ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi Motherboard Review

Features and Specifications

Features

• Supports AMD Socket AM5 Ryzen™ 8000 and 7000 Series Processors
• 14+2+1 Power Phase, 80A Dr.MOS for VCore
• 4 x DDR5 DIMMs, supports up to 7200+ (OC)
• 1 PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 4.0 x1
• Graphics Output Options: 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort
• Realtek ALC4082 7.1 CH HD Audio Codec, Nahimic Audio
• 4 SATA3, 1 Blazing M.2 (PCIe Gen5x4), 2 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4x4)
• 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Rear)
  1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
  1 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
  8 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (4 Rear, 4 Front)
  8 USB 2.0 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
• Dragon 2.5G LAN
• 802.11axe WiFi 6E + Bluetooth
• Supports ASRock Auto Driver Installer, BIOS Flashback

Overview

Steel Legend represents the philosophical state of rock-solid durability and irresistible aesthetics. Built around most demanding specs and features, the Steel Legend series aims at daily users and mainstream enthusiasts! Providing a strong array of materials/components to ensure a stable and reliable performance.

Dr. MOS

Dr.MOS is the integrated power stage solution which is optimized for synchronous buck-set down voltage applications! Compared to traditional discrete MOSFETs, it intelligently delivers higher current for each phase, thus providing improved thermal result and superior performance.

14+2+1 Power Phase Design

Featuring sturdy components and completely smooth power delivery to the CPU, offering enhanced performance for gamers.

20K Capacitors

20K black capacitors with lifespans of at least 20,000 hours, provides even longer component durability compares with normal capacitors, extending MTBF to give better system stability.

8 Layer PCB design

The 8 Layer PCB provides stable signal traces and power shapes delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency, ensures a reliable and long-lasting system while delivering ultimate performance without any compromise.

PCIe 5.0 wih SMT

Compares to conventional DIP style PCIe slot, the SMT type PCIe slot improves signal flow and maximize stability under high speed, a key breakthrough to fully support the lighting speed of the latest PCIe 5.0 standard.

The latest PCI Express 5.0 is capable to perform a breathtaking bandwidth of 128GBps, ready to unleash the full potential of future high end graphic cards.

DDR5 EXPO & XMP Support

Derived from the “built for stable and reliable” designing concept, ASRock does not compromise on any details. All B650E motherboards are built with 8-Layer and premium low-loss materials, enthusiasts are able to enjoy the boost of DDR5 memory overclocking performance up to 6600MHz and beyond by enabling the pre-tested profiles. Make sure the memory modules are AMD EXPO™/ Intel® XMP capable and overclocking can be made so affordable, satisfying and absolutely no sweat at all.

Blazing OC Tuner

The Blazing OC Tuner allows AM5 CPU to switch between OC mode and PBO(Precision Boost Overdrive) mode when the CPU current hits threshold. Anything above current threshold will engage manual OC mode; if below current threshold then will engage Precision Boost Overdrive mode. This idea is to combine overclocking on all cores and automatic boost on a single core to get the best performance out of your CPU. There is no need to enter BIOS to setup up, you can modify all the settings on time under OS.

AMD PBO Technology

PBO(Precision Boost Overdrive) is an automatic performance-maximizing technology that is able to improve your PC’s performance by raising clock speeds based on the conditions inside your PC, AMD’s processors is equipped with intelligent thermal sensors designed to analyze conditions inside your PC and make the “go faster” decision as often as possible, please ensure system cooling is sufficient before enabling PBO.

Dragon 2.5Gb/s LAN

The intelligent 2.5Gb/s LAN platform is built for maximum networking performance for the demanding requirements of home networking, content creators, online gamers and high-quality streaming media. Boost networking performance up to 2.5X the bandwidth compared to the standard gigabit Ethernet, you’ll enjoy the faster and uncompromised connectivity experience for gaming, file transfers and backups.

Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax

WiFi 6E technology has extended to the whole new 6GHz spectrum band, providing more WiFi capability and giving an even better and faster internet traffic. In addition to deliver higher speeds, the WiFi 6E also enhances the lower latency and supports service levels that are equivalent to 5G networks.

Nahimic Audio

Whether you are using headphones, a headset, external or internal speakers, via USB, Wi-Fi, analog output or even HDMI, Nahimic Audio offers you the most engaging listening experience, vibrant and rich with details.

POLYCHROME RGB

This motherboard features onboard RGB headers and an addressable RGB header that allow motherboard to be connected to compatible LED devices such as strip, CPU fans, coolers, chassis and so on. Users may also synchronize RGB LED devices across the Polychrome RGB Sync-certified accessories to create their own unique lighting effects.

PCIe Gen5 Blazing M.2

The Blazing M.2 accommodates the latest PCI Express 5.0 standard to perform twice the bandwidth compared to previous generation, with a breathtaking 128GB/s transfer speed, it is ready to unleash the full potential of future ultrafast SSDs.

Multi-Layer M.2 Heatsink

The extra large aluminum alloy M.2 heatsink effectively improves heat dissipation to keep those high speed M.2 SSDs as cool as possible, it is able to give better stability while maintaining top performance.

Anti-drop Screw

Tired of dropping screws or screws missing inside chassis? The enhanced M.2 heatsink with anti-drop screw design that make sure installation process more easily.

USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C

The latest USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C delivers up to 20 Gbps data transfer rate which is 2x as fast as previous generation, providing a blazing fast data transfer interface with reversible USB Type-C design that fits the connector either way.

Front USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C

Front USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C header delivers up to 5 Gbps data transfer rate and next generation reversible USB design to the front panel of computer case.

Specifications

• Unique Feature
  Superb Productivity
  – PCIe Gen5 (Graphics, M.2)
  – Dual Channel DDR5
  Rock-Solid Durability
  – 14+2+1 Power Phase, 80A Dr.MOS with Enlarged Heatsink Armor
  – Flexible Integrated I/O Shield
  – 20K Long-lasting Black Caps (high quality and conductive polymer capacitors)
  Ultrafast Connectivity
  – 2.5G LAN, 802.11axe Wi-Fi 6E Module
  EZ Update
  – BIOS Flashback Button
  – ASRock Auto Driver Installer
  EZ Troubleshooter
  – ASRock Post Status Checker
• CPU
  – Supports AMD Socket AM5 Ryzen™ 8000 and 7000 Series Processors
• Chipset
  – AMD B650
• Memory
  – Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology
  – 4 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
  – Supports DDR5 ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 7200+(OC)
  – Max. capacity of system memory: 192GB
  – Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) and EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules
• BIOS
  – 256Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with GUI support
• Graphics
  Integrated AMD RDNA™ graphics (Actual support may vary by CPU)
  – 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
  – 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (compressed), supports HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
• Audio
  – 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC4082 Audio Codec)
  – Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
  – Impedance Sensing on Rear Out port
  – Nahimic Audio
• LAN
  – 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s
  – Dragon RTL8125BG
  – Supports Dragon 2.5G LAN Software
  – Smart Auto Adjust Bandwidth Control
  – Visual User Friendly UI
  – Visual Network Usage Statistics
  – Optimized Default Setting for Game, Browser, and Streaming Modes
  – User Customized Priority Control
• Wireless LAN
  – 802.11axe Wi-Fi 6E Module
  – Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/axe
  – Supports Dual-Band 2×2 with extended 6GHz band* support
  – 2 antennas to support 2 (Transmit) x 2 (Receive) diversity technology
  – Supports Bluetooth 5.2 + High speed class II
  – Supports MU-MIMO

  * Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz band) will be supported by Microsoft Windows^® 11. The availability will depend on the different regulation status of each country and region. It will be activated (for supported countries) through Windows^® Update and software updates once available.
  A 6GHz compatible router is required for 6E functionality.
• Slots
  CPU:
  – 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
  Chipset:
  – 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2), supports x4 mode*
  – 1 x PCIe 4.0 x1 Slot (PCIE3)*
  – 1 x Vertical M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module
  – Supports AMD CrossFire™
  – 15μ Gold Contact in VGA PCIe Slot (PCIE1)

  * Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
  If SATA3_0 and SATA3_1 are occupied, PCIE2 will downgrade to x2 mode.
• Storage
  CPU:
  – 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
  – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode* Chipset:
  – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2230/2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
  – 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors**
  ASMedia ASM1061:
  – 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

  * Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
  ** If SATA3_0 and SATA3_1 are occupied, PCIE2 will downgrade to x2 mode.
• RAID
  – Supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for SATA storage devices
  – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices*

  * Requires additional M.2 NVMe expansion cards to support RAID 10
• USB
  CPU:
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (2 Rear (USB32_12)) Chipset:
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Rear)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
  – 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (2 Rear (USB32_34), 4 Front)
  – 8 x USB 2.0 (4 Rear, 4 Front)

  * All USB ports support ESD Protection
• Connector
  – 1 x SPI TPM Header
  – 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
  – 1 x RGB LED Header*
  – 3 x Addressable LED Headers**
  – 1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin)***
  – 1 x CPU/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)****
  – 4 x Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)*****
  – 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
  – 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
  – 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
  – 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
  – 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header

  * Supports in total up to 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip
  ** Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
  *** CPU_FAN1 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).
  **** CPU_FAN2/WP supports the fan power up to 2A (24W).
  ***** CHA_FAN1~4/WP support the fan power up to 2A (24W).
  ***** CPU_FAN2/WP and CHA_FAN1~4/WP can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.
• Rear Panel I/O
  – 2 x Antenna Ports
  – 1 x HDMI Port
  – 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
  – 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C Port (20 Gb/s)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s)
  – 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports (USB32_34 support Ultra USB Power.)
  – 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
  – 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
  – 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
  – 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
  – 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• Software and UEFI
  Software
  – ASRock Motherboard Utility (A-Tuning)
  – ASRock Dragon 2.5G LAN Software
  – ASRock Polychrome SYNC*
  UEFI
  – ASRock Full HD UEFI
  – ASRock Auto Driver Installer
  – ASRock Instant Flash

  *These utilities can be downloaded from ASRock Live Update & APP Shop.
• Accessories
  – 1 x User Manual
  – 2 x SATA Data Cables
  – 2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
  – 3 x Screws for M.2 Sockets
  – 1 x Standoff for M.2 Socket
• Form Factor
  – ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 9.6-in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
  – 8 Layer PCB

More information on ASRock’s website.