To round out this series of B550 announcements, ASUS has also released their list of AMD B550 Motherboards and this article covers the ROG, TUF and Prime product lines.
ASUS today announced new motherboards featuring the latest AMD B550 chipset that bring the potential of PCI Express ® 4.0 to mainstream builds everywhere. AMD B550 motherboards enable 20 general-purpose PCIe ® 4.0 lanes from 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ desktop processors. The primary PCIe slot on all new ASUS B550 boards offers 16 lanes of PCIe 4.0 connectivity. And 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ parts feature as many as four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports running at up to 10 Gbps direct from the CPU itself. ASUS also has exciting features to enhance its B550 motherboards like WiFi 6, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, robust power delivery, increased DRAM speed and BIOS Flashback™. The B550 chip itself gets an upgrade to PCIe 3.0 for its built-in lanes. These upgrades make B550 a tantalizing platform for mainstream builders throughout the world.
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ASUS B550 Motherboards
ASUS engineers and designers have produced a grand total of 11 B550 motherboards across three families. ROG Strix boards fill out the top end with innovative features like efficient and cool-running VRMs, enhanced audio, and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet and WiFi 6 connectivity thanks to Intel controllers. TUF Gaming boards blend high-end features with a battle-tested, reliable and attainable package, while the Prime series rolls up all the features needed for all-around builds. For further details about the complete ASUS B550 lineup, visit https://edgeup.asus.com/2020/b550-motherboard-guide-asus-rog-strix-tuf-gaming-prime.
ROG STRIX B550-E Gaming
Currently, the STRIX B550-E Gaming is the top-end model for the B550 series. the board is built as an in-between for those looking for a X570 performance at a more manageable budget. It is geared for AMD’s high performance processors as well as having dual or triple expansion card setups. It is built with a 14+2 power stage VRM for reliable performance from multi-core CPUs. And has two reinforced PCIe x16 SafeSlots that will allow extra support for two-way SLI™ or three-way CrossFireX™ setup. The STRIX B550-E Gaming comes with six fan headers and a dedicated AIO and pump headers. This allows for better cable managed setups for more complex builds. And the Q-Fan software controls the automatic fan-speed detection; and has several presets that make it easy to maintain optimum temperature.
Other features include Dual M.2 slots with heatsinks. For networking Intel powered 2.5Gbps Ethernet, Wifi6 adapters and even Bluetooth 5.1 are included. There are three USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectors on the motherboard, while multiple USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 ports in the I/O panel. A bonus USB 3.2 Gen 2 front panel connector is included if we use the latest cases. As for Audio, a Supreme FX S1220A audio chip ensures excellent audio quality. A USB-C audio port is included and can be used for audio accessories or other accessories requiring a Type C port. The BIOS has a Flashback ability for updating firmware without the need of a CPU and a FlexKey reset button. Finally, there are four RGB headers – two standard and two Gen2 addresseble headers for customized lighting through Aura Sync.
Also Read: Gigabyte AMD B550 AORUS Motherboards Launched
ROG STRIX B550-F Gaming (Wi-Fi)
WiFi is a new addition to this particular model of the STRIX product line. It has a 12+2 power stage VRM is ready to accept top Ryzen CPUs, and its 8+4 pin ProCool auxiliary power connectors with solid pins ensure steady and stable power is delivered.
This model also includes an Intel I255-V 2.5 Gbps Ethernet connectivity and WiFi 6 support from an Intel AX200 adapter. While the SupremeFX S1220A codec makes an encore for superior audio experiences. STRIX B550-F Gaming (Wi-Fi) follows the design of the ROG STRIX family. It looks more striking; thanks to the eye-catching ROG eye logo and recessed cybertext pattern. To make things easy during installation; the I/O shield is already built into the board. For customization, a user can add lights with RGB LED strip headers in both regular and Gen 2 addressable flavors. All come with Aura Sync support for easy configuration.
ROG STRIX B550-I Gaming
ROG STRIX B550-I Gaming is designed for small builds with big ambitions. By design, Mini-ITX makes room for a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, but the compact form factor has other advantages. STRIX B550-I Gaming can drive compatible DIMMs at speeds up to 5100 MHz and beyond. This is achieved by taking advantage of the shorter trace length between the memory slots and the CPU. The 8+2 power stage VRM is a fine fit for 3rd gen Ryzen chips. Active cooling on the VRM ensures that power delivery remains stable in the tight confines of Mini-ITX enclosures.
