The motherboard you include in your PC will determine the overall potential of your system’s performance. Since every component in your rig connects to the motherboard, you want to make sure the motherboard you choose is not only capable of supporting your components, but reliably so.
However, choosing the perfect motherboard can be tricky with the market being as saturated as it is. When overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, it’s wise to rely on manufacturers that have been around long enough to have developed premium motherboards at reasonable prices.
ASUS and Gigabyte both manufacture high-quality motherboards for gaming. The difference is primarily price and aesthetics. ASUS manufactures visually-appealing motherboards that provide high-quality performance reliably. Gigabyte is more expensive, but their motherboards are tough and designed to endure extreme conditions. ASUS is better for budget builders with an eye for visuals, while Gigabyte is better for intense gamers.
However, what might be the best motherboard for one gamer won’t necessarily be the best motherboard for another. In this article, I’ll discuss with you what to look for when considering motherboards, as well as a comparison between the top-selling motherboards from Asus and Gigabyte both.
Let’s get into it.
What to Look for in a Motherboard
Knowing what separates a good motherboard from a great one is the first step towards making a decision. Every build is different, as everyone needs different capabilities from their computer. The focus of this article is centered around gaming motherboards, but the logic extends to any purpose.
When comparing motherboards, investigate these three factors to determine which one will be best for you. Once you’re familiar with what to look for, I’ll compare the two bestselling motherboards for Asus and Gigabyte against these factors.
Performance
Motherboards these days are, in general, powerful enough for most builds. They come equipped with a variety of PCIe combinations, RAM slots, and ports. However, not all motherboards come with the same amount of versatility, and the quality of these components varies greatly.
When considering the performance of a motherboard, you must consider both the total capability of the motherboard and its quality. If your motherboard can theoretically support a high-quality gaming setup, but it was constructed poorly and doesn’t provide stable performance, it’s not all that good for you.
You want a motherboard that was constructed with high-quality materials and that can withstand high temperatures and stress. Asus and Gigabyte both produce motherboards like this, though Gigabyte typically ranks higher on the durability scale than comparable Asus motherboards.
Software
Regardless of how powerful your motherboard is, it needs intuitive, effective software to manage all that power. This is another distinction you can make between one motherboard and another.
ASUS and Gigabyte each have their own proprietary motherboard management software, both of which have their merit. The difference comes when you determine what you want most out of a motherboard, and what controls you’ll need to draw out that functionality.
Asus’s AI Suite 3 control panel lets users change settings such as fan speed, overclocking, and BIOS through a single interface. Gigabyte mirrors this with their EasyTune software, which provides similar functions with more advanced settings available to professionals.
Motherboard software can also include RGB display controls and other customizability options, most often with Asus motherboards. So, if you have the need for customization controls, you’ll want a motherboard with software that supports it.
Warranty
Another important factor to consider when comparing motherboards is the warranty the manufacturer provides. Sometimes, components malfunction, in which case you want to be sure that your investment is covered.
You’ll want to check what the warranties cover and what they don’t; most warranties cover standard component failures and shipping damages, while not covering physical or liquid damages. This is the case for both Asus and Gigabyte motherboards, though it doesn’t necessarily hold true for all manufacturers.
Make sure the warranty for the motherboards in question covers any issues you’re most worried about. This will keep you protected in the event of the worst and will make replacing the faulty motherboard that much easier.
Comparing Gigabyte vs. Asus Bestsellers
While knowing what to look for in a motherboard is the best first step to take towards a decision, seeing two motherboards compared will show the general differences between Asus and Gigabyte motherboards.
In this section, I’ll detail the key qualities of each manufacturer related to the factors discussed above. I’ll do this using the bestselling motherboards from each manufacturer, but for more specific comparisons, investigate the key factors for the specific motherboards you’re looking at.
ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Performance
The ROG Strix B550-F motherboard from Asus provides high-quality performance at a reasonable price of $189.99 MSRP. It comes equipped with 2 PCIe 4.0 slots to handle next-gen peripherals, as well as onboard 2.5G ethernet for increased wired performance.
This motherboard is designed for AMD’s Ryzen processors, particularly with high-count-core CPUs in mind. This means it will be able to handle demanding tasks and components easily which, since stability and quality go hand-in-hand, makes this a great motherboard.
This motherboard offers high-performance qualities and features in a sleek, visually appealing package. This standard holds true for most Asus motherboards, though not all come equipped with the newer-generation peripheral capabilities.
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO Wi-Fi Performance
Gigabyte’s B450 Aorus Pro Wi-Fi motherboard offers something different in the way of performance. It comes equipped with dual PCIe 3.0 slots with thermal guards to ensure safe temperatures in extreme conditions. It’s a little older than the Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming, and is appropriately priced at $139.99 MSRP.
It also comes equipped with Smart Fan 5, which works to keep your motherboard at a safe operating temperature when overclocking. It includes an onboard Wi-Fi chip, which improves your system’s wireless performance. The design of the board itself is singular and steel, which makes it more durable than any Asus motherboard on the market.
Overall, it provides high levels of performance and durability, so you can trust this motherboard to last for years of upgrades. However, as this is an older model, you may want to consider investing in a newer Gigabyte motherboard if you want a future-proof, durable, high-quality motherboard.
ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Software
Asus’s AI Suite 3 software is primarily what sets it apart from Gigabyte motherboards in terms of software. This software allows you to control the fan speeds, overclocking speeds, BIOS updates, and lighting effects of your motherboard in an accessible dashboard.
The software doesn’t have advanced settings, so if you’re looking to fine-tune every aspect of your motherboard, you may want to look at Gigabyte motherboards.
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO Wi-Fi Software
Gigabyte’s EasyTune rivals Asus’s motherboard software in terms of convenience, but excels when you consider how precise you can be with advanced settings. With this suite of controls, you can adjust the same basics as with AI Suite 3, but you can access a deeper layer of customization to squeeze every ounce of potential from your motherboard.
Warranties
Both Asus and Gigabyte offer 3-year standing warranties for all of their motherboards, which are tied directly to the motherboard’s serial number. This means you won’t have to do any setup other than purchasing the product.
Neither of these warranties cover physical or liquid damage, so if you use a water-cooling system, you’ll want to make sure all of your pipes are fully sealed to avoid leakage. Gigabyte motherboards are designed with stainless steel plates, which will stand up better to physical damages.
Since both manufacturers offer the same warranty, you’ll want to weigh how likely it is for your motherboard to undergo physical damage. If you’re worried about a kid or pet knocking over your tower, opt for a Gigabyte motherboard. It will be better able to withstand that stress and won’t void your warranty.
Our Final Take
In the end, the best motherboard for you will be the one that suits your needs fully. Asus, in general, has a better aesthetic appeal and offers high-quality features at a more affordable price than Gigabyte. However, Gigabyte motherboards will stand the test of time long after an Asus motherboard might give out to age or damage.
FAQs
Which Brand Motherboard is the Most Reliable?
In terms of reliability, you can trust a Gigabyte motherboard to last. They are constructed with a single stainless steel plate that can hold heavy-duty graphics cards and keep your components from overheating better. In the end, it depends on what you intend to attach to your motherboard, and how at-risk your tower is of taking damage.
Is ASUS Better than Gigabyte?
Asus and Gigabyte both have their merits. Asus motherboards are generally less expensive, and their other peripherals are high-quality and well-performing. Their customer service is great, but so is Gigabyte’s. The main difference is pricing and durability, with the latter award going to Gigabyte.
