Superb craftsmanship at an affordable price.
What’s in the box:
- 4 x SATA III Cables
- ASUS 2×2 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Antenna
- Addressable RGB Extension Cable
- RGB Extension Cable
- ROG USB Type-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable
- Cable Ties Pack
- M.2 Rubber Package
- M.2 SSD Screw Package
- ROG Key Chain
- ROG STRIX Sticker
- ROG STRIX Thank You Card
- Supporting DVD
Features:
- AMD AM4 socket: Ready for Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series Desktop Processors
- Best gaming connectivity: PCIe® 4.0-ready, dual M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C® plus HDMI™ 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.2 output
- Smooth networking: Onboard Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Intel® 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard
- Robust power solution: Teamed power stages with ProCool power connector, high-quality alloy chokes, and durable capacitors
- Renowned software: Intuitive dashboards for UEFI BIOS and ASUS AI Networking make it easy to configure gaming builds
- DIY-friendly design: Includes pre-mounted I/O shield, BIOS FlashBack™, Q-Code and FlexKey
- Unmatched personalization: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including Aura RGB header and addressable Gen 2 RGB header
- Industry-leading Gaming Audio: Audio USB Type-C®, AI Noise-Cancelling Microphone, SupremeFX S1220A codec, DTS® Sound Unbound™ and Sonic Studio III for immersive audio
Specifications:
- ATX Form Factor
- AMD B550 Chipset
- Socket AM4
- 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports Up to 128GB
- 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode), 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1
- 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 2x M.2 Slots
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 (2x Type-A + 1x USB Type-C)
- 5 x USB 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI
- ROG SupremeFX 7.1-Channel High-Definition Audio CODEC S1220A
- 1 x Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 + Bluetooth v5.1
- 14+2 Power Stages
- Multi-GPU SLI/ CFX Support
- 3 Year Warranty
Aesthetics:
As someone who favours the colour black, the board is gorgeous to me. Sporting a matt black finish, with some red pinstripes gently breaking the black here and there. The m.2 heatsinks have some unique detail adding to the overall aesthetics.
The board has an overall stealth look to it when you look at it as a whole, making it just look nicer, especially if you set it up with the right RGB, it just looks as if the light is coming from nowhere all at once.
The heatsinks were built to handle heat extremely well, however, they are quite badass looking too, adding to the aesthetics here. The board has its own RGB Logo that can be seen on the I/O shroud and then the STRIX LED on the chipset heatsink. This one though will be difficult to see depending on how massive your GPU and GPU bolster is. However, if it is noticeable, it looks good.
Design and Build:
The 550-E has some neat additions that make life simply easier.
Bios Flashback for example:
BIOS FlashBack will be a lifesaver for sure. This nifty feature allows you to flash the BIOS with the BIOS FlashBack button and a USB drive (FAT32/NTFS) with the appropriate BIOS file to update BIOS without the need to POST. You can do this without installing a processor or memory.
This can be very useful if you are building a PC for the first time and realize that you need to update the BIOS in order for the system to recognize your CPU or memory.
ASUS Q-Design is a feature that swiftly helps you identify why your PC isn’t doing what it’s meant to be doing. It breaks down into the following sections:
ASUS Q-Code:
This LED indicator can be found at the bottom edge of the board. It uses a two-character system to inform you of the status of your system. If the system is not booting or any other issue comes up, merely take a look at the code displayed on your board and then refer to your user manual for a description regarding your error code.
ASUS Q-DIMM:
By now you’ve noticed how some memory slots have two latches, one on each end, and others only one. Asus Q-Dimm slots only have one latch at the top of the slot that you use to install or remove RAM.
ASUS Q-LED:
The non-cosmetic lighting that can be found on the motherboard: (DRAM [yellow], CPU [red], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green). These are another feature built in to help us identify potential issues and troubleshoot any POST issues that may occur. These are also placed in a spot that makes them very easy to observe and make use of.
Flex- Key:
Another feature that might be of use to more than a few of you out there. It allows you to reassign the purpose of the reset button on the header to other functions such as Aura Effect for example.
Heatsinks are always an important factor, and believe it or not, the shape does make a difference. The grooves and tiers that can be seen on them, give more surface area in general, which is better for spreading the heat.
The heatsinks on the 550-E exhibit excellent design and effectively maintain low temperatures, with particular emphasis on the rear heatsink.
Positioned quite deep under the I/O shroud, and with its unique design it will make overclockers happy to see that it will keep power delivery thermals low during overclocking.
The two PCIe 4.0 slots feature reinforcement, visible through the metal enclosed within the plastic outer shell of the ASUS Q-slot PCIe lever, which secures and releases the PCIe card. These slots also include extra welding and comprehensive metal shielding around the slot to prevent damage during shipping or rigorous installation.
