As you know, you can purchase the AMD B550 motherboards from the market. When you want to take advantage of the Ryzen 3000 series CPU and do not want to use the additional features present on the X570 motherboard, you may want to choose the B550 motherboard.
It is not surprising to note that AMD’s B550 chipset is available now. The B550 is a cost-down version of the X570 board. We were astounded to notice that several makers have decided to go overboard and provide more than 50 different models.
You can get them for under $200. Few of them are priced over the $300 price range. We will compare Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming motherboards in today’s review.
We will be running both the motherboards on the Ryzen 3 3300X chipset. You would want to notice that it comes with the most important feature any chipset needs, PCIe 4.0. You can find a single x16 PCIe slot and the M.2 NVMe storage slot in this unit.
The motherboard also comes with the angle in the newer Zen 3 processors. You will like the manner in which the B550 Aorus Pro AC is designed. The unit has outstanding cooling and exceptional controller support features.
Besides, there are prominent features including 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, several USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, and eloquent audio specification with SupremeFX S1200A HD audio codec. You can also find sublime power delivery that enables you to support overclocking for the phenomenal processor.
On the other hand, we have the Asus Rog Strix B550-F gaming motherboard that comes with powerful performance too. We were highly stunned by the chipset’s performance on the CPU that we put it for testing.
You would admire the CPU performance and the other tests that we did write here. Without wasting any time, let us read the summary of what our experience was using the motherboards.
 |  |
|---|---|
| GIGABYTE B550 AORUS PRO AC | ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING |
| PROS | PROS |
| The unit comes with PCIe 4.0 support on the first M.2 slot and PCIe X16 slot. The board comes with high-speed Ethernet port. It comes with VRM heatsink design for outstanding cooling. It has exceptional overclocking capabilities. The unit has a pre-installed rear I/O shield. | The Asus motherboards come opulently designed. The unit has an exceptional AMD AM4 Socket and PCIe 4.0. It has an exceptional power design for optimum performance. It is infused with an optimized thermal solution for fast overclocking. The gaming network is stunning for under $200. |
| CONS | CONS |
| Limited PCIe 4.0 support. | The unit has a LAN driver issue. |
Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming: Features & Layout
You can tell the reliability of the motherboard from the packaging itself. This aspect is quite evident from the packaging of the Aorus Pro AC motherboard. When you look at it, you can see some of the added designs to the package.
The box comes with all the usual stuff that you should find. Compared to the previous model, the B450 Aorus Pro, the B550 Aorus Pro comes with a darker element and RGB lights that make it look astounding.
The design is radiant and comes infused with the Intel 802.11ac Wireless connectivity. Please note that the feature is available only on this unit. You can also notice that it comes with a single 8-pin EPS12V for the CPU.
Sadly, it did not have the metal shield on the chipset. The manufacturer has not said anything about the memory layout. You can view the 5400MHz+ support and find that it comes with the Daisy chain memory layout.
You may not notice the DDR4-5000 kit that is usually present. This is for those of you who are very keen on the memory kit. The heatsink on the VRM is found on most of the top-end X570 models.
They come with an aluminum fins array design. It ensures that the thermal cooling is better. Our tester loved this aspect on the motherboard and felt that the cooling effect would be quite good for a CPU.
It also comes with a 12+2 phase design, and the power design also comes with the Renesas RAA229004 8-phase controller. You will also notice that it has a 2 direct phase on the SoC, and 6 phase and doublers, offering you 12 phases that can handle 700 Amps current.
Asus has always been known to produce astounding models for the market. The same can be said about the Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard. It has a similar feature set that is customarily found infused with a Realtek-based 2.5 GbE Ethernet controller.
The chipset has a beautiful design with those pink highlights located at the rear panel cover. You can also notice that it comes with a dark ROG design and diagonal print. These can be seen on the rear panel cover across the PCB, along with a graffiti-inspired appearance.
The RGB logo comes infused with ROG on it and a pair of Aura RGB headers. If you look at the PCIe, you can notice that the motherboard has PCIe 4.0 x16 slot at the top. It also comes with 3 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots and a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot.
The PCIe 4.0 x16 and top PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot requires you to use the AMD Ryzen 3000 series processor for experiencing its true powers. Otherwise, it would help if you made the slots working at PCIe 3.0.
You can also notice the 6 SATA ports that offer support for RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. The maker has made use of the teamed power stages. This enables it for knightly power delivery. It claimed that the response and efficiency is highly improvised using it.
Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming: Software and Firmware
The storage and firmware options on the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC motherboard are quite stunning, to say. The storage options available include 1 x M.2 slot and 6 x SATA ports, which can support the slots on the existing PCIe 3.0 SSD.
Though it is slightly lesser than what is ordinarily capable by the X570 motherboards with full PCIe 4.0 support, it can provide ample support. When you want to expand the slots, then you can do it with the 1 x PCIe 3.0 X2, 1 x PCIe 4.0 X16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 X4, and 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1.
