ASUS TUF Gaming B850-BTF: Hidden connections are now also available for AMD Ryzen

ASUS TUF Gaming B850-BTF: There are now 38 reviews for AMD Ryzen

Image: Asus

ASUS has now presented in detail the first AM5 mainboard with rear connections in the BTF style. The TUF Gaming B850-BTF Wi-Fi W also has a dedicated 600-watt power connection for compatible graphics cards.

Behind the ASUS Back to the Future (BTF) concept is the idea of minimizing the number of visible cables in the system. To this end, most connections, including power, SATA, and various pin headers, are located on the back of the mainboard. ASUS has expanded on this idea and is the only manufacturer to offer a dedicated power connection for the graphics card, which must also be equipped for this purpose. ASUS has already launched Intel-based motherboards such as the TUF Gaming B760M-BTF WiFi and, more recently, the ROG Maximus Z890 Hero BTF. The first BTF board for the AM5 base is only now following.

The TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W in the ATX form factor features the large ATX connector and 8-pin sockets, as well as four SATA ports, a USB header, and various other pins on the back of the PCB. For these to be used, the case must also be compatible. ASUS itself has a few models in its portfolio, but there are also other manufacturers that offer appropriate support and, in addition to the ASUS BTF, also support the MSI Zero project.

So far, the so-called High Power Card Edge (HPCE) slot on the front of the motherboard is only available from ASUS. This slot is located directly behind the upper PCIE-X16 slot for the graphics card and also provides it with up to 600 watts. In turn, a 12V HPWR socket is located on the back of the motherboard, similar to that found on modern GeForce graphics cards.

ASUS TUF GAMING B850-BTF WiFi W

This means that additional, and therefore visible, connection cables on the graphics card can be routed. However, the graphics card, of course, must have the correct GC HPWR contacts, even behind the PCIe cover strip. ASUS on the GEFORCE RTX 4070 TI Super and RTX 4090 on the correct “BTF editions.” ASUS TUF GAMING B850-BTF WiFi W