Quick summary
- The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 boasts a full-sized ATX form factor, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend adopts a more compact Micro-ATX form factor.
- The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 features a 12+2 phase VRM with 50A power stages, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend utilizes a 10+2 phase VRM with 60A power stages.
- If you’re looking for a compact Micro-ATX motherboard with strong performance and a more affordable price point, the ASRock motherboard is a solid option.
The world of PC building is vast and ever-evolving, with new components and technologies emerging constantly. Among the most crucial components of any PC is the motherboard, which serves as the central hub connecting all the other components. In the realm of motherboards, the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550M Steel Legend stand out as two formidable contenders. This blog post delves into a comprehensive comparison of these two motherboards, providing PC builders with the insights they need to make an informed decision.
Form Factor: ATX vs. Micro-ATX
The first key difference between these motherboards lies in their form factors. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 boasts a full-sized ATX form factor, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend adopts a more compact Micro-ATX form factor. ATX motherboards offer more expansion slots and PCIe lanes, providing greater flexibility for adding additional components. Micro-ATX motherboards, on the other hand, are more suited for smaller builds where space is a constraint.
Chipset: B550
Both the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550M Steel Legend are based on AMD’s B550 chipset, which is designed for AMD Ryzen processors. The B550 chipset supports PCIe 4.0, enabling faster data transfer speeds and improved performance for NVMe SSDs and graphics cards.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) plays a crucial role in delivering stable power to the CPU. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 features a 12+2 phase VRM with 50A power stages, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend utilizes a 10+2 phase VRM with 60A power stages. Both motherboards offer robust power delivery systems capable of handling demanding CPUs, including the latest Ryzen 5000 series processors.
Memory Support
In terms of memory support, both motherboards support DDR4 RAM up to 5100MHz overclocked. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 offers four DIMM slots, supporting up to 128GB of memory, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend has two DIMM slots, supporting up to 64GB of memory.
Connectivity
The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550M Steel Legend provide a comprehensive range of connectivity options. Both motherboards come with built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. The Gigabyte motherboard offers two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The ASRock motherboard has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Storage and Expansion
Both motherboards support NVMe SSDs via the M.2 slots. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 offers three M.2 slots, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend has two M.2 slots. Additionally, the Gigabyte motherboard has six SATA ports, while the ASRock motherboard has four SATA ports.
BIOS and Overclocking
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for initializing the hardware components and providing options for overclocking. Both motherboards feature user-friendly BIOS interfaces with advanced overclocking capabilities. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 offers a wider range of overclocking settings, allowing for more granular control over the system’s performance.
Aesthetics and Design
The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 sports a sleek and modern design with black and silver accents. The motherboard features RGB lighting zones that can be customized using the Aorus RGB Fusion software. The ASRock B550M Steel Legend adopts a more industrial aesthetic with a black and grey color scheme. The motherboard has subtle RGB lighting accents that add a touch of flair to the build.
Verdict: Choosing the Right Motherboard for Your Needs
The choice between the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550M Steel Legend ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re building an ATX system with plenty of expansion options and overclocking potential, the Gigabyte motherboard is an excellent choice. If you’re looking for a compact Micro-ATX motherboard with strong performance and a more affordable price point, the ASRock motherboard is a solid option.
What People Want to Know
Q: Which motherboard has better VRM performance?
A: Both motherboards have robust VRM systems, but the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 has a slight edge with its 12+2 phase VRM and 50A power stages.
Q: Which motherboard supports more memory?
A: The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 supports up to 128GB of memory, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend supports up to 64GB of memory.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 has three M.2 slots, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend has two M.2 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has a better BIOS for overclocking?
A: The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 offers a more comprehensive range of overclocking settings in its BIOS, providing greater control over the system’s performance.
Q: Which motherboard is more aesthetically pleasing?
A: The aesthetics of motherboards are subjective, but the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 has a more modern and customizable design with RGB lighting, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend has a more industrial and subtle design.