ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus WiFi II motherboard: features and specs

The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus WiFi II is a microATX motherboard for the AM4 socket. It is the board that everything else in a PC plugs into: processor, memory, storage, graphics card and network. ASUS aims it at gamers building a compact system around a 3rd Gen Ryzen processor, and adds built-in WiFi and fast wired networking.

The AM4 socket and PCIe 4.0

AM4 is the socket used by a long line of Ryzen desktop processors. ASUS lists this board as a pairing for 3rd Gen Ryzen CPUs, so that is the generation to match. Before buying, confirm that the exact processor you have in mind is on ASUS's compatibility list for this model, as some chips need a BIOS update first. That is where BIOS FlashBack helps: it is named in the product title, and in general it lets you update the firmware from a USB stick without a processor installed.

PCIe 4.0 doubles the per-lane bandwidth of PCIe 3.0. It matters most for graphics cards and fast NVMe solid-state drives that can use the extra headroom. Cards built for older versions still work, just at their own speed.

Power delivery and cooling

ASUS describes an 8+2 DrMOS power design with alloy chokes and durable capacitors. In general, the power stages convert the supply's voltage into the lower, steady voltage the processor needs, and a stronger design copes better with high-core-count chips under sustained load. ASUS calls its components "military-grade" and says the design suits the last high-count-core AM4 processors.

For cooling, the voltage-regulator and chipset heatsinks are fanless, so they add no noise of their own. Several hybrid fan headers let you connect case fans or a CPU cooler, and speeds can be managed through Fan Xpert 4 or the Q-Fan Control utility in the UEFI firmware.

Networking

Two network options are built in. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is the wireless standard that handles many devices better than WiFi 5, though you need a WiFi 6 router to benefit. The wired port is 2.5 Gb Ethernet, which can run faster than a standard gigabit connection if your router or switch also supports 2.5 Gb speeds. ASUS adds its LANGuard protection for the wired port.

Storage, ports and display output

There are two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, and ASUS says one of them runs at PCIe 4.0 x4. The board also has a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector, plus USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A ports. For video, it offers HDMI 2.1 (4K at 60 Hz) and DisplayPort 1.2. These outputs are for processors with built-in graphics; if you use a separate graphics card, you connect the monitor to that instead.

Audio and lighting

Audio is handled by a SupremeFX S1220A codec with DTS Sound Unbound and Sonic Studio III, and ASUS adds AI Noise Cancelling Mic technology for clearer voice chat. For lighting, Aura Sync RGB support includes standard RGB headers and a Gen 2 addressable RGB header, which suits strips and fans that can show individual colours.

Who it suits

It suits a compact AM4 build where you want modern connections, such as an NVMe drive, WiFi 6 and 2.5 Gb LAN, without moving to a larger board. At about 10.8 x 10.8 inches (27 cm square), it fits microATX and many larger cases.

What to check before you buy

• Processor: confirm your exact Ryzen model is supported and whether a BIOS update is needed.
• Memory: check which memory types and speeds the board supports in the manual.
• Case size: microATX boards fit microATX and ATX cases, but not the smallest mini-ITX ones.
• Storage: only one M.2 slot is listed at PCIe 4.0 x4.
• Network gear: WiFi 6 and 2.5 Gb LAN only reach their full potential with matching routers or switches.
• Graphics: the video outputs depend on a processor with integrated graphics.

The short version

• A microATX AM4 motherboard for 3rd Gen Ryzen processors.
• PCIe 4.0, dual M.2 slots and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A.
• WiFi 6 and 2.5 Gb Ethernet built in.
• 8+2 DrMOS power design with fanless heatsinks and flexible fan control.
• HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2, Aura Sync RGB and BIOS FlashBack.

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