ASUS ROG Strix B550-I Gaming Motherboard Review
Today we have the opportunity to review the ROG Strix B550-I Gaming Motherboard, an AMD B550 chipset base ITX form factor AM4 motherboard. ROG Strix B550-I Gaming is a features packed ITX motherboard to handle 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPUs with robust power delivery and effective cooling design. Build for a high-end compact gaming build.
Now let's see what ROG Strix B550-I Gaming board have for us.
Features
PCIe 4.0-Ready - ROG Strix B550-I Gaming has two M.2 slots, ROG Strix B550-I Gaming features two M.2 slots, one of which supports the latest PCIe 4.0 standard to provide maximum storage flexibility and the fastest data speeds available via the 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen platform. Both M.2 slots support up to the type 2280 socket and NVM Express® RAID for a performance boost.
WiFi 6 (802.11 ax) - Onboard WiFi 6 (802.11ax) supports ultrafast wireless-networking speeds, improved capacity and better performance in dense wireless environments, providing exceptional online gaming experiences. Pair your motherboard with ASUS WiFi 6 routers to fully experience the networking potential of WiFi 6.
Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet - Onboard 2.5 Gb Ethernet gives your wired connection a boost, with speeds that are 2.5 times faster than standard Ethernet connections for speedy file transfers, lag-free gaming, and high-res video streaming.
SupremeFX Audio - Built-in ROG SupremeFX audio technology ensures pristine audio for ROG Strix B550-I Gaming. Along with ensuring a flat frequency response for a neutral, detailed sound signature, it offers two front-panel outputs driven by op amps that deliver high-quality audio to gaming headsets.
POWER DESIGN Digital power control and an array of power stages ensure ROG Strix B550-I Gaming has the muscle to control the latest AMD® CPUs.
Cooling Innovation – ROG Strix B550 series features the most comprehensive cooling options ever, configurable via Fan Xpert 4 or the UEFI BIOS.
ASUS OptiMem II – To provide AMD's latest CPUs unfettered access to memory bandwidth, motherboard trace routing has been reimagined with the ROG Strix B550-I Gaming. Integrated OptiMem II technology carefully maps memory signal pathways across PCB layers to reduce vias, and it also adds shielding zones that significantly reduce crosstalk. To further enhance overclocking headroom for fully stacked memory configurations, a highly customized Daisy Chain layout delivers time-aligned signaling.
UNDENIABLY ROG STRIX – ROG Strix B550-I Gaming embodies the ROG spirit with eye-catching aesthetics, including the next-generation distorted ROG eye logo and recessed cybertext patterning etched on the I/O shroud. These new designs move ROG Strix boldly into the future, while clearly reflecting the series' gaming roots.
Specifications
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CPU
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AMD AM4 Socket for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzenâ„¢
and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzenâ„¢ with Radeonâ„¢ Graphics Processors
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
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Chipset
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AMD B550
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Memory
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3rd Gen AMD Ryzenâ„¢ Processors
2 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4
5100(O.C)/5000(O.C)/4800(O.C.)/4600(O.C)/4400(O.C)/4266(O.C.)/4133(O.C.)/4000(O.C.)/3800(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3200/3000/2933/2800/2666/2400/2133
MHz Un-buffered Memory *
Next Generation AMD Ryzen PRO Processors
2 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4
5100(O.C)/5000(O.C)/4800(O.C.)/4600(O.C)/4400(O.C)/4266(O.C.)/4133(O.C.)/4000(O.C.)/3800(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3200/3000/2933/2800/2666/2400/2133
MHz Un-buffered Memory *
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
OptiMem II
ECC Memory (ECC mode) support varies by CPU.
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Graphic
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1 x HDMI 2.1(4K@60HZ) *
1 x DisplayPort 1.4 *
*Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types.
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Expansion Slots
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3rd Gen AMD Ryzenâ„¢ Processors
1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x16 mode)
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Storage
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Total supports 2 x M.2 slots and 4 x
SATA 6Gb/s ports
3rd Gen AMD Ryzenâ„¢ Processors :
1 x M.2_1 socket 3, with M Key, Type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIE 4.0 x4 and SATA
modes) storage devices support
AMD B550 Chipset :
1 x M.2_2 socket 3, with M Key, Type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIE 3.0 x4 and SATA
modes) storage devices support
4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s),
Support Raid 0, 1, 10
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LAN
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Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet
ASUS LANGuard
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Wireless Data Network
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Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX200
2x2 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) support 1024QAM/OFDMA/MU-MIMO
Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Supports channel bandwidth: HT20/HT40/HT80/HT160
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Bluetooth
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Bluetooth v5.1*
*BT 5.1 function will be ready in Windows 10 build 19041 or later.
