Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync) vs SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO LGA 1150 Motherboard for Intel 4th Gen Core i7 i5 i3/Pentium/Celeron Series Processors (Micro-ATX, DDR3, PCIe 3.0, NVME M.2, SATA 3.0, VGA/DVI/HDMI-Compatible, Gigabit LAN)

Socket Compatibility and CPU Support

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II supports AMD’s AM4 socket, enabling compatibility with 3rd Gen Ryzen processors and earlier models. In contrast, the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO uses an LGA 1150 socket, designed specifically for Intel 4th Gen Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron CPUs. This fundamental difference means users must choose based on their processor preference—AMD or Intel—and cannot mix platforms between these two motherboards. The B550-F’s support for modern Ryzen chips gives it a significant edge in future-proofing, while the B85M PRO is limited to older Intel hardware.

Connectivity and Networking Features

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II offers advanced connectivity with built-in WiFi 6E (802.11ax), dual M.2 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 1.2 outputs. It also includes a 2.5 Gb Ethernet port with ASUS LANGuard protection. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO provides only Gigabit LAN and standard interfaces like VGA, DVI, and HDMI-compatible outputs, lacking any high-speed wireless capabilities. While both include PCIe x16 and SATA 3.0 ports, the B550-F’s inclusion of WiFi 6E and 2.5 Gb LAN makes it far superior for fast, low-latency networking, especially in modern gaming or streaming environments.

Power Delivery and Build Quality

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II features a robust 12+2 teamed power stage design with ProCool power connectors, high-quality alloy chokes, and durable capacitors. This ensures stable power delivery under load, ideal for high-performance Ryzen CPUs. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO uses a 4-phase power supply with all-solid-state capacitors and a 24+8 pin power interface, which is adequate for entry-level Intel CPUs but lacks the premium components found in the ASUS model. The B550-F’s higher-tier power solution supports more demanding builds, while the B85M PRO is suited only for basic desktop use.

Memory and Storage Support

Both motherboards support dual-channel memory configurations, but the B550-F handles DDR4 RAM, while the B85M PRO is limited to DDR3. The B550-F supports up to 128 GB of RAM across four DIMMs, though the exact speed isn’t specified beyond general compatibility. The B85M PRO supports DDR3 at 1333/1600/1866 MHz with a maximum capacity of 32 GB using four 8 GB modules. For storage, both offer M.2 slots with NVMe and SATA mode switching, but the B550-F supports PCIe 4.0, doubling the bandwidth compared to the B85M PRO’s PCIe 3.0. This results in significantly faster SSD performance on the ASUS board.

Expansion and Interface Options

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II includes multiple expansion options: dual M.2 slots, one PCIe x16 4.0 slot, one PCIe x1 2.0, and several SATA 3.0 ports. It also features addressable Gen 2 RGB headers and Aura Sync support for advanced lighting control. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO has one PCIe x16 3.0 slot, one PCIe x1 2.0, two PCI slots, and three SATA 3.0 ports. Its video output includes VGA, DVI, and HDMI-compatible interfaces, but no dedicated RGB header. The B550-F’s richer set of expansion options and support for modern peripherals make it better suited for multi-GPU setups and high-end peripherals.

Software and Additional Features

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II comes bundled with a 60-day subscription to AIDA64 Extreme and features an intuitive UEFI BIOS dashboard. These tools enhance system monitoring and overclocking capabilities. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO does not mention any bundled software or advanced utilities. It does note that the package excludes a user manual and CR2032 battery, requiring buyers to source them separately. The ASUS board’s software integration and professional-grade tools provide a more polished and user-friendly experience, particularly for enthusiasts and builders seeking customization.

Price and Value Comparison

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II is priced at $139.99, while the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO costs $79.99—about 43% cheaper. However, this price difference reflects a vast gap in feature sets and performance potential. The B550-F offers modern PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6E, 2.5 Gb LAN, and support for current-generation AMD processors, making it a future-ready choice. The B85M PRO is limited to older Intel CPUs, DDR3 memory, and slower networking. For users building a new system today, the $60 savings on the SHANGZHAOYUAN board comes at the cost of outdated technology and reduced upgrade path.

Which should you buy?

Choose the Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II if you're building a modern gaming or productivity PC with a 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPU, need high-speed networking, and want long-term compatibility. Despite its $139.99 price, it delivers cutting-edge features like PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6E, and 2.5 Gb LAN. Opt for the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO only if you’re working with an existing Intel 4th Gen CPU, have a tight budget, and don’t require advanced connectivity or future upgrades. At $79.99, it’s a functional option for basic desktops but lacks the performance and longevity of the ASUS model.