Asus ROG STRIX B450-I GAMING AM4 DDR4 mITX Motherboard Review

•       *Free items are subject to avaiblilty. Please note if we are out of stock it will not show in the basket and means we are out of stock. Please check this at checkout.     Features   AM4 socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen™ processors Fast memory and storage: Dual-channel DDR4 3600MHz (OC) and NVM Express® RAID supported. Aura Sync RGB: Synchronize LED lighting with a vast portfolio of compatible PC gear, including addressable RGB strips. Onboard M.2 heatsink: Cools M.2 drive to deliver consistent storage performance and enhanced reliability. Gaming connectivity: Dual M.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A connectors. Gaming networking: Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO support, plus ASUS LANGuard and GameFirst technologies. 5-Way Optimization: Automated system-wide tuning, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailor- made for your rig Gaming audio: SupremeFX S1220A teams with Sonic Studio III to create an aural landscape that draws you deeper into the action. Gamer’s Guardian: Pre-mounted I/O shield, ASUS SafeSlot and premium components for maximum endurance.   Overview   SOLID HARDWARE SPECS FOR GAMING AND MORE With ample power to fuel Ryzen's cores, plus cooling, storage and connectivity options for a range of hardware, the ROG Strix B450-F Gaming motherboard has everything you need to build on a budget or load up with high-performance components to game in the big leagues.   DESIGN, CUSTOMIZATION, AND SETUP A host of design touches, customization options, comprehensive validation lists, and the most diverse ecosystem of components in the industry make building and personalizing a gaming rig with ROG Strix B450-F Gaming wonderfully easy.   TUNE YOUR RIG THE WAY YOU WANT The ROG Strix B450-F Gaming motherboard features firmware controls and software utilities crafted for all skill levels, making first-time setup, tuning, and system maintenance simple. With options from overclocking and cooling to managing network performance and audio characteristics, you can configure your ROG Strix gaming build to perform the way you want.   THE POWER OF AMD AM4 socket for AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation / Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics / Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors   The AMD Ryzen™ processor is based on the innovative Zen core architecture and features up to eight cores and Radeon™ Vega integrated graphics. Together with dual-channel DDR4 memory, native 5Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 1 and 16 PCI Express® 3.0/2.0 lanes, these AMD AM4-socket processors deliver superb computing performance.   AMD B450 chipset The AMD B450 chipset delivers high performance and flexibility with the latest AMD AM4-socket Ryzen™ processors. It also offers AMD StoreMI storage acceleration technology and provides two 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, two USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, and four 6Gbps SATA ports for faster data retrieval.     Specification   CPU AMD AM4 Socket AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list Chipset AMD B450 Memory AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation Processors 2 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR4 3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666/2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory * AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors 2 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR4 3400(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666/2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory * Dual Channel Memory Architecture * Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists). Graphic Integrated in the AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics Processors Multi-VGA output support : HDMI ports – Supports HDMI 2.0b with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz Expansion Slots AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 mode) AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode) Storage AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors : 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*1 AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics Processor : *2 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) AMD B450 chipset : 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), Support Raid 0, 1, 10 LAN Intel® I211-AT, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) Anti-surge LANGuard ROG GameFirst IV Wireless Data Network Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz Supports MU-MIMO Bluetooth Bluetooth v4.2, 4.0LE, 3.0+HS Audio ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel 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 *3 LED-illuminated audio jacks Audio Feature : – Sonic Radar III – Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Link USB Ports AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation : 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue) AMD B450 chipset : 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s) (2 at back panel, red, Type-A) AMD B450 chipset : 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (2 at mid-board) AMD B450 chipset : 2 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at mid-board) ROG Exclusive Features ROG RAMCache II ROG CPU-Z Overwolf GameFirst IV Special Features 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 – Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ VRM, Fan Xpert 4, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages. Fan Xpert4 – Fan Xpert 4 featuring Fan Auto Tuning function and multiple thermistors selection for optimized system cooling control Gamer's Guardian: – ESD Guards on LAN, Audio, KBMS and USB3.1/3.0/2.0 ports – DRAM Overcurrent Protection – Stainless Steel Back I/O – Highly Durable Components – DIGI+ VRM – SafeSlot – ESD Guards on LAN, Audio,and USB ports ASUS TPU : – Auto Tuning – TurboV ASUS EPU : – EPU AURA : – Aura Lighting Control ASUS Exclusive Features : – AI Suite 3 – Ai Charger – ASUS Grid ASUS EZ DIY : – ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 – ASUS EZ Flash 3 ASUS Q-Design : – ASUS Q-Shield – ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) – ASUS Q-Slot – ASUS Q-DIMM Digi+VRM Turbo APP – featuring system performance tuning for selected applications Back I/O Ports 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (red)Type-A, 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (blue) , 3 x LED-illuminated audio jacks 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v4.2) Internal I/O Ports 1 x Aura Addressable Strip Header(s) 1 x Aura RGB Strip Header(s) 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1(up to 5Gbps) connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.1 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 for M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 devices 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) ( x 4 -pin) 1 x Chassis Fan connector(s) ( x 4 -pin) 1 x AIO_PUMP connector ( x 4 -pin) 1 x 8-pin EATX 12 V Power connector 1 x 24-pin EATX 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 Thermal sensor connector 1 x Speaker connector Accessories User's manual M.2 mounting kit I/O Shield 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 2 x M.2 Screw Package 1 x Supporting DVD 1 x ASUS 2T2R dual band Wi-Fi moving antennas (Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant) 1 x ROG Strix stickers 1 x Cable ties pack(s) 1 x Extension cable for Addressable LED 1 x Panel cable BIOS 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 6.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information, Secure Erase, User Profile, F4 AURA ON/OFF, F9 Search Manageability WOL, PXE Support Disc Drivers ASUS Utilities Anti-virus software Form Factor Mini ITX Form Factor 6.7 inch x 6.7 inch ( 17 cm x 17 cm ) Note *1 The M.2_2 slot shares with PCIE x16. When M.2_2 slot runs in PCIE mode, the PCIE x16 slot will run at x8 mode. *2 M.2_2 is unsupported when using these CPUs. *3 Due to limitations in HDA bandwidth, 32-Bit/192kHz is not supported for 8-Channel audio.
• Product codes:
• ROG STRIX B450-I GAMING

Before you buy any product online, but especially products like Asus ROG STRIX B450-I GAMING AM4 DDR4 mITX Motherboard or in fact any other products in the Tights category, you’ll want to follow these pieces of advice. These tips or advice are designed to help you get the most from your money. Essentially we’re finding ways to ensure you get the best product for the best price.

The first of these tips is for you to try and really understand what it is you are looking for from a Tights product. There are obviously a massive amount of options to choose from so we’d always suggest doing your research at the start to help you to really understand what sort of product you need. Once you have a bit of an idea of the various options available we really recommend you write yourself a list of “must have features”. This list should include any elements that you consider absolutely essential, e.g. it must have XYZ feature or be from a brand like Asus or be priced at under £455.07. This list will really come in useful when you come to narrowing down your search. Don’t be tempted to stray away from the list though or you can quickly end up spending much more than you had planned because you’re suckered into some sales copy which makes you feel like you need a feature of a more expensive product, when in reality you don’t.

Our next tip is to check out the overall features and benefits of Asus ROG STRIX B450-I GAMING AM4 DDR4 mITX Motherboard, if you decide that the key features match your list that you made above, you’re in a good place. Spend a bit of time really getting to grips with what all the different features mean so that you can confidently determine how one Tights product differs from another.