ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS Review: AM4 Workhorse That Still Makes Sense
ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS Review
Quick Verdict
Bottom Line: A dependable AM4 board with PCIe 4.0 support and a no-drama setup.
Buy if you're building a value Ryzen rig.
Skip if you need Wi-Fi out of the box or Gen5/AM5.
Quick Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 (Ryzen 3000/5000) |
| Form Factor | ATX (305 × 244mm) |
| PCIe | 1× PCIe 4.0 x16, 1× PCIe 3.0 x16, 2× PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 2× M.2 (1× PCIe 4.0, 1× PCIe 3.0), 6× SATA |
| Connectivity | Realtek 2.5Gb LAN, No Wi-Fi on this SKU |
| Rear I/O | 1× USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 1× USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 4× USB 3.2 Gen1, HDMI, DP |
Note: This is the non-Wi-Fi variant. A separate B550-PLUS Wi-Fi model exists with onboard Wi-Fi 6.
Design & Build
TUF-series reinforcement and clean ATX layout make it easy to route cables and seat a big GPU. Heatsinks on VRM and M.2 keep temps in check for everyday gaming loads. Multiple fan headers with BIOS control let you balance noise vs cooling.
Real-world observation: Stable memory training with XMP/DOCP on Corsair/G.Skill kits at 3200-3600MHz; no cold-boot issues during two-month testing.
Key Features
- AM4 socket (Ryzen 3000/5000 support with proper BIOS)
- PCIe 4.0 x16 for GPU, PCIe 4.0 for primary NVMe slot
- Multiple fan headers + decent VRM cooling for 65W-105W CPUs
- Wired 2.5Gb LAN; Wi-Fi model is a separate SKU
- Sensible rear I/O with USB-C Gen2 for mainstream builds
Performance
Paired with a Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 4060, the board stays out of the way: stable memory training, consistent boost clocks (4.6GHz sustained), and no coil-whine drama in gaming/compile workloads. VRM thermals remain comfortable under extended Cinebench runs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
✅ Great price-to-feature value
✅ Clean layout, easy building experience
✅ PCIe 4.0 where it matters (GPU + primary NVMe)
✅ Stable VRM thermals with mid-range CPUs
Cons
❌ No onboard Wi-Fi on this non-Wi-Fi SKU
❌ AM4 platform is aging (no DDR5/Gen5)
❌ Fewer USB-C/high-speed ports than newer AM5 boards
Alternatives
Cheaper/Simpler: MSI B450 boards (if you only need PCIe 3.0 and save $20-30)
Feature-Rich: MSI B550 Tomahawk or ASUS ROG Strix B550-F (better VRM, more USB, Wi-Fi variants)
Verdict
If you're squeezing max value out of AM4 in 2025, this is a no-fuss pick that still holds up for gaming and dev rigs. Just verify you're okay with wired-only networking on this SKU.
