ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E Specifications Review
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E by ASRock is a Mini-ITX form factor motherboard based on the mid-range B650I chipset and AM5 socket, providing a balanced set of features and connectivity. It is designed to support DDR5 memory, with 2 slots, a maximum capacity of 128 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 7200 MHz.
VRM Quality
The ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 60 A across 8 phases. Best for low-power CPUs (≤65 W TDP). Using high-wattage chips or overclocking could cause severe thermal issues and instability. Recommended for budget builds, office workstations, and media PCs.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E offers a simplified expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 4.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 4.0, fast enough for modern GPUs and high-speed NVMe SSDs. It also includes 1 x16 slot . These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 2 M.2 slots (PCIe 5.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x4) and 2 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard includes basic to moderate connectivity options, such as wireless networking with the wireless Wi-Fi 6E and wired 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s ethernet supporting speeds up to 2500 Gbps. Bluetooth 5.2 support is included for common wireless devices. USB ports are adequate for everyday devices, and more details are available in the specs table.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek ALC897) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones.
Overall Quality and Value
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E is basic and functional, carrying an overall quality score of 44.40. It is designed for budget-conscious builds or office setups where advanced features are not required, handling standard tasks effectively but lacking the polish or expandability of higher-tier models.
This motherboard has a solid 49.6% value efficiency, providing decent performance relative to its price. It represents a balanced option for users seeking fair capabilities without paying a premium.
General Information
| Manufacturer | ASRock |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E |
| Current Price Amazon | $170 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 1Â day, 22Â hours ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | B650I / AM5 |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 8 (60 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 8+2+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 2 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 128 GB / 7200 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 4.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen4 |
|---|---|---|
| x16 | 1 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 2 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2280 |
| M.2 PCIe Modes | PCIe 5.0 x4, PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SATA Ports | 2 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek ALC897 |
|---|---|
| Analog Audio Jacks | 3 jacks |
| Spatial/Surround Audio | ✔️ Rear Output Supports Spatial Audio |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K 120Hz) |
|---|
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 3 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 2 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (5 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 2 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 2 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Version: Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E Bandwidth: 2x2 Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz Antenna Connectors: 2 |
| Bluetooth |
Version: 5.2 |
Button Features
| Buttons |
BIOS Flashback |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports DDR5 ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered memory. Also supports EXTended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) memory modules. |
|---|---|
| Display | 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 | The PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (PCIE1) features 15ÎĽ Gold Contact. The board also includes one Vertical M.2 Socket (Key E) which supports a type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe module. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | 7.1 CH HD Audio. Nahimic Audio. |
| Networking | 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. |
| Dimensions | 17 cm x 17 cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi 6E Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$115
|
↑
4.6%
|
46.8%
|
14.0%
|
74.0%
|
51.0%
|
50.0%
|
45.0%
|
77.3%
|
|
|
$160âť—
|
0.0%
|
46.6%
|
18.0%
|
78.0%
|
63.0%
|
34.0%
|
40.0%
|
55.3%
|
|
|
$171
|
↑
0.0%
|
45.6%
|
14.0%
|
69.0%
|
55.0%
|
45.0%
|
45.0%
|
50.7%
|
|
|
$172
|
↑
0.1%
|
45.6%
|
24.0%
|
69.0%
|
55.0%
|
35.0%
|
45.0%
|
50.3%
|
|
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
44.4%
|
24.0%
|
68.0%
|
34.0%
|
56.0%
|
40.0%
|
49.6%
|
|
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
