Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite vs. ASRock B550M Pro4: The Ultimate Showdown for ATX Motherboards
What To Know
- The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite is a bit more expensive, but it also offers a few more features, such as a more robust VRM and support for PCIe 4.
- The ASRock B550M Pro4 is a better choice if you’re on a tighter budget or if you don’t need all of the features that the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite offers.
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4 are two of the most popular ATX motherboards for budget-conscious PC builders. Both boards offer a great set of features for the price, but there are some key differences between them that could make one board a better choice for your specific needs.
Features
VRM
The VRM (voltage regulator module) is responsible for delivering power to the CPU. A good VRM is essential for maintaining system stability, especially when overclocking.
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has a 12+2 phase VRM, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 has a 10+2 phase VRM. Both VRMs are capable of delivering plenty of power for even the most demanding CPUs, but the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite’s VRM is slightly more robust.
Memory
Both the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4 support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has four DIMM slots, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 has two DIMM slots.
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite supports memory speeds up to 4400MHz, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 supports memory speeds up to 4600MHz. However, it’s important to note that the maximum memory speed that your system can achieve will depend on the CPU that you use.
Storage
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has six SATA ports and two M.2 slots. The ASRock B550M Pro4 has four SATA ports and one M.2 slot.
Both boards support NVMe SSDs, but the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has one M.2 slot that supports PCIe 4.0, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 only has M.2 slots that support PCIe 3.0. PCIe 4.0 is the latest and fastest storage interface, so if you’re planning on using an NVMe SSD, the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite is the better choice.
Connectivity
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4 both have a good selection of connectivity options. Both boards have:
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
- 1x HDMI port
- 1x DisplayPort
- 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
- 2x USB 2.0 ports
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite also has:
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port
The ASRock B550M Pro4 also has:
- 1x PS/2 port
Design
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4 have different designs. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has a more premium look and feel, with a black and silver color scheme and a large Aorus logo on the heatsink. The ASRock B550M Pro4 has a more basic design, with a black and red color scheme and a smaller ASRock logo on the heatsink.
Price
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite is typically priced around $150, while the ASRock B550M Pro4 is typically priced around $120. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite is a bit more expensive, but it also offers a few more features, such as a more robust VRM and support for PCIe 4.0 storage.
Which Board is Right for You?
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4 are both great motherboards for budget-conscious PC builders. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite is a better choice if you need a more robust VRM, support for PCIe 4.0 storage, or a more premium design. The ASRock B550M Pro4 is a better choice if you’re on a tighter budget or if you don’t need all of the features that the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite offers.
The Verdict
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4 are both great motherboards for budget-conscious PC builders. The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite is a better choice if you need a more robust VRM, support for PCIe 4.0 storage, or a more premium design. The ASRock B550M Pro4 is a better choice if you’re on a tighter budget or if you don’t need all of the features that the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite offers.
Popular Questions
What is the difference between the Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite and ASRock B550M Pro4?
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has a more robust VRM, support for PCIe 4.0 storage, and a more premium design. The ASRock B550M Pro4 is less expensive and has a more basic design.
Which board is better for overclocking?
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has a more robust VRM, which makes it better for overclocking.
Which board has more storage options?
The Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite has more storage options, including support for PCIe 4.0 storage.
