What To Know
- The ASUS motherboard has a slight edge in terms of audio, with a Realtek ALC1220 codec compared to the ASRock motherboard’s Realtek ALC892 codec.
- The ASUS motherboard features a black and gray color scheme with a military-inspired design, while the ASRock motherboard has a more traditional black and silver design.
- The ASUS motherboard has the edge in terms of power delivery, memory overclocking, and aesthetics, while the ASRock motherboard offers the advantage of PCIe 4.
The mid-range motherboard market has always been a battlefield, with manufacturers vying for supremacy with their latest offerings. Two such contenders that have grabbed the limelight are the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and the ASRock B450M Steel Legend. In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll delve into the depths of these motherboards, comparing their features, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Chipset and Socket
Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are based on the AMD B450 chipset, which supports the AM4 socket. This means they are compatible with a wide range of AMD Ryzen processors, from the budget-friendly Ryzen 3 series to the high-performance Ryzen 9 series.
Form Factor
Both motherboards feature the micro-ATX form factor, making them ideal for compact builds. Their smaller size allows for greater flexibility in case selection and provides more room for other components within the system.
Power Delivery
The power delivery system is crucial for ensuring stable and reliable operation. The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II boasts an 8+2 phase power design, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend features a 6+2 phase power design. While the ASUS motherboard has a slight edge in terms of phase count, both motherboards are capable of delivering sufficient power for most configurations.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support dual-channel memory configurations and offer four DDR4 memory slots. The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II supports memory speeds up to 4400MHz, while the ASRock B450M Steel Legend supports speeds up to 3466MHz. The ASUS motherboard provides slightly higher memory overclocking potential, but the ASRock motherboard’s support for ECC memory makes it a more attractive option for certain workloads.
Storage Options
In terms of storage, the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and ASRock B450M Steel Legend both offer a range of options. The ASUS motherboard features two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 x4, while the ASRock motherboard has one M.2 slot that supports PCIe 3.0 x4. Additionally, both motherboards have four SATA 6Gb/s ports, providing ample storage expandability.
Expansion Slots
For expansion, the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II offers two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one of which operates at x16 electrical lanes and the other at x4 electrical lanes. It also has one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot that operates at x4 electrical lanes, and two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. While the ASUS motherboard provides more PCIe slots, the ASRock motherboard has the advantage of supporting PCIe 4.0.
Connectivity and Features
In terms of connectivity, the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are well-equipped. Both motherboards offer Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The ASUS motherboard has a slight edge in terms of audio, with a Realtek ALC1220 codec compared to the ASRock motherboard’s Realtek ALC892 codec.
Aesthetics and Build Quality
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and ASRock B450M Steel Legend have distinct aesthetics. The ASUS motherboard features a black and gray color scheme with a military-inspired design, while the ASRock motherboard has a more traditional black and silver design. Both motherboards are built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity.
Performance and Overclocking
In terms of performance, both motherboards offer solid stability and reliability. However, the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a slight edge in overclocking capabilities due to its more robust power delivery system. As such, it may be a better choice for users looking to push their hardware to the limits.
Price and Availability
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are both available at a similar price point. The ASUS motherboard is slightly more expensive, but it offers a more comprehensive feature set and better overclocking potential.
In a nutshell
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II and ASRock B450M Steel Legend are both excellent motherboards that offer a great balance of features, performance, and value. The ASUS motherboard has the edge in terms of power delivery, memory overclocking, and aesthetics, while the ASRock motherboard offers the advantage of PCIe 4.0 support and ECC memory support. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both motherboards are capable of handling gaming workloads, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a slight edge in overclocking potential, making it a better choice for high-performance gaming.
2. Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a more robust power delivery system, making it a better choice for overclocking.
3. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-Pro II has a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, which is generally considered to offer better audio quality than the Realtek ALC892 codec found on the ASRock B450M Steel Legend.
