Key points
- Two of the most popular options on the market are the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and the ASRock B450M Steel Legend.
- In terms of aesthetics, the ASUS motherboard features a military-inspired design with a black and gray color scheme, while the ASRock motherboard has a more traditional black and red color scheme.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a Realtek ALC887 codec for audio, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a Realtek ALC1220 codec.
When it comes to building a gaming PC, choosing the right motherboard is crucial. Two of the most popular options on the market are the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and the ASRock B450M Steel Legend. Both offer a solid foundation for your gaming rig, but which one is the better choice for you? In this in-depth comparison, we will put these motherboards head-to-head and examine their key features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision.
Chipset and Socket
Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and the ASRock B450M Steel Legend are based on AMD’s B450 chipset, which supports the AM4 socket. This means that they can accommodate a wide range of AMD Ryzen processors, including the latest 3rd generation CPUs.
Form Factor and Aesthetics
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II is an ATX motherboard, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend is a micro-ATX motherboard. The ATX form factor is larger and offers more expansion options, while the micro-ATX form factor is smaller and more compact. In terms of aesthetics, the ASUS motherboard features a military-inspired design with a black and gray color scheme, while the ASRock motherboard has a more traditional black and red color scheme.
Power Delivery
The power delivery system is crucial for ensuring stable and reliable performance for your CPU. The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II features a 6+2 phase power design, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has an 8+2 phase power design. The higher number of phases in the ASRock motherboard indicates that it can provide more stable power to the CPU, especially under heavy loads.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support DDR4 memory, with the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II supporting up to 64GB of memory and the ASRock B450M Steel Legend supporting up to 128GB of memory. They both offer dual-channel memory architecture, which allows for higher memory bandwidth and improved performance.
Storage Options
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has six SATA III ports and one M.2 NVMe slot, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has eight SATA III ports and two M.2 NVMe slots. The additional M.2 NVMe slot on the ASRock motherboard provides more flexibility for high-speed storage options.
Expansion Slots
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II offers two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, and one PCIe 2.0 x1 slot. The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots, and one M.2 Key E slot for Wi-Fi expansion. The additional PCIe 3.0 x16 slot on the ASUS motherboard provides more flexibility for multi-GPU setups.
Connectivity and Audio
Both motherboards offer a wide range of connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and Gigabit Ethernet. The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a Realtek ALC887 codec for audio, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a Realtek ALC1220 codec. The ALC1220 codec offers slightly better audio quality and support for 7.1-channel surround sound.
BIOS and Overclocking
Both motherboards have UEFI BIOS with graphical user interfaces, making them easy to navigate and configure. They also offer a range of overclocking options, allowing you to push your system to its limits. However, the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a more comprehensive set of overclocking features, including support for Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) and Curve Optimizer.
Price and Value
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II typically retails for around $100, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend is slightly more expensive at around $120. Both motherboards offer excellent value for money, but the ASRock motherboard has a slight edge due to its better power delivery, more storage options, and more comprehensive overclocking features.
Final Note
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and the ASRock B450M Steel Legend are both excellent motherboards for gaming PCs. They offer a solid foundation for your system and provide a range of features to enhance your gaming experience. However, the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a slight edge over the ASUS motherboard due to its superior power delivery, more storage options, and more comprehensive overclocking features. If you are looking for a motherboard that will provide the best possible performance for your gaming rig, the ASRock B450M Steel Legend is the better choice.
What You Need to Know
Which motherboard has better power delivery?
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has an 8+2 phase power design, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a 6+2 phase power design. The higher number of phases in the ASRock motherboard indicates that it can provide more stable power to the CPU, especially under heavy loads.
Which motherboard has more storage options?
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has eight SATA III ports and two M.2 NVMe slots, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has six SATA III ports and one M.2 NVMe slot. The additional M.2 NVMe slot on the ASRock motherboard provides more flexibility for high-speed storage options.
Which motherboard has better overclocking features?
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a more comprehensive set of overclocking features, including support for Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) and Curve Optimizer. These features give you more control over your CPU’s overclocking settings and allow you to push your system to its limits.