Head-to-Head · Motherboards
ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard vs GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5)
Scored Dimensions
8.0
Value for Money
6.5
6.5
Build & Ergonomics
8.2
7.0
Connectivity & Ports
4.8
7.5
Compatibility Experience
3.8
4.0
Stability
3.8
8.5
Upgrade Potential
7.2
ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard
The Good
- Offers strong value for money and a desirable white aesthetic.
- Features excellent upgrade potential with PCIe 5.0 for both GPU and primary M.2 slot.
- Provides robust connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, and numerous USB ports.
- Many users found the BIOS straightforward and installation process intuitive.
The Bad
- A significant number of units were reported as Dead on Arrival (DOA) or failed shortly after use.
- Lacks diagnostic LEDs, making troubleshooting complex and frustrating for builders.
- Some owners experienced unusually long boot times, which worsened with memory overclocking (DOCP).
- The 'white' PCB color was described by several as more of a light grey, disappointing those seeking a pure white build.
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5)
The Good
- Excellent build quality and sturdy design with a premium feel, often described as heavy-duty.
- User-friendly installation features like EZ-Latch, tool-less M.2 slots, and well-placed connectors.
- Helpful debugging tools and diagnostic displays to assist with troubleshooting boot issues and monitoring temperatures.
- Strong expansion capabilities, including multiple M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 support, and a generous number of USB ports.
The Bad
- Significant compatibility and stability problems, particularly with RAM over 6000MHz and frequent boot failures or error codes.
- WiFi 7 and Bluetooth drivers often lack Windows 10 support, forcing users to find workarounds or use external dongles.
- Poor or missing documentation, confusing BIOS organization, and incorrect Q-Flash instructions lead to frustrating setup experiences.
- Connectivity limitations, such as M.2 slot bifurcation reducing GPU lanes and awkwardly placed front panel connectors.
The ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard Verdict
While praised for its feature set and aesthetic appeal at its price point, potential buyers should be aware of a notable risk of initial hardware issues and the difficulty in diagnosing problems without onboard indicators.
Read the full ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard consensus →The GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5) Verdict
This motherboard offers a solid foundation for high-end AMD AM5 builds with its robust construction and future-proofing features, but potential buyers should be prepared for potential setup hurdles and stability challenges, especially with memory and Windows 10.
Read the full GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5) consensus →
The Bottom Line
Our pick: ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard · 6.1/10
It's close. The ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard edges it, 6.1/10 to 5.9/10, on the strength of Compatibility Experience and Connectivity & Ports.
ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard
$164.99
Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5)
$279.99
Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
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How ORA built this: We read recent reviews, remove suspected bot or incentivized entries, off-topic complaints, and reviews describing the buyer's own setup problems rather than the product, then synthesize the remainder into a single unbiased verdict. Read our full methodology →