Comparison Asus ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II vs Asus ROG STRIX B550-A GAMING

Operating modes of PCI-E 16x slots supported by the motherboard.

For more information about this interface, see above, and information about the modes is indicated if there are several PCI-E 16x slots on the board. This data specifies at what speed these slots can operate when expansion cards are connected to them at the same time, how many lines each of them can use. The fact is that the total number of PCI-Express lanes on any motherboard is limited, and they are usually not enough for the simultaneous operation of all 16-channel slots at full capacity. Accordingly, when working simultaneously, the speed inevitably has to be limited: for example, recording 16x / 4x / 4x means that the motherboard has three 16-channel slots, but if three video cards are connected to them at once, then the second and third slots will be able to give speed only to PCI-E 4x level. Accordingly, for a different number of slots and the number of digits will be appropriate. There are also boards with several modes — for example, 16x/0x/4 and 8x/8x/4x (0x means that the slot becomes inoperable altogether).

You have to pay attention to this parameter mainly when installing several video cards at the same time: in some cases (for example, when using SLI technology), for correct operation of video adapters, they must be connected to slots at the same speed.

5-pin connector that allows you to connect an expansion card. It, in turn, provides high-speed data exchange (up to 40 Gbps), the ability to connect external monitors, high-speed charging of compatible devices, etc.

Connector for connecting an addressable LED strip as a decorative lighting for a computer case. This type of "smart" tape is based on special LEDs, each of which consists of an LED light and a built-in controller, which allows you to flexibly control the luminosity using a special digital protocol and create amazing effects.

Connector for connecting a decorative LED strip and other devices with LED indication. Allows you to control the backlight of the case through the motherboard and customize the glow for your tasks, including synchronize it with other components.

The version of the DisplayPort interface (see above) installed on the motherboard.

— v.1.2. The oldest version in use today (2010). It was in it that 3D support first appeared, the ability to work with the miniDisplayPort connector, as well as the option of connecting several screens in series to one port (daisy chain). The maximum resolution fully supported by v.1.2 is 5K at 30 fps, with some limitations, 8K video is also supported. And the v.1.2a update, introduced in 2013, added compatibility with the FreeSync technology used in AMD graphics cards.

— v.1.3. An update to the DisplayPort standard released in 2014. Thanks to the increase in bandwidth, it was possible to provide full support for 8K video (at 30 fps), and in 4K and 5K standards, increase the maximum frame rate to 120 and 60 fps, respectively. Another key update was the Dual-mode function, which provides compatibility with HDMI and DVI interfaces through the simplest passive adapters.

— v.1.4. The most recent version of the widely used. The bandwidth has been further increased (almost doubled compared to v.1.2, which allowed, albeit with some limitations, to transmit 4K and 5K video at up to 240 fps and 8K at up to 144 fps. In addition, Support for a number of special features has been added, including HDR10, and the maximum number of simultaneously transmitted audio channels has increased to 32.

Built-in audio signal amplifier in motherboards with an integrated sound card. Provides higher sound quality through headphones.

 

The motherboard has its own Bluetooth module, which eliminates the need to purchase such an adapter separately. Bluetooth technology is used for direct wireless connection of a computer with other devices — mobile phones, players, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, etc.; connectivity options include both file sharing and external device control. The Bluetooth connection range is up to 10 m (in later standards — up to 100 m), while the devices do not have to be in the line of sight. Different versions of Bluetooth (at the end of 2021, the latest of which is Bluetooth v 5) are mutually compatible in terms of basic functionality and have all sorts of differences.

The number of LAN ports provided in the design of the motherboard.

For more information about the connectors themselves, see "LAN (RJ-45)". Here we note that for everyday wired access to the Internet or a local network, one LAN is enough. However, there are motherboards equipped with two or more of these ports. Basically, these are high-end solutions — gaming, overclocking, HEDT and server (see "In the direction"); in some models, the number of connectors of this type reaches 5. Such equipment significantly expands the network capabilities of the computer. For example, it allows you to connect your PC to several Internet providers at once; use separate connectors for the Internet and for the local network, separating traffic and increasing the speed of work; use a computer as a router or even a firewall at the entrance to the local network, passing through it all incoming and outgoing traffic and controlling it; etc.