Asrock B650E PG-ITX assessment: A small however mighty motherboard

Finest Costs At this time: Asrock B650E PG-ITX

£299.29

AMD has now launched the extremely anticipated Ryzen 7800X3D, which is a gaming behemoth. It’s additionally “smaller” in core rely than its 7950X3D CPU brother, however nonetheless usually quicker for gaming.

This interprets completely to Mini-ITX efficiency. You don’t want the most important footprint to be terribly nimble. Players at the moment are spoiled with a wealthy collection of CPUs starting from the environment friendly Ryzen non-X CPUs, multicore X variants, and now X3D.

Enter the Asrock B650E PG-ITX motherboard. At solely 6.7×6.7 inches, this diminutive, small form-factor contender is something however weak.

It comes packed within the B650E chipset, promising some financial savings over X670E.

We’ll go over the options, design, and efficiency. Does this motherboard include sufficient {hardware} to actually decrease compromise in comparison with larger-scale motherboards, whereas performing nicely? This can all be seen via the ever-important lens of “worth to efficiency,” key for an enthusiast-grade providing. It has some drawbacks and positives—let’s discover out what they’re.

Additional studying: See our roundup of one of the best gaming motherboards to find out about competing merchandise.

What are the Asrock B650E PG-ITX specs?

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• Mini-ITX type issue (6.7×6.7 inches, or 17x17cm)
• Helps AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs
• 10+2+1 Part Energy Design with 10-layer PCB
• DDR5 RAM, twin channel as much as 2 DIMM (as much as 64GB)
• 2x onboard M.2 slot (Gen 5 and Gen 4)
• 1x PCIe 16x slots (PCIe Gen 5)
• HDMI-out plus eDP sign connector
• 8 USB ports on again
• Killer 2.5GbE LAN
• Killer Wi-Fi 6E
• 2x RGB headers
• 2 SATA 6Gb/s ports
• PWM fan headers
• Preinstalled I/O Protect
• Realtek 7.1 ALC 1220 Audio
• MSRP $289

The Asrock B650E PG-ITX is available in at $289, which is true across the center when it comes to pricing for small form-factor choices. It’s cheaper than competing motherboards such because the Asus X670E Strix-I, however nonetheless costly relative to its measurement.

The B650 chipset will likely be a barely cut-down model of X670, however the “E” provides this motherboard a slight PCIe-lane improve. When you’re already getting much less theoretical USB, SATA, and different ports with B650, Mini-ITX imposes its personal limitations on account of diminished measurement.

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Within the field, you’ll get a fundamental set of equipment such because the Wi-Fi antenna, and a few miscellaneous gadgets equivalent to screws. No cool trinkets right here such as you get with the costlier motherboards, such because the exterior sound gadget with the Asus fashions. Let’s transfer on to the options and see how they stack up:

CPU selection

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That is one space the place you’ll have loads of selection. You possibly can pair the saucy new Ryzen 7800X3D with this motherboard, or maybe you’d choose to maintain the wattage down and use a non-X variant such because the 7900. Both method, you’ll have expansive assist right here, and we’re assuming nicely into the longer term with subsequent CPU releases. CPU cooler compatibility also needs to shine right here, because the socket space isn’t as enclosed as you usually discover.

DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5

AM5 will likely be DDR5 RAM solely, and Mini-ITX will additional restrict you to solely two sticks, with 64GB whole of RAM. Whereas it nonetheless helps quick speeds, you’ll have much less capability right here as a result of measurement.

B650 “E” signifies that you’ll have a pleasant little further allotment of PCIe Gen 5 to share with the M.2 drive. The 16x PCIe Gen 5 slot will likely be in your GPU, after which the opposite M.2 slot will likely be PCIe Gen 4.

Storage

As anticipated, you’ll solely get two onboard NVMe slots as a result of Mini-ITX type issue. That is usually high-quality for gaming builds of this caliber, though we’d like to see a 3rd supplied. SATA can also be restricted, with solely two SATA ports—however as soon as once more, ought to fulfill the necessity of most players with small enclosures.

USB ports

With eight rear USB ports, you may have amount of ports. Disappointingly, 4 of those USB ports are solely 2.0, which is a little bit of a miss on a motherboard of this worth.

HDMI- and eDP 1.4-out can also be right here to make the most of Ryzen’s built-in iGPU perform in your show when wanted.

Networking

Networking is normal fare, with Killer’s 2.5GbE Lan normal, together with Killer’s Wi-Fi 6E. That is now the anticipated suite of networking on trendy motherboards, and it’s nice to see even smaller form-factor designs together with these with out compromise.

Audio

Audio is sweet, with a 7.1 ALC 1220 codec. Additionally, you will have some inputs within the again, which can suffice for many customers. Optical is right here too, which will be nice for these connecting exterior audio gadgets equivalent to sure audio system.

Different options of be aware

The built-in I/O defend is right here, which we love. Captive screws for the M.2 are additionally contact.

There are just a few “misses” right here, nevertheless. No BIOS flashback button, a function that many cheaper motherboards at the moment are together with. You’ll additionally discover the big M.2 fan as a dominant function, however it may be noisy if not correctly adjusted and is probably superfluous. Most motherboards do high-quality with thermal pads solely. It’s additionally lacking a debug LED, a function some might discover helpful.

Asrock B650E PG-ITX design

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The Asrock B650E PG-ITX motherboard is an cute motherboard—till you see that relatively peculiar M.2 fan space. When you might mistake it for one thing extra akin to a VRM heatsink, it’s meant to chill the M.2 drive. You possibly can take away it if you’d like or if it interferes along with your PC’s inside aesthetic.

