Quick Overview
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a 12+2 phase VRM, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a 10+2 phase VRM.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly better VRM and memory support, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a more versatile rear panel I/O layout.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are both excellent motherboards that offer a solid feature set and excellent performance.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are two of the most popular mid-range motherboards on the market. Both boards offer a solid feature set and excellent performance, but there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we’ll compare the two motherboards and see which one is the better choice for your next build.
Form Factor and Design
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are both micro-ATX motherboards. This means that they’re smaller than standard ATX motherboards, which makes them a good choice for smaller cases. However, micro-ATX motherboards have fewer expansion slots and PCIe lanes than ATX motherboards, so you’ll need to be careful about which components you choose.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a black and gray color scheme with a military-inspired design. The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a black and red color scheme with a more traditional design. Both motherboards have RGB lighting, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has more RGB headers than the MSI MAG B550M Mortar.
Chipset and Socket
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar both use the AMD B550 chipset. This chipset is compatible with AMD’s Ryzen 5000, 4000, and 3000 series CPUs. Both motherboards also have an AM4 socket, which is required for AMD’s Ryzen CPUs.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM (voltage regulator module) is responsible for delivering power to the CPU. A good VRM is important for ensuring that your CPU gets the power it needs to perform at its best. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a 12+2 phase VRM, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a 10+2 phase VRM. Both VRMs are capable of delivering enough power for even the most demanding CPUs.
Memory Support
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar both support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. Both motherboards also support memory overclocking, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly higher maximum memory speed of 5100MHz compared to the MSI MAG B550M Mortar’s 4800MHz.
Storage Support
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has six SATA ports and two M.2 slots. The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has four SATA ports and two M.2 slots. Both motherboards support NVMe SSDs, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has an additional M.2 slot that supports PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
Expansion Slots
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Both motherboards also have a single M.2 slot that supports PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
Rear Panel I/O
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a variety of rear panel I/O ports, including:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x PS/2 port
- 1 x RJ-45 port
- 5 x 3.5mm audio jacks
- 1 x optical S/PDIF output
The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a similar rear panel I/O layout, but it includes an additional USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port and a DisplayPort output.
BIOS and Software
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar both have UEFI BIOSes with a variety of features and options. Both motherboards also come with a variety of software utilities, including:
- ASUS Armoury Crate
- MSI Center
- MSI Dragon Center
Price
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus is typically priced around $150, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar is typically priced around $160.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are both excellent motherboards. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly better VRM and memory support, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a more versatile rear panel I/O layout. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
The Verdict: ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus vs MSI MAG B550M Mortar
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are both excellent motherboards that offer a solid feature set and excellent performance. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly better VRM and memory support, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a more versatile rear panel I/O layout. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
- Which motherboard has a better VRM?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly better VRM than the MSI MAG B550M Mortar.
- Which motherboard has better memory support?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has slightly better memory support than the MSI MAG B550M Mortar.
- Which motherboard has more rear panel I/O ports?
The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has more rear panel I/O ports than the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus.
- Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
Both motherboards are capable of overclocking, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly better VRM, which may make it a better choice for overclocking.
- Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both motherboards are good for gaming, but the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a slightly better rear panel I/O layout, which may make it a better choice for gamers who need more ports.