Asus ROG Strix B550-I vs Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX

Verdict

The Asus ROG Strix B550-I motherboard has received mixed reviews from customers. Some have praised its performance and features, while others have criticized its limited USB ports and issues with RAM slots. The VRM/Chipset fan has been noted as being mostly silent and only spinning up occasionally. The motherboard has been used successfully with a variety of CPUs and coolers. Overall, the Asus ROG Strix B550-I is a solid Mini-ITX motherboard option, but potential buyers should be aware of its limitations and potential issues.

Verdict

Overall, the Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX is a solid choice for those looking for a mini ITX motherboard with good features and performance. The VRM heatsinks are chunky and the BIOS is easy to navigate, but there are some minor drawbacks such as the lack of a front Type C header and only one front USB 3 header. It is recommended to update the BIOS to avoid CPU temperature spikes and to ensure compatibility with Windows 11 in the future. It is also important to note that some users have experienced issues with used or older models, so thorough physical inspection is recommended.