Essential Information
- In terms of design, the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX features a black and silver color scheme with sharp lines and aggressive angles, giving it a sleek and modern look.
- The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX, on the other hand, has a more traditional design with a black and gold color scheme and a more subdued aesthetic.
- The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX is a more affordable option with a solid feature set, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX offers more expansion options, better audio, and faster wired connectivity.
The Gigabyte B650 chipset is the latest offering from AMD, designed to power the next generation of gaming PCs. Two standout motherboards based on this chipset are the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX and the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX. Both boards offer impressive features for gamers, but how do they compare? Let’s dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which motherboard is the best choice for your gaming needs.
Chipset and Socket:
Both the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX and the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX are based on the AMD B650 chipset. This chipset supports AMD‘s Ryzen 7000 series processors, offering compatibility with the latest and greatest CPUs from AMD.
Form Factor and Design:
The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX is an ATX motherboard, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX is an EATX motherboard. The ATX form factor is more common and widely compatible with most cases, while the EATX form factor offers more expansion options and a larger footprint.
In terms of design, the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX features a black and silver color scheme with sharp lines and aggressive angles, giving it a sleek and modern look. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX, on the other hand, has a more traditional design with a black and gold color scheme and a more subdued aesthetic.
Power Delivery and VRM:
The power delivery system is crucial for overclocking and supporting high-performance CPUs. The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX has a 12+2+1 phase VRM, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has a 16+2+1 phase VRM. A higher phase count generally indicates better power delivery and improved overclocking capabilities.
Memory Support:
Both motherboards support up to 128GB of DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX supports memory speeds up to 6200MHz, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX supports memory speeds up to 6400MHz. Higher memory speeds can improve gaming performance, especially in memory-intensive games.
Expansion Slots:
The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, two PCIe 4.0 x1 slots, and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has three PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. More PCIe slots provide greater flexibility for adding graphics cards, storage devices, and other expansion cards.
Storage Options:
Both motherboards have four SATA 6Gbps ports for connecting storage devices. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has an additional M.2 slot compared to the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, offering more options for high-speed NVMe storage.
Connectivity:
Both motherboards offer a wide range of connectivity options. They both have 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB 3.2 Gen2 ports. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has an additional 10GbE LAN port, providing even faster wired connectivity.
Audio:
The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX has a Realtek ALC897 audio codec, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has a Realtek ALC4080 audio codec. The ALC4080 codec is generally considered to be better than the ALC897, offering higher sound quality and more features.
RGB Lighting:
Both motherboards feature RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the look of your system. The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX has a single RGB header, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has three RGB headers, providing more options for connecting RGB devices.
BIOS and Overclocking:
Both motherboards have user-friendly BIOS interfaces that make it easy to configure and overclock your system. They both support a wide range of overclocking options, including voltage adjustments, memory tuning, and fan control.
Pricing and Availability:
The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX is available for around $200, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX is available for around $250. Both motherboards are widely available from major retailers.
The Verdict:
The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX and the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX are both excellent motherboards for gaming. The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX is a more affordable option with a solid feature set, while the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX offers more expansion options, better audio, and faster wired connectivity. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Frequently Discussed Topics
Q1. Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A1. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has a slightly better VRM than the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, giving it a slight edge in overclocking potential.
Q2. Which motherboard has more storage options?
A2. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has one more M.2 slot than the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, providing more options for high-speed NVMe storage.
Q3. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
A3. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has a better audio codec than the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, offering higher sound quality and more features.