0 and how SATA ports are shared.
• Video: the display outputs only work with a CPU that has integrated graphics.
• Cooler and power supply: check the AM4 cooler mounting and the required power connectors.
• Offers: any bundled software offer on the listing has an expiry date.

The short version

• An ATX AM4 motherboard, TUF GAMING B550-PLUS, for Ryzen 3000 and 5000 processors.
• PCIe 4.0 with dual M.2 NVMe slots, one at PCIe 4.0 x4.
• 8+2 DrMOS power stages, fanless VRM and chipset heatsinks.
• 2.5Gb LAN, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
• BIOS Flashback, SupremeFX audio and Aura Sync RGB.

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