Buying Guide

The Best ASUS Motherboards for AMD Ryzen

Six ASUS AM5 boards from ROG Strix, TUF and the MAX Gaming line compared on power stages, M.2 slots, USB4 and networking.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read6 products evaluated

PC components laid out on a workbench ready for a build
Illustrative image

ASUS sells AM5 boards in three main tiers, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming and Prime, plus the newer MAX Gaming line.

We compared six ASUS AM5 boards. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.

Quick Picks

Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Best Value ASUS

    ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi

    A 14+2+1 layout of 80A stages and Wi-Fi 7 on B850.

    Best for: Most ASUS Ryzen builds.

    Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Best High-End

    ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

    Five M.2 slots, an 18+2+2 layout and USB4.

    Best for: Ryzen 9 flagship builds.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Well-Rounded Choice

    ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi

    The TUF X870-PLUS offers four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A power stages.

    Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

    Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  4. Solid Alternative

    ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi

    The Strix B850-F offers a 16+2+2 layout, four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and 19 USB ports.

    Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  5. Best White ASUS

    ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W

    A white PCB with USB4 and BIOS Flashback.

    Best for: White builds.

    Check price for ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  6. Lowest Price

    ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi

    The lowest price among these ASUS boards, with USB 20Gbps.

    Best for: Budget builds.

    Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Value ASUS1 of 6

ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi

The TUF B850-PLUS offers a 14+2+1 layout of 80A power stages and Wi-Fi 7.

Best for

Most ASUS Ryzen builds.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the TUF B650E-E cost less when we checked.
ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi

Why we like it

It suits a 12- or 16-core Ryzen on B850. On M.2 slot count it ties with the X870 MAX Gaming W and the TUF B650E-E at 3. You get 14+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the X870 MAX Gaming W and its 12+2+1 power stages.

You also get a front USB 10Gbps Type-C header. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper TUF B650E-E and the pricier Strix B850-F, at the time of writing.

Key specs

M.2 slots
3
Wired LAN
2.5Gbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Power stages
14+2+1
Form factor
ATX
Socket
AM5

Pros

  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 14+2+1 power stage layout
  • 80A power stages
  • Front USB 10Gbps Type-C header

Cons

  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-E at the time of writing

Best High-End2 of 6

ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

The Strix X870E-E offers five M.2 slots, an 18+2+2 layout and USB4.

Best for

Ryzen 9 flagship builds.

Skip if

Pass if a published wired network speed matters; this one has none.
ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

Why we like it

It is ASUS's high-end AM5 board here. Nothing else here matches its 5 M.2 slot count; the TUF X870-PLUS comes closest at 4. No other pick in this guide offers 18+2+2 power stages; compare the X870 MAX Gaming W, which has 12+2+1 power stages.

You also get a rear USB 20Gbps port alongside USB4. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Only the TUF X870-PLUS came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.

Key specs

M.2 slots
5
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Power stages
18+2+2
USB4
Yes
Form factor
ATX
Socket
AM5

Pros

  • 5 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 18+2+2 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel

Cons

  • No published wired network speed
  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-E at the time of writing

The catch

There is no published wired network speed figure, whereas the TUF B850-PLUS offers 2.5Gbps.

Well-Rounded Choice3 of 6

ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi

The TUF X870-PLUS offers four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A power stages.

Best for

Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

Skip if

If budget leads, the TUF B650E-E was cheaper at our last price check.
ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi

Why we like it

It is the sturdiest X870 board here below $230. It matches the Strix B850-F on M.2 slot count (4). It shares an X870 chipset with the X870 MAX Gaming W; the TUF B650E-E goes with a B650E chipset.

You also get a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. When we checked, only the X870 MAX Gaming W and cheaper picks cost less, and the Strix X870E-E cost more.

Key specs

M.2 slots
4
Wired LAN
2.5Gbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Power stages
16+2+1
USB4
Yes
Form factor
ATX
Socket
AM5
Chipset
X870

Pros

  • 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 16+2+1 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel

Cons

  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-E at the time of writing

Solid Alternative4 of 6

ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi

The Strix B850-F offers a 16+2+2 layout, four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and 19 USB ports.

