Decisive Showdown: Gigabyte and MSI Clash on the B650M Battlefield
What To Know
- When it comes to motherboards, two of the most popular options for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors are the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi.
- Both the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi have solid VRM designs, but the Gigabyte motherboard has a slight edge.
- The Gigabyte motherboard has a slight edge in terms of VRM design, memory support, and RGB lighting, but the MSI motherboard is more affordable and has a Thunderbolt 4 header.
The world of PC hardware is constantly evolving, with new and exciting products hitting the market all the time. When it comes to motherboards, two of the most popular options for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors are the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi. Both of these motherboards offer a great range of features and performance, but which one is the right choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the details of each motherboard and help you make an informed decision.
Chipset and Socket:
Both the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi are based on AMD’s B650 chipset, which supports the latest Ryzen 7000 series processors. This chipset provides a range of features, including support for PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory, and USB 3.2 Gen 2. The socket on both motherboards is AM5, which is required for Ryzen 7000 series CPUs.
VRM Design:
The VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) is responsible for providing clean and stable power to the CPU. Both the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi have solid VRM designs, but the Gigabyte motherboard has a slight edge. It uses a 12+2+1 phase power delivery system, while the MSI motherboard uses a 10+2+1 phase design. This means that the Gigabyte motherboard has more power phases, which can provide better power stability and overclocking potential.
Memory Support:
Both motherboards support DDR5 memory, with speeds up to 6400MHz (OC). The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has four DIMM slots, while the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has two DIMM slots. If you plan on using more than 32GB of memory, the Gigabyte motherboard is a better choice.
Storage Options:
Both motherboards offer a range of storage options. The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and four SATA III ports. The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and two SATA III ports. Both motherboards also have an M.2 slot that supports PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe SSDs.
Expansion Slots:
For expansion cards, the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. Both motherboards also have a Thunderbolt 4 header, which allows you to add Thunderbolt 4 ports to your system.
Networking:
Both motherboards have built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has a 2.5GbE LAN port, while the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has a 1GbE LAN port. If you need faster wired networking speeds, the Gigabyte motherboard is a better choice.
RGB Lighting:
Both motherboards have RGB lighting, but the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has more RGB headers. It has two addressable RGB headers and two traditional RGB headers, while the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has only two addressable RGB headers. This gives you more options for customizing the RGB lighting on your system.
BIOS and Software:
Both motherboards have user-friendly BIOS interfaces that provide a range of overclocking and tuning options. The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX uses the Gigabyte UEFI BIOS, while the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi uses the MSI Click BIOS 5. Both BIOS interfaces are well-designed and easy to use.
In terms of software, Gigabyte provides the Aorus Engine software, which allows you to control the RGB lighting, monitor system temperatures, and overclock your components. MSI provides the MSI Center software, which offers similar features.
Price and Availability:
The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX is typically priced around $200, while the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi is typically priced around $180. Both motherboards are widely available from major retailers.
The Verdict:
Both the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi are excellent motherboards for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. The Gigabyte motherboard has a slight edge in terms of VRM design, memory support, and RGB lighting, but the MSI motherboard is more affordable and has a Thunderbolt 4 header. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Basics You Wanted To Know
1. Which motherboard has better overclocking potential?
The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has a better VRM design, which provides more power stability and overclocking potential.
2. Which motherboard has more storage options?
The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has more storage options, with two additional SATA III ports.
3. Which motherboard has more RGB lighting options?
The Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX has more RGB headers, giving you more options for customizing the RGB lighting on your system.
4. Which motherboard is more affordable?
The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi is more affordable than the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX.
5. Which motherboard has a Thunderbolt 4 header?
The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has a Thunderbolt 4 header, which allows you to add Thunderbolt 4 ports to your system.
