Explosive Comparison: Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 vs Asrock B450 Steel Legend – You Won’t Believe the Outcome!

Choosing the right motherboard for your AMD Ryzen CPU can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders in the B450 chipset category are the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B450 Steel Legend. Both motherboards offer compelling features and performance, making it difficult to decide which one is the best fit for your needs. This blog post will delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two motherboards, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.

Chipset and Socket Compatibility

Both the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B450 Steel Legend are based on the AMD B450 chipset, which supports all AMD Ryzen 1000, 2000, and 3000 series CPUs, including the powerful Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 9 3900X. They also support the AM4 socket, ensuring compatibility with future Ryzen processors. However, it’s important to note that the B450 chipset does not support PCIe 4.0, so you’ll need to upgrade to a newer chipset like X570 or B550 for that feature.

Features and Connectivity

Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 boasts a wide array of features and connectivity options. It comes equipped with:

• Four DDR4 DIMM slots: Supporting up to 64GB of RAM with a maximum speed of 3600 MHz (OC).
• Two M.2 slots: One with PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe support and another with PCIe 3.0 x2 and SATA support.
• Six SATA III ports: Providing ample storage connectivity.
• Realtek ALC892 codec: Delivering high-quality audio output.
• Intel Gigabit Ethernet: Ensuring fast and reliable network connectivity.
• Integrated I/O shield: Simplifying the installation process.
• RGB Fusion 2.0: Allowing for customizable lighting effects.

ASRock B450 Steel Legend
The ASRock B450 Steel Legend offers a similar set of features, but with some key differences:

• Four DDR4 DIMM slots: Supporting up to 64GB of RAM with a maximum speed of 3600 MHz (OC).
• Two M.2 slots: Both with PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe support.
• Six SATA III ports: Providing ample storage connectivity.
• Realtek ALC1220 codec: Delivering enhanced audio quality.
• Intel Gigabit Ethernet: Ensuring fast and reliable network connectivity.
• Integrated I/O shield: Simplifying the installation process.
• Polychrome RGB: Allowing for customizable lighting effects.

Performance and Overclocking

Both motherboards offer solid performance and overclocking capabilities. The B450 Aorus Elite V2 features Gigabyte’s Smart Fan 5 technology for optimal cooling and **BIOS flashback** for easy BIOS updates. The ASRock B450 Steel Legend boasts **Polychrome RGB** for customizable lighting and **ASRock’s UEFI BIOS** with a user-friendly interface.
In terms of overclocking, both motherboards allow for reasonable CPU and RAM overclocking, although the results may vary depending on your specific components.

Design and Aesthetics

The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 features a sleek black and silver design with RGB lighting accents. The board has a clean and modern layout, making it visually appealing. The ASRock B450 Steel Legend boasts a more industrial look with a black and gray color scheme and steel accents. It also features RGB lighting options, although the design is less flashy than the Aorus Elite V2.

Price and Value

Both motherboards are priced competitively, offering excellent value for their features. The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 is typically priced slightly higher than the ASRock B450 Steel Legend. However, the price difference is usually minimal, and both motherboards offer excellent value for their respective features.

Which Motherboard is Right for You?

Ultimately, the best motherboard for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each motherboard:
Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2:
Pros:

• Sleek and modern design
• RGB Fusion 2.0 for customizable lighting
• Smart Fan 5 technology for optimal cooling
• BIOS flashback for easy BIOS updates

Cons:

• Slightly higher price
• One M.2 slot with PCIe 3.0 x2 and SATA support

ASRock B450 Steel Legend:
Pros:

• Industrial design with steel accents
• Two M.2 slots with PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe support
• Enhanced audio quality with Realtek ALC1220 codec
• User-friendly UEFI BIOS

Cons:

• Less flashy design compared to the Aorus Elite V2

Here’s a quick summary of which motherboard might be best for you:

• Gamers: The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 offers a sleek design and RGB lighting options, making it a good choice for gamers who want a visually appealing motherboard.
• Budget-conscious builders: The ASRock B450 Steel Legend provides excellent value for its features, making it a great option for budget-conscious builders.
• Audiophiles: The ASRock B450 Steel Legend features a Realtek ALC1220 codec for enhanced audio quality, making it a good choice for audiophiles.
• Overclockers: Both motherboards offer solid overclocking capabilities, but the ASRock B450 Steel Legend’s user-friendly UEFI BIOS may be easier to navigate for beginners.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

Both the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 and the ASRock B450 Steel Legend are excellent motherboards for AMD Ryzen CPUs. They offer a wide range of features, solid performance, and competitive pricing. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize aesthetics and RGB lighting, the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 is a great option. If you value value for money and enhanced audio quality, the ASRock B450 Steel Legend is a solid choice.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Which motherboard has better M.2 slots?
A: The ASRock B450 Steel Legend has the edge in this category, as it features two M.2 slots with PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe support, while the Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 has one M.2 slot with PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe support and another with PCIe 3.0 x2 and SATA support.
Q: Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
A: Both motherboards offer solid overclocking capabilities, but the ASRock B450 Steel Legend‘s user-friendly UEFI BIOS may be easier to navigate for beginners.
Q: Which motherboard is better for gaming?
A: Both motherboards offer excellent gaming performance. The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2’s sleek design and RGB lighting options may be more appealing to gamers.
Q: Which motherboard is better for value?
A: The ASRock B450 Steel Legend offers excellent value for its features, making it a great option for budget-conscious builders.
Q: Which motherboard is better for audio quality?
A: The ASRock B450 Steel Legend features a Realtek ALC1220 codec for enhanced audio quality, making it a good choice for audiophiles.