In any other case, it’s an easy Mini-ITX design. You’ll have the colourful accents on the I/O space, however not a lot in the way in which of RGB. That’s high-quality—most small form-factor builds are a bit cramped and have a tendency to dam entry to the visuals. You continue to have RGB headers for some further pizazz when wanted.

One good plus of the design is the positioning of the VRM heatsink. Along with the general extra open sides, this makes putting in bigger CPU coolers a lot simpler. Some small form-factor motherboards are typically very closed in, making some bigger coolers unimaginable to suit. That’s design aspect right here that advantages the consumer.

The protruding M.2 fan design apart, the M.2 drives will likely be safely tucked away and will stay cool. The rear of the I/O space has some good colourful outlines of the USB ports, together with patterned design. The remainder of the motherboard is fundamental, with the same old DDR5 RAM space largely for utility. The highest is likewise sparse, with a lot of the visible motion occurring to the left aspect of the CPU with the VRM heatsink and I/O space.

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Going round to the again, it’s largely normal fare with slightly bit of additional assist right here. When you’ll by no means see the bottom steadily, it’s good to know that the supplies and general end of the complete motherboard usually really feel fairly good.

Asrock B650E PG-ITX efficiency, software program, and BIOS

The Asrock B650E PG-ITX motherboard features a very succesful 10+2+1 energy section with 105 amps. It could not seem as spectacular on paper as bigger ATX motherboards, however that is greater than enough for even the quickest Ryzen CPUs. It additionally packs a 10-layer PCB design—which is greater than many choices. This solidifies the connections and provides you higher-quality componentry. You’ll probably be extra restricted by the precise CPU cooler in a small form-factor construct than by VRM temperatures.

You possibly can count on efficiency right here to be nearly on par with higher-end motherboards because you’ll have entry to the identical quick CPUs and DDR5 RAM.

DDR5 can also be obligatory on AM5—however with Mini-ITX motherboards, you’ll usually get solely two DIMM slots. This limits you to 64GB of RAM—which is ample for any gaming construct and even gentle workstation eventualities.

PCIe Gen 5 assist is spectacular on such a small motherboard. You’ll get the GPU slot at 16x Gen 5, plus an M.2 Gen 5 slot. Whereas Gen 5 elements are simply barely popping out now, you’ll have greater than sufficient future-proofing right here to improve later when the know-how is extra widespread. You’ll additionally get a second Gen 4 NVMe slot, boosting your onboard capability.

Different efficiency points of the I/O are a little bit of a miss—specifically the USB ports. When you do get eight of them, you gained’t discover any USB4 or a big collection of quicker USB 3.0 ports. You get too lots of the older USB 2.0—which, whereas high-quality for peripherals, definitely ought to be upgraded on a motherboard of this worth. No less than you do get some quicker USB 3.0 ports, so it’s not all unhealthy information.

To additional tweak efficiency, we’ve got the Asrock BIOS. It’s largely improved from years previous, and also you’ll discover a lot of the normal RAM and CPU tweaking choices right here. When you might not wish to break any data with a Mini-ITX motherboard equivalent to this, it’s going to definitely have some overclocking headroom relying in your cooling gear.

Most customers will likely be high-quality simply setting the AMD “Expo” DDR5 RAM profile in your equipment, and presumably some auto-overclocking equivalent to AMD “PBO” (Efficiency Increase Overdrive).

Asrock additionally affords software program in Home windows, like many motherboard distributors. It even affords overclocking with the “Blazing OC Tuner,” which may adapt the overclock primarily based on use. Whereas a neat thought, we usually suggest avoiding a lot of these automatic-overclocking items of software program, as it could actually generally open a can of worms with stability points if something adjustments. It’s prone to simply be a safer wager to stay to the normal in-BIOS tweaks for any modification that you may manually modify if wanted.

You’ll additionally get Asrock’s motherboard utility software program and Polychrome RGB. These let you modify your RGB header colours, and different helpful gadgets for adjusting choices with out utilizing BIOS. An auto-driver installer will discover your drivers—such because the community gadgets—so you’ll be able to have a better time upon preliminary setup.

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We’d suggest extra frequent BIOS updates for B650E than normal, because it’s a brand new platform and bugs get squished much more usually early on. Some customers might expertise longer than regular boot instances, which sure different AM5 motherboards have additionally skilled. Total, it’s a good displaying on the software program aspect for many who wish to dabble with the utility they supply.

Is the Asrock B650E PG-ITX value it?

The Asrock B650E PG-ITX is a high-quality small form-factor motherboard, with just a few limitations. AM5 began off as an costly platform for players, and it’s slowly enhancing with cheaper DDR5 pricing, together with some value financial savings with the B650 chipset in lieu of the pricier X670.

Mini-ITX has some limitations proper off the bat, equivalent to RAM capability restricted to 64GB, and fewer “stuff” onboard. That’s no fault of the Asrock B650E PG-ITX, after all. It does skimp in just a few areas, nevertheless—equivalent to USB 2.0. The M.2 fan can also be a doubtful selection, probably pointless, and provides to the majority (and to the noise, too—until you modify the fan curve).

Whereas $289 MSRP is cheaper than some higher-end choices within the small-motherboard house, it’s nonetheless a bit on the costly aspect. We’d like to see extra strong options for that worth—because it stands now, it’s simply “sufficient” (i.e, not an overachiever).

Nonetheless, players will likely be proud of the power to pack quick DDR5 RAM and blazing Ryzen CPUs such because the 7800X3D in such a small unit. It’s additionally succesful with trendy tech like a PCIe Gen 5 16x slot and NVMe assist. The B650 “E” provides it that further PCIe Gen 5 enhance over common B650.

It has sufficient options for many players to be pleased, and people searching for extra should pay a bit extra for an additional choice.