At a Glance
- In this blog post, we will compare the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar to help you make an informed decision about which one is the best choice for your needs.
- The MSI MAG B550M Mortar comes with the MSI Click BIOS 5, which is also easy to navigate and offers a wide range of settings and options.
- The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slight edge in terms of power delivery and connectivity, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a more user-friendly BIOS and software suite.
When building a mid-range gaming PC, choosing the right motherboard is crucial. Two popular options in the market are the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and the MSI MAG B550M Mortar. Both motherboards offer a solid feature set and excellent performance, but they come with distinct strengths and weaknesses. In this blog post, we will compare the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar to help you make an informed decision about which one is the best choice for your needs.
Chipset and Features
Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are based on AMD’s B550 chipset, which supports 3rd generation Ryzen processors. The B550 chipset offers excellent connectivity and expansion options, including support for PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 2.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus features a total of four PCIe slots, including one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. It also has six SATA ports and two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drives.
The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a slightly different configuration, with three PCIe slots, including one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. It also has four SATA ports and two M.2 slots, both of which support PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drives.
Power Delivery
The power delivery system is crucial for ensuring stable and reliable performance, especially when overclocking. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus features a 12+2 phase power delivery system, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a 10+2 phase power delivery system.
Both motherboards use high-quality components and have robust heatsinks to dissipate heat effectively. However, the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slight edge in terms of power delivery, which may be beneficial for extreme overclocking.
Connectivity and Expansion
Both the ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar offer a wide range of connectivity and expansion options.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a total of eight USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. It also has a Gigabit Ethernet port, a DisplayPort, and an HDMI port.
The MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a total of seven USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and three USB 2.0 ports. It also has a Gigabit Ethernet port, a DisplayPort, and an HDMI port.
Both motherboards also have headers for additional fans, RGB lighting, and other peripherals.
BIOS and Software
ASUS and MSI both offer user-friendly BIOS interfaces and comprehensive software suites.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus comes with the ASUS UEFI BIOS, which is known for its intuitive design and advanced overclocking options. The motherboard also comes with the ASUS Armoury Crate software, which allows users to control various aspects of the motherboard, including fan profiles, lighting, and system monitoring.
The MSI MAG B550M Mortar comes with the MSI Click BIOS 5, which is also easy to navigate and offers a wide range of settings and options. The motherboard also comes with the MSI Center software, which provides a centralized hub for controlling various aspects of the motherboard, including fan profiles, lighting, and system monitoring.
Price and Availability
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are both priced around $150. Both motherboards are readily available from major retailers and online stores.
Final Thoughts
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus and MSI MAG B550M Mortar are both excellent mid-range motherboards that offer a solid feature set and excellent performance. The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slight edge in terms of power delivery and connectivity, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a more user-friendly BIOS and software suite. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Popular Questions
1. Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has a slight edge in terms of overclocking capabilities due to its more robust power delivery system.
2. Which motherboard has better connectivity options?
The ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-Plus has more USB ports and a DisplayPort, while the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has more M.2 slots.
3. Which motherboard has better software support?
Both motherboards offer user-friendly BIOS interfaces and comprehensive software suites, but the MSI MAG B550M Mortar has a slightly more user-friendly BIOS and software suite.