Battle of the Boards: ASRock B650 PG Lightning vs. Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX: An Exhaustive Comparison
What To Know
- In contrast, the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX boasts a more aggressive and gamer-centric aesthetic, featuring a bold black and silver color combination and vibrant RGB illumination.
- The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX also utilizes the B650 chipset but offers slightly more flexibility, supporting up to 128GB of DDR5 memory in a quad-channel configuration.
- The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX utilizes a more elaborate cooling solution, with a massive VRM heatsink, a chipset heatsink with a heat pipe, and a dedicated M.
The arrival of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors has ignited a fierce rivalry among motherboard manufacturers, each vying to provide the ultimate platform for these cutting-edge CPUs. Among the contenders, ASRock’s B650 PG Lightning and Gigabyte’s B650 Aorus Elite AX stand out as formidable options. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the intricate details of these motherboards, exploring their features, performance, and overall value proposition.
Form Factor and Aesthetics
Both the ASRock B650 PG Lightning and Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX adopt the ATX form factor, offering ample space for expansion and customization. However, their aesthetics differ significantly. The ASRock B650 PG Lightning exudes a sleek and minimalist design, with a predominantly black color scheme accented by subtle RGB lighting. In contrast, the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX boasts a more aggressive and gamer-centric aesthetic, featuring a bold black and silver color combination and vibrant RGB illumination.
Socket and Chipset
At the heart of both motherboards lies the AMD AM5 socket, designed for compatibility with Ryzen 7000 series processors. The ASRock B650 PG Lightning employs the B650 chipset, providing support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX also utilizes the B650 chipset but offers slightly more flexibility, supporting up to 128GB of DDR5 memory in a quad-channel configuration.
Memory and Storage
The ASRock B650 PG Lightning features four DDR5 memory slots, allowing for a maximum memory capacity of 128GB at speeds of up to 6600MHz. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX, with its quad-channel memory support, offers eight DDR5 memory slots, allowing for a massive 128GB of memory at speeds of up to 5600MHz.
In terms of storage, both motherboards provide ample connectivity options. The ASRock B650 PG Lightning includes six SATA III ports and three M.2 slots, two of which support PCIe 5.0 and one supports PCIe 4.0. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX offers a slightly wider range of storage options, with six SATA III ports and four M.2 slots, three of which support PCIe 5.0 and one supports PCIe 4.0.
Connectivity and Expansion
The ASRock B650 PG Lightning boasts a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including a 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. It also features a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, six USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX matches the ASRock B650 PG Lightning in terms of connectivity, offering a 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. However, it provides a more extensive USB configuration, with one USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, seven USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports.
For expansion, the ASRock B650 PG Lightning offers three PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX, on the other hand, provides four PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. Both motherboards support AMD‘s CrossFireX and NVIDIA’s SLI multi-GPU configurations.
Power Delivery and Cooling
The ASRock B650 PG Lightning features a 14-phase power delivery system, utilizing 60A SPS MOSFETs to provide stable and efficient power to the CPU. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX boasts a 16-phase power delivery system, employing 70A Smart Power Stage MOSFETs, ensuring reliable power delivery even under demanding workloads.
In terms of cooling, both motherboards come equipped with robust heatsinks. The ASRock B650 PG Lightning features a large VRM heatsink with a heat pipe connecting to the chipset heatsink. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX utilizes a more elaborate cooling solution, with a massive VRM heatsink, a chipset heatsink with a heat pipe, and a dedicated M.2 heatsink.
Features and Software
The ASRock B650 PG Lightning comes bundled with a range of software utilities, including ASRock Polychrome RGB, ASRock Steel Legend, and ASRock Instant Flash. ASRock Polychrome RGB allows for comprehensive control over the motherboard’s RGB lighting, while ASRock Steel Legend provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring system performance and overclocking. ASRock Instant Flash enables easy BIOS updates without the need for a bootable USB drive.
The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX offers a comparable software suite, including Aorus RGB Fusion, Aorus Control Center, and Q-Flash Plus. Aorus RGB Fusion provides extensive control over the motherboard’s RGB lighting, while Aorus Control Center offers a comprehensive suite of system monitoring and overclocking tools. Q-Flash Plus allows for quick and convenient BIOS updates without the need for an operating system.
Performance and Overclocking
In terms of performance, both the ASRock B650 PG Lightning and Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX deliver exceptional results. They provide stable and reliable operation, enabling users to maximize the potential of their Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. Both motherboards also offer robust overclocking capabilities, allowing users to push their systems to the limits.
Value Proposition and Conclusion
The ASRock B650 PG Lightning and Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX represent two compelling options for those seeking a high-performance motherboard for their AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor. While the ASRock B650 PG Lightning offers a more affordable price point and a sleek design, the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX provides a wider range of connectivity options, a more elaborate cooling solution, and a more extensive software suite. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which motherboard is better for gaming, the ASRock B650 PG Lightning or the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX?
A: Both motherboards offer excellent gaming performance, but the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has a slight edge due to its more robust power delivery system and cooling solution.
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A: Both motherboards offer solid overclocking capabilities, but the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX has a slight advantage due to its more powerful power delivery system and advanced BIOS settings.
Q: Which motherboard provides better value for money?
A: The ASRock B650 PG Lightning offers excellent value for money, providing a solid feature set at an affordable price. However, the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX offers a more comprehensive feature set and better overclocking capabilities, making it a more attractive option for those seeking a premium motherboard experience.
