What to know
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E and ASUS Prime B550M-K are two of the most popular motherboards on the market.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is an ATX motherboard, while the ASUS Prime B550M-K is a micro-ATX motherboard.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is a better choice for gaming because it has more expansion slots and connectivity options.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E and ASUS Prime B550M-K are two of the most popular motherboards on the market. Both motherboards offer a wide range of features and are compatible with the latest AMD Ryzen processors. However, there are some key differences between the two motherboards that you should be aware of before making a purchase. In this blog post, we will compare the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E and ASUS Prime B550M-K to help you decide which motherboard is right for you.
Chipset and Socket
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E and ASUS Prime B550M-K are both based on the AMD B550 chipset. This chipset supports the latest AMD Ryzen processors, including the Ryzen 9 5950X and the Ryzen 5 5600X. Both motherboards also have an AM4 socket, which is required for AMD Ryzen processors.
Form Factor
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is an ATX motherboard, while the ASUS Prime B550M-K is a micro-ATX motherboard. ATX motherboards are larger than micro-ATX motherboards, but they offer more expansion slots and PCIe lanes. Micro-ATX motherboards are smaller than ATX motherboards, but they are still compatible with most PC cases.
Memory Support
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E supports up to 128GB of DDR4 memory, while the ASUS Prime B550M-K supports up to 64GB of DDR4 memory. Both motherboards support dual-channel memory, which means that you can install two memory modules in each channel.
Storage Support
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E has six SATA 6Gb/s ports, while the ASUS Prime B550M-K has four SATA 6Gb/s ports. Both motherboards also have an M.2 slot, which can be used to install an NVMe SSD.
Expansion Slots
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E has two PCIe x16 slots, one PCIe x4 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot. The ASUS Prime B550M-K has one PCIe x16 slot, one PCIe x4 slot, and one PCIe x1 slot. Both motherboards also have a PCI slot.
Connectivity
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E has a wide range of connectivity options, including:
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
- 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
- 2x USB 2.0 ports
- 1x HDMI port
- 1x DisplayPort port
- 1x DVI-D port
- 1x PS/2 port
The ASUS Prime B550M-K has a similar range of connectivity options, but it does not have a DVI-D port.
Price
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is typically priced at around $150, while the ASUS Prime B550M-K is typically priced at around $120.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E and ASUS Prime B550M-K are both excellent motherboards. However, the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is a better choice for users who need more expansion slots and connectivity options. The ASUS Prime B550M-K is a better choice for users who are on a budget.
Features Comparison Table
| Feature | ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E | ASUS Prime B550M-K |
| — | — | — |
| Chipset | AMD B550 | AMD B550 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Form Factor | ATX | Micro-ATX |
| Memory Support | Up to 128GB DDR4 | Up to 64GB DDR4 |
| Storage Support | 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 1x M.2 slot | 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 1x M.2 slot |
| Expansion Slots | 2x PCIe x16 slots, 1x PCIe x4 slot, 1x PCIe x1 slot, 1x PCI slot | 1x PCIe x16 slot, 1x PCIe x4 slot, 1x PCIe x1 slot, 1x PCI slot |
| Connectivity | 1x Gigabit Ethernet port, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort port, 1x DVI-D port, 1x PS/2 port | 1x Gigabit Ethernet port, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort port, 1x PS/2 port |
| Price | Typically priced at around $150 | Typically priced at around $120 |
Top Questions Asked
1. What is the difference between the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E and ASUS Prime B550M-K?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E has more expansion slots and connectivity options than the ASUS Prime B550M-K. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E also has a higher price tag.
2. Which motherboard is better for gaming?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is a better choice for gaming because it has more expansion slots and connectivity options. This allows you to install a more powerful graphics card and other gaming peripherals.
3. Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-E is also a better choice for overclocking because it has a more robust VRM design. This allows you to push your CPU and memory to their limits without worrying about stability issues.