Quick notes
- The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro boasts a sleek black and silver design with angular accents, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend features a more subdued black and gray color scheme with subtle gold accents.
- The Aorus Pro has an extended heatsink that covers the VRM and chipset, while the Steel Legend features a smaller heatsink but includes a dedicated fan for additional airflow.
- The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro features a 12+2 phase digital power design, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend has an 8+2 phase power design.
For budget-conscious PC builders seeking a compact yet powerful motherboard, the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro and ASRock B550M Steel Legend stand out as compelling options. Both offer robust feature sets, excellent build quality, and support for the latest AMD Ryzen processors. However, subtle differences in design and functionality set them apart, making it crucial to compare the two before making a purchasing decision.
Form Factor and Aesthetics
Both motherboards adopt the MicroATX form factor, making them ideal for compact builds. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro boasts a sleek black and silver design with angular accents, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend features a more subdued black and gray color scheme with subtle gold accents. Both motherboards offer customizable RGB lighting options, allowing users to personalize their builds.
Chipset and Socket
At the heart of both motherboards lies the AMD B550 chipset, providing support for AMD Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series processors. The B550 chipset offers a wide range of features, including PCIe 4.0 support, advanced overclocking capabilities, and enhanced memory performance.
Memory and Storage
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro and ASRock B550M Steel Legend both support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory with speeds up to 4400MHz. They feature four DIMM slots, allowing for flexible memory configurations. For storage, the Aorus Pro offers six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots, while the Steel Legend provides four SATA III ports and three M.2 slots.
Expansion Slots
In terms of expansion slots, the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro has a slight edge over the ASRock B550M Steel Legend. It features two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. The Steel Legend, on the other hand, has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Both motherboards support AMD CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI multi-GPU configurations.
Connectivity
Both motherboards offer a comprehensive range of connectivity options. They feature multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports, as well as a Gigabit Ethernet port. The Aorus Pro has an additional 2.5GbE LAN port, while the Steel Legend includes a Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 module.
Overclocking and Cooling
Overclocking enthusiasts will appreciate the robust overclocking capabilities of both motherboards. They offer a wide range of voltage and frequency adjustments, enabling users to push their systems to the limits. The Aorus Pro features a dedicated overclocking button for quick and easy overclocking.
Both motherboards provide ample cooling options. The Aorus Pro has an extended heatsink that covers the VRM and chipset, while the Steel Legend features a smaller heatsink but includes a dedicated fan for additional airflow.
BIOS and Software
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro and ASRock B550M Steel Legend come with user-friendly BIOS interfaces that offer extensive configuration options. Gigabyte’s @BIOS and ASRock’s UEFI BIOS provide intuitive navigation and a comprehensive set of settings. Both motherboards also come with bundled software, including utilities for overclocking, RGB lighting control, and system monitoring.
Power Delivery
The power delivery systems of both motherboards are designed to handle the demands of high-performance CPUs. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro features a 12+2 phase digital power design, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend has an 8+2 phase power design. Both motherboards use high-quality components to ensure stable and efficient power delivery.
Price and Availability
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro and ASRock B550M Steel Legend are priced similarly, with the Aorus Pro being slightly more expensive. They are widely available from major retailers and online marketplaces.
The Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Motherboard for Your Needs
Selecting the right motherboard for your needs depends on your specific requirements and preferences. If you prioritize aesthetics, expansion options, and overclocking capabilities, the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro is an excellent choice. However, if you prefer Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and a more affordable option, the ASRock B550M Steel Legend is a solid alternative. Ultimately, both motherboards offer exceptional performance and value for MicroATX builds.
Popular Questions
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A: Both motherboards offer robust overclocking capabilities, but the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro has a slight edge with its dedicated overclocking button.
Q: Does either motherboard support PCIe 5.0?
A: No, neither motherboard supports PCIe 5.0.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: The ASRock B550M Steel Legend has three M.2 slots, while the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro has two.
Q: Does the ASRock B550M Steel Legend include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
A: Yes, the ASRock B550M Steel Legend comes with a Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 module.
Q: Which motherboard has a better warranty?
A: Both motherboards come with a 3-year limited warranty.