Underrated Gems: ASUS TUF B550M-Plus vs ASRock B550M Steel Legend Unveiled
What To Know
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus utilizes an 8+2 power phase design, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend boasts a 10+2 power phase design.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus sports a rugged and military-inspired design with a black and gray color scheme.
- The ASRock B550M Steel Legend features a sleek and modern design with a black and silver color scheme.
In the realm of PC building, the motherboard serves as the backbone of your system, connecting all the crucial components together. When it comes to the B550 chipset, two formidable contenders emerge: the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and the ASRock B550M Steel Legend. Both these motherboards offer a compelling blend of features and performance, but which one reigns supreme? In this comprehensive showdown, we’ll delve into their specifications, features, and performance to help you make an informed decision.
Specifications
| Feature | ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus | ASRock B550M Steel Legend |
| — | — | — |
| Form Factor | micro-ATX | micro-ATX |
| Chipset | AMD B550 | AMD B550 |
| CPU Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Memory Slots | 4 x DDR4 | 4 x DDR4 |
| Maximum Memory Speed | 4400 MHz (OC) | 4733 MHz (OC) |
| Storage | 2 x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0), 4 x SATA ports | 2 x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0), 4 x SATA ports |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| USB Ports | 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2.0 | 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2.0 |
| Audio Codec | Realtek ALC887 | Realtek ALC1200 |
| LAN | 1 x Gigabit Ethernet | 1 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| RGB Headers | 2 x 4-pin RGB headers | 2 x 4-pin RGB headers |
Features
VRM and Power Delivery
Both motherboards feature robust VRM systems to handle the power demands of modern CPUs. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus utilizes an 8+2 power phase design, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend boasts a 10+2 power phase design. Both motherboards provide ample cooling for the VRM area to ensure stable and reliable performance.
Memory Support
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Steel Legend support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory with speeds of up to 4400 MHz and 4733 MHz respectively. This allows for ample memory capacity and performance for demanding applications and gaming.
Storage
Both motherboards offer two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs. Additionally, they provide four SATA ports for traditional hard drives and SSDs. This versatility allows for a flexible storage configuration to meet your specific needs.
Expansion Slots
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Steel Legend both feature one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for your primary graphics card. Additionally, they offer a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for expansion cards such as sound cards or Wi-Fi adapters.
Audio
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus comes equipped with the Realtek ALC887 audio codec, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend features the Realtek ALC1200 codec. Both codecs provide high-quality audio output for gaming and multimedia.
Connectivity
Both motherboards offer a comprehensive range of connectivity options. They include 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, and 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port. The ASRock B550M Steel Legend additionally features a USB Type-C port for added convenience.
RGB Lighting
Both motherboards support RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the aesthetics of your system. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus features two 4-pin RGB headers, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend also includes two 4-pin RGB headers.
Performance
In terms of performance, both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Steel Legend deliver solid results. They provide stable overclocking capabilities for both the CPU and memory, allowing you to extract the maximum performance from your system.
Aesthetics
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus sports a rugged and military-inspired design with a black and gray color scheme. The ASRock B550M Steel Legend features a sleek and modern design with a black and silver color scheme. Both motherboards offer a stylish and visually appealing addition to any PC build.
Value
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Steel Legend are priced competitively in the mid-range B550 motherboard segment. Both motherboards offer a good balance of features, performance, and value for money.
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice between the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Steel Legend ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
- If you prioritize durability and military-grade components, the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus is a solid choice.
- If you prefer a sleeker design with slightly better memory overclocking capabilities, the ASRock B550M Steel Legend is a compelling option.
Verdict: The Ultimate Showdown
Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and ASRock B550M Steel Legend are exceptional B550 motherboards that offer a comprehensive range of features and performance. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus stands out with its rugged design and military-grade components, while the ASRock B550M Steel Legend impresses with its sleek aesthetics and slightly better memory overclocking capabilities. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual requirements and preferences.
Information You Need to Know
1. Which motherboard has better VRM cooling?
Both motherboards provide ample cooling for the VRM area, but the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slightly larger heatsink, which may provide better cooling performance under sustained heavy loads.
2. Can both motherboards support Ryzen 5000 series CPUs?
Yes, both motherboards support the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs out of the box.
3. Which motherboard has more USB ports?
Both motherboards offer 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 2 x USB 2.0 ports. However, the ASRock B550M Steel Legend additionally features a USB Type-C port for added convenience.
4. Can I overclock my RAM on both motherboards?
Yes, both motherboards support memory overclocking. The ASRock B550M Steel Legend has a slightly better memory overclocking potential due to its higher maximum memory speed support.
5. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
Both motherboards feature high-quality audio codecs, but the ASRock B550M Steel Legend‘s Realtek ALC1200 codec is slightly more advanced and may provide a marginally better audio experience.
