OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£120CPU socket:AM5Chipset:AMD B650Form factor:ATX

GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications, 2 expert and video reviews and 1 best-of list to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2
7.9/10

Overall score

Score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 85% of models
Score components

40%

8.0

Technical score

20%

8.0

Reviews score

20%

8.0

List score

10%

6.5

Sentiment score

10%

9.0

User score

▲Better than 85% of motherboards
8.5

Value for money

Value for money
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 93% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

★Better than 93%
8.0

Technical score

Technical score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models
Score components

19%

9.2

Memory

16%

9.0

Platform

16%

7.9

Storage

15%

8.3

Network

13%

6.5

Ports

8%

4.3

Expansion

8%

8.5

Power & Cooling

5%

7.7

Audio

▲Better than 84%
8.0

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 54% of models

8.0

Mark 8.1 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

6.9

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
▼Worse than 54%
9.0

User score

User score
9.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 79% of models

70%

8.7

Rating

30%

9.8

Popularity

▲Better than 79%
8.0

List score

List score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (1)
List score: in 1 of 64 lists (2%)
▲Better than 88%
  • gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
  • gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
  • gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
  • gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
  • gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
  • gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2

Based on 126 owners sharing their experience in online comments

23%positive6%mixed71%negative

Clear build and BIOS guidance helps, but boot, memory, storage, and wireless failures make reliability a major concern.

What owners dislike

  • The board's DRAM light stays red and it won't boot, often with memory in A2/B2 slots; some owners get it working only in A1/B1.18
  • Enabling Fast Boot can lock owners out of BIOS, and a failed Q-Flash can leave the board with no display.14
  • Often the M.2 SSD or USB installer is missing from the boot list, giving 'no bootable device' errors; one owner fixed it with MBR.13
  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the Ethernet port stop working for some owners, including one who saw Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drop with one high-end GPU installed.11
  • EXPO or XMP can freeze or loop the boot, and some owners find RAM stuck at 4800 MT/s after a BIOS update.7
  • Some boards don't power on at all or switch on and off repeatedly; one owner had a faulty board swapped for a replacement.7
  • The M.2 heatsink screws are hard to remove and can strip or snap, leaving broken pieces in the standoffs.5
  • A Type-C cable in a rear port can switch the PC off, and some owners report keyboards, mice or USB boot drives not working.5
  • RGB lights stay on after shutdown, stop working, or ignore Gigabyte, iCUE or Razer software.5
  • The BIOS can feel laggy, and some settings are hard to find or missing, such as TDP power limits and Wake-on-LAN.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of motherboard GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2

Technical score
Technical score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models
Score components:

19%

9.2

Memory

16%

9.0

Platform

16%

7.9

Storage

15%

8.3

Network

13%

6.5

Ports

8%

4.3

Expansion

8%

8.5

Power & Cooling

5%

7.7

Audio

8.0
Reviews score
8.0
User score
9.0
List score
8.0
Value for money
Value for money
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 93% of models
Score components:

70%

7.9

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

8.5
CPU socket
AM5
This motherboard uses AM5, which is more up-to-date than 85.5% of Motherboards and the same as 14.5% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
AMD
Chipset
AMD B650
This motherboard uses AMD B650, which is more capable than 72.2% of Motherboards and as capable as 4.1% of Motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR5
This motherboard uses DDR5, which is more modern than 63.8% of Motherboards and the same as 36.2% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
?
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
8,000 MT/s
Market range: <2k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 8,000 MT/s, which is higher than that of 84.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 5.7% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
3
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 3 M.2 sockets, which is more than 65.1% of motherboards and equal to 18.9% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
?
N. of SATA 3 connectors
4
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 6.1% of motherboards and equal to 46.8% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/10, which is less flexible than 67.6% of Motherboards and the same as 23.6% of Motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is more than 55.2% of motherboards and equal to 35.7% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
?
PCIe slot electrical configuration
?
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
?
Total USB ports (including headers)
?
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 48.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.7% of motherboards and equal to 33% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
2.5 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.4% of motherboards.
LAN controller
?
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
This motherboard uses Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which is newer than 71.5% of Motherboards and the same as 16.7% of Motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC897
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC897, which is higher-end than 20.2% of Motherboards and the same as 29.9% of Motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
?
Headphone amp support
?
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
3
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 11.3% of motherboards and equal to 39.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
?
N. of CPU power connectors
?
N. of fan headers
?
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
2 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 2 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 45.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 32.6% of motherboards.
Show more

GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • More up-to-date socket
    This motherboard uses a more up-to-date socket than the average motherboard (AM5 vs LGA 1151).
    AM5 vs LGA 1,151
  • 1 more top-speed NVMe slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • More modern memory type
    This motherboard uses a more modern memory type than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4).
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • More recent Wi-Fi standard
    This motherboard has a more recent Wi-Fi standard than the average motherboard (Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 21.6% higher user score
    User score
    9.0/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 79% of models

    70%

    8.7

    Rating

    30%

    9.8

    Popularity

    9.0 vs 7.4
  • 9.6% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.0/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 54% of models

    8.0

    Mark 8.1 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    6.9

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.0 vs 7.3
  • 10.6% better value for money
    GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 has better value for money than the average motherboard (8.52 vs 7.7).
    8.52 vs 7.7
  • More up-to-date socket
    This motherboard uses a more up-to-date socket than the average motherboard (AM5 vs LGA 1151).
    AM5 vs LGA 1,151
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • More modern memory type
    This motherboard uses a more modern memory type than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4).
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 70.2% higher maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (8,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    8,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 60% higher overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (8,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    8,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • 1 more top-speed NVMe slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    2 vs 1
  • More recent Wi-Fi standard
    This motherboard has a more recent Wi-Fi standard than the average motherboard (Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • 2 more RGB headers
    This motherboard has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    3 vs 1
  • Fewer RAID options
    This motherboard offers fewer RAID levels than the average motherboard (0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10).
    0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10
  • No multi-GPU support
    This motherboard does not support multi-GPU, while the average motherboard does. 53.9% of motherboards support multi-GPU.
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (AMD B650 vs Intel B860).
    AMD B650 vs Intel B860
  • 1 fewer PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has fewer PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 13.3% lower sentiment score
    6.5 vs 7.5
  • No optical S/PDIF out
    This motherboard does not have optical S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does. 55.4% of motherboards include optical S/PDIF out.
  • 13.3% lower sentiment score
    6.5 vs 7.5
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (AMD B650 vs Intel B860).
    AMD B650 vs Intel B860
  • Fewer RAID options
    This motherboard offers fewer RAID levels than the average motherboard (0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10).
    0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10
  • No multi-GPU support
    This motherboard does not support multi-GPU, while the average motherboard does. 53.9% of motherboards support multi-GPU.
  • 1 fewer PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has fewer PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    0 vs 1
  • No optical S/PDIF out
    This motherboard does not have optical S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does. 55.4% of motherboards include optical S/PDIF out.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
Mike's unboxing, reviews and how to
≈ estimated
03/03/2025
First look · physical inspection and rear I/O tour
Verdict
GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 is a worthwhile budget upgrade with a better VRM, though its PCIe slots and reset button are questionable.
9.0
Unpacked Technologies
≈ estimated
22/09/2024
Unboxing · first look at box and contents
Verdict
GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 is a good value for an AM5 build, though this view is based only on the box and listed features.
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2

  • Memory runs at up to 8000 MT/s, with the same overclocked speed.
  • One PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for the fastest SSDs.
  • Three M.2 sockets in total.
  • A 2.5 Gbps LAN port and Wi-Fi 6E with the antenna included.
  • A reset button on the board for testing outside the case.
  • Three 4-pin RGB headers and a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 front-panel header.

What customers don't like about GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2

  • No dual BIOS, so a bad update has no backup.
  • No POST code display.
  • Only one PCIe x16 slot, and it is PCIe 4.0.
  • No PCIe x8 slots for older add-in cards.

Verdict

Fast memory and a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot make the GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 a practical AM5 board for a gamer. Memory runs at up to 8000 MT/s, and overclocking reaches the same speed. Three M.2 sockets, one of them PCIe 5.0, leave room to grow. A 2.5 Gbps LAN port and Wi-Fi 6E with the antenna included cover wired and wireless links. A reset button on the board helps when you test a build outside the case. The trade-off is recovery and graphics: there is no dual BIOS and no POST code display, and the only graphics slot is PCIe 4.0. It suits a gamer or home builder who wants AM5, fast memory and an easy way to reset, and who can live without dual BIOS.

Compare GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 with other products in the Motherboards category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX V2 and other products in the Motherboards category

No results found