Skip to content

ASRock · AM5 · B650I

ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E

Mini-ITX · DDR5 · 2 DIMMs · 8-phase VRM · Wi-Fi 6E

Quality
44
VRM
24
Value
50
Amazon
$170
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E
View ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E Gallery in high resolution
$170
Available Updated 3 days, 8 hours ago Prime FBA
Overall44.4
VRM24.0
Chipset68.0
Expansion / storage34.0
Connectivity56.0
Audio40.0
Quality / price49.6
$170 on Amazon Motherboard table Compare this motherboard

Build with this motherboardSelect a CPU first so the Builder can confirm the socket and unlock this board. Choose the CPU first

Written analysis

ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E at a glance

The ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E uses the Mini-ITX form factor, AM5 socket, and B650I chipset. This is a balanced mainstream platform: enough expansion and connectivity for a performance PC without paying only for flagship extras.

Memory support is DDR5 across 2 DIMM slots, with up to 128 GB and rated overclocked speeds up to 7200 MT/s. ECC modules are accepted, subject to CPU support. XMP / EXPO memory-profile support is recorded for easier tuning.

Best fit: a mainstream gaming, home, or office system with moderate expansion needs.

Power delivery

The calculated VRM score is 24.0, placing the power delivery in the basic class. The board lists 8 CPU power phases, 60 A power stages in a 8+2+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 1. Keep it paired with lower-power processors and avoid sustained overclocked loads.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 34.0: focused on the essentials. The platform supports PCIe 4.0. Physical expansion includes 1 ×16 slot.

On-board storage consists of 2 M.2 slots supporting PCIe 5.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x4 and 2 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 2280. The two-slot layout covers a typical OS-and-games or OS-and-project-drive setup.

Connectivity and rear I/O

The connectivity score is 56.0, rated adequate . Wireless networking is Wi-Fi 6E ; wired networking is 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s at up to 2500 Mbps. Bluetooth 5.2 is included. The recorded USB provision is 8 rear connections and 5 front-panel connections. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.1. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 40.0. This is a standard onboard solution using Realtek ALC897. It covers normal gaming and communication; demanding headphones or production work still benefit from an external interface. The rear panel has 3 analogue jacks.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 44.40, a basic but usable result for office, media, and budget gaming systems.

At the recorded Amazon price, the quality-to-price score is 49.6—a balanced value for its feature class.

Board data

Full specifications

Platform, expansion, storage, rear I/O, internal headers, networking, audio, and board controls in one sheet.

General

Manufacturer
ASRock
Motherboard
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E
Chipset / socket
B650I / AM5
Form factor
Mini-ITX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$170
Availability
In stock
Price updated
3 days, 8 hours ago

VRM

CPU phases
8 (60 A)
Power design
8+2+1
EPS connector
1

Memory

Type / slots
DDR5 / 2 DIMMs
Max capacity / OC
128 GB / 7200 MT/s
Per DIMM
64 GB
XMP / EXPO
Yes
ECC
Modules supported

PCIe

Supported version
PCIe 4.0
x16 physical
1
x16 Gen 4
1

Storage

M.2 slots
2
M.2 lengths
2280
M.2 modes
PCIe 5.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x4
SATA ports
2

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.1 · 4K 120Hz
DisplayPort
No
USB-C DisplayPort
No

USB

Rear USB 2.0
4
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10 Gbps
3
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 10 Gbps
1
Front USB 2.0
2
Front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C 5 Gbps
1
Header USB 2.0
2
Header USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2

Networking

Ethernet
2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s
LAN ports
1
LAN speed
2500 Mbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi bandwidth
2x2
Bands
2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
Antenna connectors
2
Bluetooth
5.2

Audio

Chipset
Realtek ALC897
Analog jacks
3
Gold-plated jacks
No
Optical S/PDIF
No
Spatial audio
Rear output

Buttons

BIOS flashback
Yes
Clear CMOS
No
Q-Flash Plus
No
Smart button
No
Onboard start / reset
No

