At a Glance
- The ASUS TUF B450M has a 6+2 phase VRM, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has an 8+2 phase VRM.
- The ASUS board is slightly cheaper and has a few more features, while the ASRock board has a better VRM and BIOS for overclocking.
The ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are two of the most popular budget motherboards on the market. Both boards offer a solid feature set for the price, but there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we will compare the two boards and help you decide which one is right for you.
Specifications
| Feature | ASUS TUF B450M | ASRock B450M Steel Legend |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Chipset | B450 | B450 |
| Form factor | Micro ATX | Micro ATX |
| Memory | 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 32GB | 4x DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 32GB |
| Storage | 1x M.2 slot, 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports | 1x M.2 slot, 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports |
| Expansion slots | 1x PCI-Express x16 slot, 1x PCI-Express x4 slot, 2x PCI-Express x1 slots | 1x PCI-Express x16 slot, 1x PCI-Express x4 slot, 2x PCI-Express x1 slots |
| Rear panel ports | 1x PS/2 port, 1x DVI port, 1x HDMI port, 4x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x Gigabit Ethernet port, 3x audio jacks | 1x PS/2 port, 1x DVI port, 1x HDMI port, 4x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x Gigabit Ethernet port, 3x audio jacks |
| Price | $79.99 | $89.99 |
Features
Both the ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend offer a solid feature set for the price. However, there are some key differences between the two boards.
- VRM: The ASUS TUF B450M has a 6+2 phase VRM, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has an 8+2 phase VRM. This means that the ASRock board has a slightly better power delivery system, which can be important for overclocking.
- M.2 slot: The ASUS TUF B450M has only one M.2 slot, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has two M.2 slots. This gives you more options for adding NVMe SSDs to your system.
- Rear panel ports: The ASUS TUF B450M has a DVI port, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend does not. This could be a disadvantage if you have a monitor that only supports DVI input.
- Price: The ASUS TUF B450M is slightly cheaper than the ASRock B450M Steel Legend.
Performance
In terms of performance, the ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are very similar. Both boards offer good performance for everyday tasks and gaming. However, the ASRock board has a slightly better VRM, which can give it an edge in overclocking.
Overclocking
Both the ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend support overclocking. However, the ASRock board has a slightly better VRM, which can give it an edge in overclocking. Additionally, the ASRock board has a BIOS that is more user-friendly for overclocking.
Build Quality
Both the ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are well-built boards. However, the ASUS board has a few more features that make it more durable. For example, the TUF B450M has a military-grade PCB and TUF components, which are designed to withstand extreme conditions.
Which One Should You Buy?
The ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are both great budget motherboards. The ASUS board is slightly cheaper and has a few more features, while the ASRock board has a better VRM and BIOS for overclocking. Ultimately, the best board for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
The Verdict: ASUS TUF B450M vs ASRock B450M Steel Legend
The ASUS TUF B450M and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are both great budget motherboards. The ASUS board is slightly cheaper and has a few more features, while the ASRock board has a better VRM and BIOS for overclocking. Ultimately, the best board for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
FAQ
Q: Which motherboard is better for gaming, the ASUS TUF B450M or the ASRock B450M Steel Legend?
A: Both motherboards are good for gaming, but the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a slightly better VRM, which can give it an edge in overclocking.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots, the ASUS TUF B450M or the ASRock B450M Steel Legend?
A: The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has two M.2 slots, while the ASUS TUF B450M has only one.
Q: Which motherboard is more durable, the ASUS TUF B450M or the ASRock B450M Steel Legend?
A: The ASUS TUF B450M has a military-grade PCB and TUF components, which are designed to withstand extreme conditions.