The preinstalled I/O panel is kitted out with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A ports. For networking, an Intel I225-V 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, an Intel AX200 WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 adapter are bundled in. Small machines are more likely to use more external storage, so ASUS added a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector too. The 3.5 mm connectors are all LED lit in unique colors to allow for easy identification when connecting audio acessories. There’s a companion noise-filtered USB-C Audio port for microphones and headsets, too.
ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus
ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus features an 8+2 DrMOS voltage regulator module. Multiple generously-sized heatsinks atop the VRM, chipset and M.2 slots ensure all primary components stay cool under load. The primary PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is backed by SafeSlot reinforcement for extra-heavy graphics cards. A ProCool auxiliary connector with solid-core pins offers added peace of mind when using power-hungry CPUs. Two M.2 slots both accept devices as long as 110 mm, while the duet of PCIe x16 slots supports CrossFireX configurations. The rear panel includes USB ports of every modern type, and that can be further expanded with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity thanks to an onboard header. A BIOS FlashBack button rests near one of the ports for CPU-less UEFI upgrades.
TUF Gaming B550-Plus comes with Intel’s 2.5 Gbps Ethernet adapter and an M.2 E-key slot available for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 upgrade. The Realtek S1200A audio codec in this model is further enhanced by DTS Custom support for headset 3D surround-sound virtualization. This audio setup makes movies and compatible games come alive with pinpoint-accurate positional audio.
The gray-and-black TUF Gaming aesthetic and its yellow accents is distinctive on its own. But this color palette can be improved more with additional lighting through LEDs. A Gen 2 addressable RGB LED header and two standard headers can be wired to additional strips for easy visual customization.
TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (WiFi)
ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (WiFi) takes many of the features of TUF Gaming B550-Plus and manages to fit on a smaller mATX footprint. This board keeps the same pairs of PCIe x16 and M.2 slots as its ATX sibling. The main difference is that one of the M.2 slots takes in standard 80 mm
devices instead of longer 110 mm units. In exchange, this model offers a more attractive price tag to go with its trimmed dimensions.
TUF Gaming B550M-Plus comes in two variants: with or without wireless. An Intel AX200 WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 controller and antennae are included in the WiFi model. Both models however do offer 2.5 Gbps Ethernet connectivity, Realtek S1200A audio with DTS ® Custom support, and a host of fan and RGB LED headers with Gen 2 addressable strip connectors.
ASUS Prime B550-Plus
The top-of-the-line ASUS Prime B550-Plus motherboard is ready to power a mid-range gaming rig or serve as a solid foundation for an AMD-powered work unit. It comes fitted with heatsinks atop the VRM and chipset to ensure stability. Dual PCIe x16 slots support CrossFireX if a user needs dual-GPU action for their system, while the duo of M.2 slots accepts 110 mm drives. If the USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports around back aren’t enough, the optional ASUS ThunderboltEX 3 card can be installed. This expands the number of available ports, as well as support devices needing Thunderbolt to connect. The neutral colors exhibited by Prime B550-Plus is understated enough to fit into any build, but it’s also a fine base for adding in LED lighting.
ASUS Prime B550M-A (Wi-Fi)
Space in offices and bedrooms can be tight, making ASUS Prime B550M-A (Wi-Fi) a better option to go for where a normal ATX build might not. This variant of the Prime B550-Plus offers nearly the same specs but uses the compact microATX form factor. Due to the WiFi 6 standard, this motherboard is now perfect for situations where cables can pose more of a problem. For that reason, ASUS offers Prime B550M-A with Gigabit Ethernet only or in a version that includes an Intel AX200 WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 adapter.
ASUS Prime B550M-K
A microATX form factor lets builders save on space without sacrificing expandability. ASUS Prime B550M-K has both the main PCIe x16 slot and M.2 slot are wired directly to the processor with latest-gen PCIe 4.0 connectivity for maximum bandwidth with next-gen devices. The board can take in two M.2 devices, one of them of the longer 110 mm variety. Next, the rear I/O panel contains two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports along with four USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors. Finally, HDMI, DVI-D and D-sub ports give Prime B550M-K plenty of versatility for processors with integrated graphics.
Availability
Currently there’s no scheduled date of availability here in the Philippines as well as prices. But sure enough we’ll post them once ASUS PH sends us updates.
