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After examining the Gigabyte B550’s Aorus Master, we discovered that you can purchase the majority of the platform’s features and capabilities for X570-level prices. At $209.99(opens in new tab) (or roughly $20 less for the non-Wi-Fi model), the ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming we’re looking at today is less expensive but still has a lot of highly regarded features.

There are presently 11 boards in Asus’ B550 product stack, with prices ranging from $134 (opens in new tab) for the Prime B550M-A to $279 for the B550-E Gaming (opens in new tab). Boards from the ROG Strix, TUF, and Prime lines are among the options that are available in between. This portfolio includes boards in the ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX sizes that are all made to handle the most recent AMD Ryzen processors.

The ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming , which ranks second among the Asus B550 motherboards, offers quality audio, 14-phase power distribution, 2.5 GbE LAN, integrated Wi-Fi 6 AX200, two M.2 slots (each with a heatsink), six SATA ports, and other features.

The ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming met or exceeded the standards of the other boards we’ve examined thus far in our testing. During our stock runs, we didn’t encounter anything unusual. The B550-F Gaming Wi-Fi had no trouble increasing to the factory-specified 4.6 GHz clock speed with optimum settings selected. The 12 core/24 thread Ryzen 9 3900X overclocking process also went smoothly. Our test sample was able to run our 4×8 GB RAM KIT at DDR4 3600 with Infinity Fabric 1:1 to the memory speed while pushing all of the CPU’s cores and threads to 4.3 GHz.

ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Specifications

The B550 chipset offers PCIe 4.0, a need for future motherboards. A single x16 PCIe port and an M.2 NVMe storage slot are included in the most of models, with the exception of the B550, which has the option to upgrade to the newer Zen 3 processors when they are released later this year. Like any motherboard design, this one may be made as inexpensively as feasible while still meeting specs, or it can be overengineered to the hilt in case you wish to run at 9000 MHz at subzero temperatures. In order to achieve a better balance, the B550-F Gaming combines traditional ROG aesthetics with improved cooling and more luxurious controller support.

The B550-F Gaming’s key features include 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 (on the Wi-Fi variant), support for a variety of USB 3.2 Gen 2 devices, and improved audio with ASUS’ exclusive SupremeFX S1200A HD audio codec with extra audio adjustments. In true ASUS fashion, the power supply has also been improved, enabling overclocking on even the most demanding processors.

ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Specs

Socket	AM4
Chipset	B550
Form Factor	ATX
Voltage Regulator	14 Phase (12+2)
Video Ports	(1) HDMI (v2.1), (1) DisplayPort (v1.2)
USB Ports	(1) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-C (10 Gbps), (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A (10 Gbps), (4) USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A (5 Gbps), (2) USB 2.0, Type-A
Network Jacks	(1) 2.5 GbE
Audio Jacks	(5) Analog + SPDIF
Legacy Ports/Jacks	No
Other Ports/Jack	No
PCIe x16	(1) v4.0 (x16), (1) v3.0 (x4)
PCIe x8	No
PCIe x4	No
PCIe x1	(3) v3.0 (x1)
CrossFire/SLI	2-Way CrossfireX
DIMM slots	(4) DDR4 4400+(OC) 128GB Capacity
M.2 slots	(1) PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA + PCIe, (1) PCIe 3.0 x4 / SATA + PCIe
U.2 Ports	No
SATA Ports	(6) SATA3 6 Gbps (Supports RAID 0, 1 and 10)
USB Headers	(1) USB v3.2 Gen 1, (2) USB v2.0
Fan/Pump Headers	(6) 4-Pin
RGB Headers	(2) RGB, (1) ARGB
Legacy Interfaces	No
Other Interfaces	FP-Audio, TPM
Diagnostics Panel	Yes (4 LEDs)
Internal Button/Switch	No
SATA Controllers	No
Ethernet Controller(s)	Intel I225-V (2.5 GbE)
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth	Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 / Bluetooth 5.1
USB Controllers	No
HD Audio Codec	SupremeFX S1220A
Warranty	3 Years

ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Software

A few applications from Asus are included for a variety of tasks, such as controlling the RGB lighting, audio, checking the system, and overclocking. We’ve included a number of screenshots of AISuite and Armory Crate below.

