What To Know
- In the realm of compact and powerful motherboards, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I and Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX stand out as formidable contenders.
- The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I and Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX are both exceptional Mini-ITX motherboards that offer a compelling blend of performance, features, and connectivity.
- While the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I excels in power delivery and memory support, the Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX boasts unique features such as Q-Flash Plus and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
In the realm of compact and powerful motherboards, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I and Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX stand out as formidable contenders. These Mini-ITX form factor motherboards are designed to cater to the needs of enthusiasts and gamers seeking a balance between performance, features, and portability. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the key differences between these two motherboards, helping you make an informed decision for your next Mini-ITX build.
Form Factor and Design
Both the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I and Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX adopt the Mini-ITX form factor, measuring 170mm x 170mm. This compact size makes them ideal for small form factor (SFF) builds where space is at a premium.
The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I boasts an aggressive and striking design, featuring a black and silver color scheme with angular accents. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX, on the other hand, exudes a more understated elegance with its black PCB and gold accents.
Chipset and Socket Compatibility
Both motherboards are based on the AMD B550 chipset, which supports AMD Ryzen 5000, 4000, and 3000 series processors. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of AMD CPUs for both gaming and productivity workloads.
Power Delivery
The power delivery system of a motherboard is crucial for ensuring stable and efficient operation of your CPU. The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I employs a robust 8+2 phase power design with high-quality components, providing ample power for overclocking and demanding workloads.
The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX features a slightly more modest 6+2 phase power design. While this may be sufficient for most users, overclockers may prefer the enhanced power delivery capabilities of the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support dual-channel DDR4 memory, with the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I offering support for up to 64GB of RAM at speeds of up to 4800MHz. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX also supports up to 64GB of RAM but has a slightly lower maximum memory speed of 4400MHz.
Storage Connectivity
For storage, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I provides two M.2 slots, both supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs. It also includes four SATA 6Gb/s ports for additional storage options.
The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX offers a similar storage configuration, with two M.2 slots supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs and four SATA 6Gb/s ports. However, it also includes a unique feature called “Q-Flash Plus,” which allows users to update the motherboard’s BIOS without the need for a CPU or RAM installed.
Connectivity and Expansion
In terms of connectivity, both motherboards offer a comprehensive range of options. The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I features a 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX also includes a 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1, but it additionally offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer and display output.
For expansion, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I provides a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and a single PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX offers a similar expansion configuration, with a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Audio
For audio enthusiasts, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I features the SupremeFX S1220A codec, which provides high-quality audio output with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 113dB. The Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX utilizes the Realtek ALC1220 codec, which also offers excellent audio performance with an SNR of 120dB.
Key Points
The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I and Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX are both exceptional Mini-ITX motherboards that offer a compelling blend of performance, features, and connectivity. While the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I excels in power delivery and memory support, the Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX boasts unique features such as Q-Flash Plus and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Questions You May Have
Q: Which motherboard has better power delivery?
A: The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I has a more robust 8+2 phase power design, providing better power delivery for overclocking and demanding workloads.
Q: Which motherboard supports faster memory speeds?
A: The ASUS ROG Strix B550-I supports memory speeds up to 4800MHz, while the Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX supports speeds up to 4400MHz.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: Both motherboards have two M.2 slots supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs.
Q: Which motherboard has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity?
A: Only the Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Q: Which motherboard has better audio performance?
A: Both motherboards offer excellent audio performance, with the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I using the SupremeFX S1220A codec and the Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX using the Realtek ALC1220 codec.
