Motherboard is the central hub through which all components of a computer coordinate with each other. It is the single-most critical module inside the computer, which determines which type of hardware can be installed inside.
Video gaming is an intense digital activity that requires more processing and rendering power from a computer’s hardware, which in turn results in higher power consumption and heat generation as compared with general computing activities. This means that gaming requires strong hardware: such as CPUs and GPUs with more processing and rendering power, more memory, a PSU which supports higher voltages, and a heat-dissipation system that can manage all the extra heat produced during gaming sessions. Strong hardware needs a strong motherboard to be installed upon. The most cutting-edge CPUs and GPUs will be useless if the motherboard at hand does not have the capability to support their installation in the first place.
That is the reason why motherboard manufacturing companies create specific types of motherboards catering to the demands of gaming. Two of the leading companies producing gaming motherboards are ASUS and Gigabyte. These companies have been at the forefront of motherboard’s evolution since the beginning, and have been greatly responsible for many of the innovations we see in modern computer hardware. Let us take a look at what differentiates these companies from each other, and whose motherboards are better suited for gaming.
Difference between ASUS Vs Gigabyte’s motherboards
ASUS has the reputation of being a company that sometimes prefers style over substance. What it actually means is that the company creates motherboards with a visual and aesthetic flair, which is pleasing to the eye. ASUS’s motherboards are known for being based on beautiful design choices, RGB lighting, and other forms of eye candy, while also offering great features such as more fans for cooling, more USB ports, and overall, more flexibility than other competitors.
Gigabyte, on the other hand, is purely focused on providing the best hardware specifications on its motherboards. Gigabyte manufactures some of the finest and most powerful motherboards in the market, and although it is a relative newcomer in the field of motherboard manufacturing, it has quickly made a name for itself.
Which brand of the motherboard is best for gaming?
ASUS and Gigabyte both take gaming very seriously. Both companies have dedicated lines of motherboards specifically catering to the needs of high-end gaming. ASUS’ ROG, Pro Gaming, and TUF Gaming lineup of motherboards are all dedicated to extreme gaming, whereas Gigabyte’s AORUS lineup is meant to specifically target the gaming market, by providing features that allow powerful hardware to be installed, and provide an overall satisfactory gaming experience.
When it comes to choosing the best motherboard for gaming purposes between these two brands, one has to consider some key factors necessary for a smooth gaming experience. Let’s compare those factors between these two brands, and try to find out which one does it best:
Dynamic hardware support
In the current generation, AMD is producing some of the best CPUs, while Nvidia has a clear edge in Graphics Cards manufacturing, an ideal motherboard that will feature support for both. In that regard, ASUS comes out swinging with its ROG Strix motherboards (especially the Z270I), which feature support for both AMD CPU and Nvidia’s GPU. Gigabyte’s flagship AORUS X299 limits you to an Intel CPU. Anyone forcing gamers to buy current-Gen chips which are clearly inferior as compared to AMD’s offerings is not a gamer’s best friend. Therefore, ASUS is the clear-cut winner when it comes to supporting hardware that works best for gamers.
Price and performance
Comparing ASUS and Gigabyte’s motherboards on a price and performance scale is a mixed bag of sweets. On one hand, ASUS offers more affordable motherboards for gamers as compared with Gigabyte, whose high-priced devices leave a lot to be desired for an average gamer without deep pockets.
However, Gigabtye more than makes up for its steep prices with better performance, more durability, and better heat-dissipation systems as compared with ASUS’ motherboards.
Best Gaming motherboards by ASUS and Gigabyte
Let us take a look at some of the best gaming motherboards from both companies, to find out their strengths and weaknesses.
ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming
Brand: ASUS | Form Factor: ATX | CPU Socket: AM4 | RAM Technology: DDR4 | Memory Speed: 4600 MHz | PCIe Slots: 4x PCIe 3.0 x16 | Storage Support: SATA III, M.2
The ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming is also a mid-range gaming motherboard for video gamers looking to have good features at a reasonable price. Price between $300-350, this motherboard offers the AM4 socket most gamers crave these days. This AM4 socket features support for most Ryzen CPUs out there, and we all know that Ryzen’s current Gen offerings handily beat down those from their competitor Intel. Gamers are not all fond of some of the motherboard manufacturers limiting them to buy Intel’s inferior chips with their LGA sockets, they want to combine AMD’s Ryzen CPUs with high-tech GPUs from Nvidia and AMD, and ASUS ROG Strix lineup understands that concept, and executes it to perfection.
X570-E Gaming is surprisingly conservative when it comes to supporting for storage media, as it makes the questionable choice of substituting some of the M.2 ports (for SSDs) with SATA ports (for old-school HDDs). However, this board has a whopping eight 10Gbps USB ports, which completely wipes the floor with peer competitors from Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock who are still sticking with the older 5 Gbps version.
With a reasonable price, and a record number of lighting-fast USB ports, ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming is one of the better options available for gaming enthusiasts, who do not want to commit a fortune to buy a motherboard.
