The ASUS ProArt B850-Creator Wi-Fi Neo is introduced as one of ASUS’s latest refresh Socket AM5 models for 800-series chipsets, featuring a striking ProArt design.
Compared to previous B850 motherboards, this model includes dual PCIe Gen 5 M.2 ports, each with dedicated lanes not shared with other devices. Furthermore, the BIOS size has doubled from 256 Mbit (32 MB) to 512 Mbit (64 MB), enabling integration of future features, driver updates, and potential CPU support.
Priced at $300, the board’s premium positioning raises questions about the value derived from the ProArt Creator name beyond its aesthetic design. The board’s features include extensive PCIe Gen 5 support, a 512 Mbit (64 MB) BIOS, and up to USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20 Gbps connectivity.
While the ProArt B850-Creator Wi-Fi Neo is considered a solid option in terms of features and performance if $300 is within budget, its appeal is complicated by the price point, as several much cheaper alternatives offer similar features, including some X870E options that cost less.
Key enhancements include 36 W fan headers and 30 W power delivery over the USB Type-C header, which are highlighted as being rare for B850 motherboards. The board also supports triple display output via a rear Type-C port that acts as a DisplayPort output, and features a front panel Type-C port for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20 Gbps.
Potential drawbacks noted include the low number of rear Type-A USB ports, and the SSD cooling potential, particularly on the top M.2 port, which requires a larger heatsink and full underside thermal pad coverage.
On the positive side, the dual PCIe Gen 5 M.2 ports are equipped with heatsinks and maintain full bandwidth simultaneously, which is an advantage if PCIe Gen 5 SSDs become mainstream.
The board’s connectivity is otherwise balanced by other options: the ASRock B850 LiveMixer Wi-Fi costs over $100 less, providing better SSD and VRM temperatures, PCIe Gen 5 support, and 20 Gbps Type-C connectivity, though its EFI and software are noted as inferior. The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max Wi-Fi is another alternative, costing around $100 less but lacking enhanced Type-C power delivery and underside cooling on all M.2 ports.
More premium alternatives include the older MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk Wi-Fi, which costs $15 less than the ProArt B850-Creator Wi-Fi Neo and offers USB4, 27 W power delivery, improved PCIe Gen 5 cooling, and more USB ports. The newer ASUS TUF Gaming X870-Pro Wi-Fi 7 W Neo, priced around $350, offers USB4, 30 W Type-C power delivery, dual PCIe Gen 5 support, and a larger BIOS.
Ultimately, the ProArt B850-Creator Wi-Fi Neo is presented as a good buy if the user values the ProArt design and has a $300 budget, despite the existence of cheaper competitors with comparable features.
Source: TechPowerUp