What To Know
- In this blog post, we will delve into a detailed comparison of the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX, examining their specifications, features, and performance to help you make an informed decision about which one is the right choice for your needs.
- Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX offer a similar range of connectivity and expansion options.
- Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX have RGB lighting, but the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX has more extensive lighting options.
The release of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors has brought forth a new generation of motherboards, including the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX. These two budget-friendly AM5 motherboards offer a compelling combination of features and performance, making them ideal candidates for budget-conscious PC builders. In this blog post, we will delve into a detailed comparison of the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX, examining their specifications, features, and performance to help you make an informed decision about which one is the right choice for your needs.
Specifications
| Feature | MSI PRO B650-P WiFi | Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| Chipset | AMD B650 | AMD B650 |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Memory | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 128GB | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 128GB |
| Storage | 4x SATA III ports, 2x M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots | 4x SATA III ports, 2x M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (x4 mode), 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (x4 mode), 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot |
| Rear Panel Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 3x audio jacks | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 5x audio jacks |
| BIOS | AMI UEFI | AMI UEFI |
| Dimensions | 305mm x 244mm | 305mm x 244mm |
Features
Connectivity and Expansion
Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX offer a similar range of connectivity and expansion options. They each have four SATA III ports and two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for storage devices. In terms of expansion slots, they both feature a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (running in x4 mode), as well as a single PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Rear Panel Ports
The rear panel ports on the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX are also quite similar. Both motherboards have a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, a 2.5GbE LAN port, and audio jacks. However, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX has an additional two audio jacks, bringing the total to five.
BIOS and Software
Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX come with user-friendly BIOS interfaces that provide a wide range of customization options. The MSI PRO B650-P WiFi uses the AMI UEFI BIOS, while the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX uses the AMI UEFI BIOS. Both motherboards also come with a suite of software tools, including overclocking utilities, monitoring tools, and RGB lighting control software.
Performance
In terms of performance, the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX are very close. Both motherboards offer stable and reliable performance, with no significant differences in benchmarks or real-world usage. However, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX may have a slight edge in overclocking capabilities, as it features a more robust VRM design.
Overclocking
Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX support overclocking. However, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX may have a slight edge in this area due to its more robust VRM design. The VRM is responsible for delivering power to the CPU, and a more robust VRM can provide more stable and reliable power delivery, which can lead to better overclocking results.
RGB Lighting
Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX have RGB lighting, but the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX has more extensive lighting options. The Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX features RGB lighting on the chipset heatsink, the rear panel I/O shield, and the M.2 heatsink. The MSI PRO B650-P WiFi only has RGB lighting on the chipset heatsink.
Price and Availability
The MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX are both available at a similar price point. The MSI PRO B650-P WiFi is slightly cheaper, but the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX offers more features and better overclocking capabilities.
Takeaways: Finding the Right Motherboard for Your Needs
Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for a budget-friendly AM5 motherboard with good performance and a range of features, both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX are excellent options. However, if you are looking for a motherboard with more robust overclocking capabilities and more extensive RGB lighting options, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX may be the better choice.
Frequently Discussed Topics
Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi and the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX are good choices for gaming, but the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX may have a slight edge due to its more robust VRM design, which can provide more stable and reliable power delivery for overclocking.
Which motherboard has better connectivity options?
The Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX has slightly better connectivity options than the MSI PRO B650-P WiFi, as it has an additional two audio jacks on the rear panel.
Which motherboard has better software support?
Both motherboards come with a suite of software tools, including overclocking utilities, monitoring tools, and RGB lighting control software. However, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite AX has a slight edge in software support as it includes a wider range of features and utilities.
