What To Know
- Two of the top contenders in the B550 chipset category are the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk are both excellent B550 motherboards that offer a comprehensive set of features and capabilities.
- The ASUS motherboard has a slight edge in gaming performance and overclocking options, while the MSI motherboard provides a more user-friendly BIOS interface and supports slightly faster RAM speeds.
When building a gaming PC, choosing the right motherboard is crucial. Two of the top contenders in the B550 chipset category are the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk. Both motherboards offer a wide range of features and capabilities, but which one is the better choice for your needs? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk, covering their key specifications, performance, and overall value.
Features
Connectivity
Both motherboards offer ample connectivity options. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus features 2.5 Gb LAN, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1, while the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk provides 2.5 Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6. The ASUS motherboard has a slight edge with Bluetooth connectivity.
Expansion Slots
In terms of expansion slots, the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus offers three PCIe x16 slots (two PCIe 4.0 and one PCIe 3.0) and two PCIe x1 slots. The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk has two PCIe x16 slots (one PCIe 4.0 and one PCIe 3.0) and two PCIe x1 slots. Both motherboards support multiple graphics cards in SLI or CrossFire configurations.
Storage Options
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus provides six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots (one PCIe 4.0 and one PCIe 3.0). The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk also offers six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots (both PCIe 4.0). Both motherboards support NVMe SSDs for blazing-fast storage performance.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM (voltage regulator module) plays a critical role in delivering stable power to the CPU. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus has a 12+2-phase VRM, while the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk has a 14+2-phase VRM. Both motherboards provide robust power delivery for high-end CPUs.
Performance
CPU Performance
In CPU performance tests, both motherboards deliver excellent results. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk support the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs and provide ample power and stability for demanding workloads.
Gaming Performance
When it comes to gaming performance, both motherboards offer low latency and high bandwidth, ensuring smooth and immersive gameplay. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus has a slight edge in gaming benchmarks due to its optimized BIOS settings.
Overclocking
Both motherboards offer overclocking capabilities. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus features a user-friendly BIOS interface with advanced overclocking options. The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk also provides robust overclocking features, but its BIOS layout may be less intuitive for beginners.
BIOS and Software
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus comes with the UEFI BIOS interface, which offers a wide range of customization options. The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk uses the Click BIOS 5 interface, which is known for its simplicity and ease of use. Both motherboards provide software suites for monitoring and controlling various system parameters.
Value
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk are priced similarly. The ASUS motherboard offers a slightly wider range of features, including Bluetooth connectivity and optimized BIOS settings for gaming. However, the MSI motherboard has a more user-friendly BIOS interface and supports slightly faster RAM speeds.
The Bottom Line
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk are both excellent B550 motherboards that offer a comprehensive set of features and capabilities. The ASUS motherboard has a slight edge in gaming performance and overclocking options, while the MSI motherboard provides a more user-friendly BIOS interface and supports slightly faster RAM speeds. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which motherboard has better connectivity options?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus offers slightly better connectivity options with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.5 Gb LAN.
Which motherboard has more expansion slots?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus has three PCIe x16 slots compared to two on the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk.
Which motherboard provides better VRM and power delivery?
Both motherboards offer robust VRM and power delivery, but the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk has a slightly more powerful 14+2-phase VRM.
Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus has a more user-friendly BIOS interface for overclocking, while the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk provides slightly faster RAM speeds.
Which motherboard offers better value?
Both motherboards are priced similarly, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus offers a slightly wider range of features for the price.
