What To Know
- However, the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite offers a slight edge in chipset features with support for AMD StoreMI technology, allowing you to combine SSD and HDD storage for enhanced performance.
- The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite’s BIOS includes a variety of overclocking and performance tuning options, while the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming’s BIOS emphasizes stability and reliability.
- However, if you prefer a more affordable option that still offers reliable performance and a compact form factor, the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming is a solid contender.
In the realm of budget-friendly motherboards, the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite and ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming stand as formidable contenders. Both offer a solid foundation for gaming and content creation, but their subtle differences can impact your choice. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of these motherboards, helping you make an informed decision.
Form Factor and Aesthetics
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite boasts an ATX form factor, providing ample space for expansion and a clean, organized layout. Its black and silver color scheme exudes a sleek and professional aesthetic. In contrast, the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming adopts a more compact micro-ATX form factor, making it ideal for smaller builds. Its military-grade design features a rugged black and yellow color scheme, emphasizing durability and reliability.
Chipset and Socket
Both motherboards are based on the AMD B450 chipset, which supports AMD Ryzen processors from the 1st to 3rd generations. However, the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite offers a slight edge in chipset features with support for AMD StoreMI technology, allowing you to combine SSD and HDD storage for enhanced performance.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) is crucial for supplying stable power to the CPU. The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite features a 4+3 phase VRM with robust heatsinks, ensuring efficient power delivery for even demanding workloads. The ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming, on the other hand, utilizes a 4+2 phase VRM with smaller heatsinks, which may limit its overclocking potential.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory with speeds up to 3600MHz. However, the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite offers more flexibility with four DIMM slots, while the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has only two. This additional memory expansion capability can be beneficial for those running memory-intensive applications.
Storage Connectivity
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite and ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming provide ample storage options. The Gigabyte motherboard offers six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots (one PCIe 3.0 x4, one PCIe 2.0 x4), while the ASUS motherboard has four SATA III ports and one M.2 slot (PCIe 3.0 x4). The additional M.2 slot on the Gigabyte motherboard allows for more flexible storage configurations.
Expansion Slots
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite features three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, and two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. This generous expansion capability allows you to connect multiple graphics cards, peripherals, and other devices. In comparison, the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming has two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 2.0 x1 slot, and one M.2 slot (PCIe 3.0 x4).
Rear Panel I/O
The rear panel I/O of the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite includes a PS/2 port, two USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (Type-A and Type-C), a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and a 5-jack audio panel. The ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming offers similar connectivity options, but with one less USB 3.2 Gen 2 port.
BIOS and Software
Both motherboards come with user-friendly BIOS interfaces that provide comprehensive control over system settings. The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite‘s BIOS includes a variety of overclocking and performance tuning options, while the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming’s BIOS emphasizes stability and reliability. Additionally, both motherboards offer software suites that provide additional functionality and monitoring capabilities.
Price and Value
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite typically retails for around $100 to $120, while the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming can be found for around $80 to $100. The Gigabyte motherboard offers a more feature-rich experience, including an additional M.2 slot, more expansion slots, and a more robust VRM. However, the ASUS motherboard is more affordable and still provides solid performance for everyday use.
In a nutshell: Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite vs ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming
Choosing between the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite and ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming depends on your specific needs and budget. If you prioritize expandability, performance, and overclocking potential, the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite is the better choice. However, if you prefer a more affordable option that still offers reliable performance and a compact form factor, the ASUS TUF B450M-Pro Gaming is a solid contender.
Popular Questions
1. Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite has a more robust VRM and BIOS overclocking options, making it the better choice for overclocking.
2. Which motherboard has more storage options?
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite has two additional M.2 slots, providing more flexibility for storage configurations.
3. Which motherboard has more expansion slots?
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite has more expansion slots, including an additional PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot.
