The Asus Prime B650-Plus motherboard is aimed at users who need a reliable and straightforward solution for assembling a new computer with 12th and 13th generation Intel processors. The board features PCIe 4.0 slots for fast storage devices and graphics cards, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for quick data transfer.
Additionally, it includes ASUS OptiMem II technology for improved memory stability and support for various ASUS technologies for enhanced performance and easier computer management.
Flexible air and liquid cooling controls
The ASUS Fan Xpert 2+ software provides comprehensive control over fans and all-in-one (AiO) coolers. Whether cooling with air or water, an auto-tuning mode intelligently configures all parameters with a single click. There is also an Extreme Quiet mode that reduces chassis fan speeds below the default minimum threshold, making your system whisper-quiet when performing light tasks. Fans and AiO coolers can also be controlled via the UEFI BIOS.
M.2 Heatsink
The M.2 heatsink is versatile, capable of taking care of the M.2_1 or M.2_2 slot, preventing throttling that can occur with M.2 storage during continuous transfers. The heatsink is held in place with standoff screws.
VRM Heatsink
VRM heatsinks and thermal pads improve heat transfer from the MOSFETs and chokes for better cooling performance.
DDR5 Performance Enhancement
The comprehensive memory tuning options are the cornerstone of PRIME motherboards. With the PRIME B650-PLUS, you can harness the full potential of DDR5 modules, whether it's an extreme speed kit or an entry-level set that would otherwise be locked.
For those looking to surpass basic DDR5 speeds, the PRIME B650-PLUS is prepared and ready for enthusiast-grade kits thanks to the extensive support for AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO). Seasoned veterans can further fine-tune performance through the extensive array of settings in the UEFI.
ASUS OptiMem II
Revisions in the motherboard's trace routing provide the latest processors with unrestricted access to memory bandwidth. ASUS OptiMem II technology carefully maps the memory signal paths across different PCB layers to reduce vias and adds shielding zones that significantly reduce crosstalk.
Advantages of ASUS OptiMem II technology:
Improved memory stability and compatibility
Allows for lower memory latencies at equivalent voltages
Enhanced memory frequency margin
Aura Sync
A well-tuned system of enthusiasm deserves a corresponding aesthetic. ASUS Aura offers full control of RGB lighting with a variety of functional presets for the built-in RGB LEDs, as well as for strips and devices connected to the built-in RGB headers - and all of these can be synchronized with an ever-growing portfolio of Aura-capable hardware.
Armoury Crate
Through a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate offers easily customized Aura Sync RGB settings for every compatible device in your arsenal, as well as controls for an ever-growing family of ASUS products, including keyboard and mouse preferences. Armoury Crate also integrates product registration and a news feed, so you never miss updates that interest the ASUS community.
Q-LED Core
The Q-LED Core display produces bright patterns per power LED during the Power-On Self-Test (POST), which can help users troubleshoot potential issues.
BIOS FlashBack
BIOS FlashBack is the simplest and safest method of updating the BIOS (UEFI). Simply place the (UEFI) BIOS file on a FAT32-formatted USB stick, connect it to the USB BIOS FlashBack port, and press the button. Updates can be performed even without memory or CPU installed.
SafeSlot Core+
SafeSlot Core+ is ASUS's exclusive PCIe slot, reinforced with a single-piece stainless steel bracket that shields the slot to protect it from damage. The metal cover is securely fastened to the slot with hooks, and the entire assembly is firmly anchored to the PCB with reinforced solder points to provide a secure foundation for heavy graphics cards.
Rear panel
Back Panel I/O Ports
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (3 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (2 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A)
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI port
1 x Vertical M.2 slot (Key E)
1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port
5 x Audio jacks
1 x Optical S/PDIF out port
1 x BIOS FlashBack button
Internal Connections
Fan and Cooling related
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header
1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header
1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header
3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers
Power related
1 x 24-pin Main Power connector
1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector
Storage related
2 x M.2 slots (Key M)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
USB
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector (supports USB Type-C)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports 2 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
Miscellaneous
3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers
1 x Aura RGB header
1 x Clear CMOS header
1 x COM Port header
1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP)
1 x SPI TPM header (14-1pin)
1 x 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function
Specifications are collected from official manufacturer websites. Please verify the specifications before proceeding with your final purchase. If you notice any problem you can
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I have combined it with R5 7600x, and G Skill Trident 32GB at 6400 (32CL) and Samsung 990 Pro.
1) I don't know if it's a problem with the mobo or the CPU, but I had to clock the RAM at 6000 because the PC wouldn't even boot. (It's unacceptable for something like this to happen in 2025)
2) It has incredibly slow load times; in my previous setup, I had a B450 with R5 3600x and a Kingston NVMe 3rd generation, and I booted the PC in 6-7 seconds, now it takes 30+. The problem persists after many BIOS updates
Recently purchased so early for a final evaluation. It came with a very outdated bios version, however, it did not cause any problems in installing Windows 11. Updating the bios was not difficult.
It is pleasant to note that with the default ("optimized") bios settings (with Memory Context Restore and Power Down settings set to auto), the startup time, from shutdown always, has stabilized at around 10 seconds (correction: 11 sec until Windows loading starts). However, I note that
a) The DDR5 I am using (Kingston Fury KF560C36BBEA-8) is included in the motherboard's compatibility list,
b) The DDR5 runs at standard speed (4800MHz) and not at 6000MHz. I will leave it like this because the expo and xmp profiles do not offer a significant speed increase to justify the difficulty they introduce to the memory controller's operation. I suggest you do the same on any am5 m/b, otherwise you are overclocking the memory controller (let's not forget that memory training is already quite difficult with DDR5). It is not worth the trouble and the reduction in lifespan, I think.
The S3 (legacy sleep mode) works normally, as well as hibernate, as long as it is enabled from the BIOS.
As usual for Asus, two unknown ACPI devices appear in the Device Manager. I probably won't bother with them further, they are probably some irrelevant sensors or the rgb led controller. Edit: I downloaded the latest AMD chipset driver set from the Asus website, installed it, and now the unknown devices are no longer present.