Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi

Name: Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi
Brand: Asus
SKU: 7612

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi is a compact Mini-ITX motherboard designed for gaming and high-performance builds. It features Wi-Fi 7 support, making it ideal for users seeking fast wireless connectivity, and offers advanced features like dual BIOS for enhanced system reliability.

This motherboard supports up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM at speeds up to 4800 MHz, with an overclocked maximum of 8400 MHz. It includes one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two M.2 sockets for storage expansion, alongside multiple USB ports, including USB Type-C. Additionally, it supports RAID configurations such as RAID 0, 1, and 10 for flexible storage setups.

Pros

Supports a variety of Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 7, for flexible and fast wireless connectivity.
Includes dual BIOS for added system stability and reliability.
Equipped with multiple RAID options (RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, RAID 0) for versatile storage configurations.
Has 2 M.2 sockets and 2 SATA 3 connectors for high-speed storage expansion.
Includes 6 fan headers, allowing for extensive cooling customization in compact builds.

Cons

Lacks integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for display output.
Does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting some storage upgrade options.
No Thunderbolt support, restricting the use of high-speed peripherals that require it.

Who is this for?

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard is ideal for users looking to build a compact, high-performance gaming or workstation PC. With its Wi-Fi 7 support and dual BIOS, it provides reliable and fast wireless connectivity, while ensuring system stability. The inclusion of multiple RAID options (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10) and 2 M.2 sockets makes it perfect for users who require fast storage performance and want flexibility in setting up their storage arrays.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be suitable for users who require integrated graphics, as it lacks this feature, making it unsuitable for basic tasks or systems that do not have a dedicated GPU. Additionally, the lack of Thunderbolt support and the absence of mSATA or U.2 connectors may limit expansion options for users who need cutting-edge high-speed peripherals or specific storage configurations.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B850
form factor	Mini-ITX
release date	January 2025
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	170 mm
width	170 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard is built with an AM5 CPU socket and supports the B850 chipset, offering a Mini-ITX form factor ideal for compact builds. It features support for Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, and HDMI 2.1 output. The motherboard includes useful enhancements like dual BIOS for extra reliability, RGB lighting, and an easy BIOS reset with the clear CMOS feature. Additionally, it lacks integrated graphics or an integrated CPU, and it comes with a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	96GB
RAM speed (max)	4800 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8400 MHz
memory slots	2
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard supports up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM across two memory slots, providing solid memory expansion for demanding tasks. It supports RAM speeds up to 4800 MHz, with the ability to overclock up to 8400 MHz for enhanced performance. This motherboard also features dual memory channels for improved bandwidth, but it does not support ECC memory.

Ports:

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

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard offers a range of connectivity options, including 4 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C port. It also includes 2 USB 2.0 ports and a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port for fast data transfer. Additionally, this motherboard provides HDMI output, an RJ45 Ethernet port, and USB Type-C support, while lacking Thunderbolt or DisplayPort outputs.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	2
SATA 3 connectors	2
fan headers	6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	2
M.2 sockets	2
Has TPM connector	✕
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard includes a variety of connectors, with 2 M.2 sockets and 2 SATA 3 connectors for storage expansion. It also features 6 fan headers to ensure adequate cooling, and offers USB 3.2 Gen 1 expansion with 2 additional USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports. However, it does not include support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, and lacks a TPM connector for security modules.

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 Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard features 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion, making it suitable for modern GPUs and other high-performance components. It does not include PCIe x1, PCIe 3.0 x16, or PCI slots, limiting additional expansion options.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	3

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard delivers high-quality audio with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio for clear, detailed sound. It supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive surround sound and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output. Additionally, it features 3 audio connectors for versatile audio setup options.

Storage:

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

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 0, providing flexible storage options for redundancy or performance. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, offering a more streamlined approach to storage setups.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi motherboard is a powerful and compact option for users looking to build a high-performance system with excellent wireless connectivity and flexibility. With support for Wi-Fi 7 and multiple RAID configurations, it stands out as a solid choice for gamers and power users seeking fast storage and stable performance. While lacking integrated graphics and some high-end expansion options like Thunderbolt, it excels in its core strengths, making it an excellent option for those focused on gaming or workstation builds with a discrete GPU.