43.6%
|
22.0%
|
71.0%
|
51.0%
|
34.0%
|
40.0%
|
63.7%
|
|
|
$120
|
0.0%
|
42.6%
|
14.0%
|
74.0%
|
51.0%
|
34.0%
|
40.0%
|
67.5%
|
|
|
$166
|
↑
4.4%
|
42.2%
|
14.0%
|
65.0%
|
55.0%
|
32.0%
|
45.0%
|
48.2%
|
|
|
$139âť—
|
↓
-2.2%
|
40.4%
|
20.0%
|
71.0%
|
37.0%
|
34.0%
|
40.0%
|
55.2%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$115
|
↑
4.6%
|
$160âť—
|
0.0%
|
$171
|
↑
0.0%
|
$172
|
↑
0.1%
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
$120
|
0.0%
|
$166
|
↑
4.4%
|
$139âť—
|
↓
-2.2%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE | ASRock | GIGABYTE | Gigabyte | ASRock | MSI | GIGABYTE | Gigabyte | MSI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B650M / AM5 | B850M / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | B650I / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | AMD B840 / AM5 | B650M / AM5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 5 (60 A) | 6 (60 A) | 5 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 7 (60 A) | 5 (60 A) | 5 (60 A) | 7 (55 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 5+2+2 | 6+1+1 | 5 + 2 + 1 | 8+2+2 | 8+2+1 | 7 + 2 +1 | 5+2+2 | 5+2+2 | 7+2+1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | 128 GB / 8200 MHz | 128 GB / 7600 MHz | 256 GB / 8200 MHz | 128 GB / 7200 MHz | 128 GB / 8000 MHz | 256 GB / 8000 MHz | 128 GB / 7600 MHz | 128 GB / 6800 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ (1.4) | ❌ | ✔️ (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek ® 8125D 2.5G LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8125BG 2.5G (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.2 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Rear USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USB Headers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
❌ |
|
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VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$316
|
↓
0.0%
|
63.0%
|
76.4%
|
65 W / 88 W | 12 / 0 / 24 | 1024.0 kB / 64.0 MB | 3.70 GHz / 5.40 GHz | Raphael | Radeon Graphics | |
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
51.9%
|
80.9%
|
65 W / 88 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.80 GHz / 5.50 GHz | Granite Ridge | None | |
|
$303
|
0.0%
|
51.9%
|
80.9%
|
65 W / 88 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.80 GHz / 5.50 GHz | Granite Ridge | Radeon Graphics | |
|
$190
|
↓
-32.1%
|
47.8%
|
78.1%
|
65 W / 88 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.80 GHz / 5.30 GHz | Raphael | Radeon Graphics | |
|
$266
|
0.0%
|
45.2%
|
63.7%
|
65 W / 61 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 5.10 GHz | Phoenix | Radeon 780M | |
|
$180
|
↓
-14.3%
|
45.1%
|
63.5%
|
65 W / 61 W | 8 / 0 / 16 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.10 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Phoenix | None | |
|
$185
|
0.0%
|
43.7%
|
80.4%
|
65 W / 88 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.90 GHz / 5.40 GHz | Granite Ridge | Radeon Graphics | |
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
41.0%
|
77.9%
|
65 W / 88 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.80 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Granite Ridge | None | |
|
$240
|
0.0%
|
38.8%
|
86.0%
|
65 W / 88 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 96.0 MB | 4.10 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Raphael | Radeon Graphics | |
|
$169
|
↓
-0.6%
|
38.2%
|
75.3%
|
65 W / 88 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.80 GHz / 5.10 GHz | Raphael | Radeon Graphics | |
|
$103âť—
|
0.0%
|
37.8%
|
74.1%
|
65 W / 88 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.70 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Raphael | None | |
|
$188
|
0.0%
|
35.8%
|
63.7%
|
65 W / 61 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.30 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Phoenix | Radeon 760M | |
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
34.9%
|
73.1%
|
65 W / 88 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 32.0 MB | 3.70 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Raphael | None | |
|
$149
|
0.0%
|
34.7%
|
62.3%
|
65 W / 61 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Phoenix | None | |
|
$149
|
0.0%
|
31.3%
|
57.3%
|
65 W / 61 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1024.0 kB / 16.0 MB | 3.50 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Phoenix2 | Radeon 740M |
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
- 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:
- 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
Storage:
- 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
Expansion Slots:
- 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*
- 15ÎĽ Gold Contact in VGA PCIe Slot (PCIE1)
USB:
- 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 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.
Back Panel I/O:
- 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
WiFi:
- 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:
- Nahimic Audio
Special Features:
- 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
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