Asus ROG motherboards usually come with a premium price. It’s the price you pay to get premium gaming components. However, Asus recently released the Asus B85M-Gamer, an affordable (ROG) gaming motherboard that comes with a black and red theme. It’s basically a micro-ATX motherboard based on Intel B85 Express chipset. It supports 4th Gen Intel Core processors, as well as the upcoming 5th Gen Intel Core processors. It has 4x DDR3 memory supporting 1600MHz speed. Like most of Asus’ gaming motherboards, it also features Asus Digi+ voltage regulator module, Intel Gigabit Ethernet and LANGuard, SupremeFX audio, and Gamer’s Guardian components. Since it’s using a B85 chipset, this is not an overclocking motherboard. It is simply a (solid) basic motherboard that comes with the essential features. The B85M-Gamer is basically geared towards gamers, home users or gaming cafes who wants a piece of a “gaming” motherboard, but who are on a budget at the same time. You can check out more details from the official press release below after the jump.
Asus B85M-Gamer Features
ASUS today announced B85M-Gamer, a new Intel® B85 Express chipset-based motherboard that marks the first micro-ATX (mATX) model in the popular ASUS Gamer series. B85M-Gamer is ready for the latest 4th- and 4th-generation Intel Core™ processors, and IS packed with multiple exclusive game-enhancing technologies for the best gaming fun in even the smallest builds.
The Asus B85M-Gamer is engineered with the latest high-speed Intel Gigabit Ethernet networking for lag-free online gaming experiences, ASUS SupremeFX technology for flawless gaming audio and exclusive Gamer’s Guardian components for exceptional durability and reliability. The new mighty mATX motherboard includes the ASUS-exclusive AI Suite 3 tweaking toolbox to push gaming experiences further than ever before.
Fastest gaming-networking technologies built right in
B85M-Gamer benefits from Intel Gigabit Ethernet to deliver ultra-smooth online gameplay. This advanced networking technology communicates directly with Intel processors to offer exceptionally-high networking throughput, lowering overall processing demands and improving efficiency — releasing more power for games and on-screen action.
ASUS engineers used independent network-assessment tools to calculate that Intel Gigabit Ethernet technology deals with the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) data packets — which are vital for responsive gaming — up to two times (2X) faster than competing gaming-LAN technologies, giving B85M-Gamer users a crucial online-gaming edge.
B85M-Gamer also incorporates ASUS-exclusive LANGuard. This employs advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors to improve throughput, and includes both surge protection and electrostatically-guarded components to defend against lightning strikes and static-electricity discharges.
Size-defying gaming audio
B85M-Gamer has ASUS-exclusive SupremeFX technology built in, so gamers enjoy near-lossless audio with a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 115dB — bringing every sound detail to life.
The advanced SupremeFX audio chipset is isolated from electromagnetic interference (EMI) by a protective shield, preserving the integrity of the audio signals. Exclusive ‘red-line shielding’ horizontally separates B85M-Gamer’s audio components from the rest of the motherboard. This unique combination effectively eliminates analog interference to ensure flawless sound quality. Premium ELNA® audio capacitors are added to the mix to deliver a warmer, natural sound, completing a unique audio experience from a mATX board.
SupremeFX also has a built-in amplifier that drives high-quality headphones — all the way up to 300ohm impedance — enabling B85M-Gamer to deliver audio output that’s as great as a dedicated sound card.
Ultimate real-world protection from Gamer’s Guardian components
B85M-Gamer benefits from high-quality, highly-durable Gamer’s Guardian components for exceptional real-world protection.
Gamer’s Guardian includes onboard resettable fuses that protect the connection ports and DRAM against overcurrent and short-circuit damage, and ESD Guards on the USB ports, audio connectors and Ethernet (LAN) port ensure that B85M-Gamer is actively protected against sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD). The result is that the components last much longer.
B85M-Gamer also has Digi+, the ASUS-exclusive voltage-regulator module (VRM) that provides ultra-smooth, ultra-clean power to the processor, enhancing performance, increasing efficiency and ensuring reliability. The motherboard’s resilience is furthered still more by a stainless-steel back input/output (I/O) panel that’s chromium-plated and corrosion-resistant to last up to three times (3X) longer than traditional panels.
Pumped-up gaming fun with an exclusive tweaking toolbox
The new ASUS mATX gaming motherboard includes AI Suite 3, an ASUS-exclusive dashboard-style control panel that lets players fine-tune almost every aspect of B85M-Gamer-based systems for the best balance between performance, stability and efficiency — all via a simple and intuitive interface.
ASUS B85M-Gamer SPECIFICATIONS
| CPU socket | LGA 1150 socket for the 4th- and new 4th-generation Intel® Core i3, i5, i7, Pentium®, and Celeron® processors |
| Chipset | Intel B85 Express |
| Memory | 4 x DIMMs2, up to a maximum of 32GB, DDR3 1600MHz Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) |
| Expansion slots | 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots |
| Graphics (VGA) | Integrated Intel HD Graphics Supports HDMI at maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 at 24Hz / 2560 x 1600 at 60Hz Supports D-sub at maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz Supports Intel InTru™ 3D, Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel Clear Video HD Technology and Intel Insider™ |
| Storage connectivity | 4 x SATA 6Gbit/s connectors 2 x SATA 3Gbit/s connectors |
| Networking/LAN | Intel Gigabit Ethernet + LANGuard |
| USB | 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (2 on back panel, 2 mid-board) 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (2 on back panel, 4 mid-board) |
| Audio | Integrated Intel HD Graphics Supports HDMI at maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 at 24Hz / 2560 x 1600 at 60Hz Supports D-sub at maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz Supports Intel InTru™ 3D, Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel Clear Video HD Technology and Intel Insider™ SupremeFX 8-channel high-definition audio - High-quality stereo playback with 115dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) - Jack-detection, multi-streaming, front-panel mic jack-retasking - SupremeFX shielding technology - ELNA® premium audio capacitors - Headphone amp |
| Dimensions / form factor | mATX, 9.2 x 8.1in (23.3 x 20.6cm) |
Price and Availability
The press release came from Asia and in Philippines it has a suggested retail price of Php 4,090 and will become available by mid-March. There is no word whether the Asus B85M-Gamer will become available in US or Europe region. If ever this will be released in the US, this may be a sub-$100 (or lower) gaming motherboard.
