ASUS B85M-E: Review, Specs, And Performance Analysis

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey guys! Today, we’re diving deep into the ASUS B85M-E, a motherboard that might not be the newest kid on the block, but still packs a punch for certain builds and use cases. If you're thinking about a budget-friendly PC or upgrading an older system, this could be a board worth considering. Let’s get into the details!

Overview of the ASUS B85M-E

The ASUS B85M-E is a micro-ATX motherboard designed for Intel's 4th generation Core processors, also known as Haswell. This means it supports CPUs like the Intel Core i7-4770, i5-4670, and i3-4130, among others. Being a micro-ATX board, it's smaller than a standard ATX, making it suitable for compact PC cases. Don't let the size fool you, though; it offers a decent set of features for everyday computing and even some light gaming.

The B85 chipset itself is a business-oriented chipset, offering a balance of features and cost. It sits below the Z87 and Z97 chipsets in terms of enthusiast features, but it provides essential functionalities like USB 3.0 support, SATA 6Gb/s, and PCIe 3.0 for graphics cards. This makes the ASUS B85M-E a solid choice for users who need a reliable and efficient system without breaking the bank.

The board typically includes two DIMM slots for DDR3 memory, supporting up to 16GB of RAM. While it might not sound like much compared to modern standards, 16GB is often plenty for many common tasks, including office work, web browsing, and even some creative applications. Expansion slots usually include a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for a dedicated graphics card, along with a couple of PCIe x1 slots for other expansion cards like sound cards or network adapters. Storage options generally consist of multiple SATA 6Gb/s ports and possibly a SATA 3Gb/s port for older devices. The ASUS B85M-E also features a standard array of rear I/O ports, including USB ports (both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0), audio jacks, Ethernet, and display outputs like VGA, DVI, or HDMI.

Key Specifications and Features

Let's break down the key specifications and features that make the ASUS B85M-E tick. Understanding these details will help you determine if this motherboard is the right fit for your needs. The ASUS B85M-E motherboard is built around the Intel B85 Express Chipset, which supports Intel LGA1150 socket processors. This chipset provides a balance of performance and features, making it suitable for a wide range of users from home users to small businesses. It supports Intel's 4th generation Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron processors. The board has two DIMM slots that support up to 16GB of DDR3 memory with speeds of 1600/1333/1066 MHz. Dual-channel memory architecture enhances memory bandwidth and overall system performance.

For expansion, the ASUS B85M-E has one PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot, which is ideal for discrete graphics cards, enabling users to enhance their gaming or multimedia capabilities. Additionally, it includes two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots for other expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards, or USB expansion cards. Storage options are well-covered with four SATA 6Gb/s ports and two SATA 3Gb/s ports, allowing for ample connectivity for SSDs and HDDs. The SATA 6Gb/s ports support faster data transfer rates, which are beneficial for SSDs and improving overall system responsiveness.

The rear panel of the ASUS B85M-E features a variety of I/O ports, including two USB 3.0 ports and four USB 2.0 ports. These ports provide ample connectivity for peripherals, external storage devices, and other USB-based devices. For display outputs, it includes VGA, DVI-D, and HDMI ports, providing flexibility for connecting to various types of monitors and displays. The HDMI port supports high-definition video output, making it suitable for multimedia applications. Audio is handled by the Realtek ALC887 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC, delivering good quality sound for everyday use. The board also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port for fast and reliable network connectivity. ASUS-specific features, such as UEFI BIOS, offer a user-friendly interface for system configuration and monitoring. ASUS also includes features like AI Suite 3, which provides tools for system monitoring and performance tuning.

Performance and Benchmarks

When it comes to performance, the ASUS B85M-E holds its own, especially when paired with a capable Haswell processor and sufficient RAM. While it's not designed for extreme overclocking like Z-series boards, it offers stable and reliable performance for everyday tasks. In benchmark tests, the B85M-E shows comparable performance to other B85 chipset motherboards. The performance of the ASUS B85M-E largely depends on the components it's paired with. With a decent CPU and RAM, it can handle everyday tasks smoothly. In benchmarks, it performs adequately for its class, offering stable performance without significant bottlenecks. Gaming performance is decent when paired with a dedicated graphics card, although it may not match the performance of higher-end chipsets in very demanding games.

For gaming, pairing the ASUS B85M-E with a mid-range graphics card can provide a decent experience at 1080p resolution. However, don't expect to max out all the settings in the latest AAA titles. It's more suited for esports games and older titles. The performance benchmarks of the ASUS B85M-E typically show that it is capable of handling a variety of tasks, from general office applications to more demanding software like video editing and encoding. However, it's important to manage expectations, as it is not designed for extreme performance or overclocking. The PCIe 3.0 x16 slot ensures that a dedicated graphics card can perform optimally, providing a smooth gaming experience at moderate settings.

In terms of storage performance, the SATA 6Gb/s ports allow for fast data transfer rates with SSDs, which can significantly improve boot times and application loading speeds. For users upgrading from older systems, this can be a noticeable improvement. Overall, the ASUS B85M-E provides a balanced performance profile suitable for a variety of uses. It's not the fastest or most feature-rich motherboard on the market, but it offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for those looking to build or upgrade a system with a 4th generation Intel processor. The Realtek ALC887 audio codec delivers decent sound quality for everyday use, and the Gigabit Ethernet port ensures stable network connectivity. The combination of these features makes it a well-rounded option for general computing needs.