The entire card feels sturdy but lighter than some of the higher-end ASUS ROG cards including the full-coverage panel and heatsink on the front of the card. The STRIX B550-E Gaming seems to have enough heat dissipation and reinforcement measures to get the job done (and do it well) but without the redundancy that would make the card heavier and more expensive.
ASUS implemented a 6-layer 2oz PCB for enhanced power and thermal performance. The VRM heatsinks seem to fit snugly, with no movement or flex, and they also seem very secure with the components underneath.
While there isn’t a Clear CMOS button on the rear I/O or the motherboard itself, there’s a conveniently accessible Clear CMOS header on the motherboard. In addition, there’s a Thunderbolt header for extra TB cards, an S/PDIF header, and a thermal probe point for precise monitoring and cooling.
Layout:
For instance, the areas surrounding the CPU socket and the central PCIe 4.0 slot intentionally feature bright highlights in green, as depicted below.
The VRM heatsinks are positioned slightly back, offering sufficient room for water blocks or a larger CPU tower mounting system.
Since most air-cooled graphics cards used with this motherboard occupy at least two slots, as seen in the central diagram, it prevents any “cards area” issues. Additionally, lower SATA connections make it easy to add or swap SATA drives without going under the graphics card.
The partially hidden battery is seldom an issue, and there’s enough room to navigate around a 2.5-slot card like the STRIX RTX 2080 Ti without removing it.
The layout marks PWM fan headers in red, and despite their absence along the right edge, their placement at the top, bottom, and discreetly near the rear I/O shroud simplifies the process.
Very neat wiring. I prefer this fan header placement if it means the area below the GPU is completely clear for future SATA additions.
The USB 3.1 Gen 1 connector is vertical rather than horizontal and is located directly below the 24-pin power connector halfway along the right side of the board, not along the bottom edge.
Q-Code LED can also provide more detailed troubleshooting and will show a clear “OC” when overclocking so you know it’s working outside of the original configuration.
Everything about this layout makes perfect sense, and the design decisions are in line with other ROG cards I’ve reviewed over the past few years. The installation process is swift and straightforward, demanding minimal effort or planning from the system builder to achieve a clean result.
Performance:
Storage:
There are 6 SATA3 connectors, but both M.2 slots will support SATA devices. Just check the specs and manuals for SATA port implications.
The top/middle M.2 slot supports PCIe 4.0 x4 while the bottom M.2 slot is PCIe 3.0 x4. Both M.2 slots have aluminum heatsinks and support up to 110mm (2242-22110) storage devices.
Audio:
ASUS implemented the SupremeFX S1220 audio platform, which is essentially a tuned Realtek ALC1220 CODEC in an exclusive collaborative effort between Realtek and ASUS to fine-tune the chipset. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is 120 dB for stereo output and recording input SNR is 113 dB. Supports playback up to 32-bit/19kHz. This chipset is noise-resistant and uses premium Nichicon audio capacitors, as seen on other ASUS ROG products.
AI Noise Canceling Mic is a new ASUS feature that effectively isolates voice from background noise, including mechanical keyboard clicks from the microphone input in real time with minimal impact on the processor. Configuration of this feature is available through the Armory Crate software.
When testing with Windows Voice Recorder, I noticed that background noise and keyboard clicks were much clearer at the start of the clip, then faded out after 1-2 seconds as the algorithm adjusted. At this point, the keystrokes are still audible in the voice recording, but my voice sounds much clearer.
In a gaming situation, gamers I spoke to noticed a more pronounced reduction – apparently because the ambient noise from the game was louder than the background noise left over after the noise cancellation. Noise AI gets its job done. All they could hear was my voice – that’s how it was supposed to be.
Your mileage may vary here depending on the type of ambient noise you have and the sensitivity of your microphone, but in my testing, the feature clearly worked.
In my testing, I used both the Cooler Master MH650 gaming headset as a good proxy for what many people use, as well as the higher quality (and pricey) Razer Nari Ultimate. Either way, the analog output of the ROG SupremeFX platform is excellent from both the rear I/O port and the front panel connection.
This is also the first time I’ve seen a dedicated USB Type-C audio connector on a motherboard; This replaces the optical S/PDIF output. ASUS includes a cable (USB Type-C to 3.5mm combo jack) that fits most modern headphones.
S/PDIF has gradually moved from optical and RCA input/output connections to a single optical output, so the move to USB Type C makes sense for the following reasons:
HDMI can carry both audio and video to a S/PDIF Backup external amplifier where the PC is connected to a home theatre or other similar device. The
external DACs that typically provide both USB and S/PDIF inputs produce the same results
USB Type-C, although relatively recent, is poised to gain broader adoption among multi-channel speaker manufacturers. This is due to its ability to connect to the source through a cable and provide innovative solutions to address ongoing challenges, especially in cases where digital compression standards like DTS Connect or Dolby Digital Live are not supported at both ends, resulting in 2.1 audio output.
