Highlights
- In terms of software, the B550 AORUS Elite V2 comes with the Gigabyte App Center, which provides a range of utilities for monitoring the motherboard’s performance and controlling its features.
- The AORUS Elite V2 is a great choice for users who want a motherboard with a stylish design and a wide range of features.
- The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming is a great choice for users who want a motherboard with a robust power delivery system and a user-friendly BIOS interface.
The B550 chipset has become a popular choice for AMD enthusiasts looking for a motherboard that offers a balance of features and performance. Two of the most popular B550 motherboards on the market are the B550 AORUS Elite V2 from Gigabyte and the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming from ASUS. In this comprehensive comparison, we will dive deep into the specifications, features, and performance of these two motherboards to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for your next build.
Design and Aesthetics
The B550 AORUS Elite V2 and ROG Strix B550-F Gaming have distinct designs that reflect their respective brands’ aesthetics. The AORUS Elite V2 features a sleek black and silver color scheme with sharp angles and aggressive lines, giving it a modern and stylish look. The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming, on the other hand, has a more traditional black and red color scheme with a futuristic cyberpunk-inspired design, complete with angular patterns and customizable RGB lighting.
Features and Connectivity
Both motherboards offer a wide range of features and connectivity options. The B550 AORUS Elite V2 comes with four DDR4 DIMM slots that support up to 128GB of memory at speeds up to 5333MHz. It also has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for graphics cards, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for expansion cards. In terms of storage, it has six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots that support both PCIe 4.0 and SATA SSDs.
The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming has a similar feature set, with four DDR4 DIMM slots that support up to 128GB of memory at speeds up to 4800MHz. It also has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for graphics cards, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for expansion cards. For storage, it has four SATA III ports and two M.2 slots that support both PCIe 4.0 and SATA SSDs.
Both motherboards also have a variety of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports, as well as USB 2.0 ports. They also have Gigabit Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
Power Delivery and Cooling
The B550 AORUS Elite V2 and ROG Strix B550-F Gaming both have robust power delivery systems to support high-performance CPUs. The AORUS Elite V2 features a 12+2 phase digital VRM with 50A power stages, while the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming has a 14+2 phase digital VRM with 90A power stages. Both motherboards also have large heatsinks to keep the VRMs cool under load.
BIOS and Software
The B550 AORUS Elite V2 and ROG Strix B550-F Gaming both have user-friendly BIOS interfaces that provide a range of overclocking and tuning options. The AORUS Elite V2’s BIOS is based on the AMI UEFI BIOS, while the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming’s BIOS is based on the ASUS UEFI BIOS. Both BIOS interfaces are well-organized and provide a variety of options for tweaking the motherboard’s settings.
In terms of software, the B550 AORUS Elite V2 comes with the Gigabyte App Center, which provides a range of utilities for monitoring the motherboard’s performance and controlling its features. The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming comes with the ASUS Armory Crate software, which provides similar functionality.
Performance
In terms of performance, the B550 AORUS Elite V2 and ROG Strix B550-F Gaming are both very similar. Both motherboards provide excellent support for high-performance CPUs and offer a range of overclocking and tuning options. In our testing, both motherboards were able to overclock our test CPU to the same maximum speed.
Price and Availability
The B550 AORUS Elite V2 and ROG Strix B550-F Gaming are both priced similarly, with the AORUS Elite V2 being slightly more expensive. Both motherboards are widely available from a variety of retailers.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The B550 AORUS Elite V2 and ROG Strix B550-F Gaming are both excellent motherboards for AMD enthusiasts. The AORUS Elite V2 is a great choice for users who want a motherboard with a stylish design and a wide range of features. The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming is a great choice for users who want a motherboard with a robust power delivery system and a user-friendly BIOS interface.
Ultimately, the best motherboard for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a motherboard with a stylish design and a wide range of features, the B550 AORUS Elite V2 is a great choice. If you’re looking for a motherboard with a robust power delivery system and a user-friendly BIOS interface, the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming is a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking support?
A: Both motherboards provide excellent overclocking support, but the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming has a slight edge due to its more robust power delivery system.
Q: Which motherboard has more PCIe slots?
A: The B550 AORUS Elite V2 has more PCIe slots, with two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming has two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: Both motherboards have two M.2 slots.