Best for

Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

Skip if

Its wired network speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi

Why we like it

It brings X870-class features to B850. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF X870-PLUS at 4. You get 16+2+2 power stages here, which sets it apart from the X870 MAX Gaming W and its 12+2+1 power stages.

No other pick in this guide offers a B850 chipset; compare the TUF B650E-E, which has a B650E chipset. You also get a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.

Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper TUF B850-PLUS and the pricier X870 MAX Gaming W, at the time of writing.

Key specs

M.2 slots
4
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Power stages
16+2+2
Form factor
ATX
Socket
AM5
Chipset
B850

Pros

  • 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 16+2+2 power stage layout
  • 19 USB ports in total

Cons

  • No published wired network speed
  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-E at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its wired network speed; if that figure matters, the TUF B850-PLUS offers 2.5Gbps.

Best White ASUS5 of 6

ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W

The X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W puts USB4, Wi-Fi 7 and BIOS Flashback on a white PCB.

Best for

White builds.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the TUF B650E-E, which cost less when we checked.
ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W

Why we like it

Three M.2 slots and a 12+2+1 layout keep it mid-range. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF B850-PLUS and the TUF B650E-E at 3. You get 12+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the Strix B850-F and its 16+2+2 power stages.

Like the TUF X870-PLUS, it has an X870 chipset, while the Strix B850-F uses a B850 chipset. It also comes with Q-Release graphics card release. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.

Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Strix B850-F and the pricier TUF X870-PLUS, at the time of writing.

Key specs

M.2 slots
3
Wired LAN
2.5Gbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Power stages
12+2+1
USB4
Yes
Form factor
ATX
Socket
AM5
Chipset
X870

Pros

  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel
  • 8-layer white PCB
  • BIOS Flashback

Cons

  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-E at the time of writing

Lowest Price6 of 6

ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi

The TUF B650E-E pairs a USB 20Gbps Type-C port and BIOS Flashback with three M.2 slots on B650E.

Best for

Budget builds.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi

Why we like it

Its 8+2+1 layout suits mid-range Ryzen chips. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF B850-PLUS and the X870 MAX Gaming W at 3. A wi-Fi 6E is unique to it among these picks, while the TUF X870-PLUS uses a wi-Fi 7.

You get 8+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the X870 MAX Gaming W and its 12+2+1 power stages. No other pick in this guide offers a B650E chipset; compare the TUF X870-PLUS, which has an X870 chipset. It also offers 80A DrMOS power stages.

It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. It undercut the TUF B850-PLUS and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

Key specs

M.2 slots
3
Wired LAN
2.5Gbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Power stages
8+2+1
Form factor
ATX
Socket
AM5
Chipset
B650E

Pros

  • Rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port
  • BIOS Flashback
  • 80A DrMOS power stages
  • Wi-Fi 6E, the only one here

Cons

  • Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
  • M.2 slot count trails the Strix X870E-E (5)

The catch

The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the Strix X870E-E offers 5.

How We Chose These ASUS AMD Motherboards

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

How these picks were ranked
We lined up six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and wired network speed and USB4 are missing for at least one pick.
The shared baseline
All 6, from the TUF B850-PLUS to the TUF B650E-E, state M.2 slot count, wi-Fi and power stages and share AM5 socket.
Where the specs have gaps
The Strix X870E-E and the Strix B850-F give no wired network speed; the TUF B850-PLUS, the Strix B850-F and the TUF B650E-E give no USB4.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the TUF B650E-E ($100 to $150) to the Strix X870E-E ($250 to $500).

What to Look for in an ASUS AMD Motherboard

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. M.2 slot count across these picks

    Here M.2 slot count runs from 3 on the TUF B650E-E to 5 on the Strix X870E-E, a 67% spread. For less, the TUF X870-PLUS is the runner-up at 4 ($150 to $250 tier).

