Asus Rog Strix B650e-i Vs Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra

The release of AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series processors has sparked a new wave of innovation in the motherboard market. Among the most exciting options for mini-ITX enthusiasts are the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I and the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra. These two powerhouses offer a compelling combination of features, performance, and aesthetics. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences between the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I and the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra to help you make an informed decision for your next mini-ITX build.

Form Factor and Design

Both the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I and the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra adhere to the compact mini-ITX form factor, measuring just 170 x 170 mm. This makes them ideal for space-constrained builds, such as small form factor (SFF) PCs and home theater PCs (HTPCs).

The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I features a sleek and angular design with a striking black and silver color scheme. It boasts the iconic ROG logo on the I/O shroud and a customizable OLED display that can showcase system information or custom graphics.

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra, on the other hand, sports a more traditional ATX motherboard design with a predominantly black color scheme and silver accents. It features a large I/O shroud that houses the rear panel connectors and a prominent AORUS logo.

Socket and Chipset

Both motherboards are built around AMD’s latest AM5 socket, which supports Ryzen 7000 series processors. They feature the B650 chipset, which offers a solid balance of features and performance for mainstream users.

Power Delivery

Power delivery is crucial for ensuring stable operation of high-performance processors. The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I boasts a robust 16+2+1 power stage design with 105A power stages. This provides ample power for even the most demanding overclocks.

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra features a slightly less powerful 14+2+1 power stage design with 90A power stages. While still capable of handling most overclocks, it may not offer the same level of headroom as the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I.

Memory Support

Both motherboards support DDR5 memory, which offers significantly higher bandwidth and performance compared to DDR4. The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 6400MHz.

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra also supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, but it is limited to speeds of up to 5600MHz.

Storage

The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I provides four SATA III ports and two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe SSDs for blazing-fast storage speeds.

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra offers a similar storage configuration with four SATA III ports and two M.2 slots. However, it features two PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD slots, which may be more suitable for users who do not require PCIe 5.0 support.

Connectivity

Both motherboards come equipped with a comprehensive range of connectivity options. The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and four USB 2.0 Type-A ports. It also includes a 2.5Gb Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra offers a slightly different connectivity setup with one Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 Type-A ports. It also features a 2.5Gb Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

Audio

The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I boasts an integrated SupremeFX S1220A audio codec with a dedicated ESS Sabre 9260Q DAC. This provides high-quality audio output for both gaming and entertainment.

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra features a Realtek ALC4080 audio codec with a dedicated headphone amplifier. While it offers solid audio performance, it may not match the quality of the SupremeFX S1220A codec on the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I.

In a nutshell: The Ultimate Choice

The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I and the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra are both excellent mini-ITX motherboards for AMD Ryzen 7000 processors. However, each motherboard has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.

If you prioritize ultimate performance, robust power delivery, and the latest connectivity options, the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I is the clear choice. It offers exceptional power handling, support for high-speed DDR5 memory, and a comprehensive connectivity suite that includes Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option with a solid feature set, the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra is a great choice. It provides ample power delivery for most overclocks, supports DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 5600MHz, and offers a good range of connectivity options.

Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Whether you choose the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I or the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra, you can be assured of a high-quality mini-ITX motherboard that will provide a solid foundation for your next AMD Ryzen 7000 build.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which motherboard has better power delivery?
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I has a more robust power delivery system with 16+2+1 power stages and 105A power stages.

2. Which motherboard supports faster DDR5 memory?
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I supports DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 6400MHz, while the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra is limited to speeds of up to 5600MHz.

3. Which motherboard has more storage options?
Both motherboards provide four SATA III ports and two M.2 slots, but the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I features one PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe SSD slot while the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra has two PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD slots.

4. Which motherboard has more Thunderbolt 4 ports?
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra has only one Thunderbolt 4 port.

5. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I boasts a SupremeFX S1220A audio codec with a dedicated ESS Sabre 9260Q DAC, which provides higher audio quality than the Realtek ALC4080 codec on the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra.