GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX AMD B650 ATX Motherboard with DDR5, PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E, 5-Year Warranty

Install was pretty straightforward with the help of a couple manuals directing where everything should be plugged in. Got an OS installed and the rig has stellar gaming performance.My only two jarring complaints: XMP does not work (when I tried, PC would not boot until I CMOS-reset the BIOS to default settings), and reboot does not work at all. Literally the first place I emcountered this issue was at the reboot done during the OS install. Found out from others online that these are not an isolated issue and is a noted problem with this and some of GIGABYTE's other motherboards.Still works great, but will not recommend any of GIGABYTE's motherboards moving forward on account of this very disappointing pattern of issues. Hence the 1 star. Avoid this and go with a more reliable brand like ASUS. I will bite the bullet and avoid reboots in the meantime until the next chipset generation or two is released. Because I simply have zero confidence in their ability to fix the motherboard under their own warranty, and the only thing that can change my mind is for them to replace it, free of charge, with a board that does not have issues.EDIT (1/20/24)Fast forward a month, and I see my one star is more justified than ever. Since two weeks ago, BSoD after BSoD have been happening, and a lot of my diagnostic work on it points to a bad BIOS (which this rig will not let me update using the provided Q Flash utility), or bad RAM. Some friends suggested turning on XMP will help remedy the issue, but I cannot do this as aforementioned. And the RAM is only a month and a half old, suggesting that either the motherboard's RAM slots are damaged/defective, or it's been steadily damaging it. Could just be bad RAM on arrival, but I find that hard to believe.

This review is for the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX rev 1.I ordered this board because I was on an older Intel platform and I wanted to try an AMD build again. The AMD AM5 platform suits my needs since it has current modern features and is projected to have a long lifecycle and I anticipate my next upgrade to be in 5 years or so.The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX was one the lesser expensive and full featured ATX boards with WiFi at the time of my purchase.My build includes:GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX MotherboardAMD Ryzen 7700X CPUCorsair Vengeance RGB RAMZotac GTX 1080 AMP EditionFirst, my dislikes. No printed manual. As a lifelong pc builder, I rely heavily on a manual booklet for basic info such as what slots to install memory in. How to connect front panel power, reset, hdd status led etc. Where all of the headers such as USB and fans are located.Having an online manual is good but is useless if you don't have a spare computer or laptop to use while you build your computer.Thankfully I did not have to use the BIOS flashback feature because the board recognized my CPU, a Ryzen 7700X, otherwise I would have to go online, download the manual and look up the flashback instructions.For the price I do wish that the board included a higher end integrated audio chipset. Features-wise the audio chipset is the biggest disappointment.I did not like is the top most NVME slot right above the GPU slot has a really thick thermal adhesive pre-applied to the heatsink. It is so thick that it bends my NVME drive slightly - not enough to cause any issues but should be noted.One last thing I did not like is the lack of onboard BIOS post code status LED. I had this feature on my previous motherboard and found it super helpful when diagnosing problems.Now, for my likes. I like all of the features. AM5 socket, DDR5, WiFi6, PCIe 5.0, multiple NVMe slots, plenty of USB slots, and of course RGB support. The board itself is great. Build quality is awesome, no issues with build quality or materials.I did run into a few issues though. Although these issues were encountered with this motherboard, they are not Gigabyte's fault necessarily. These issues were mostly to do with the AMD platform and chipset itself.1. The shipping BIOS "F2" version did not allow me to enable XMP memory profile. I had to flash the BIOS to the current at the time "F4" BIOS.Note that the current BIOS version as of this review is "F5a".2. There were a lot of stability or problems with the USB chipset or bus. File transfers over USB were very slow or slower than it should be. I have USB DAC that had a lot of noise during audio playback. These issues were resolved by installing the latest chipset drivers for the B650 from AMD directly and also updating the BIOS.Here are some recommendations based on my experience with the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX.Definitely update the BIOS. In past generations of motherboards it is only recommended to update the BIOS to fix a specific issue you've encountered. However, in modern motherboards there are so many chipsets and features that it is important to keep up to date on BIOS versions to maintain stability, performance, compatibility, and security. AMD seems to release AGESA updates (as BIOS updates) often and this is directly tied to the chipset. Also, download the chipset drivers directly from AMD because they tend to be more up to date than the motherboard manufacturers' website.To flash the bios, just download the BIOS file for your motherboard from Gigabyte's website and extract/copy the file to a USB drive. Reboot and enter the bios and choose Q-Flash. Select the BIOS, and the board will load the BIOS to memory then prompt for a reboot and apply the new BIOS.Aside from the chipset drivers, all other motherboard drivers can be downloaded and installed from Gigabyte.Ever since, updating the BIOS and AMD chipset drivers, I have had absolutely zero issues. Performance is amazing. Stability is solid. I even run a mild overclock using the AMD Ryzen Master app and doing an auto-oc.In summary, I highly recommend the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX if you're looking for an AM5 build. The issues I've had are specific to the AMD platform and not the motherboard itself, however because of this I would not recommend the AMD platform for novice PC builders or if you are not comfortable or familiar with BIOS updates and troubleshooting driver issues.

Are you ready to take your PC gaming and productivity to the next level with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled performance? Look no further than the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX AMD B650 ATX Motherboard. As a tech enthusiast and proud owner of this powerhouse motherboard, I'm excited to share my experience and insights on why it's a game-changer for PC builders and enthusiasts alike.Next-Gen Technology:The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX is packed with next-generation technology that sets it apart from the competition. Featuring support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, this motherboard delivers lightning-fast data transfer speeds and unparalleled bandwidth, ensuring smooth and responsive performance even under the most demanding workloads. Whether you're gaming, streaming, or multitasking, you can count on the B650 AORUS Elite AX to keep up with your every command.Built for Performance:But performance is about more than just raw speed—it's also about reliability and stability. That's why GIGABYTE has equipped the B650 AORUS Elite AX with premium components and robust power delivery systems, ensuring rock-solid stability and efficiency even under heavy loads. Whether you're overclocking your CPU for maximum performance or pushing your graphics card to its limits, you can trust that this motherboard will deliver the power and stability you need to stay ahead of the competition.Seamless Connectivity:In today's connected world, seamless connectivity is essential, and the B650 AORUS Elite AX delivers on all fronts. With built-in Wi-Fi 6E support, you can enjoy lightning-fast wireless speeds and ultra-low latency, ensuring smooth and lag-free online gaming and streaming. The inclusion of multiple USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen2 and USB-C, provides ample connectivity options for your peripherals and accessories, while the latest HDMI and DisplayPort outputs ensure compatibility with the latest high-resolution displays and VR headsets.Advanced Features & Customization:But the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX isn't just about performance—it's also about customization and control. With advanced BIOS options and intuitive software utilities, you can fine-tune every aspect of your system to suit your preferences and maximize performance. Whether you're tweaking fan speeds for optimal cooling or adjusting RGB lighting effects to match your setup, the B650 AORUS Elite AX puts the power of customization in your hands.Final Verdict:In conclusion, the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX AMD B650 ATX Motherboard is a true powerhouse that combines next-generation technology, uncompromising performance, and seamless connectivity in a sleek and stylish package. Whether you're a hardcore gamer, a content creator, or a PC enthusiast looking to build the ultimate rig, this motherboard has everything you need to unleash your creativity and elevate your computing experience to new heights. With its unmatched combination of features, performance, and reliability, the B650 AORUS Elite AX is the perfect foundation for your next PC build.