  2. Power stages

    The TUF B850-PLUS lists 14+2+1; the Strix X870E-E lists 18+2+2; the TUF X870-PLUS lists 16+2+1; the Strix B850-F lists 16+2+2; the X870 MAX Gaming W lists 12+2+1; the TUF B650E-E lists 8+2+1.

  3. USB4

    The Strix X870E-E, the TUF X870-PLUS and the X870 MAX Gaming W have it. Settling USB4 first narrows 3 picks to 3.

  4. Features beyond the spec table

    The Strix X870E-E: a rear USB 20Gbps port alongside USB4. The TUF X870-PLUS: a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port. The X870 MAX Gaming W: BIOS Flashback.

  5. Where your budget lands

    $100 to $150 buys the TUF B650E-E; $150 to $250 buys the TUF B850-PLUS, the Strix B850-F, the X870 MAX Gaming W and the TUF X870-PLUS; $250 to $500 buys the Strix X870E-E at our last check.

How to Choose an ASUS AMD Motherboard

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Most ASUS Ryzen buildsTUF B850-PLUSA 14+2+1 layout of 80A stages and Wi-Fi 7 on B850
Ryzen 9 flagship buildsStrix X870E-EFive M.2 slots, an 18+2+2 layout and USB4
White buildsX870 MAX Gaming WA white PCB with USB4 and BIOS Flashback
Budget buildsTUF B650E-EThe lowest price among these ASUS boards, with USB 20Gbps

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

The Strix X870E-E leads on M.2 slot count at 5, ahead of the TUF X870-PLUS at 4. "Not listed" marks wired network speed where the Strix X870E-E and the Strix B850-F leave the figure out.

BoardM.2 slotsWired LANWi-FiPower stages
TUF B850-PLUS32.5GbpsWi-Fi 714+2+1
Strix X870E-E5Not listedWi-Fi 718+2+2
TUF X870-PLUS42.5GbpsWi-Fi 716+2+1
Strix B850-F4Not listedWi-Fi 716+2+2
X870 MAX Gaming W32.5GbpsWi-Fi 712+2+1
TUF B650E-E32.5GbpsWi-Fi 6E8+2+1

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the TUF B650E-E, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Strix X870E-E at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierBoards
About $100 to $150TUF B650E-E
About $150 to $250TUF B850-PLUS, Strix B850-F, X870 MAX Gaming W, TUF X870-PLUS
About $250 to $500Strix X870E-E

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the most M.2 slot count: the Strix X870E-E or the TUF X870-PLUS?

Between the top two, it is 5 on the Strix X870E-E against 4 on the TUF X870-PLUS, a 25% difference. The TUF B650E-E is at the other end of this group with 3.

Is the Strix X870E-E worth paying more than the TUF B650E-E?

On paper it adds M.2 slot count (5 against 3). The TUF B650E-E sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Strix X870E-E in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if M.2 slot count decides your purchase.

What makes the TUF B850-PLUS the Best Value ASUS?

It earns the label for a 14+2+1 layout of 80A stages and Wi-Fi 7 on B850. The TUF B650E-E, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for most ASUS Ryzen builds.

Do the TUF B850-PLUS and the TUF B650E-E differ on wi-Fi?

The TUF B850-PLUS, the Strix X870E-E, the TUF X870-PLUS, the Strix B850-F and the X870 MAX Gaming W use Wi-Fi 7; the TUF B650E-E uses Wi-Fi 6E.

Beyond the specs, what sets the TUF B850-PLUS and the Strix X870E-E apart?

The TUF B850-PLUS: 80A power stages. The Strix X870E-E: a rear USB 20Gbps port alongside USB4. The TUF X870-PLUS: 80A SPS power stages.

Bottom Line

The TUF B850-PLUS covers most ASUS Ryzen builds. The Strix X870E-E is the high-end choice, and the TUF B650E-E keeps costs down.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

View all articles