ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi AMD B650 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 & 7000 ATX Motherboard
Bottom line: The ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi AMD B650 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 &: AM5 socket supports Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series desktop CPUs; main trade-off: ryzen 9000/8000 CPUs may need a BIOS update before first boot.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ AM5 socket supports Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series desktop CPUs
- ✓ BIOS FlashBack updates firmware with no CPU or RAM installed
- ✓ M.2 PCIe 5.0 slot for next-gen NVMe SSDs, with M.2 heatsink
- ✓ WiFi 6E plus Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet built in
- ✓ Heatsinks on VRM, M.2 and PCH, plus hybrid fan headers and Fan Xpert 2+
Cons
- ✗ Ryzen 9000/8000 CPUs may need a BIOS update before first boot
- ✗ Thunderbolt 4 is a header only; needs a separate add-in card
- ✗ Front USB Type-C header tops out at 5Gbps
- ✗ DDR5 only, so existing DDR4 kits can't be reused
Manufacturer description
The ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi is an ATX motherboard for an AM5 build that needs current connectivity without a flagship-chipset price. The AM5 socket supports AMD Ryzen Desktop 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series processors. Ryzen 9000 and 8000 chips may need a BIOS update first. BIOS FlashBack handles that update safely: copy the UEFI file to a FAT32 USB stick, plug it into the FlashBack port and press the button. It works with no CPU or memory installed. The board carries the connections a modern build expects. You get an M.2 PCIe 5.0 slot for next-gen NVMe drives, DDR5 memory support, WiFi 6E and…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi AMD B650 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 &… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the motherboards category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the motherboards category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for motherboards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi work with Ryzen 9000 CPUs out of the box?
It supports Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series desktop processors on AM5. ASUS notes that 9000 and 8000 Series chips may need a BIOS update first. You can do that with BIOS FlashBack even before a CPU is installed.
How do I update the BIOS without a compatible CPU?
Use BIOS FlashBack. Copy the UEFI BIOS file onto a FAT32-formatted USB stick, plug it into the USB BIOS FlashBack port and press the FlashBack button. It works without a CPU or memory installed.
Does this board support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?
Yes. It has an M.2 PCIe 5.0 slot for Gen5 NVMe drives, and an M.2 heatsink is included. Check the ASUS spec sheet for the exact lane assignment of each M.2 slot.
Does it have Thunderbolt 4 built in?
No, it has a Thunderbolt 4 header. To get Thunderbolt 4 ports you need a compatible ASUS Thunderbolt add-in card. The board does have a USB 10Gbps Type-C port and a front USB 5Gbps Type-C header.
What networking does the Prime B650-PLUS WiFi include?
It has WiFi 6E for wireless and Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet for wired connections, so you don't need an add-in network card.
Key Features
- AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen Desktop 9000*, 8000*, and 7000 Series Processors
- *BIOS Update maybe required when used with AMD Ryzen Desktop 9000 and 8000 Series CPU Processors
- Ultrafast Connectivity: WIFI 6E, M.2 PCIe 5.0, Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, USB 10Gbps Type-C, front USB 5Gbps Type-C, Thunderbolt 4 header support
- ASUS OptiMem II: Careful routing of traces and vias, plus ground layer optimizations to preserve signal integrity for improved memory overclocking
- Comprehensive Cooling: VRM heatsink, M.2 heatsink, PCH heatsink, hybrid fan headers and Fan Xpert 2+
- Aura Sync RGB Lighting: Onboard Addressable Gen 2 headers and Aura RGB header for RGB LED strips, easily synced with Aura Sync-capable hardware
Full Specifications
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Platform | Windows |
| CPU Model | Others |
| AM5 Socket | Ready for AMD Ryzen Desktop 9000*, 8000*, and 7000 Series Processors |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM5 |
| Model Name | PRIME B650-PLUS WIFI |
| Chipset Type | AMD B650 |
| Connectivity | USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | PRIME B650-PLUS WIFI |
| Built-In Media | PRIME B650-PLUS WIFI, User Manual |
| Chipset Family | AMD B650 |
| ASUS OptiMem II | Careful routing of traces and vias, plus ground layer optimizations to preserve signal integrity for improved memory overclocking |
| Mfr Part Number | PRIME B650-PLUS WIFI |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Ports | 9 |
| Total Usb Ports | 9 |
| Processor Socket | Socket AM5 |
| Total PCIe Ports | 5 |
| Total SATA Ports | 6 |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Full listing title | ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi AMD B650 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 & 7000 ATX Motherboard, DDR5, PCIe 5.0 M.2, 2.5Gb LAN, WiFi 6E, HDMI™, SATA 6 Gbps, USB Type-C®, BIOS Flashback™, Thunderbolt™ 4 Header |
Ready to buy?
ASUS Prime B650-PLUS WiFi AMD B650 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 & 7000 ATX Motherboard, DDR5, PCIe 5.0 M.2, 2.5Gb LAN, WiFi 6E, HDMI™, SATA 6 Gbps, USB Type-C®, BIOS Flashback™, Thunderbolt™ 4 Header is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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