Key points
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus is a more affordable option, while the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX offers a few more features, such as Wi-Fi 6E and better overclocking performance.
- In addition to the specifications, features, and performance of the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX, there are a few other factors you should consider before making a purchase.
- Both motherboards are well-built, but the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has a few more premium features, such as a reinforced PCIe slot and a metal backplate.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX are two of the most popular ATX motherboards on the market for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. Both boards offer a wide range of features and capabilities, but there are some key differences between them that you should consider before making a purchase. In this blog post, we will compare the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX in terms of their specifications, features, and performance.
Specifications
| Feature | ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus | GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| Chipset | B650 | B650 |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Memory | 4x DDR5 DIMMs (up to 128GB) | 4x DDR5 DIMMs (up to 128GB) |
| Storage | 4x SATA III ports, 2x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4) | 4x SATA III ports, 3x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots |
| Rear Panel Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort, 1x Gigabit Ethernet port, 5x audio jacks | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort, 1x Gigabit Ethernet port, 5x audio jacks |
| Network | 2.5GbE LAN | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Audio | Realtek ALC897 codec | Realtek ALC1220 codec |
| RGB Lighting | Yes | Yes |
| BIOS | UEFI AMI BIOS | UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Price | $229.99 | $249.99 |
Features
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX offer a wide range of features, including:
- Support for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series CPUs: Both motherboards support AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, including the Ryzen 9 7950X and the Ryzen 5 7600X.
- PCIe 5.0 support: Both motherboards have PCIe 5.0 slots, which provide twice the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 slots. This is important for future-proofing your system, as next-generation graphics cards and SSDs are expected to use PCIe 5.0.
- DDR5 memory support: Both motherboards support DDR5 memory, which is faster and more efficient than DDR4 memory.
- M.2 slots: Both motherboards have multiple M.2 slots, which allow you to install high-speed SSDs.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support: Both motherboards have USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports, which provide up to 20Gbps of bandwidth. This is ideal for connecting external storage devices and other peripherals.
- 2.5GbE LAN: Both motherboards have 2.5GbE LAN ports, which provide faster network connectivity than Gigabit Ethernet.
- RGB lighting: Both motherboards have RGB lighting, which allows you to customize the look of your system.
Performance
In terms of performance, the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX are very similar. Both motherboards can handle demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing without any issues. However, the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has a slight edge in terms of overclocking performance.
Which Motherboard Should You Choose?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX are both excellent motherboards for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus is a more affordable option, while the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX offers a few more features, such as Wi-Fi 6E and better overclocking performance.
Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for a good value motherboard, the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus is a great option. If you’re looking for a motherboard with more features and better overclocking performance, the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX is a better choice.
Other Considerations
In addition to the specifications, features, and performance of the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus and the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX, there are a few other factors you should consider before making a purchase. These factors include:
- Build quality: Both motherboards are well-built, but the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has a few more premium features, such as a reinforced PCIe slot and a metal backplate.
- BIOS: Both motherboards have easy-to-use BIOSes, but the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has a few more advanced features, such as support for overclocking profiles.
- Warranty: Both motherboards come with a 3-year warranty.
Popular Questions
1. Which motherboard has better overclocking performance?
The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has a slight edge in terms of overclocking performance.
2. Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has three M.2 slots, while the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus has two M.2 slots.
3. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has a better audio codec than the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus.
4. Which motherboard has more USB ports?
The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has more USB ports than the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus.
5. Which motherboard has better RGB lighting?
Both motherboards have RGB lighting, but the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX has more RGB lighting zones.