The verdict: asrock b550m-itx/ac vs. gigabyte b550i aorus pro ax – which one will rule your build?

In the realm of mini-ITX motherboards, the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac and the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX stand out as formidable contenders. These two motherboards offer a compelling combination of features, performance, and connectivity, making them ideal for compact and powerful builds. But which one is the better choice for your next project?

Form Factor and Design

Both the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac and the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX adhere to the mini-ITX form factor, measuring a mere 170 x 170 mm. This compact size makes them perfect for small form factor (SFF) builds where space is at a premium.

The ASRock B550M-ITX/ac sports a sleek and understated design with a black PCB and subtle accents. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX, on the other hand, boasts a more aggressive aesthetic with a black and silver color scheme and RGB lighting.

Chipset and Features

Both motherboards are based on the AMD B550 chipset, which supports AMD‘s 3rd generation Ryzen processors and newer. The ASRock B550M-ITX/ac offers four DDR4 memory slots with support for up to 128GB of RAM at speeds of up to 4733MHz. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX also has four DDR4 slots, but it supports up to 64GB of RAM at speeds of up to 4400MHz.

In terms of storage, the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac has two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 x4 and the other PCIe 3.0 x4. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX also has two M.2 slots, but both support PCIe 4.0 x4.

Connectivity

When it comes to connectivity, the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX has a clear advantage over the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac. The Gigabyte motherboard features an Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet port, while the ASRock motherboard only has a Realtek RTL8125B 1Gb Ethernet port.

The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX also has built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, while the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac only has Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2.

Audio

Both motherboards have Realtek ALC1220 audio codecs, but the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX has a slight edge with its ESS Sabre 9218 DAC. This DAC provides enhanced audio quality and supports high-impedance headphones.

Overclocking

Both motherboards offer robust overclocking capabilities, but the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX has a slight advantage due to its more robust VRM design. The Gigabyte motherboard has a 12+2 phase VRM with 50A power stages, while the ASRock motherboard has an 8+2 phase VRM with 40A power stages.

Price

The ASRock B550M-ITX/ac is typically priced around $150, while the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX is priced around $200. Both motherboards offer great value for their respective price points.

Which Motherboard Should You Choose?

The ASRock B550M-ITX/ac is an excellent choice for budget-minded builders who want a compact and reliable motherboard. It offers a solid set of features and performance at an affordable price.

The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX is the better choice for builders who want the best possible performance and connectivity. It has a more robust VRM design, faster memory support, and better networking capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which motherboard has better audio quality?
A: The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX has slightly better audio quality due to its ESS Sabre 9218 DAC.

Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: Both motherboards have two M.2 slots, but the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX has two PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, while the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac has one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot and one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot.

Q: Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
A: The Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX has a more robust VRM design, making it better for overclocking.