Premium audio integration meets cost-effective transport board in the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi Motherboard review.
The ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard is a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of performance, features, and design at an affordable price point. This board stands out in several key areas, but it also has some noteworthy limitations.
Pros
Performance and Power Delivery
The ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard boasts a robust 14+2+1 phase Dr.MOS power design with large aluminum heatsinks, ensuring VRMs stay cool under heavy loads. This results in stable overclocking and multitasking performance [3][5]. Gaming and general performance benchmarks show it matches more expensive boards without throttling [1].
PCIe 5.0 Support
One of the board's standout features is its support for PCIe 5.0, both for graphics cards and M.2 storage. This allows the use of a PCIe 5.0 GPU alongside a PCIe 5.0 SSD and three PCIe 4.0 SSDs simultaneously, offering excellent expandability and future-proofing [1][3].
Networking
The motherboard features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, as well as a 2.5 GbE LAN port. These high-speed wired and wireless connections represent a notable upgrade over Wi-Fi 6 alternatives [3][1].
Storage Flexibility
The Steel Legend offers multiple high-speed storage options, with one PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot, three Gen 4 M.2 slots, and four SATA 3 ports [3].
Design
The board's rugged grey-white aesthetics, combined with large heatsinks, provide durability and an appealing appearance for its price bracket. It also supports up to 256GB DDR5 RAM [3].
USB Front Panel Type-C
The motherboard includes a USB 3.1 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps Type-C front panel header, capable of running external SSDs at speeds over 2000 MB/s [1].
Value
Generally regarded as one of the best B850 boards for its price, the ASRock Steel Legend delivers many premium features without a premium price tag [1][3][5].
Cons
Lack of USB4
Unlike some competitors, the B850 Steel Legend does not support USB4, which may affect future peripheral compatibility and data transfer speeds [1][3].
UEFI BIOS
The UEFI BIOS is described as mediocre and less user-friendly compared to higher-end boards, potentially presenting a steeper learning curve or fewer tuning options [1].
Aesthetics
While solid, its grey-white color may be less visually striking compared to more dazzling white or RGB-enhanced motherboards available at similar prices [1].
No Thunderbolt or Additional Premium Features
Compared to some rivals, it lacks Thunderbolt support or extra premium features found in more costly alternatives, which could affect specific workflows or user preferences.
Comparison Notes
Against Other Budget Boards
The B850 Steel Legend offers better futureproofing and performance headroom than other budget boards, with a stronger power design, larger form factor, PCIe 5.0 GPU slot support, and Wi-Fi 7 [2][3].
Compared to MSI B850I Edge Ti WiFi ITX
While MSI’s ITX board delivers excellent performance in a compact size and has a 5Gbps LAN and USB 3.2 Gen2, the ASRock Steel Legend provides better expandability (more M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 GPU support) and stronger power phases, though it is larger and might cost more [4].
In summary, the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard offers excellent power delivery, PCIe 5.0 support, futureproof networking (Wi-Fi 7), and flexible storage, making it a compelling value-packed choice in its price range. Its main drawbacks are the lack of USB4 and a less refined UEFI BIOS, which might influence users prioritizing the latest connectivity standards or ease of BIOS navigation. Compared to other budget-friendly boards, it generally offers better features and performance potential for gamers and power users alike.
The ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard is priced at around $210. It also incorporates a flagship-tier audio codec. However, it is slightly more expensive than some similarly priced alternatives. Gaming results were good, with below-average performance in the 3DMark tests and average performance in the games. The Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite offers superior visual appeal and includes heatsinks for all M.2 sockets. In the timed applications, Corona and LAME tests were affected by slower RAM timings, while Handbrake wasn't much influenced. Performance on this board was average with benchmarks that aren't memory-sensitive, and below average with those that are. The Windows power scheme was set to Balanced during baseline testing. The peak VRM temperatures of the B850 Steel Legend were within specifications, reaching approximately 46 degrees Celsius. Overclocking headroom has been shrinking on both sides of the fence while the out-of-the-box potential has increased. Had the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi achieved optimal timings, its performance would have aligned with the average of all boards tested.
In the realm of home-and-garden tech, the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard enhances one's lifestyle with its robust performance and numerous premium features. Whether for shopping for a new gaming rig or home office setup, this board offers impressive PCIe 5.0 support, future-proof networking, and flexible storage options. On the other hand, those with a preference for the latest connectivity standards and a more user-friendly BIOS system may find alternatives more appealing, given its lack of USB4 and mediocre UEFI BIOS. This motherboard, priced around $210, represents a thoughtful blend of lifestyle, home-and-garden, technology, and shopping considerations.
