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The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) offers good overall performance out of the box and when overclocked. We took our 16-core Ryzen chip to its usual 4.25GHz clock speed, though this process was a little less straightforward than usual due to ASUS’ unclear loadline calibration options.
Cooling from the VRM heatsinks also aided the overclocking success. Much of the success for the adequate thermal performance can also be attributed to the high-quality power delivery solution that is built around Vishay SiC639 50A power stages. ASUS’ 8+2 stage design works well and does not skimp on quality where it counts.
It is, however, frustrating to see that users still cannot view their stellar VRM cooling performance using common software such as HWiNFO. This is because ASUS still does not pass through VRM temperature sensor data to these packages. It is a weakness that we repeatedly observe on ASUS’ more moderately priced motherboards, and it is a decision that we do not agree with.
ASUS has nothing to hide because the VRM solution is good overall. And the data would be useful to budding enthusiasts learning about their system as well as users tweaking their overclocking settings and checking on stability.
Fan control through the UEFI is in-depth and good in terms of function. ASUS offers up one of the best fan control solutions on the market. I would, however, have liked to see at least one more fan header mounted on the motherboard. Four 4-pin fan headers are probably OK for a motherboard of this ilk, but it is also cutting it needlessly close to what buyers will require.
I am happy with ASUS choices for the rear IO ports. Plenty of USB ports is great to see and both video outputs will do 4K60. It is slightly disappointing, however, to see the omission of a rear IO shroud and integrated IO shield. These are small aesthetic touches that add to the premium feel of the motherboard and cost little to implement.
My bigger disappointment, though, comes from the complete lack of an internal USB Type-C header. This is not a smart move for a motherboard at this price point as it will leave users with a potentially useless port on their new chassis.
Looking at the competition, ASUS’ TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) goes up against the ASRock B550M Steel Legend and the MSI MAG B550M Mortar WiFi. That MSI board is a particularly tough competitor as it offers the internal Type-C header, extra SATA ports, and an integrated IO shield for a lower asking price of around £155 currently.
This makes the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) look expensive for the feature set it offers. At around £180-185 currently, it is hard to justify the price premium for ASUS’ motherboard versus the MSI competitor. A price drop to around £155 or £165 would make the ASUS motherboard far more competitive.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) is priced at £179.99 at Overclockers UK at the time of writing.
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Pros:
- Good performance at stock and overclocked
- Power delivery solution is solid and with good cooling
- Ample rear IO USB ports
- Smart decision for M.2 cooling
- Good high-speed networking connectivity
- Well-designed fan control solution
- 4K-capable Displayport and HDMI for APU users
Cons:
- No internal USB Type-C header
- No VRM temperature sensor
- Unclear loadline calibration options with no explanation
- Slim number of fan headers
- Price is too high for the feature set on offer
KitGuru says: A solid motherboard with good performance and a well-built VRM, but the price is too high given the features that are lacking versus its primary competitors.
