Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi

Name: Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi
Brand: Asus
SKU: 1134

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and B850 chipset, targeting users who want a well-equipped platform for modern AMD processors. It ships with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 integrated, alongside RGB lighting, dual BIOS support, and a clear CMOS button that makes BIOS recovery straightforward. A three-year warranty rounds out the package for those prioritizing long-term reliability.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with overclocked speeds reaching 8000 MHz. Expansion is handled by one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, while storage options include five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. The rear I/O is notably varied, offering six USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB 4 40Gbps port, one Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort output, and a 7.1-channel audio solution rated at a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

Pros

Five M.2 sockets provide ample room for fast storage drives without relying heavily on SATA ports
Wi-Fi 7 support covers all major wireless standards down to Wi-Fi 4, making it highly adaptable for different network environments
Dual BIOS and a clear CMOS button add a meaningful layer of resilience for users who frequently tinker with firmware settings
A 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the onboard DAC is a strong figure for integrated audio, benefiting users who rely on analog output
With support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, the board accommodates a wide range of multi-drive storage setups
The rear USB lineup includes a Thunderbolt 4 port and a USB 4 40Gbps port alongside six USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, offering substantial high-speed connectivity

Cons

No USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports are present on the rear panel, leaving a gap for users with older USB 3.0 peripherals
ECC memory is not supported, which limits the board's suitability for workloads where memory error correction is necessary
Only two rear audio connectors are available, which may be restrictive for users with complex analog audio setups
RAID 0+1 is not supported, narrowing storage configuration options for those who specifically require that array type
There is no TPM connector, which could be a limitation for certain security-focused deployments

Who is this for?

This board is well-suited for enthusiast desktop builders and power users who want a capable AM5 platform with extensive connectivity and storage flexibility. The five M.2 sockets and RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support make it a strong fit for users managing large or redundant storage arrays, while the Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports cater to those working with high-bandwidth external devices. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 alongside dual BIOS and easy overclocking features also makes it well-matched for users who want a feature-rich, wireless-capable system with room to tune performance over time.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not a good fit for users who require ECC memory support, such as those running workstation tasks or environments where data integrity is critical. The absence of a TPM connector makes it less appropriate for security-focused deployments that depend on hardware-based trusted platform modules. Additionally, users looking for a compact build will find the ATX form factor unsuitable, and those with legacy peripherals may find the lack of USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A rear ports and PS/2 connectors limiting.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	244 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi is built around the AM5 socket and pairs with the B850 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 305 mm wide and 244 mm tall. It supports a single CPU and carries no integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity is comprehensive, with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) covering all major standards back to Wi-Fi 4, complemented by Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX is not supported. Video output is handled through an HDMI 2.1 port, and the board includes RGB lighting along with dual BIOS and a clear CMOS button for straightforward BIOS management. Overclocking is noted as accessible, and the board is backed by a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	192GB
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board features four DDR5 memory slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting up to 192GB of total system memory. Overclocked speeds can reach 8000 MHz, offering headroom for users who want to push memory performance beyond standard rated frequencies. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	6
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	1
USB 4 40Gbps ports	1
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	1
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	1
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O offers a broad range of connectivity, led by six USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and four USB 2.0 ports for general peripherals. On the faster end, there is one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, one USB 4 40Gbps port, and one Thunderbolt 4 port, while USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 4 20Gbps ports are absent. Display output is covered by an HDMI output and one DisplayPort, with no DVI or VGA connectors present. Networking is handled by a single RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports included.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	7
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	2
M.2 sockets	5
Has TPM connector	✕
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well-stocked, with five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage, while SATA 2, U.2, and mSATA are not present. USB expansion headers include two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports, all accessible through case expansion. Cooling is supported by seven fan headers, and there is no TPM connector on board.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board provides two full-length PCIe slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16 and one PCIe 4.0 x16, covering the primary expansion needs for graphics cards or other high-bandwidth add-in cards. There are no PCIe 3.0, 2.0, x8, x4, or x1 slots, and no legacy PCI slots are present.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The onboard audio supports a 7.1-channel configuration and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, with two analog audio connectors available on the rear panel. Digital audio output is also covered through an S/PDIF Out port.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✓
Supports RAID 5	✓
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations, covering a solid range of options for users who want to balance performance, redundancy, or a combination of both across multiple drives. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi is a well-specified ATX motherboard that covers a broad range of enthusiast needs on the AM5 platform, from its five M.2 sockets and extensive RAID support to Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and full Wi-Fi 7 integration. Its dual BIOS, 120 dB onboard audio, and DDR5 support up to 192GB at 8000 MHz reflect a board designed for users who want both headroom and resilience in a feature-complete build. The absence of ECC memory support and a TPM connector means it is not positioned for workstation or security-critical use, but for enthusiast desktop builders who prioritize connectivity, storage flexibility, and wireless capability, the ROG Strix B850-E Gaming WiFi represents a thorough and thoughtfully equipped option.