What To Know
- However, the Steel Legend has a slightly better audio solution with the Realtek ALC892 codec, while the TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has a slightly better networking solution with the Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller.
- If you are looking for a well-built and affordable motherboard with a solid feature set, then either the ASRock B450M Steel Legend or the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming is a good choice.
- The ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has better networking performance with the Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has the Realtek RTL8111H Gigabit LAN controller.
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend and the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming are two popular micro-ATX motherboards based on the AMD B450 chipset. Both boards offer a solid feature set at an affordable price, but they have their unique strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will compare the two motherboards in detail to help you decide which one is the right choice for your next PC build.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ASRock B450M Steel Legend | ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Chipset | B450 | B450 |
| Form Factor | micro-ATX | micro-ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR4 up to 3200MHz | DDR4 up to 3200MHz |
| Storage | 4x SATA III, 1x M.2 NVMe | 4x SATA III, 1x M.2 NVMe |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe x16, 2x PCIe x1 | 1x PCIe x16, 1x PCIe x1 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC892 | Realtek ALC887 |
| Networking | Gigabit LAN | Gigabit LAN |
| USB Ports | 6x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 | 4x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 |
| BIOS | UEFI BIOS with EZ Mode | UEFI BIOS with EZ Mode |
Design and Build Quality
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a sleek and modern design with a black and silver color scheme. The board is well-built and feels sturdy. The ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has a more rugged design with a black and yellow color scheme. The board is also well-built, but it feels slightly less sturdy than the Steel Legend.
Performance
In terms of performance, both the ASRock B450M Steel Legend and the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming perform very similarly. Both boards support the same amount of memory and storage, and they both have similar expansion slot options. However, the Steel Legend has a slightly better audio solution with the Realtek ALC892 codec, while the TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has a slightly better networking solution with the Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller.
Features
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a number of features that are not found on the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming, including:
- Dual M.2 slots: The Steel Legend has two M.2 slots, which allows you to install two NVMe SSDs for faster storage performance.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 header: The Steel Legend has a USB 3.1 Gen 2 header, which allows you to connect a USB 3.1 Gen 2 device for faster data transfer speeds.
- RGB LED headers: The Steel Legend has two RGB LED headers, which allow you to connect RGB LED strips and other accessories to create a custom lighting setup.
The ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has a number of features that are not found on the ASRock B450M Steel Legend, including:
- ASUS Fan Xpert 4: The TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has ASUS Fan Xpert 4, which allows you to control the speed of your fans based on the temperature of your system.
- ASUS GameFirst IV: The TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has ASUS GameFirst IV, which optimizes your network traffic for gaming and other online activities.
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3: The TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, which allows you to recover your BIOS from a failed update.
Pricing
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend is typically priced around $80, while the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming is typically priced around $90. Both boards are very affordable, but the Steel Legend is a slightly better value for the money.
Recommendations
Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you are looking for a well-built and affordable motherboard with a solid feature set, then either the ASRock B450M Steel Legend or the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming is a good choice. However, if you need features like dual M.2 slots, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 header, or RGB LED headers, then the Steel Legend is the better choice.
Basics You Wanted To Know
1. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has better audio quality with the Realtek ALC892 codec, while the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has the Realtek ALC887 codec.
2. Which motherboard has better networking performance?
The ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has better networking performance with the Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend has the Realtek RTL8111H Gigabit LAN controller.
3. Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
Both motherboards support overclocking, but the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has slightly better overclocking capabilities due to its more robust VRM design.
