MSI and Gigabyte Face Off: B650i Edge WiFi vs. Aorus Ultra Showdown
What To Know
- The MSI board features a sleek black PCB with angular lines and a subtle RGB accent, while the Gigabyte board boasts a more subdued black and gray design with a prominent Aorus logo.
- The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has a dedicated overclocking profile button, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a more comprehensive BIOS with advanced overclocking features.
- The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has a small heatsink on the VRM section, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a larger heatsink with a heat pipe.
The realm of compact motherboards has witnessed a fierce rivalry between two powerhouses: the MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi and the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra. Both boards offer alluring features and promise exceptional performance for enthusiasts seeking a compact, high-powered system. This blog post delves into a comprehensive comparison of the MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi and Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra, helping you make an informed decision for your next build.
Form Factor and Design
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi and Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra share the compact Mini-ITX form factor, measuring 6.7 x 6.7 inches. The MSI board features a sleek black PCB with angular lines and a subtle RGB accent, while the Gigabyte board boasts a more subdued black and gray design with a prominent Aorus logo.
Chipset and Socket
Both motherboards are equipped with the latest AMD B650 chipset, providing support for the full range of AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. The B650 chipset offers enhanced connectivity and overclocking capabilities compared to its predecessors.
Memory Support
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi supports up to 64GB of DDR5 memory across two DIMM slots, with speeds reaching up to 6600MHz. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra also supports 64GB of DDR5 memory, but it offers four DIMM slots, allowing for a more flexible memory configuration.
Storage
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi provides three M.2 NVMe slots, each capable of supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 drives. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra also has three M.2 slots, but one of them is limited to PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds.
Connectivity
Both motherboards offer comprehensive connectivity options. The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi features a 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a 10GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2.
Expansion Slots
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot.
Power Delivery
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi features a 12+2+1 phase power delivery system, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a 10+2 phase power delivery system. Both boards provide ample power for even the most demanding processors.
BIOS and Overclocking
Both motherboards offer user-friendly BIOS interfaces with a variety of overclocking options. The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has a dedicated overclocking profile button, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a more comprehensive BIOS with advanced overclocking features.
Cooling
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has a small heatsink on the VRM section, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a larger heatsink with a heat pipe. Both boards provide adequate cooling for most users.
Price and Availability
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi is priced around $250, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra is priced around $280. Both boards are readily available from major retailers.
Verdict: Which Board is Right for You?
The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi and Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra are both excellent Mini-ITX motherboards that offer impressive features and performance. The MSI board has a slightly more affordable price, while the Gigabyte board offers a 10GbE LAN port and more flexible memory configuration.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific requirements and budget. If you prioritize affordability and a dedicated overclocking profile button, the MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi is a great option. If you value 10GbE connectivity and more memory expandability, the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra is a better fit.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A: The Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has a more comprehensive BIOS with advanced overclocking features.
Q: Which motherboard offers more storage options?
A: The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has three M.2 NVMe slots, while the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra has two M.2 NVMe slots and one SATA port.
Q: Which motherboard has a better power delivery system?
A: The MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi has a slightly more robust power delivery system with 12+2+1 phases, compared to the Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra‘s 10+2 phases.
