ASUS Also Releases STRIX B350-F for Ryzen

Two days ago we already reported about a ROG STRIX X370 motherboard, ASUS however is also adding a more affordable STRIX B350-F Gaming series motherboard under the ROG branding. 

The Strix B350-F targets gamers who know where to focus their spending when building a well-rounded system.All the overclocking tools to push Ryzen are present, including support for 5-Way Optimization for automated tuning endeavors. The board is also adept at overclocking eight-core processors thanks to a capable power delivery circuit and beefy heatsinks. Memory support keeps up with higher-priced alternatives, clocking in at speeds up to DDR4-3200 with the right kits. The fine-tuning attributes of ASUS PRO Clock don’t make the transition, but that’s hardly a concern for the type of builds the Strix B350-F will feature in. You still get all the ROG firmware expertise, presenting everything the platform has to offer in an intuitive way. 

ooling options also punch above the asking price, with all the control features of more expensive motherboards intact, together with five headers for fans, plus one dedicated to AIO coolers. That makes the Strix B350-F capable of keeping an intelligent grip on system temperatures, including builds that are overclocked.

The B350 chipset’s limited number of lanes means that only the top PCI Express slot runs at Gen 3.0 X16 (or X8 when the secondary slot is populated), while the secondary slot runs at Gen 3.0 X4. That said, both are enhanced with SafeSlot, adding a layer of protection for single- and dual-card graphics setups even though the latter is an unlikely configuration at this price point.

High-performance storage is accounted for with an onboard M.2 slot tied to four PCI Express Gen 3.0 lanes. It's suitably positioned to receive airflow within the chassis, helping to keep temperatures under control. For mass storage, all of the chipset’s six SATA ports are available, and like in the X370, they can be configured for RAID to boost performance or provide a layer of redundancy.

Connectivity is nicely proportioned, offering two USB 3.1 Gen 2, four USB 3.1 Gen 1, and two USB 2.0 ports in the rear I/O panel. Like on the Strix X370-F, Intel’s I211-AT Gigabit Ethernet controller takes care of network communications, providing a reliable high-speed connection, while onboard audio meets the same SupremeFX S1220A spec, enhancing sonics and eliminating the need for a sound card.

Unlike with cheaper alternatives, the Strix B350-F’s appearance isn’t gaudy. The neutral color scheme makes it easy to populate the board with aesthetically matched components. Personalization options don’t fall short, either. There's an Aura RGB zone on the chipset heatsink and dual strip headers for casting a full gamut of flamboyant effects or subtly accenting your build with tasteful colors.