GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX Wifi ATX DDR5

The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX is an advanced gaming motherboard featuring the AM5 socket and powered by the AMD B650 chipset, supporting the latest Ryzen processors. It boasts four DDR5 slots with a maximum capacity of 256 GB, along with PCIe 5.0 support for enhanced graphics and storage performance.
Popularity: High
Specifications:
Model: GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX Wifi ATX DDR5
Chipset: AMD B650
Form Factor: ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm
CPU Compatibility: AMD Socket AM5, support for: AMD Ryzen™ 7000 / Ryzen™ 8000 / Ryzen™ 9000 Series Processors
Memory Support: Support for DDR5 8000(OC)/ 7800(OC)/ 7600(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6666(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5200/ 4800/ 4400 MT/s memory modules; 4 x DDR5 DIMM sockets supporting up to 256 GB (64 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory; Dual channel memory architecture; Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules; Support for AMD EXtended Profiles for Overclocking (AMD EXPO™) and Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory module
Maximum Memory Capacity: 256 GB
Memory Speed: DDR5 8000(OC) to DDR5 4400 MT/s
Memory Features: Support for AMD EXPO™ and XMP
RAM Slots: 4.0
Graphics Output: 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 3840x2160@144 Hz; 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@60 Hz
Expansion Slots: 1 x PCI Express x16 slot (PCIEX16); 2 x PCI Express x16 slots supporting PCIe 3.0 running at x1
Storage Options: 1 x M.2 connector (M2A_CPU), 1 x M.2 connector (M2B_CPU), 1 x M.2 connector (M2C_SB), 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors; RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 support for NVMe SSD storage devices and SATA storage devices
Ethernet: Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps)
Wireless Bluetooth: AMD Wi-Fi 6E RZ616 (MT7922A22M) supporting WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax; BLUETOOTH 5.2; Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 supporting WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax; BLUETOOTH 5.3
USB Ports (Rear): 1 x USB Type-C® port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support; 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports; 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports; 1 x USB Type-C® port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support; 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
USB Ports (Front): 1 x USB Type-C® header, with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support; 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header; 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
Audio: Realtek® Audio CODEC; High Definition Audio; 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Back Panel I/O Ports: 1 x Q-Flash Plus button; 2 x SMA antenna connectors; 1 x DisplayPort; 1 x HDMI port; 1 x USB Type-C® port; 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports; 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports; 1 x RJ-45 port; 3 x audio jacks
Internal I/O Connectors: 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector; 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector; 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector; 1 x CPU fan header; 1 x water cooling CPU fan header; 3 x system fan headers; 1 x system fan/water cooling pump header; 2 x addressable LED strip headers; 2 x RGB LED strip headers; 1 x CPU cooler LED strip/RGB LED strip header; 3 x M.2 Socket 3 connectors; 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors; 1 x front panel header; 1 x front panel audio header; 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header; 1 x Trusted Platform Module header; 1 x reset button; 1 x reset jumper; 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Cooling Headers: 1 x CPU fan header; 1 x water cooling CPU fan header; 3 x system fan headers; 1 x system fan/water cooling pump header
Power Connectors: 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector; 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector; 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
BIOS: 1 x 256 Mbit flash; Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS; PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
Manufacturer Page: Link
Review
The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX is an impressive addition to the realm of mid-range gaming motherboards, seamlessly merging advanced features with a reasonable price point. Designed around AMD's new AM5 LGA 1718 socket, this motherboard is tailored for the latest Ryzen processors, ensuring compatibility and peak efficiency for modern computing needs.
Design and Build Quality
This motherboard flaunts a sleek black PCB complemented by subtle silver accents, a characteristic design element of GIGABYTE's AORUS lineup. The aesthetic appeal is further enhanced by RGB Fusion 2.0, ensuring a customizable visual experience. The AM5 socket is centrally positioned, catering to efficient cooling thanks to its TMOS heatsinks that maximize thermal performance (Latest in Tech).
Core Features and Innovations
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 Slot: The motherboard includes a primary PCIe 5.0 slot providing future-proofed performance for M.2 drives using the 25110 standard Vortez.
- DDR5 Support: Offering support for DDR5 memory up to 8000 MHz (overclocked), users can tap into extreme memory bandwidth capabilities.
- Q-Flash Plus: This feature allows BIOS updates without CPU or RAM installation, making it a vital tool for swift system setups Latest in Tech.
- Thermal Design: The enlarged heatsinks and Smart Fan 6 ensure the motherboard maintains optimal temperatures under heavy loads Latest in Tech.
- Connectivity: Integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN support ensure high-speed networking capabilities.
Performance and Application
The B650 AORUS Elite AX is engineered to handle rigorous applications with aplomb. Our testing highlighted its ability to function as a robust workstation while efficiently managing gaming, multimedia editing, and general productivity tasks with impressive stability and responsiveness (Latest in Tech). The power delivery system featuring 14+2+1 power phases ensures the delivery of stable power, which is crucial for performance sustainability.
Benchmarks and Comparisons
In our benchmark tests, the motherboard showcased excellent read/write speeds, especially when paired with high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. However, latency can improve with the right settings adjustments. Compared to its predecessor X670E AORUS MASTER, the power configuration is slightly toned down, but it still delivers satisfactory performance for gaming and productivity tasks (Vortez).
Conclusion
Overall, the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX stands out as a compelling choice for users seeking a balance of high-end features and affordability in a mid-range motherboard. With support for the latest memory and storage technologies, enhanced thermal solutions, and robust network capabilities, it is well-suited for those looking to build a future-proof system. While it may lack some advanced troubleshooting features found in higher-end boards, its value and performance make it an enticing proposition for gamers and enthusiasts alike (Latest in Tech, Vortez).