I always check to see whether there has been a BIOS update before writing a motherboard review. Prior to performing any testing on this motherboard, I discovered a much newer BIOS update, as I often do with retail boards, and flashed the new update.

By pressing the Delete key on your keyboard during bootup, you can access the BIOS on most motherboards. “EZ Mode” greets you when you first boot into the BIOS. F7 will activate Advanced mode in the BIOS, much like virtually every newer motherboard. Pressing F7 or using the mouse will activate the advanced mode.

As one might anticipate, EZ Mode doesn’t really permit many system adjustments. EZ mode primarily serves as a resource for information rather than a place to modify the system. The first action one can take is what ASUS refers to as “EZ System Tuning.” This permits the machine to be slightly overclocked or even little underclocked. Asus’ QFan Control can also be accessed from the EZ Mode BIOS screen.

The BIOS’s Advanced Mode has a lot of parameters. The Main, Ai Tweaker, Advanced, Monitor, Boot, and Tool are all included in this. Also take note of the hardware monitor’s overall view, which will be visible on the right side of the window and will display your CPU clock, temperature, BCLK frequency, and core voltage.

You may also get the frequency and capacity of your memory from it. A short snapshot of your power supply’s performance is shown below, along with voltage measurements for the +12v, +5v, and +3.3v. A nice feature, sort of.

ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Conclusion

Although ASUS offers a good product with some really great features, we believe the b550 belongs in a different price range (at least sub 200 and preferably sub 150 USD). The current rate is 219 USD/EUR. You also benefit from 2.5G Ethernet and AX WiFi in addition to a motherboard with a respectable appearance (and very little RGB, I may add). Realtek 1220 audio is used, and it sounds good.

Additionally, this board has a ton of USB 3.2 connectivity, which adds to its feature-richness. With some minor default offsets and abnormalities here and there, the general performance is comparable to other B550 motherboards like the X570. The memory support is excellent. But keep in mind what I said about frequency: your sweet spot is two DIMMs operating at 3200 MHz or 3600 MHz CL14 or CL16.

It’s encouraging to note that AMD still permitted some PCIe Gen 4.0 support with B550. Aside from the price, it’s a beautiful device that adds AX WIFI and 2.5 GigE to the B550 platform. We thoroughly enjoyed testing the product and encountered no stability difficulties. As so, advised.

Is ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming good?

The ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming is a motherboard that is widely regarded as good because it strikes a mix between performance, features, and design. The following are some significant elements that support its favorable reputation:

Support for CPU and Chipset:

The motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 3000 series, Ryzen 4000 G-series, Ryzen 5000 series, and upcoming AM4 socket CPUs because it employs the AMD B550 chipset.

Build Quality and Visual Appeal:

ASUS ROG Strix motherboards are renowned for their elegant design and sturdy construction. The B550-F Gaming typically has premium components, reinforced PCIe slots, and RGB lighting for people who value a visually beautiful setup.

Support for PCIe 4.0:

PCIe 4.0 is supported by the B550 chipset, enabling higher data transfer speeds with compatible devices like NVMe SSDs and graphics cards.

Support for Memory:

High-speed DDR4 memory modules with overclocking capabilities are usually supported by the motherboard, giving users freedom to optimize system performance.

Growth and Interconnectivity:

It has numerous PCIe slots, M.2 slots, front and rear USB ports, as well as additional connectivity choices for different expansion cards and peripherals.

Networking and Audio:

Reliable networking solutions and top-notch audio components (like SupremeFX) are common on ASUS ROG Strix motherboards, offering a satisfying online gaming and audio experience.

Features of the BIOS/UEFI:

Typically, ASUS motherboards come with feature-rich BIOS/UEFI interfaces that provide choices for customization, system tuning, and overclocking.

Software Exclusive to ROG:

ASUS offers proprietary software for RGB control, system customization, and performance enhancement, such as Armoury Crate.

