Comprehensive review of the Gigabyte B450 AORUS M motherboard for gaming setups

Description

Impressive Design and Build Quality

The Gigabyte B450 AORUS M immediately impressed me with its compact Micro ATX form factor, perfect for smaller builds without sacrificing essential features. Its sleek black finish paired with RGB FUSION 2.0 lighting felt modern and customizable, offering a subtle glow to my setup. The multi-zone LED light show design was easy to configure, and I could sync it seamlessly with other RGB components. Despite its smaller size, the motherboard feels sturdy and well-constructed, which is a relief considering the wear and tear during installation.

I appreciated the layout of the expansion slots, which ensured compatibility with a wide range of GPUs. The ultrafast PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 NVMe slot with thermal protection was a standout feature, ensuring both speed and reliability for modern SSDs. For those diving into complex builds, the dual BIOS support provided a safety net, which is always a nice touch.

Performance That Packs a Punch

Using this motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, I was blown away by the smooth performance. The DDR4 dual-channel memory support, which can handle up to 64 GB at 3200 MHz, made multitasking an absolute breeze. Switching between high-demand applications and gaming was seamless, and I noticed no stuttering or lag, even during heavy workloads.

The inclusion of 6 SATA 6Gb/s connectors and support for RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 opens up plenty of storage configuration options. I tested a combination of SSDs and HDDs, and the transfer speeds were consistently fast. The Realtek GbE LAN chip ensured a reliable internet connection, even in a network-heavy environment. For gamers, the support for AMD Quad-GPU CrossFire and 2-way CrossFire technologies makes this a solid choice for multi-GPU setups.

Key Benefits

• Compact but feature-packed design, ideal for smaller builds.
• RGB FUSION 2.0 lighting adds a touch of personalization.
• M.2 NVMe support with thermal protection for faster storage solutions.
• Dual BIOS support for added reliability.

Areas for Improvement

While I enjoyed the overall experience, there are a few shortcomings worth noting:

• Limited USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, which might be restrictive for users with multiple peripherals.
• The PCIEX4 slot runs at x4, which could bottleneck certain configurations.
• Lack of built-in Wi-Fi, requiring an additional adapter or card for wireless connectivity.

Ease of Installation and Compatibility

Setting up the Gigabyte B450 AORUS M was fairly straightforward. The labeled connectors and ports helped streamline the process. However, I’d strongly recommend checking for RAM and CPU compatibility before purchasing. I used the Windows 10 64-bit operating system, and everything worked flawlessly. For those still running Windows 7, additional steps are required to make it compatible, which might be a hurdle for some.

The HDMI and DVI-D ports made it easy to connect dual displays, which is a bonus for productivity setups. However, I would’ve liked to see a DisplayPort option for more flexibility.

Competing Products

Comparing this motherboard to others in the same range, such as the MSI B450M Pro-VDH Plus or ASUS Prime B450M-A, the Gigabyte B450 AORUS M holds its own. While the ASUS Prime B450M-A offers similar features, its lack of RGB lighting might deter gamers looking for a visually appealing build. The MSI B450M Pro-VDH Plus includes more USB 3.0 ports but doesn’t support dual BIOS, which gives the Gigabyte an edge in reliability.

That said, the Gigabyte motherboard’s PCIe 3.0 slot running at full x16 for GPUs ensures optimal gaming performance, making it a better choice for gaming enthusiasts. However, users prioritizing wireless connectivity might lean towards a competitor with built-in Wi-Fi.

Value for Money

The price-performance ratio of this motherboard is impressive. It offers features typically seen in higher-end models, such as thermal protection for M.2 drives and dual BIOS support, without breaking the bank. For anyone building a budget-friendly gaming PC or a compact workstation, this product delivers top-notch performance without unnecessary frills.

While it’s not the cheapest option available, the durability, reliability, and customization options make it feel like a worthwhile investment. If you’re someone who values cost-efficiency alongside solid performance, this motherboard is hard to beat. For enthusiasts, the RGB lighting and overclocking support add even more value.

Additional information