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The GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX is a motherboard that offers a blend of performance and value. With a price tag of $230-250, it sits comfortably in the mid-range bracket, offering a compelling alternative to the more expensive X670-series motherboards.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Solid VRM and M.2 cooling
- 14+2+2 phase power delivery
- PCIe & M.2 EZ Latch for easy component installation and removal
- Thoughtful header layout
- Plenty of RGB support
- Attractive pricing compared to X670 motherboards
Cons:
- Higher price outside the US
- Lack of advanced troubleshooting features
- USB 3.2 Gen2x2 support only through a motherboard header rather than on the rear I/O
The B650 AORUS ELITE AX: A Closer Look
The B650 AORUS ELITE AX is a Socket AM5 motherboard that adheres to the ATX form factor. It’s not the most affordable B650 motherboard, but it’s also far from the most expensive, positioning it as a mid-range option. The motherboard eschews PCIe 5.0 GPU signalling in favour of PCIe 4.0, but supports PCIe 5.0 signalling through one full-length M.2 storage slot.
Despite its mid-range status, the AORUS ELITE AX is far from lacking in features. It boasts WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5GbE LAN, two additional M.2 slots (at PCIe 4.0 speeds), and USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C and other USB ports. Cooling is excellent, particularly for a B650 design, thanks to two large heatsinks. Proprietary features such as PCIe EZ-Latch, M.2 EZ-Latch, Q-Flash and RGB Fusion customizable LED lighting are all present, making this motherboard a heavyweight contender in its price bracket.