Pros and Cons

To help you make an informed decision, let’s weigh the pros and cons of the ASUS B85M-E: Here’s a balanced look at the advantages and disadvantages to consider before making your decision.

Pros:

  • Affordable: One of the main draws of the B85M-E is its budget-friendly price point. It's an excellent option for those looking to build a PC on a tight budget. The price point makes it accessible for budget-conscious users, providing a cost-effective solution for building or upgrading a PC.
  • Compact Size: The micro-ATX form factor makes it suitable for smaller PC cases, saving space and allowing for more compact builds. Its compact size makes it ideal for small form factor builds, allowing users to create space-saving PCs without sacrificing too much on features.
  • USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s Support: These modern connectivity options ensure fast data transfer speeds for compatible devices. These features ensure fast data transfer speeds, which are essential for modern storage devices and peripherals.
  • Reliable Performance: It offers stable and reliable performance for everyday computing tasks, making it suitable for office work, web browsing, and light gaming. It provides stable and reliable performance, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks from office work to light gaming.

Cons:

  • Limited Expansion Slots: With only one PCIe x16 slot and a couple of PCIe x1 slots, expansion options are somewhat limited. The limited expansion slots may restrict the ability to add multiple expansion cards, which could be a drawback for users needing more connectivity options.
  • DDR3 Memory: Being an older platform, it only supports DDR3 memory, which is slower and less efficient than newer DDR4 or DDR5 standards. The use of DDR3 memory may be a limitation for users looking for the latest technology, as DDR4 offers improved performance and efficiency.
  • No Overclocking Support: The B85 chipset doesn't support CPU overclocking, limiting its appeal to enthusiasts who want to push their hardware to the limit. The lack of overclocking support may disappoint enthusiasts who want to maximize their CPU's performance through overclocking.
  • Older Platform: Being based on an older chipset, it lacks some of the modern features found on newer motherboards, such as M.2 slots and more advanced connectivity options. The older platform lacks some modern features found on newer motherboards, such as M.2 slots and advanced connectivity options, which may be a drawback for users looking for the latest technology.

Who is the ASUS B85M-E For?

The ASUS B85M-E is best suited for users who need a budget-friendly and reliable system for everyday computing tasks. It's a good option for: This motherboard is ideal for users who have specific needs and constraints.

  • Budget PC Builds: If you're building a PC on a tight budget and already have a compatible Haswell processor, the B85M-E can be a cost-effective choice. Building a budget PC benefits from the cost-effectiveness of this motherboard, making it a viable option for those with limited funds.
  • Office and Home Use: For office work, web browsing, and general home use, the B85M-E provides adequate performance and features. It is a good choice for office and home use, providing adequate performance for everyday tasks such as word processing, web browsing, and multimedia consumption.
  • Upgrading Older Systems: If you have an older system with a compatible processor and want to upgrade to a more reliable motherboard without spending a lot of money, the B85M-E can be a decent option. Upgrading older systems can be a cost-effective solution with the B85M-E, especially if you already have compatible components such as a Haswell processor and DDR3 memory.

It's less suitable for: This motherboard is less suitable for users with certain requirements.

  • High-End Gaming: Gamers looking for high frame rates and maxed-out settings should consider a more modern platform with a dedicated gaming motherboard. High-end gaming requires more advanced hardware, making this motherboard less suitable for gamers looking for the best performance.
  • Content Creation: Professionals who need to handle demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or complex simulations should opt for a more powerful and feature-rich motherboard. Content creation professionals would benefit from a more powerful and feature-rich motherboard to handle demanding tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering.
  • Overclocking Enthusiasts: If you're planning to overclock your CPU, the B85M-E is not the right choice, as the B85 chipset doesn't support overclocking. Overclocking enthusiasts will find this motherboard limiting due to the lack of overclocking support, which restricts their ability to push their hardware to its maximum potential.

Alternatives to the ASUS B85M-E

If the ASUS B85M-E doesn’t quite fit your needs, here are a few alternatives to consider: In case this motherboard doesn't align with your specific needs, here are some alternatives to explore.

  • For Newer Systems: Look at motherboards with newer chipsets like Intel's H310, B365, or AMD's A320. These offer more modern features and support newer CPUs and memory standards. For newer systems, consider motherboards with modern chipsets like Intel's H310 or AMD's A320, which offer improved features and support for newer CPUs and memory standards.
  • For Budget Gaming: Consider a B450 or A520 board from AMD, which offers better performance and features for budget gaming builds. For budget gaming, explore options like the AMD B450, which provides better performance and features tailored for gaming builds.
  • For Feature-Rich Options: Look at higher-end motherboards with Z-series chipsets (Intel) or X-series chipsets (AMD) for more features like overclocking support, multiple GPU support, and advanced connectivity. If you need more features, consider higher-end motherboards with chipsets like Intel's Z-series or AMD's X-series, which offer overclocking support, multiple GPU support, and advanced connectivity options.

Final Thoughts

The ASUS B85M-E is a solid, budget-friendly motherboard that still has a place in certain scenarios. While it might not be the flashiest or most feature-packed option, it offers reliable performance and essential features for everyday computing. If you're building a budget PC, upgrading an older system, or need a dependable board for office use, the B85M-E is worth considering. Just remember to weigh its pros and cons against your specific needs before making a decision. So, what do you think, guys? Is this board a good fit for your next project?