What To Know
- Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4 utilize the AMD B550 chipset, which is designed to support the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 and 3000 series processors.
- After a thorough comparison of the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4, it is evident that both motherboards are excellent choices for building a compact and powerful gaming PC.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus offers a slightly more robust power delivery system and memory support, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 provides a more user-friendly BIOS and overclocking capabilities.
In the realm of computing, the motherboard serves as the backbone of your system, connecting all the essential components and enabling seamless communication. When it comes to building a compact and powerful gaming PC, micro-ATX motherboards offer an ideal balance between size and functionality. Among the contenders in this segment, the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4 stand out as formidable options. In this in-depth comparison, we pit these two micro-ATX heavyweights against each other to determine which one reigns supreme.
Chipset and Socket
Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4 utilize the AMD B550 chipset, which is designed to support the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 and 3000 series processors. This chipset provides a robust feature set, including support for PCIe 4.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and multiple SATA and M.2 slots.
Power Delivery
Power delivery is crucial for ensuring stable performance, especially when overclocking. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus boasts an 8+2 phase power design, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 offers a 10+2 phase design. Both motherboards utilize high-quality components, such as solid-state capacitors and metal chokes, to provide reliable and efficient power delivery.
Memory Support
Memory speed and capacity play a significant role in overall system performance. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus supports up to 128GB of DDR4 memory at speeds of up to 5100MHz. The ASRock B550M Pro4, on the other hand, supports up to 64GB of DDR4 memory at speeds of up to 4733MHz.
Storage Connectivity
For storage, both motherboards offer multiple options. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus features two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, one PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot, and six SATA III ports. The ASRock B550M Pro4 also provides two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, one PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot, and six SATA III ports.
Expansion Slots
Expansion slots allow you to add additional components to your system, such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network adapters. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus offers one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (x4 mode), and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The ASRock B550M Pro4 features one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (x4 mode), and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Connectivity Options
Modern motherboards come equipped with a wide range of connectivity options. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus provides a Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. The ASRock B550M Pro4 offers a Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports.
Overclocking Capabilities
Overclocking is the process of pushing your system’s components beyond their default speeds to improve performance. Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4 offer robust overclocking features. The ASUS motherboard utilizes the UEFI BIOS with EZ Mode and Advanced Mode, providing various options for fine-tuning system settings. The ASRock motherboard features the ASRock Polychrome RGB software, which allows for precise control over overclocking parameters.
Takeaways: The Verdict
After a thorough comparison of the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4, it is evident that both motherboards are excellent choices for building a compact and powerful gaming PC. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus offers a slightly more robust power delivery system and memory support, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 provides a more user-friendly BIOS and overclocking capabilities. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Answers to Your Questions
1. Which motherboard has better VRM cooling?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus features a dedicated VRM heatsink with a heat pipe, providing superior cooling for the power delivery system.
2. Does either motherboard support Wi-Fi connectivity?
No, both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4 do not have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. You will need to purchase a separate Wi-Fi adapter to enable wireless networking.
3. Which motherboard has more USB ports?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus offers a total of 12 USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and six USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The ASRock B550M Pro4 provides a total of 10 USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
4. Does either motherboard support RGB lighting?
Yes, both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Pro4 feature RGB lighting headers, allowing you to connect RGB LED strips and other compatible devices.
5. Which motherboard has a better warranty?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus comes with a 3-year warranty, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 offers a 2-year warranty.
