What To Know
- Two excellent options in the market are the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and the Asus Prime B550M-K.
- The Aorus Elite has a sleek black and gray design with RGB lighting, while the Prime B550M-K features a more subdued black and white color scheme.
- The Aorus Elite has a dedicated audio shield to reduce electromagnetic interference, while the Prime B550M-K has a SupremeFX audio system with a dedicated DAC.
When building a budget-friendly PC, choosing the right motherboard is crucial. Two excellent options in the market are the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and the Asus Prime B550M-K. This comprehensive comparison will guide you through the key differences between these two motherboards, helping you make an informed decision.
Form Factor and Design
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and Asus Prime B550M-K are both micro-ATX motherboards, making them ideal for compact builds. The Aorus Elite has a sleek black and gray design with RGB lighting, while the Prime B550M-K features a more subdued black and white color scheme.
Socket and Chipset
Both motherboards support AMD‘s AM4 socket and are compatible with Ryzen 5000 series processors. They utilize the B550 chipset, which provides PCIe 4.0 support for high-speed storage and graphics cards.
Memory Support
The Aorus Elite offers four DDR4 memory slots, supporting up to 128GB of memory at speeds of up to 4400MHz. The Prime B550M-K also has four DDR4 slots, but it supports only up to 64GB of memory at speeds of up to 3200MHz.
Storage Options
The Aorus Elite boasts two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 speeds, while the other supports PCIe 3.0. It also has six SATA ports for additional storage devices. The Prime B550M-K has one M.2 slot with PCIe 3.0 support and four SATA ports.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Aorus Elite offers two Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and six USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The Prime B550M-K has one Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and four USB 2.0 ports.
Expansion Slots
The Aorus Elite has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The Prime B550M-K has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Audio and Networking
Both motherboards feature Realtek ALC897 audio codecs, providing high-quality audio output. The Aorus Elite has a dedicated audio shield to reduce electromagnetic interference, while the Prime B550M-K has a SupremeFX audio system with a dedicated DAC.
BIOS and Software
The Aorus Elite comes with a user-friendly BIOS that offers advanced overclocking options. It also includes Gigabyte’s App Center software, which provides a range of utilities for managing system settings. The Prime B550M-K has a more basic BIOS, but it offers some overclocking capabilities. Asus also provides the Armory Crate software, which allows you to control RGB lighting and monitor system performance.
Final Verdict
Both the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and the Asus Prime B550M-K are excellent micro-ATX motherboards for budget-friendly builds. The Aorus Elite offers more robust features, such as dual M.2 slots, RGB lighting, and a dedicated audio shield. However, the Prime B550M-K is a more affordable option that still provides solid performance. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which motherboard has better memory support?
A: The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite supports up to 128GB of memory at higher speeds compared to the Asus Prime B550M-K.
Q2: Which motherboard offers more storage options?
A: The Aorus Elite has two M.2 slots and six SATA ports, providing more storage flexibility than the Prime B550M-K.
Q3: Which motherboard has more connectivity options?
A: The Aorus Elite has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, while the Prime B550M-K has only one Gigabit Ethernet port and no Type-C port.