- A large number of very fast USB Ports.
- Support for Ryzen CPUs.
- The low number of M.2 ports does not make sense.
Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Pro
Brand: Gigabyte | Form Factor: ATX | CPU Socket: LGA 1700 | RAM Technology: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz | PCIe Slots: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 | Storage Support: 6x SATA, 3x M.2
Gigabyte’s Z690 AORUS Pro is a solid medium-range motherboard, which has a bit of everything a good gaming motherboard is supposed to have. It is currently priced between $300-350, which makes it reasonably affordable for most gamers around the world. It features a 90A VRMS for advanced Intel chips, and no less than 04 M.2 sockets. It contains a whopping 13 USB ports for those gamers who want to plug in every new controller and gaming contraption currently available at the same, and you really can’t ask for more at this price range. What’s more? Z690 also contains a very modern PCIe 5.0 x16 slot to provide faster speeds with current-Gen GPUs.
There are other AORUS motherboards priced lower than this model, but they do not offer as many features as this one, whereas the ones priced higher fall out of reach for an average gamer’s wallet. Z690 AORUS Pro hits many sweet spots for a reasonable price and is one of the best gaming motherboards built by Gigabyte. It’s a shame that it does not support AMD’s CPUs, because that would’ve made the deal even sweeter.
- Reasonable price.
- Chock-full of great features.
- No support for AMD CPUs.
- No integrated RGB lighting.
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi
Brand: ASUS | Form Factor: ATX | CPU Socket: LGA 1700 | RAM Technology: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 7000 MHz | PCIe Slots: 2x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 | Storage Support: 6x SATA, 5x M.2
If you want a big upgrade in overall performance and specifications, be ready to spend more on it. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi is a $500 range motherboard, which more than justifies its price tag with its plethora of features. Its LGA 1700 socket is comfortable with any Intel CPU being thrown at it, including the cutting-edge 13th Generation ones. It supports up to 128 GB of memory installation with a memory speed of 7000 MHz.
But those are standard features you may find in other, more economical motherboards as well. Z790-E is distinguished by its 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, which will help tremendously in boosting GPU performance, and there’s also a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot if you somehow still needed it. There are six SATA ports, accompanied by an eye-watering five M.2 ports, in case you were interested.
All of this results in a motherboard that, while not exactly cheap or affordable for an average gamer, provides great value for each dollar spent.
- 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots.
- 5x M.2 ports.
- Support for 13th Gen Intel CPUs.
- Great overall package.
- The price point is still beyond the reach of most average gamers.
- No support for faster and better AMD CPUs.
These are 3 of the best motherboards produced by ASUS and Gigabyte that provide great value for their price points and are relatively affordable as compared with some of the ridiculously priced top-tier motherboards.
Final Thoughts
ASUS and Gigabyte are both motherboard manufacturing giants, each with its own styles and preferences. From a gaming perspective, both companies offer great dedicated motherboards catering specifically to the needs of hardcore gaming. ASUS’ hardware is known to be more affordable and easier on the eye with great design and colors. Gigabyte, on the other hand, provides better hardware specifications, performance, and durability, but with standard hardware designs. At the end of the day, it really depends on what your gaming needs are, and how much you are willing to spend for it.
FAQs:
Which is better Aorus or ROG?
The ASUS ROG Strix lineup of motherboards is slightly better for gaming than Gigabyte’s AORUS series of motherboards. ASUS’ boards feature better brightness options, better refresh rates, quicker response times, and support for Nvidia GPUs and AMD CPUs at same time. Gigabyte’s AORUS motherboards, on the other hand, falter slightly due to low refresh rate, slower response times, and forcing viewers to go for Intel chips, instead of featuring support for AMD’s vastly superior CPUs.
Which ASUS ROG is the best?
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is the most state-of-the-art motherboard that you can buy with money. It features support for AMD hardware (both CPU and GPU), is light as a feather, and is a powerhouse when it comes to hardware specifications.
Which AORUS motherboard is best?
The Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Pro is the best available Gigabyte motherboard for gaming to date. With support for 12th Gen Intel processors, 4 DDR5 memory slots, Twin Hybrid Digital VRM Design, and top-notch thermal specifications for extreme gaming sessions, this is Gigabyte’s motherboard of choice for serious gamers.
Is Gigabyte or ASUS better?
ASUS motherboards are slightly cheaper, which makes them ideal for people with a tight budget. Gigabyte motherboards, on the other hand, are expensive but more durable, feature-rich, and better-performing motherboards as compared with ASUS’ motherboards.
Is AORUS a reliable brand?
Gigabyte’s AORUS lineup of motherboards has been produced specifically to cater to the demands of the gaming community. AORUS motherboards do feature some cool hardware for gaming. However, their tech support is widely thought to be poor. Many customers who bought AORUS motherboards complain of technical problems with these motherboards, which Gigabyte is very slow to address.
