ASUS Launches 2nd Edition of AMD B450 ROG Strix, TUF Gaming and Prime Motherboards
The Taiwanese computer equipment manufacturer ASUS has presented the second revision of a number of motherboards based on the relatively old AMD B450 chipset. In total, the company announced six updated motherboard models: ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II, TUF Gaming B450-Plus II, TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II, TUF Gaming B450M-Plus II, Prime B450M-A-II, and Prime B450M-K II.
For all models, the manufacturer claims an updated design, support for BIOS FlashBack technology for fast motherboard firmware updates, as well as improved processor power subsystems (VRM) and cooling systems. In addition, most of the second revision motherboard models received an additional slot for installing an NVMe M.2 drive and extended sets of USB 3.2 and USB-C connectors. Some models also boast additional connectors for connecting RGB lighting. The Strix and TUF Gaming models support AI-based software that enhances voice quality when using voice applications. Also, all new items received support for proprietary software Armory Crate and Aura Sync.
The main feature of the updated ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II board is a new processor power subsystem, built according to the 8 + 4 scheme. The manufacturer announced support for DDR4 RAM with a frequency of up to 4400 MHz and a volume of up to 128 GB, an additional slot for an NVMe drive, two 10-Gbit USB 3.2 Type-A connectors, and one USB 3.2 Type-C.
The board does not have built-in Wi-Fi support, but it can be organized by installing an additional Wi-Fi 6 module. For this, the appeared second PCIe M.2 slot is useful.
The full-size TUF Gaming B450-Plus II ATX board comes in the familiar black and yellow color scheme. The new revision of this model received an updated processor power subsystem, built according to the 8 + 2 scheme, as well as support for RAM with a frequency of up to 4400 MHz and a volume of up to 128 GB.
The manufacturer installed an additional M.2 connector for the NVMe drive on the board, and also supplemented the external connector scheme with one USB 3.2 Type-C port. In addition, the DisplayPort video output has appeared. It comes in handy for those on a budget and decides to opt for Ryzen APUs with integrated Vega graphics onboard.
The TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II model is the younger sister of the above motherboard. It is made in Micro-ATX format. Despite this, the new revision of this motherboard offers installation of up to 128 GB of RAM with a frequency of up to 4400 MHz, DisplayPort connectors, USB 3.2 Type-C, and Type-A, as well as another additional USB 3.2.
In addition to this, a second M.2 slot and an armored PCIe 3.0 x16 slot are announced.
The TUF Gaming B450M-Plus II model, in turn, is a budget option for the TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II board. Despite this, the novelty also received a mechanically reinforced PCIe x16 slot and an additional M.2 slot for NVMe storage.
The Prime B450M-A-II board has also been redesigned. The processor socket has moved a little lower, closer to the center. The updated revision received support for 128 GB of DDR4 memory. The presence of an M.2 connector for NVMe-drive, as well as six SATA ports, will allow you to organize a flexible storage subsystem.
A 10 Gbps USB 3.2 port appeared on the rear panel of the connectors. For output to the front panel, another, but less high-speed USB 3.2 is available. The board also received a new 32 MB BIOS chip to support new processors. A system built around this fairly affordable board can also be pretty fancy. The new revision offers the presence of a connector for connecting an RGB tape, which can be controlled via the Aura Sync application. To organize additional cooling, there are three 4-pin connectors for case PWM fans.
The Prime B450M-K II board offers a budget build based on Ryzen processors. Two DDR4 RAM slots support up to 64GB of RAM up to 4400 MHz. The main PCIe graphics card slot is reinforced with a metal frame. The board also allows the installation of one M.2 NVMe drive and has four SATA connectors.
The new revision of the motherboard received HDMI output, support for BIOS FlashBack technology, and 32 MB of internal memory for firmware, which provides a wide range of supported processors. For the front panel, the manufacturer has provided a USB 3.2 connector. Despite the obvious budget of the model, it, like all the other boards in the list, supports the work with the proprietary Armory Crate software.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not report anything about the prices and the date of the second revision of the motherboards of the above series on sale.
