ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi review: Excellent motherboard!

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi review: Excellent motherboard!
Rating

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi - Benchmark results

We tested the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard together with the following hardware and software:

We also compared the results we got on the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi using the Intel Core i5-12600K CPU with the ones we got on a premium ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme motherboard paired with a faster Intel Core i7-12700K processor and a high-end ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 graphics card. We decided to do this comparison to see what performance to expect from an “entry-level to mainstream” gaming machine (based on the Intel B660 chipset) versus a high-end one (based on the Intel Z690 chipset).

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We started by running the benchmark offered by CPU-Z. In the Single-Thread test, using the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard, the Intel Core i5-12600K processor scored 732 points, while on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme, the Intel Core i7-12700K scored 792 points. Although the price gap between the two systems is large, the results are not that far away (8.2% difference).

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in CPU-Z Single Thread

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in CPU-Z Single Thread

In CPU-Z’s Multi-Thread test, which measures the multi-core performance of the processor, we got 7005 points on the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi and 9299 on the ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme motherboard. The discrepancy here is larger, as the Core i7 processor has more cores than the Intel Core i5-12600K. However, it’s still an excellent result for our motherboard.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in CPU-Z Multi Thread

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in CPU-Z Multi Thread

In Cinebench R23, which measures the computer’s rendering speed, using the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi, we got a score of 16843 points, while on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme, we got 22128 points. Again, the significantly more cores on the Core i7 processor showed their power. Still, the Core i5 on the ROG Strix B660-F motherboard did very well too.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Cinebench R23

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Cinebench R23

In Blender, a benchmark in which we rendered the Classroom and Bmw scenes, using the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi and the Intel Core i5-12600K CPU, the tests finished in 9.2 minutes. On the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme, the Core i7-12700K finished in 6.9 minutes. Again, considering the difference in price, we are satisfied with ASUS’ B660-F motherboard.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Blender

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Blender

We also ran PCMark 10, a benchmark that measures the computer’s performance in daily activities (web browsing, video conferencing, app start-up times, productivity, and digital content creation), and we got fairly similar results on both motherboards. With the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi, we got a score of 6970 points, while on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme, we got 8517 points.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in PCMark 10

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in PCMark 10

In the JetStream 2 browser benchmark, which we ran in Google Chrome, the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard and the Intel Core i5-12600K processor decided to surprise us. We got the same score with both systems, and that’s very impressive!

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in JetStream 2

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in JetStream 2

7-Zip, the popular file archiving app, includes an excellent benchmarking tool. The Intel Core i5-12600K and the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi achieved a compression speed of 77.5MB/s, which is a bit slower than the 90MB/s reached by the Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme. If we forego the additional cores on the i7 CPU, we’re starting to believe that the performance offered by the B660 chipset is roughly the same as that of the high-end Z690. 🙂

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in 7-Zip Compression

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in 7-Zip Compression

In 7-Zip’s decompression test, we saw the same thing: the Intel Core i5-12600K on the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard was slower, but not enough to justify the price difference between the two systems unless you’re really looking for the best of the best.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in 7-Zip Decompression

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in 7-Zip Decompression

Next, we moved on to the gaming benchmarks, and we tested Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Metro Exodus, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Note that we used 1080p resolution and the lowest visual quality settings because the two graphics cards are in two completely different weight categories. Furthermore, as the other hardware components were different too, look at the results while keeping in mind that we tried to compare an entry-level to mainstream system with a high-end premium one.

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In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the benchmarks results showed that the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi-based computer could render 191 fps. On the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme motherboard, we got 218 frames per second. Pretty close!

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Shadow of the Tomb Raider

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Shadow of the Tomb Raider

In Metro Exodus, our currently tested computer managed to deliver a number of 165 frames per second, while the one using an ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme rendered 222 fps. Both results are excellent.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Metro Exodus

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Metro Exodus

In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, on the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard, we saw similar results: roughly 30 percent difference between the two systems. However, their price is also vastly different.

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Assassin's Creed Valhalla

ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi: Benchmark results in Assassin's Creed Valhalla

The benchmarks results show that, if you pair the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi with a mid-range processor and graphics card, you can build a computer that runs any application or game at more than just satisfactory performance. If you don’t intend to overclock your CPU, and you have the means to get a powerful graphics card, the motherboard will squeeze every ounce of performance from them. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for your next gaming machine.

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The software bundled with the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi

The main software bundled by ASUS with the ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard is Armoury Crate. It’s the one ASUS provides for all the ROG and TUF motherboards. Armoury Crate helps you monitor and configure your motherboard, it gives you the means to easily download and install drivers and additional apps and also update its UEFI BIOS.

Armoury Crate

Armoury Crate

Armoury Crate is a useful app in our opinion, and you should install it. We like the fact that it’s practically the only bundled software with the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi.

What is your opinion about the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi?

As you now know, we like the ASUS ROG Strix B660-F Gaming WiFi motherboard quite a lot. In our opinion, it’s an excellent choice for gamers, as well as for people who just want to build a powerful computer at a reasonable price. What’s your opinion about it? Do you intend to buy it? Let us know in the comments section below.

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