VRM Architecture:

Stable performance is largely dependent on the motherboard’s power delivery system (VRM), particularly when overclocking or operating at high workloads. Generally, ASUS ROG Strix motherboards have strong VRM architectures.

Even if the ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming is a highly respected motherboard, you should take your own needs and preferences into account. Make sure the features of the motherboard suit the way you plan to use it, and see if there are any recent reviews or user comments available to obtain an accurate evaluation of its dependability and performance. Make sure it includes the functionality you specifically need for your setup as well.

Is ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming good for gaming?

In terms of gaming, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming is a solid option. The following characteristics and elements make it more suited for gaming:

AMD B550 Chipset:

The B550 chipset is a good option for gaming setups using Ryzen CPUs, particularly the most recent Ryzen 5000 series, since it supports AMD Ryzen processors.

Support for PCIe 4.0:

With PCIe 4.0 capability, the B550-F Gaming provides higher data transfer speeds. NVMe SSDs and high-performance graphics cards especially benefit from this.

Support for Graphics:

PCIe x16 slots on the motherboard support specialized graphics cards, so you can install a strong GPU for gaming.

Support for Memory:

With its compatibility for fast DDR4 memory modules, it offers enough memory bandwidth for demanding applications like gaming.

Sound Quality:

ASUS ROG Strix motherboards commonly incorporate high-quality audio components (SupremeFX) for an immersive gaming audio experience.

Creating a network:

Stable online gaming is ensured by the motherboard’s inclusion of dependable networking technologies like Intel Gigabit Ethernet.

Features of the BIOS/UEFI:

ASUS offers a user-friendly BIOS interface with overclocking and system tuning options. Those who wish to maximize their system’s performance for gaming will find this handy.

VRM Architecture:

Stable performance is dependent on a well-designed power delivery system (VRM), particularly when gaming with a lot of load. Generally speaking, ASUS ROG Strix motherboards have strong VRM architectures.

RGB lighting and aesthetics:

Your gaming setup will look better thanks to the configurable RGB lighting and eye-catching design of the ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming.

Create Quality:

Strong construction is a hallmark of ASUS ROG Strix motherboards, which adds to the system’s overall dependability.

Recall that selecting a motherboard is only one part of assembling a gaming computer. The performance of other parts, such as the CPU, RAM, and graphics card, is also very important. Make sure the motherboard has the features and specs you require for your preferred gaming setup and any upcoming upgrades. To keep up to date on motherboard performance, always look for the most recent reviews and user comments.

Which slots does ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming have?

A range of expansion slots are included with the ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard to support various components. The primary slots on this motherboard are as follows:

PCIe x16 Slots:

One or more PCIe x16 slots on the motherboard are usually reserved for dedicated graphics cards (GPUs). The primary PCIe x16 slot is often strengthened to withstand the weight of larger graphics cards and reduce GPU sag.

PCIe x1 Slots:

PCIe x1 slots are designed to accommodate smaller expansion cards, such sound cards, Wi-Fi cards, or other PCIe peripherals. They are smaller than PCIe x16 slots.

M.2 Slots:

M.2 solid-state drives (SSDs) can be installed in M.2 slots. Fast storage performance is enhanced by the support for high-speed NVMe or SATA-based M.2 drives in these slots.

3.0/2.0 PCIe Support:

In order to support earlier expansion cards, the motherboard may additionally have extra PCIe slots in different designs, such as PCIe 3.0 or PCIe 2.0.

Can you overclock with ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming?

Because the ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard allows overclocking, users can modify the CPU, RAM, and other system components’ various characteristics. 

When overclocking, always proceed cautiously, making little tweaks and keeping an eye on the temperatures and stability of the system. Remember that there are certain risks associated with overclocking and that it’s crucial to keep within safe parameters to prevent component damage.

How much power does ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming use?

The ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard uses relatively less power as compared to other parts of the computer system, like the CPU, GPU, and other peripherals. Running the several onboard components, maintaining the efficiency of the voltage regulator module (VRM), and other auxiliary tasks account for the majority of the motherboard’s power consumption.