What To Know
- The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite uses the AMD A520 chipset, while the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max uses the AMD B450 chipset.
- The Aorus Elite is a slightly better value due to its built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter, but the Tomahawk Max has a better audio system.
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite and MSI B450 Tomahawk Max are two of the most popular mid-range motherboards on the market. Both boards offer a great balance of features and performance, but there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at these two motherboards and help you decide which one is right for you.
Chipset and Socket
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite uses the AMD A520 chipset, while the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max uses the AMD B450 chipset. The A520 chipset is a newer chipset, and it offers some advantages over the B450 chipset, such as support for PCIe 4.0. However, the B450 chipset is still a very capable chipset, and it offers good support for AMD Ryzen processors.
Both motherboards use the AM4 socket, which means that they are compatible with all AMD Ryzen processors.
Features
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite and MSI B450 Tomahawk Max offer a similar set of features. Both boards have four DIMM slots, two PCIe x16 slots, and six SATA ports. However, there are some key differences between the two boards.
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite has a built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter, while the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max does not. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi standard, and it offers faster speeds and lower latency than previous Wi-Fi standards.
The MSI B450 Tomahawk Max has a better audio system than the Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite. The Tomahawk Max uses a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, while the Aorus Elite uses a Realtek ALC892 audio codec. The ALC1220 codec is a higher-quality codec, and it offers better sound quality than the ALC892 codec.
Performance
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite and MSI B450 Tomahawk Max offer similar performance. Both boards can handle high-end AMD Ryzen processors without any problems. However, the A520 chipset does offer some advantages over the B450 chipset in terms of PCIe 4.0 support.
PCIe 4.0 is the latest PCIe standard, and it offers twice the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0. This can be beneficial for applications that require high bandwidth, such as gaming and video editing.
Price
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite is typically priced around $120, while the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max is typically priced around $110. Both boards offer good value for money, but the Aorus Elite is a slightly better value due to its built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter.
Which Motherboard Should You Choose?
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite and MSI B450 Tomahawk Max are both excellent motherboards. The Aorus Elite is a slightly better value due to its built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter, but the Tomahawk Max has a better audio system.
Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs. If you need a motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi 6, then the Aorus Elite is the better choice. If you need a motherboard with a better audio system, then the Tomahawk Max is the better choice.
Final Note: The Best Motherboard for Your Needs
The Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite and MSI B450 Tomahawk Max are both excellent mid-range motherboards. The Aorus Elite is a slightly better value due to its built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter, but the Tomahawk Max has a better audio system. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q1. Which motherboard is better for gaming, the Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite or the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max?
Both motherboards are good for gaming, but the Aorus Elite is a slightly better choice due to its built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter.
Q2. Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities, the Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite or the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max?
Both motherboards have good overclocking capabilities, but the Tomahawk Max is a slightly better choice due to its better VRM.
Q3. Which motherboard is better for future upgrades, the Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite or the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max?
The A520 chipset is a newer chipset, and it offers some advantages over the B450 chipset, such as support for PCIe 4.0. This makes the Aorus Elite a slightly better choice for future upgrades.
