Asus B850-Creator Wifi Neo motherboard review: AM5 Creator mobo looks the part, but is missing useful features

It sure looks like a ProArt, but it lacks in important areas for a creator board.

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Asus B850-Creator Wifi Neo
(Image credit: © Future)

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Firmware

Asus updated the BIOS layout and for the Creator Neo, using the familiar white/tan/gold that matches the ProArt theme and the mostly black board. EZ Mode is mostly informative, with system information and temperatures on the left, and quick settings for EZ Flash, Aura RGB, the Driver Hub for easy driver installation, and more in the middle. Fan control and access to full Q-Fan functionality are below. The right block displays DRAM and storage status, and Boot Priority is self-explanatory.

Advanced mode still has the headers across the top, but the shortcuts to Q-Fan and AI OC have been moved to quick settings and other locations. The right panel holds system information, including CPU frequency and temperature, in a colorful display. The main body has all the editable functionality.

Overall, I like the aesthetic update for the BIOS. It’s easy to read, and, as usual with Asus' BIOS, frequently used items are easy to find and not buried too deeply in their menus. Anything that’s a pain to access can be added to the customizable favorites screen.

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Software

Armoury Crate has Several applications exist for various functions, ranging from RGB lighting control and audio to system monitoring and overclocking. It's also worth mentioning the included software. When purchasing this Asus motherboard, you get a one-year AIDA64 license – a helpful application for stress and performance testing; Asus’ Driver Hub (get your updated drivers here); Dolby Atmos (for audio); and a custom version of Hwinfo for real-time monitoring — all are helpful applications. We’ve captured a few screenshots of the applications below.

Test System / Comparison Products

We’ve updated our test system to Windows 11 (23H2) 64-bit OS with all updates applied as of late September 2024 (this includes the Branch Prediction Optimizations for AMD). Hardware-wise, we’ve updated the RAM kits (matching our Intel test system), cooling, storage, and video card. Unless otherwise noted, we use the latest publicly available non-beta motherboard BIOS. The hardware we used is as follows:

TEST SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Asus B850-Creator Wifi Neo - On the testbed

(Image credit: Future)
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Sound

Integrated HD audio

Network

Integrated Networking (GbE to 10 GbE)

Graphics Driver

GeForce 561.09

Benchmark Settings

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Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings

Procyon

Version 2.8.1352 64

Office 365, Video Editing (Premiere Pro 24.6.1), Photo Editing (Photoshop 25.1.2, Lightroom Classic 13.5.1)

3DMark

Version 2.29.8294.0 64

Speed Way and Steel Nomad (Default)

Cinebench R24

Version 2024.1.0
Open GL Rendering Benchmark - Single and Multi-threaded

Blender

Version 4.2.0
Full benchmark (all 3 tests)

Application Tests and Settings

LAME MP3

Version SSE2_2019

Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 --nores (160Kb/s)

HandBrake CLI

Version: 1.8.2

Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX)

Corona 1.4

Version 1.4

Custom benchmark

7-Zip

Version 24.08

Integrated benchmark (Command Line)

Game Tests and Settings

Cyberpunk 2077

Ultra RT: - 1920 x 1080, DLSS - Balanced.

F1 2024

Ultra High Preset - 1920 x 1080, 16xAF/TAA, Great Britain (Clear/Dry), FPS Counter ON

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Joe Shields
Joe Shields
Staff Writer, Components

Joe Shields is a staff writer at Tom’s Hardware. He reviews motherboards and PC components.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • pf100
    I really want to want this board because I want dual x8/x8 slots for dual gpu's. The board accommodates dual gpu's with the top gpu slot allowing a 4 slot gpu which works great for a 4 slot 4090 for example, along with accommodating a second gpu of at least 2 slots and even more depending on what your case allows depending on how many slots it allows. Most dual gpu motherboards usually only a support a 3 slot card in the first gpu slot instead of a 4 slot card except for high end boards. The newest dual slot gpu motherboard designs usually allow a 4 slot gpu in the top slot and their aren't that many of them in anything approaching a budget range, except for boards like the one in the review, the B850-Creator Wifi Neo. Better boards that I've found at a similar price are used Asus crosshair x670e's which have 4 always on nvme slots with no lane sharing and usb 4.

    While I kinda love this board, the problem is the lack of usb 4 and the limitations of the B850 chipset with its lack of pcie lanes. I'm not blaming the chipset but instead the decision to use B850 on a board like this. It's almost enough, but things like If the M.2_3 slot is populated, the PCIEX16_G4 slot is disabled, and vice versa limiting you to 2 nvme's, hurts it in my view.

    The board doesn't have enough pcie lanes for a creator board for this price. This motherboard should have been X870E or something and not B850. I'd rather have paid $400, maybe $450 for that.

    I might buy this if used asus crosshair X670E heros disappear before I buy a board.

    The Asus B850-Creator Wifi Neo is almost an amazing board.
    Reply