The Ultimate Showdown: Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 vs. ASRock B550 Steel Legend
What To Know
- The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 features a 12+2 phase VRM with 50A power stages, while the ASRock B550 Steel Legend boasts a 10+2 phase VRM with 60A power stages.
- If you’re looking for a motherboard with a strong VRM, more storage options, and advanced features like Thunderbolt 4, the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 is a solid choice.
- Both the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550 Steel Legend are excellent motherboards that offer a great balance of features and performance.
In the realm of PC building, motherboards play a pivotal role in determining the performance and stability of your system. When it comes to the mid-range B550 chipset, two contenders stand out: the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550 Steel Legend. Both motherboards offer a compelling combination of features, but which one reigns supreme? In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the key differences between these two powerhouses to help you make an informed decision.
Chipset and Socket
Both the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550 Steel Legend are built around the AMD B550 chipset, which supports the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. This chipset offers a range of features, including PCIe 4.0 support, enhanced memory overclocking capabilities, and improved power efficiency.
VRM and Power Delivery
The VRM (voltage regulator module) is responsible for delivering stable power to the CPU. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 features a 12+2 phase VRM with 50A power stages, while the ASRock B550 Steel Legend boasts a 10+2 phase VRM with 60A power stages. Both motherboards offer ample power handling capabilities for most CPUs, including overclocked models.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 supports memory speeds up to DDR4-5333, while the ASRock B550 Steel Legend supports speeds up to DDR4-5000. Both motherboards also feature XMP profiles for easy memory overclocking.
Storage Options
In terms of storage options, the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 offers four SATA III ports and two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. The ASRock B550 Steel Legend also provides four SATA III ports, but it features three M.2 slots, two of which support PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds.
Expansion Slots
Both motherboards offer a similar range of expansion slots. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The ASRock B550 Steel Legend has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Rear Panel I/O
The rear panel I/O of both motherboards is well-equipped. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 features two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec. The ASRock B550 Steel Legend has two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and a Realtek ALC897 audio codec.
Features and Software
Both motherboards come with a range of additional features. The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 includes RGB lighting, a built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter, and support for Thunderbolt 4. The ASRock B550 Steel Legend offers RGB lighting, a built-in Wi-Fi 6E adapter, and support for AMD Smart Access Memory.
Price and Availability
The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 typically retails at around $200, while the ASRock B550 Steel Legend sells for around $180. Both motherboards are widely available from major retailers.
Which Motherboard Should You Choose?
The choice between the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550 Steel Legend depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for a motherboard with a strong VRM, more storage options, and advanced features like Thunderbolt 4, the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 is a solid choice. However, if you’re on a tighter budget and prefer Wi-Fi 6E and AMD Smart Access Memory, the ASRock B550 Steel Legend is an excellent option.
Verdict
Both the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B550 Steel Legend are excellent motherboards that offer a great balance of features and performance. Whether you’re a seasoned PC builder or a first-time enthusiast, either of these motherboards will provide a solid foundation for your next gaming or productivity rig.
What People Want to Know
1. Which motherboard has better VRM performance?
Both motherboards offer ample VRM capabilities, but the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 has a slight edge with its 12+2 phase VRM and 50A power stages.
2. Which motherboard supports faster memory speeds?
The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 supports memory speeds up to DDR4-5333, while the ASRock B550 Steel Legend supports speeds up to DDR4-5000.
3. Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
The ASRock B550 Steel Legend has three M.2 slots, while the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2 has two.
4. Which motherboard includes Wi-Fi 6E support?
The ASRock B550 Steel Legend features a built-in Wi-Fi 6E adapter.
5. Which motherboard is more affordable?
The ASRock B550 Steel Legend is typically priced slightly lower than the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite V2.
