CHF199.90
ASUS ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI
AM5, AMD B650E, ATX
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
37 reviews
Absolutely stable and reliable
With the ASUS ROG Strix STRIX B650E-F Gaming WiFi motherboard, I have found the price-performance winner that allows me to build a stable and powerful system. Compared to the previous motherboards I have used (which were always from ASUS), the motherboard itself is comparatively solid and correspondingly stable.
However, the "inner values" of the B650E-F Gaming were decisive for my decision: integrated W-LAN 6E, 2 long PCIe slots and three connections for M2 SSDs. The connection was particularly decisive for me. I was unable to find a comparable model with the B650 chipset that offers a PCIe 5.0 NVMe slot and two additional 4.0 NVMe slots as well as a comparatively large number of options for connecting USB-C. This means that the M2 slot in particular is already a generation ahead of the storage media currently available.
Installing the new CPU on the AM5 socket seems a little confusing at first, as the cover is also fitted with a plastic cap. This can/may/should remain attached to the cover for installation and detaches from it without any problems when the cover is closed. This is new for AMD, but as the socket will probably remain in place for longer, you will have to get used to it.
However, if you haven't assembled a PC for a long time or want to do so for the first time, the included quick start guide contains the relevant steps, which you can easily carry out one after the other. Only if you want to install a very large cooler for the processor do you need to be careful here, as you will no longer be able to access the most important connections for the power supply. In this respect, you have to react on your own responsibility in advance and plan the dimensions of the power supply unit in good time if you do not want to commit to modular power supply units from one manufacturer (and hope that these are not changed).
I was otherwise cautious with the further dimensioning of the system. With a Ryzen 7600X as well as RAM and an M2 SSD from the compatibility list, I didn't make any great leaps. The Western Digital SN770 works for me without any restrictions, even though the list here listed WD as the manufacturer as a whole, but not the individual models. An old WD Blue SATA SSD also continues to run as a second drive without any problems. The memory from G.Skill with 5200 MHz falls short of the board's capabilities, but was not set to its full speed during the automatic setup in the BIOS. However, an uncomplicated increase in memory speed under BIOS 0809 worked perfectly and had no effect on stability.Well made board! Boot process with AMD CPUs longer than 1 minute, problems with RAMs+SSD slots.
The workmanship is typically Asus good! The bios is also typical Asus ROG and I immediately felt at home in it and was able to almost completely adopt many settings from the previous motherboard. Windows 11 also took over everything in the end and didn't have to be reinstalled. Unfortunately, the annoying Asus boot process with AMD processors has not been improved. When switching on, as with the predecessor mainboard, there is an approx. 1 minute idle time and only then does the system boot. Why Asus hasn't managed this for years is beyond me. The M2 SSD bent in the centre, even with the thin thermal pad supplied. I couldn't find any help on the internet. So I called Asus support. I could have saved myself the trouble. A gentleman with an Eastern Bloc accent spoke to me. I wanted to describe my problem, but he often talked frantically in between as if he didn't have time for me. He only had one solution for all my concerns: send him a photo so that he could supposedly look at it. He told me to end the call and he would send me an email in which I could then supposedly send the photo in question. I waited 4 days, he didn't send me an email. It's a good thing that I've since solved the problem with the SSD myself. Using additional M.2 SSDs in the 2nd or 3rd slot is problematic, as the graphics card (regardless of which PCIe slot) is affected. Games then often crash again and again. RAM compatibility is very limited. Many good RAMs cannot be used with this motherboard at all. Unfortunately, Asus has also let up here. Would I buy this motherboard again? Probably not.
Pro
- Simple conversion from an Asus AM4 setting to AM5
- Good workmanship, as usual from Asus
- Many connections
- Update the bios first! Important!
- Good fan control in the bios
Contra
- You can forget Asus support, you won't get any help there
- Too high a price for this mainboard
- Booting still takes longer than 1 minute with an AMD CPU.
- Few accessories included, which is incomprehensible considering the high price.
- Slightly fewer thermal pads included for the M2
- Experience with second and third M.2 SSD slot somewhat problematic
- RAM compatibility very limited
Used mainboard came with misaligned pins and poor customer service on top
I bought a second-hand mainboard and opened it after 10 days. I realised that some of the pins on the processor socket were displaced. I then registered a return and wanted to return it to the store in Kriens. The employee did not accept it, saying that I might have moved them and told me to contact the repair centre in Zurich. He also said that they could no longer do anything for me at the Kriens store / were not authorised to do so. It was outrageous to turn me away with this problem! The product was simply not checked for quality beforehand!
Very good card for AM5
Please note that the 2nd PCI 16 is either for the M2_3 or for the PCI, not both, so if you want to install a card such as a PCI card for an additional USB PCI x4 port, this is not possible and must be replaced by a PCI 1 slot.
AMD B650 Chipset
1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode)
2 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x1 slots
* PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode) from AMD B650 Chipset shares bandwidth with M.2_3.Contra
- Attention, the 2nd PCI 16 is either for the M2_3 or for the PCI, not both.
Hands off!
Disaster in Combi with a 7700x. Crashes and hang-ups again and again. Spent dozens of hours optimising the setup and getting it to work.... Now I had to realise that there was never a chance of success, because it is actually known that ASUS has big problems with this board and they can't get a grip on them.
Unfortunately, I didn't look for tips on the web until it was too late -> the net is full of comments advising against the board.
The fact that this board is sold at all is actually an impertinence...
A great board for the future
I am always a fan of ROG products because the components are high-quality and beautiful.
The motherboard makes a very high-quality impression and it also looks very nice. I think the price could be a little lower.
The black design and the lighting highlights round things off. Personally, the ASUS quality and connections also convinced me. Among other things, many USB3 ports were important to me. Looking to the future, I like the fact that there are three M2 connections.
The board itself is very stylish and future-proof with PCI Gen 5, DDR5 and the AM5 chipset, because two more CPUs are to be released for this platform.
The bios offers a lot of settings and is very clear.
The fan control has been further improved and leaves nothing to be desired!
I am completely satisfied and can recommend the board with a clear conscience!
Pro
- PCIe Gen 5.0
- high-quality
Contra
- expensive
6 out of 37 reviews
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