We noticed that the PCIe 4.0 is integrated, which means it can work sublimely only on the 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPU. The Radeon graphics on the new Gen AMD Ryzen CPU works only with PCIe 3.0.
That is why you may want to make use of the 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPU. You can also notice that it has Nichicon and WIMA audio capacitors. They come paired with the Realtek ALC1220-VB present on the onboard audio.
At the rear I/O panel, there is a pre-installed I/O shield for convenience. Here, you can find the 2 xUSB 3.2 Gen1 ports, 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports, HDMI port, 1 x S/PDIF out port, and the audio jacks.
You can also find the same features on the Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard. The firmware from the maker provides you with the option of choosing the BIOS: EZ and Advanced. The EZ mode is meant for beginners to make simple alternations.
It also comes with XMP support. You can find few details on the screen, including the DRAM status, fan profile speeds, model, and firmware version. Besides, you can also notice that it comes with the current CPU Core voltage and temperature.
You know that you are dealing with the firmware because of the gray background and white text. It also comes with red highlights at the top and bottom of the GUI. Using the F7 key enables you to switch between the EZ and the advanced mode.
Using the advanced mode, you can use the premium features that are only found on most Rog motherboards. You can find several overclocking customizations, and you can also customize the CPU settings.
Our tester found that the precision boost overdrive comes with astounding speed for Asus users. It comes with consistent firmware and software in the market. We also noticed that the board comes with a 14-phase design.
Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming: Overclocking
The overclocking on both the motherboards was quite excellent. We will read about the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC motherboard first. You can achieve a reasonable overclocking speed using the T-Force Xtreem ARGB DDR4.
It comes with the ability to reach up to DDR4-5000+ on the board. This is according to the product specifications. Sadly, it did not come with an integrated VRM temperature sensor. However, it was able to perform exceptionally well during the VRM thermal testing.
Though this is priced above $200, the overclocking speeds are quite decent. We also liked the thermal heating capabilities of the chipset. We are confident that it can effortlessly meet all your needs.
The additional expense from the $200 means that it comes with the official support for PCIe 4.0. Surprisingly, it also comes with better networking support so that other X570 boards are brought under the same price range.
The Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard has the capability to take things to another level if used carefully. The main issue with the motherboard is that you will want to use it on the latest CPUs to notice its true powers. Otherwise, it is pretty lackluster.
We were slightly disappointed with that. When we used the Gigabyte unit on chipsets that came few years old, the performance was quite thrilling. The same could not be said about the Asus board.
This may cost it dearly in this comparison review. Our tester fancied the pink tones at the back of the board depicting the rear panel cover. The unit is able to blend and makes it appear stunning.
Using the Ryzen 3700X, we were able to get the fastest time on an AMD board. That is something that other boards may not be able to do for some time. The unit has outstanding VRM thermals too.
We wanted to mention it here. This, too, is a huge win here for Asus. We have a firecracker of a chipset for you. The overclocking from this Asus unit is staggering and one of the best we have seen in a very long time.
Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming: Price
Gigabyte B550Aorus Pro AC motherboard is priced under $220. Our tester felt that the pricing of the motherboard on Amazon was justified. It comes with stunning features and capabilities. The Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming motherboard is priced under $189.
Our tester was convinced about the pricing of the motherboard. It comes with stunning features like AMD AM4 Socket and PCIe 4. 0, exceptional design, an optimized thermal solution, and phenomenal gaming networking for an immersive experience.
Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming: Verdict
This is it. We have reached the end of our discussion between Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC vs Asus Rog Strix B550-F Gaming motherboards. The Aorus Pro AC is a solid motherboard and comes with stunning features.
However, we did note a difference in terms of performance to most X570 boards. There is nothing to worry about. These are typical figures that we got during testing. Its overclocking was breathtaking and ideal for the gaming enthusiast.
Our tester was slightly not very convinced about the price range of the product. Usually, when we review a product with Asus units, the latter is more expensively priced. In this case, it is quite the opposite.
The Asus Rog Strix B550-F gaming unit comes equipped with two M.2 slots. You would be delighted to know that the units PCIe 4.0 are from the CPU. You can find the other PCIe that is driven by the B550 chipset.
We liked the fact that the board has integrated support for USB 3.2 G2. The maker has included two ports at the rear panel. During testing, the Rog Strix B550-F performed above expectations.
The price of the motherboard is cheaper than the Gigabyte unit in this comparison. The Rog Strix B550-F gaming motherboard supports Wi-Fi, it has 1 more USB 3.0 port, 0.9 more audio channels, and it comes with Bluetooth.
It also has 1 more PCIe x1 slot, effectively supports the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), has 1 more DisplayPort output, and supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). Our winner is the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro AC motherboard.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.