What To Know
- The Aorus Elite is a better choice for enthusiasts who want a motherboard with more features, better power delivery, and a more aggressive design.
- Both the Gigabyte B550M DS3H and the Aorus Elite are excellent motherboards, but the Aorus Elite edges out the DS3H in terms of features, power delivery, and aesthetics.
- The Aorus Elite has a better audio codec, the Realtek ALC1220, which provides higher-quality audio output than the Realtek ALC897 codec on the Gigabyte B550M DS3H.
When building a gaming PC, the motherboard plays a crucial role in determining the performance and capabilities of the system. For AMD Ryzen users, two popular choices are the Gigabyte B550M DS3H and the Aorus Elite. Both motherboards offer a range of features and specifications, but which one is the better choice for your needs? In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences between the Gigabyte B550M DS3H and the Aorus Elite to help you make an informed decision.
Chipset and Socket
Both motherboards are based on the AMD B550 chipset, which supports all AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. The B550 chipset provides a wide range of features, including PCIe 4.0 support, high-speed memory, and improved power efficiency.
Form Factor
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H is a micro-ATX motherboard, while the Aorus Elite is an ATX motherboard. The micro-ATX form factor is smaller and more compact, making it a good choice for smaller cases. The ATX form factor is larger and offers more expansion slots and features.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) is responsible for providing stable power to the CPU. The Gigabyte B550M DS3H has a 4+2+1 phase VRM, while the Aorus Elite has a 12+2 phase VRM. A higher number of phases typically indicates better power delivery and stability.
Memory
Both motherboards support dual-channel DDR4 memory. The Gigabyte B550M DS3H has four memory slots, supporting up to 128GB of RAM. The Aorus Elite has four memory slots, supporting up to 64GB of RAM.
Expansion Slots
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. The Aorus Elite has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The additional PCIe slots on the Aorus Elite provide more flexibility for adding expansion cards.
Storage
Both motherboards have six SATA III ports for connecting storage devices. The Gigabyte B550M DS3H has one M.2 slot that supports PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs. The Aorus Elite has two M.2 slots that support PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs.
Connectivity
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H has a Realtek ALC897 audio codec and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The Aorus Elite has a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Wi-Fi 6 module. The Wi-Fi 6 module on the Aorus Elite provides faster and more stable wireless connectivity.
Aesthetics
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H has a black PCB with a simple design. The Aorus Elite has a black PCB with a more aggressive design, featuring RGB lighting and a large heatsink cover.
Price
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H is typically priced around $100, while the Aorus Elite is typically priced around $150.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H is a good choice for budget-minded builders who need a reliable and capable motherboard. The Aorus Elite is a better choice for enthusiasts who want a motherboard with more features, better power delivery, and a more aggressive design.
Verdict: Aorus Elite Wins by a Narrow Margin
Both the Gigabyte B550M DS3H and the Aorus Elite are excellent motherboards, but the Aorus Elite edges out the DS3H in terms of features, power delivery, and aesthetics. However, the DS3H is a more affordable option that still offers good performance and reliability. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your budget and specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which motherboard has better VRM cooling?
The Aorus Elite has a larger heatsink and more VRM phases, providing better VRM cooling than the Gigabyte B550M DS3H.
Which motherboard has more storage options?
The Aorus Elite has two M.2 slots, while the Gigabyte B550M DS3H has only one.
Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The Aorus Elite has a better audio codec, the Realtek ALC1220, which provides higher-quality audio output than the Realtek ALC897 codec on the Gigabyte B550M DS3H.
