ASUS Brings TUF Series to Mini-ITX Format with New B850I WiFi Neo for AM5 Socket

ASUS has announced an expansion of its AM5 platform offering with the TUF Gaming B850I WiFi Neo, the first TUF series motherboard in Mini-ITX format (17 x 17 cm). This is a proposal designed for compact systems based on the latest generation AMD Ryzen processors, aiming to balance technical features and cost.

The motherboard is based on the B850 chipset and guarantees compatibility with Ryzen series 7000, 8000, and 9000 CPUs. On the memory front, it features two DDR5 slots, supporting up to 128 GB in total with frequencies depending on the processor used: up to DDR5-8200 with Ryzen 9000, DDR5-9600 with Ryzen 8000, and DDR5-8000 with Ryzen 7000. Both AMD EXPO profiles and ASUS AEMP technology are supported.

Regarding expansion, the PCI Express x16 slot operates in Gen 5 mode with Ryzen 7000 and 9000 CPUs, while it is limited to Gen 4 with Ryzen 8000. Storage capabilities include two M.2 slots and two SATA 6 Gb/s ports: however, only the first M.2 slot is directly connected to the CPU with PCIe 5.0 x4 interface (on Ryzen 7000/9000), while the second uses PCIe 4.0 x4 lanes from the chipset.

Power delivery is handled by an 8+2+1 phase VRM rated for 80 A on a 10-layer PCB, a configuration less aggressive compared to some ROG solutions but suitable for the target of the board. The audio section also reflects this positioning: instead of the SupremeFX codec found on higher-end models, ASUS integrates a Realtek 7.1 HD solution with support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz and dedicated shielding.

In terms of connectivity, the TUF Gaming B850I WiFi Neo offers Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 GbE Ethernet. The rear I/O panel includes a 20 Gbps USB-C port, two 10 Gbps USB-A ports, one 5 Gbps USB-A port, and two USB 2.0 ports, as well as DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 for video output. Additional features include BIOS FlashBack and Clear CMOS buttons, along with connectors for Wi-Fi antennas and audio.

Inside the PCB, headers for fans and AIO pumps are available, concentrated in the upper part which could affect cable management in more compact cases. There are also ARGB Gen 2 headers and connectors for front USB.

Positioning-wise, the new TUF offering is positioned below equivalent ROG solutions, such as the ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi, featuring more advanced specifications (e.g., Wi-Fi 7 and more robust VRM). The official price has not yet been announced, but it is plausible to expect a figure lower than ROG models, making it a more accessible alternative for AM5-based Mini-ITX configurations.