Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 vs. MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk: A Comprehensive Comparison

The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk are two of the most popular mid-range motherboards for AMD Ryzen processors. Both boards offer a solid feature set at an affordable price, but there are some key differences between them that may make one board a better choice for you than the other.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk, comparing their features, performance, and price. We’ll also provide a recommendation on which board is the best choice for most users.

Features

The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk both offer a wide range of features, including:

• Support for AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors
• Four DDR4 memory slots
• Two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
• Two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
• Six SATA 6Gb/s ports
• One M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
• One M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 slot
• Realtek ALC1220 audio codec
• Intel I219-V Gigabit Ethernet
• Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 (AX V2 only)

The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 has a few additional features that the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk does not, including:

• A USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port
• A second M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
• A BIOS Flashback button
• A Q-Flash Plus button

The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk has a few additional features that the Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 does not, including:

• A PCIe 4.0 x1 slot
• A COM port
• A PS/2 port

Performance

The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk both offer excellent performance. In our tests, both boards were able to handle even the most demanding tasks without any issues.

We did notice a slight performance advantage in favor of the Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 in some of our tests. However, this difference was not significant enough to be noticeable in everyday use.

Price

The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 is slightly more expensive than the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk. The AX V2 typically retails for around $180, while the Tomahawk retails for around $160.

Which Motherboard is Right for You?

The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk are both excellent motherboards. However, there are a few key differences between them that may make one board a better choice for you than the other.

If you need a motherboard with the latest and greatest features, such as Wi-Fi 6 and a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, then the Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 is the better choice. However, if you’re on a budget or you don’t need all of the latest features, then the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a great option.

The Bottom Line: The Best Motherboard for Most Users

Ultimately, the best motherboard for you depends on your individual needs and budget. However, if you’re looking for a mid-range motherboard that offers a solid feature set and excellent performance, then either the Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 or the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a great choice.

What People Want to Know

Q: Which motherboard has better VRM cooling?

A: The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 has better VRM cooling than the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk. The AX V2 has a larger heatsink and a more efficient heatpipe design.

Q: Which motherboard has more PCIe slots?

A: The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 has more PCIe slots than the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk. The AX V2 has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, while the Tomahawk has only one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots.

Q: Which motherboard has better audio quality?

A: The Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 has better audio quality than the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk. The AX V2 has a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, while the Tomahawk has a Realtek ALC892 audio codec.