Summary
- The Prime B650-Plus has an 8+2-phase VRM with a 60A power stage, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus has a 10+2-phase VRM with a 70A power stage.
- The Prime B650-Plus has a simple heatsink design for the VRM, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus has a more robust heatsink with a dedicated fan for VRM cooling.
- The Prime B650-Plus offers a solid feature set at a competitive price, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus provides additional features and a more robust VRM for a slight premium.
Are you building a new PC and looking for a budget-friendly motherboard that won’t break the bank? The ASUS Prime B650-Plus and ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus are two excellent options to consider. Both motherboards offer a solid foundation for an AMD Ryzen build, but they have some key differences that may influence your choice. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the features, performance, and value of these two motherboards to help you make an informed decision.
Features
Socket and Chipset
Both the ASUS Prime B650-Plus and ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus feature the AMD AM5 socket and support all AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. They also come equipped with the B650 chipset, which provides a range of connectivity and expansion options.
Memory Support
The Prime B650-Plus supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory with speeds up to 6400MHz, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus supports up to 64GB of DDR5 memory with speeds up to 6000MHz. Both motherboards offer four dual-channel DIMM slots for memory expansion.
Storage Options
The Prime B650-Plus offers four SATA III ports and two M.2 slots (one PCIe 4.0 and one PCIe 3.0). The TUF Gaming B650-Plus, on the other hand, provides six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots (both PCIe 4.0). Both motherboards support NVMe SSDs for fast storage performance.
Expansion Slots
The Prime B650-Plus features one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for graphics cards and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for other expansion devices. The TUF Gaming B650-Plus also has one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, but it additionally offers one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for legacy devices.
Connectivity
Both motherboards come with a wide range of connectivity options, including Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The Prime B650-Plus has one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus has two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports.
Performance
Power Delivery
The Prime B650-Plus has an 8+2-phase VRM with a 60A power stage, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus has a 10+2-phase VRM with a 70A power stage. This indicates that the TUF Gaming B650-Plus provides a slightly better power delivery system for overclocking and demanding workloads.
Cooling
The Prime B650-Plus has a simple heatsink design for the VRM, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus has a more robust heatsink with a dedicated fan for VRM cooling. This enhanced cooling solution on the TUF Gaming B650-Plus can be beneficial for sustained high-power draw scenarios.
Overclocking
Both motherboards support overclocking, but the TUF Gaming B650-Plus offers more advanced overclocking features. It comes with a dedicated BIOS button for easy access to overclocking settings and has a larger BIOS ROM for storing custom profiles.
Value
The ASUS Prime B650-Plus typically retails for around $150, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus is priced slightly higher at around $180. The Prime B650-Plus offers a solid feature set at a competitive price, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus provides additional features and a more robust VRM for a slight premium.
Which Motherboard Should You Choose?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly motherboard with good all-around performance, the ASUS Prime B650-Plus is an excellent choice. It offers a solid feature set, decent overclocking capabilities, and a reasonable price point.
If you’re planning to overclock your system heavily or need additional features such as enhanced cooling and more advanced overclocking options, the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus is a better choice. It provides a more robust VRM, better cooling, and more overclocking flexibility at a slightly higher price.
Final Note: The Best Budget Motherboard for Your Needs
Whether you choose the ASUS Prime B650-Plus or the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus, you’re getting a solid foundation for your AMD Ryzen build. Consider your specific needs, budget, and overclocking aspirations to determine which motherboard is the right choice for you.
Information You Need to Know
Q: Which motherboard has better memory overclocking capabilities?
A: The ASUS Prime B650-Plus supports up to 6400MHz DDR5 memory, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus supports up to 6000MHz DDR5 memory.
Q: Does the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus come with built-in Wi-Fi?
A: Yes, both motherboards come with built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Q: Can I use a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with either motherboard?
A: Yes, both motherboards support PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs. The Prime B650-Plus has one PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot, while the TUF Gaming B650-Plus has two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports?
A: The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus has two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, while the ASUS Prime B650-Plus has only one.
Q: Does the ASUS Prime B650-Plus have a dedicated BIOS button for overclocking?
A: No, the ASUS Prime B650-Plus does not have a dedicated BIOS button for overclocking. The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus, however, does have a dedicated BIOS button for easy access to overclocking settings.