The software is also more useful than the usually added drivers that we are used to seeing. Sound Studio 3 allows different sound profiles/equalizer settings to be assigned to different apps or games, so if you’re using Spotify, you can use one, but as soon as you launch COD: Warzone Sound Studio will automatically apply another preset that is determined best suited for first-person shooters. It doesn’t just stop at equalizer settings – you can also allocate different audio devices to different applications.
There is a feature that creates an online connection so you can save your settings, which can come in handy if you spend a lot of time/effort to set it up. If you do not intervene manually, the default configuration will apply according to the Windows settings.
There’s also a Sonic Radar 3 app that can tell you where the sound is coming from with a visual indicator.
It’s not entirely precise, but it’s quite accurate, and the visual overlay displays directional arrows for each sound based on their source location.
While I love the innovation at the heart of this feature, the overlay will most likely go against the spirit of many competitive games. I consider the visual indicators somewhat distracting and not a feature I would personally utilize. But they should still be perceived as an additional value within the package.
LAN/WI-FI:
The Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet port is protected from spikes by ASUS LANGuard. I was able to saturate a 1Gb network in a standard test.
With an ASUS GT-AX11000 Rapture router, I conducted numerous throughput tests on various 1Gb devices while connecting the Maximus XII EXTREME to its 2.5Gb port to assess the advantages.
Wi-Fi connectivity is extensive, with only one antenna to worry about placement. This works well in maintaining a good signal.
The Wi-Fi solution is the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 with 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) supporting dual-band frequency of 2.4/5 GHz and up to 2.4Gbps maximum data rate.
STRIX B550-E Gaming also features Bluetooth 5.1, perfect for playing with wireless controllers or connecting mobile devices.
The only missing connection is 10 GB, which you don’t expect at this price point.
Test Platform:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B550-E Gaming AMD Ryzen ATX Motherboard
- Cooler: ASUS ROG Strix LC 360 RGB all-in-one liquid CPU cooler with Aura Sync
- RAM: Kingston HyperX Predator DDr4 RGB 16GB x 2 3200MHz CL16 Ram
- Nvme: Adata XPG SX8200 512GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive
- PSU: ASUS ROG-STRIX-1000G ROG Strix Gaming 1000W 80 Plus Gold Certified Fully Modular Black Desktop Power Supply
- Case: ASUS ROG Strix Helios RGB ATX Mid-tower Gaming Case
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional x64
Thermals & Fan Control:
Fan Xpert enables you to customize and optimize fan headers on your motherboard. With options for response time and ultra-quiet performance. You can easily access predefined fan profiles, and the default profile is also quite effective.
Additional Software:
ASUS has simplified the installation with Armory Crate software. It allows you to connect to the internet, download and install what you need, and helps keep it up to date in the future. The control software/driver updates.
RAMCache 3 uses a specific portion of system RAM to speed up reads and writes to storage devices. You can select specific devices or let the utility manage them across all devices.
GameFirst VI:
GameFirst is primarily a network traffic controller, setting preset or real-time AI-driven profiles for prioritization. Interestingly, you can also view historical session data in relation to other system metrics, providing important network information.
This aids online gamers facing lag without a clear distinction between network issues, thermal throttling, or other causes. GameFirst sets the Windows power profile to maximum performance when the game loads. So if you’re running your PC in balanced mode or some other greener mode. It usually changes while you’re playing and automatically resets when you quit the game.
AI Suite:
This is the ASUS tuning application that has evolved over generations. It does all the functions you need regular performance tuning, fan tuning, overclocking, system monitoring, etc. Five-way optimization is the first feature you see when you open this utility.
AI Suite includes a “junk file” cleaning function for freeing up disk space, a useful feature to optimize SSD storage. It’s convenient to have this feature within AI Suite, reducing the need for additional utility installations.
UEFI BIOS:
ROG UEFI is extensive and intuitive with advanced and EZ modes.
Initial setup is fast and straightforward, but if you wish to delve deeper, like configuring your memory XMP and boot sequence, it may require a bit more time.
MGR Gaming’s Conclusions:
I found the Bios FlashBack and ASUS Q-Design features highly impressive. These features significantly simplify tasks when they become necessary.
Which is usually at a most inopportune time.
This board is perfect in many ways. It might come with a Premium price. But it does make up for it in everything that it has to offer. It offers an outstanding layout that makes it a dream to use. Reinforced parts add to the longevity of the board and so much more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this motherboard, it really was amazing to work with.
The included applications and utilities are functional and I liked that they let me set up audio settings for different applications/games. It provides a good amount of “free” performance. To be honest, the auto-optimization felt like a cheat, but that’s exactly what some potential buyers of this motherboard need.
Watching games, movies, and other content was perfect. The audio delivered a loud and clear experience without any stuttering or sudden fan speed increases. This immersed me completely in games such as The Division 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands, and Far Cry 5. As well as unconventional survival simulations. Listening to music was also great, and the test setup remained nimble and responsive throughout the test.