Additional information

Memory notes
Supports DDR5 ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered memory. Also supports EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules.
Display notes
Features Integrated AMD RDNA™ graphics, but actual support may vary by CPU. The HDMI port is TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible and supports HDR and HDCP 2.3.
Expansion notes
The PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (PCIE1) features 15μ Gold Contact. The board also includes one Vertical M.2 Socket (Key E) which supports a type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe module.
M2_1
5.0 4 · 2280 · CPU
M2_2
4.0 4 · 2280 · Chipset
Storage notes
M2_1 is a Blazing M.2 Socket supporting up to 128 Gb/s. M2_2 is a Hyper M.2 Socket supporting up to 64 Gb/s. Both M.2 slots are marked with an asterisk (*), but no corresponding footnote is provided in the text.
USB notes
Two of the rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports are Lightning Gaming Ports.
Audio notes
7.1 CH HD Audio. Nahimic Audio.
Networking notes
Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax. 2 antennas to support 2 (Transmit) x 2 (Receive) diversity technology. Supports MU-MIMO. Bluetooth supports High speed class II. The Wi-Fi 6E module is supported by Microsoft Windows® 11 only. A 6GHz compatible router is required for 6E functionality.
Fan / RGB headers
2 CPU · — OPT · — AIO · 1 chassis · 2 ARGB · — RGB
Other headers
Front audio
Dimensions
17 cm x 17 cm

Extracted notes sit here. Official manufacturer copy is at the bottom of the page.

Amazon

Price history

Nearby quality

Similar motherboards

Boards on AM5 close to ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E on overall quality. Open the motherboard table to sort, filter, and compare side by side.

Compare these in the motherboard table

VRM fit

VRM-appropriate CPUs

AM5 processors whose TDP sits in this board’s VRM window. Socket match is required; chipset extras still matter on sTR5. This is a power-delivery filter, not a ranked CPU guide.

Open AM5 CPUs in the CPU table

Discussion

Comments on ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E

No comments yet.

Vendor copy

Official manufacturer data

Raw manufacturer text kept for reference. Structured specs above are extracted from this copy and are the source for scores and tables.

Memory

Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology
- 2 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
- Supports DDR5 ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 7200+(OC)*
- Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
- Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) and EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules

Graphics

Integrated AMD RDNA™ graphics (Actual support may vary by CPU)
- 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz

Expansion slots

CPU:
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Vertical M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module*
- 15μ Gold Contact in VGA PCIe Slot (PCIE1)

Storage

CPU:
- 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
- 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

USB

1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (Rear)
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (Front)
- 6 x USB 2.0 (4 Rear, 2 Front)

Internal I/O

2 x Addressable LED Headers*
- 2 x CPU/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)**
- 1 x Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)***
- 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
- 1 x 8 pin 12V Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
- 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
- 1 x USB 2.0 Header (Supports 2 USB 2.0 ports)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Header (Supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
- 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header

* Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
** CPU_FAN1/WP and CPU_FAN2/WP support the fan power up to 2A (24W).
*** CHA_FAN1/WP supports the fan power up to 2A (24W).
CPU_FAN1/WP, CPU_FAN2/WP and CHA_FAN1/WP can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.

Rear I/O

2 x Antenna Ports
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s) (USB32_23 are Lightning Gaming Ports.)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s)
- 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
- 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
- HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone

Wireless

802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Module
- Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
- Supports Dual-Band 2x2 with extended 6GHz band* support
- 2 antennas to support 2 (Transmit) x 2 (Receive) diversity technology
- Supports Bluetooth 5.2 + High speed class II
- Supports MU-MIMO

The Wi-Fi 6E module is supported by Microsoft Windows® 11 only. There is no driver available for Windows® 10. The availability of the 6GHz band will depend on the different regulation status of each country and region. It will be activated (for supported countries) through Windows® Update and software updates once available.
A 6GHz compatible router is required for 6E functionality.

Audio

7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec)
- Nahimic Audio

Special features

Superb Productivity
- PCIe Gen5 (M.2)
- Dual Channel DDR5
Rock-Solid Durability
- 8+2+1 Power Phase, 60A Dr.MOS with Enlarged Heatsink Armor
- Pre-Installed I/O Shield
- Flexible Integrated I/O Shield
Ultrafast Gaming
- 2.5G LAN, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Module
- ASRock Lightning Gaming Ports
EZ Update
- BIOS Flashback Button
- ASRock Auto Driver Installer

Privacy controls

Choose whether optional analytics may run. Necessary storage remains active because it supports security, login, requested preferences, and this choice.

Necessary Security, sessions, forms, and preferences you request.
Always active