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Audio
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SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High
Definition Audio CODEC S1220A
- Dual OP Amplifiers
- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording
input
- Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback *
Audio Feature :
- Rear audio USB Type-C® port
- LED-illuminated design
- Audio Shielding
- Premium Japanese audio capacitors
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USB Ports
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Rear USB Port ( Total 6 )
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s)(1 x USB Type-C® +3
x Type-A)
1 x USB 2.0 port(s)
1 x USB 2.0 port(s)(1 x audio USB Type-C® )
Front USB Port ( Total 5 )
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 front panel connector port(s)(1 x USB Type-C®)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s)
2 x USB 2.0 port(s)
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Software Features
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ROG Exclusive Software
- RAMCache III
- ROG CPU-Z
- GameFirst VI
- Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer
- Sonic Radar III
- DTS® Sound Unbound
- Overwolf
- Anti-virus software
ASUS Exclusive Software Features
Armoury Crate
- Aura Creator
- Aura Sync
-AI Noise Cancelling Microphone
AI Suite 3:
- 5-way Optimization
TPU
EPU
DIGI+ VRM
Fan Xpert 4
Turbo APP
- EZ update
WinRAR
UEFI BIOS
ASUS EZ DIY
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 3
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
FlexKey
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ASUS Special Features
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Aura Sync
- Standard RGB header(s)
- Addressable Gen 2 RGB header(s)
ASUS Q-Design
- ASUS Q-CODE
- ASUS Q-DIMM
- ASUS Q-LED (DRAM [yellow],CPU [red], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow
green)
- ASUS Q-Slot
ASUS Thermal Solution
- Aluminum M.2 heatsink
ASUS EZ DIY
-BIOS Flashbackâ„¢ button
-BIOS FlashBackâ„¢ LED
-Clear CMOS header
-Procool
-Pre-mounted I/O shield
- SafeSlot
Rear audio USB Type-C® connector
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Back I/O Ports
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1 x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1 x USB Type-C®+3 x
Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to USB BIOS FlashBack™ 1 for audio USB Type-C®)
1 x BIOS FlashBackâ„¢ Button(s)
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module
3 x LED-illuminated audio jacks
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Internal I/O Ports
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1 x CPU Fan connector(s)
1 x Chassis Fan connector(s)
1 x AIO_PUMP connector
1 x Aura RGB Strip Header(s)
1 x Addressable Gen 2 header(s)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 front panel TypeCâ„¢ connector
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1(up to 5Gbps) connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.2
Gen 1 port(s)
1 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices
support (Supports both SATA & PCIE SSD)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
1 x System panel connector
1 x Speaker connector
1 x VRM_HS_FAN Header
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Accessories
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User's manual
I/O Shield
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
2 x M.2 Screw Package
1 x Supporting DVD
1 x ROG Strix stickers
1 x M.2 bracket
1 x Cable ties pack(s)
1 x Wi-Fi Antenna(s)
1 x Extension cable for Addressable LED
1 x Panel cable
1 x ROG Thank you card
1 x ROG audio USB Type-C® cable
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BIOS
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256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS
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Manageability
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WOL by PME, PXE
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Operating System
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Windows® 10 64-bit
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Form Factor
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Mini ITX Form Factor
6.7 inch x 6.7 inch ( 17 cm x 17 cm )
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Note
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* Due to limitations in HDA bandwidth,
32-Bit/192 kHz is not supported for 7.1-Channel audio.
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Package
Board comes in a nice black-red ROG theme cardboard box with model number, image of the board and details about supporting technology and features.
Inside the box
ROG Strix B550-I Gaming comes with very nice set of accessories :
- User's manual
- I/O Shield
- 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
- 2 x M.2 Screw Package
- 1 x Supporting DVD
- 1 x ROG Strix stickers
- 1 x M.2 bracket
- 1 x Cable ties pack(s)
- 1 x Wi-Fi Antenna(s)
- 1 x Extension cable for Addressable LED
- 1 x Panel cable
- 1 x ROG Thank you card
- 1 x ROG audio USB Type-C® cable
Looks
Board made with a black PCB of size 6.7 inch x 6.7 inch ( 17 cm x 17 cm ) Mini ITX Form Factor. The cyberpunk-inspired aesthetics of ROG Strix B550-I Gaming are accentuated by the bold slashes and cybertext.
Removing Heat-sinks
Heatsinks are made up of dense aluminum with thermal pad installed, giving great passive cooling to VRM MOSFETs and chipset.
Component Layout
Let's now see what all components ASUS have planned for this board.
This board have 8+2 power stages combine high-side and low-side MOSFETs and drivers into a single package i.e. Vishay Siliconix SiC639 50A VRPower® Integrated Power Stage at VRM section driven by ASUS DIGI+EPU (ASP1106) controller. VRM section also have 60A Ferrite alloy chokes and Tantalum Polymer Capacitors for smooth CPU power.
Testing
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 3100 |
| Board | ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I |
| RAM | 2 X 16GB Corsair Dominator 3000 |
| SSD | Kingston KC200 500GB nvme |
| GFX | MSI GTX1070Ti |
| PSU | Corsair HydroX Liquid Cooling |
| PSU | Thermaltake 850W Gold |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro (Build 2004) |
BIOS
Bundled Softwares
Benchmarks
Power Consumption
Wattage reading as per displayed by APC Pro 1000VA (Model no. BR1000G-IN) UPS.
Overclocking
Pros
- Lot of features in ITX form factor
- PCIe 4.0
- WiFi 6
- Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet
- Easy Overclocking
- Eye-catching Aesthetics
- Audio USB Type-C
Cons
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I Gaming Motherboard is a small packet with big punch, a mini ITX motherboard that offers feature-sets usually found in the higher-end X570 motherboards. With all latest tech in PC industry like PCI-e 4.0 support, WiFi 6, Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, Audio USB Type-C and more, this board gives a completely immersive pc experience.
Finally, considering the futuristic aesthetics, robust power delivery and effective cooling, the ROG Strix B550-I Gaming is the best option for compact gaming build and is worthy our PC TeK Reviews EXCELLENCE Award.
Manufacturers Info
Site Link
Thanks.