Key points
- The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite, on the other hand, adopts a sleek and stylish aesthetic with an RGB Fusion 2.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus has a subtle yet rugged aesthetic, with a black and yellow color scheme and a TUF Gaming logo on the I/O panel.
- The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite exudes a more vibrant and flashy design, with a black and silver color scheme and an AORUS logo that glows with RGB lighting.
In the realm of PC gaming, motherboards serve as the backbone of your system, providing the foundation for your CPU, RAM, and other crucial components. When it comes to choosing a motherboard for your next gaming rig, two formidable contenders emerge: the ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus and the GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite. Both motherboards offer exceptional features and capabilities, but which one reigns supreme? In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences between these two gaming behemoths to help you make an informed decision.
Performance and Features
The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus boasts a robust design with a reinforced PCIe slot and military-grade components, ensuring durability and stability under heavy gaming loads. It features an Intel B560 chipset, supporting 11th and 10th generation Intel Core processors. The motherboard comes equipped with two M.2 slots for high-speed NVMe SSDs, allowing for lightning-fast storage and game loading times.
The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite, on the other hand, adopts a sleek and stylish aesthetic with an RGB Fusion 2.0 lighting system that adds a touch of flair to your setup. It also utilizes the Intel B560 chipset and supports the same range of processors. The motherboard has three M.2 slots, providing ample storage expansion options.
Connectivity and Expandability
In terms of connectivity, both motherboards offer a wide range of ports and expansion slots. The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus features four DDR4 memory slots, supporting up to 128GB of RAM at speeds of up to 5000MHz. It has a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for your graphics card, as well as two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for additional expansion cards.
The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite comes with four DDR4 memory slots, supporting up to 128GB of RAM at speeds of up to 4800MHz. It has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, allowing you to run multiple graphics cards in an SLI or CrossFireX configuration. Additionally, it has a single PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for further expansion.
Audio and Networking
For immersive gaming experiences, the ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus incorporates a Realtek ALC897 audio codec, delivering high-quality sound with support for 7.1-channel surround sound. It also includes a dedicated Ethernet port with an Intel I219-V controller for stable and fast network connectivity.
The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite utilizes a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, providing enhanced audio performance with support for 7.1-channel surround sound. It features a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port with an Intel I225-V controller, offering even faster network speeds for online gaming and streaming.
RGB Lighting and Aesthetics
The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus has a subtle yet rugged aesthetic, with a black and yellow color scheme and a TUF Gaming logo on the I/O panel. It lacks dedicated RGB lighting headers, but you can still connect RGB devices to the included Aura Sync header.
The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite exudes a more vibrant and flashy design, with a black and silver color scheme and an AORUS logo that glows with RGB lighting. It comes with multiple RGB lighting headers, allowing you to customize the lighting effects of your system to your liking.
BIOS and Overclocking
Both motherboards provide intuitive UEFI BIOS interfaces with user-friendly options for overclocking and system customization. The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus offers a simplified EZ Mode for beginners and an advanced Mode for experienced users. It includes a variety of overclocking features, such as voltage control and memory tuning.
The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite has a more comprehensive BIOS interface with a wider range of overclocking settings. It features a dedicated overclocking menu with granular control over CPU, memory, and voltage parameters. Additionally, it supports XMP profiles for easy RAM overclocking.
Pricing and Availability
The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus is typically priced around $120-$150, while the GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite is slightly more expensive, ranging from $150-$180. Both motherboards are widely available from major retailers and online stores.
The Verdict: Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus and the GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite are both excellent motherboards for gaming PCs. The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus offers a robust design, solid performance, and a budget-friendly price point. The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite boasts a stylish design, faster networking, and more extensive overclocking capabilities, but it comes at a slightly higher cost.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you value durability, stability, and affordability, the ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus is an excellent option. However, if you prioritize aesthetics, overclocking potential, and faster networking, the GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite is the superior choice.
What People Want to Know
Q: Which motherboard has better audio quality?
A: Both motherboards offer high-quality audio, but the GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite has a slightly better audio codec.
Q: Which motherboard supports more storage devices?
A: The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite has three M.2 slots, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus has only two.
Q: Which motherboard has more PCIe slots?
A: The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus has only one.
Q: Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
A: The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite has more comprehensive overclocking features and settings.
Q: Which motherboard has better RGB lighting options?
A: The GIGABYTE B560M AORUS Elite has dedicated RGB lighting headers and a wider range of lighting effects.