Quick summary
- The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I, on the other hand, has a more vibrant black and red color scheme with a ROG-themed design.
- The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a 10+2+1 phase power design, while the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I has a 16+2+1 phase power design.
- The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra is a more affordable option with a solid feature set, while the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I offers a wider range of features and a more robust power delivery system.
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra and the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I are two of the most highly anticipated Mini-ITX motherboards for AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series processors. Both motherboards offer a compact and feature-rich design, but they also have some key differences that may influence your decision. In this comprehensive comparison, we will explore the similarities and differences between these two motherboards to help you make an informed choice.
Form Factor and Design:
Both the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra and the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I are Mini-ITX motherboards, measuring 170mm x 170mm. This compact form factor makes them ideal for small form factor builds, such as HTPCs or gaming rigs with limited space.
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra features a matte black PCB with a silver and black heatsink design. The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I, on the other hand, has a more vibrant black and red color scheme with a ROG-themed design.
Chipset and Features:
Both motherboards are based on AMD’s B650 chipset, which supports the latest Ryzen 7000 series processors. However, the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I has a slight edge in terms of features, including support for PCIe 5.0 and USB 4.0 connectivity.
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra offers a total of 4 DDR5 memory slots, supporting up to 128GB of RAM with speeds of up to DDR5-6600. The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I also has 4 DDR5 memory slots but supports up to DDR5-6400 speeds.
Storage Options:
Both motherboards provide ample storage options. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has four SATA 6Gb/s ports and two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 x4 and the other supports PCIe 3.0 x4.
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I offers a total of six SATA 6Gb/s ports and three M.2 slots. Two of the M.2 slots support PCIe 4.0 x4, while the third supports PCIe 3.0 x4.
Connectivity and I/O:
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a wide range of connectivity options, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. It also features a 2.5GbE LAN port and a Wi-Fi 6E module.
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I offers similar connectivity options, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. It also has a 2.5GbE LAN port, a Wi-Fi 6E module, and a Thunderbolt 4 port.
Power Delivery:
Both motherboards feature robust power delivery systems to support the latest Ryzen 7000 series processors. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a 10+2+1 phase power design, while the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I has a 16+2+1 phase power design.
Cooling and Thermal Performance:
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a large heatsink that covers the VRM and chipset areas. The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I also has a large heatsink, but it also includes a dedicated fan header for an additional cooling fan.
BIOS and Overclocking:
Both motherboards have user-friendly BIOS interfaces that provide extensive overclocking options. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra features the EZ BIOS interface, while the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I has the UEFI BIOS interface.
Price and Availability:
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra is priced at around $200, while the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I is priced at around $250. Both motherboards are widely available from major retailers.
Final Verdict:
The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra and the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I are both excellent Mini-ITX motherboards for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra is a more affordable option with a solid feature set, while the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I offers a wider range of features and a more robust power delivery system. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Answers to Your Questions
Q1: Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A: Both motherboards have extensive overclocking options, but the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I has a slight edge due to its more robust power delivery system.
Q2: Does the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra support PCIe 5.0?
A: No, the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra does not support PCIe 5.0.
Q3: Which motherboard offers more storage options?
A: The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I offers more storage options with six SATA ports and three M.2 slots.