ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) vs Wi-Fi II: A Comprehensive Comparison for Gamers
What To Know
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus is a popular motherboard choice for gamers looking for a reliable and affordable option.
- In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the key differences between the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) and the Wi-Fi II to help you make an informed decision.
- The TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) uses the Realtek ALC1220-VB audio codec, which is an upgrade over the ALC1220 codec used on the original model.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus is a popular motherboard choice for gamers looking for a reliable and affordable option. It offers a solid feature set, including support for AMD’s latest Ryzen processors, fast DDR4 memory, and multiple storage options. Recently, ASUS released a refreshed version of this motherboard, the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II). So, how does the new model compare to the original? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the key differences between the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) and the Wi-Fi II to help you make an informed decision.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) | TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 | AMD B550 |
| Memory | 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 128GB | 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 128GB |
| Storage | 2x M.2 slots, 6x SATA ports | 2x M.2 slots, 6x SATA ports |
| PCIe Slots | 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot | 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot |
| LAN | 1x Gigabit Ethernet port | 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, 1x Gigabit Ethernet port |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| USB Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports |
| Audio | Realtek ALC1220 audio codec | Realtek ALC1220-VB audio codec |
| RGB Lighting | 2x RGB headers | 2x RGB headers, 1x Addressable RGB header |
| BIOS | UEFI BIOS | UEFI BIOS with EZ Flash 3 |
Key Differences
Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 6: The most noticeable difference between the two motherboards is the Wi-Fi capabilities. The original TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) features Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is a significant upgrade over Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). However, the new TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) goes one step further by supporting Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). Wi-Fi 6E operates in the 6 GHz band, which offers faster speeds and lower latency than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet: Another key difference is the inclusion of a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port on the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II). This is a significant upgrade over the Gigabit Ethernet port on the original model. With a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connection, you can enjoy faster file transfers and smoother online gaming experiences.
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2: The TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) also features two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports. These ports offer twice the bandwidth of USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, providing speeds up to 20 Gbps. This makes them ideal for connecting high-speed external storage devices and peripherals.
Improved Audio Codec: The TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) uses the Realtek ALC1220-VB audio codec, which is an upgrade over the ALC1220 codec used on the original model. The ALC1220-VB codec offers improved sound quality and support for DTS Sound Unbound, which provides immersive surround sound experiences.
Other Minor Differences: There are a few other minor differences between the two motherboards. The TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) has an additional Addressable RGB header, which allows you to connect more RGB lighting devices. It also has a slightly updated BIOS with EZ Flash 3, which makes it easier to update the BIOS.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The choice between the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) and the Wi-Fi II depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible Wi-Fi connectivity, the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) is the clear choice. It offers support for Wi-Fi 6E, which provides faster speeds and lower latency than Wi-Fi 6.
If you need a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port for faster wired network speeds, the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) is also the better option. Additionally, if you want to take advantage of the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 technology, the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) is the only choice.
However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need these advanced features, the original TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) is still a great option. It offers a solid feature set at a more affordable price point.
Performance
In terms of performance, both motherboards offer similar levels of performance. They both support the same AMD Ryzen processors and memory speeds. However, the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) may have a slight edge in gaming performance due to its Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet capabilities.
In a nutshell
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) and the Wi-Fi II are both excellent motherboards for gamers. The TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) offers a few key upgrades over the original model, including Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. However, the original TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi) is still a great option for those on a budget or who don’t need these advanced features.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
1. Which motherboard has better Wi-Fi connectivity?
The TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) has better Wi-Fi connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 6E, which offers faster speeds and lower latency than Wi-Fi 6.
2. Which motherboard has a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port?
Only the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) has a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port for faster wired network speeds.
3. Which motherboard has USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports?
Only the TUF Gaming B550-Plus (Wi-Fi II) has two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports for high-speed data transfers.
