Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi

Name: Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi
Brand: Asus
SKU: 2657

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi is a reliable Micro-ATX motherboard built to handle the needs of modern gaming and productivity setups. With support for Wi-Fi 6 and an AM5 socket, it provides a solid foundation for high-performance systems.

It features up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for future-proof performance. The motherboard also supports multiple RAID configurations, has 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and includes HDMI 2.1 and dual DisplayPort outputs for versatile connectivity options.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, allowing for high memory capacity and performance.
Offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support, providing modern wireless connectivity options.
Includes multiple RAID support options (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10) for flexible storage configurations.
Equipped with 3 M.2 sockets and 4 SATA 3 connectors for versatile and high-speed storage setups.
Includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics, enhancing the visual appeal of the build.

Cons

Lacks integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for display output.
Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting certain types of RAID configurations for redundancy and performance.
No support for Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, restricting high-speed external device connectivity.
No S/PDIF Out port, limiting digital audio output options for home theater setups.
Does not have support for ECC memory, making it less suitable for applications requiring high reliability.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for gamers and PC enthusiasts who require high memory capacity (up to 256GB of DDR5) and modern wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2). Its support for multiple RAID configurations (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10) and versatile storage options with 3 M.2 sockets makes it suitable for users looking to build high-performance systems with large storage needs. The inclusion of RGB lighting will also appeal to users who enjoy customizing the aesthetics of their builds.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users who require integrated graphics or a Thunderbolt 3/4 connection, as it lacks both. Additionally, those needing ECC memory support or RAID 0+1 configurations for high-reliability setups may find this board limiting. It also lacks an S/PDIF Out port, making it less suited for home theater enthusiasts who need digital audio output.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B650
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	June 2025
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.2
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	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is compatible with the B650 chipset, offering a Micro-ATX form factor. It supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connectivity and includes Bluetooth 5.2. For enhanced visuals, it offers an HDMI 2.1 output and RGB lighting, though it lacks dual BIOS and integrated graphics. The motherboard is designed with easy overclocking in mind and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard supports a maximum of 256GB of DDR5 memory, making it suitable for high-performance tasks. With 2 memory channels and 4 memory slots, it also allows for overclocked RAM speeds of up to 8000 MHz. However, it does not support ECC memory for error correction, which may be a consideration for certain workloads.

Ports:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard offers a variety of ports for versatile connectivity. It includes 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-A), 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A), and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-C), along with 4 USB 2.0 ports. For video output, it has an HDMI output and 2 DisplayPort outputs, while network connectivity is provided by 1 RJ45 port. Additionally, it features USB Type-C support and a PS/2 port, but lacks Thunderbolt and VGA connectivity.

Connectors:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard provides ample expansion options with 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, 4 USB 2.0 connectors, and 2 additional USB 3.0 ports. It also supports 3 M.2 sockets for high-speed storage devices and offers 4 fan headers for cooling. The motherboard includes 4 SATA 3 connectors for traditional storage devices, but lacks support for mSATA and U.2 connectors.

Expansion slots:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard features 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion cards, alongside 1 PCIe x1 slot for smaller devices. It lacks support for older PCIe versions like PCIe 4.0, PCIe 3.0, and PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, as well as PCI and PCIe x8 slots.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	3

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound quality. It includes 3 audio connectors for flexible audio device connections but does not feature an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.

Storage:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B650EM-E Wi-Fi motherboard supports several RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0), offering flexibility for high-performance and redundancy setups. However, it does not support RAID 0+1 for combined performance and redundancy.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers solid performance for users seeking a customizable and high-performance build, with support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and a variety of RAID configurations. Its RGB lighting adds to its appeal for users who enjoy aesthetic personalization. However, it may not be the best choice for those who require integrated graphics, Thunderbolt ports, or ECC memory support. Overall, it is a great option for gamers and enthusiasts focused on high memory capacity and flexibility in storage configurations.