OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£?CPU socket:?Chipset:AMD B550Form factor:ATX

GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications, 5 expert and video reviews and 4 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2
7.9/10

Overall score

Score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models
Score components

40%

7.0

Technical score

20%

8.5

Reviews score

20%

8.9

List score

10%

7.0

Sentiment score

10%

9.4

User score

▲Better than 84% of motherboards
?

Value for money

Value for money
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

7.9

Overall score

30%

?

Price

Price not known yet
7.0

Technical score

Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 66% of models
Score components

19%

7.1

Memory

16%

8.4

Platform

16%

5.7

Storage

15%

8.3

Network

13%

5.5

Ports

8%

4.2

Expansion

8%

7.6

Power & Cooling

5%

8.9

Audio

▲Better than 66%
8.5

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

8.5

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
▲Better than 68%
9.4

User score

User score
9.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 95% of models

70%

9.1

Rating

30%

10

Popularity

★Better than 95%
8.9

List score

List score
8.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (4)
List score: in 4 of 64 lists (6%)
★Better than 99%
  • gigabyte-b550-aorus-elite-ax-v2
  • gigabyte-b550-aorus-elite-ax-v2
gigabyte-b550-aorus-elite-ax-v2
gigabyte-b550-aorus-elite-ax-v2
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2

Based on 0 · 5

Reviewers agree the BIOS is solid and compatibility is dependable, with no notable complaints raised.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2

Based on 93 owners sharing their experience in online comments

32%positive6%mixed62%negative

Helpful BIOS update guidance and stable performance stand out, while failed flashing, boot, display, and connectivity issues dominate complaints.

What owners dislike

  • Some owners report the Q-Flash button does nothing: the light never flashes, the fans blip briefly, and the board shows no activity with a fresh USB stick.15
  • Some owners say the board stays on, the fans keep running, or it won't post and shows no display after a Q-Flash BIOS update, even with the correct file.10
  • Some owners get no display or POST after a fresh build, and say the board fails to show the BIOS screen until the BIOS is updated.7
  • Some owners say Bluetooth suddenly disappears from Windows, or that the included Wi-Fi adapter is not detected or its driver install loops; a power-off reset sometimes restores Bluetooth.6
  • Owners say the board ships with no printed manual, no troubleshooting LEDs or beep speaker, and the online manual and Gigabyte support are poor.5
  • Some owners say the RAM will not run at 3600 MHz, or that enabling XMP causes driver timeouts or no video, even though the box advertises higher speeds.5
  • Some owners say the onboard motherboard LEDs only flicker briefly or stay off, and RGB Fusion cannot make the fan lighting bright enough.5
  • Some owners report no onboard audio at all, or cannot find the front-panel HD audio setting in the BIOS to fix it.3
  • Some owners find the BIOS hard to use: settings open inconsistently, the mouse clicks stop working, and Save & Exit returns to the same screen.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Motherboards model ranking

Ranked #313 of 2,078 models in Motherboards (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of motherboard GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2

Technical score
Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 66% of models
Score components:

19%

7.1

Memory

16%

8.4

Platform

16%

5.7

Storage

15%

8.3

Network

13%

5.5

Ports

8%

4.2

Expansion

8%

7.6

Power & Cooling

5%

8.9

Audio

7.0
Reviews score
8.5
User score
9.4
List score
8.9
Value for money
Value for money
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 93% of models
Score components:

70%

7.9

Overall score

30%

?

Price

8.5
CPU socket
?
CPU platform
AMD
Chipset
AMD B550
This motherboard uses AMD B550, which is more capable than 49.9% of Motherboards and as capable as 4.8% of Motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
What reviewers say
DDR memory version
DDR4
This motherboard uses DDR4, which is more modern than 13.4% of Motherboards and the same as 50.4% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
128 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.1% of motherboards and equal to 31.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
?
Maximum RAM speed
4,733 MT/s
Market range: <2k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 4,733 MT/s, which is higher than that of 50% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.4% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
2
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 2 M.2 sockets, which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 34.5% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
?
N. of SATA 3 connectors
4
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 6.1% of motherboards and equal to 46.8% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/10, which is less flexible than 67.6% of Motherboards and the same as 23.6% of Motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is more than 55.2% of motherboards and equal to 35.7% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
?
PCIe slot electrical configuration
?
PCIe bifurcation support
no
This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation. 59.8% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
?
Total USB ports (including headers)
?
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
0
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 0 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.2% of motherboards and equal to 35.8% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
?
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
2.5 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.4% of motherboards.
LAN controller
?
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
This motherboard uses Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which is newer than 71.5% of Motherboards and the same as 16.7% of Motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1200
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC1200, which is higher-end than 63.1% of Motherboards and the same as 2.4% of Motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
120 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 120 dB, which is higher than that of 55.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 41% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
3
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 11.3% of motherboards and equal to 39.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
?
N. of CPU power connectors
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors, which is fewer than 45.2% of motherboards and equal to 54.9% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
?
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
2 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 2 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 45.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 32.6% of motherboards.
Show more

GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • More recent Wi-Fi standard
    This motherboard has a more recent Wi-Fi standard than the average motherboard (Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1200 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Realtek ALC1200 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 2 more RGB headers
    This motherboard has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    3 vs 1
  • Supports ECC memory
    This motherboard supports ECC memory, while the average motherboard does not. 20.9% of motherboards support ECC memory.
  • 16.4% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 68% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.5 vs 7.3
  • 16.4% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 68% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.5 vs 7.3
  • 14.1% higher list score
    List score
    8.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (4)
    List score: in 4 of 64 lists (6%)
    8.9 vs 7.8
  • 27.0% higher user score
    User score
    9.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ★ Better than 95% of models

    70%

    9.1

    Rating

    30%

    10

    Popularity

    9.4 vs 7.4
  • 10.8% better value for money
    GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 has better value for money than the average motherboard (8.52 vs 7.7).
    8.52 vs 7.7
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • Supports ECC memory
    This motherboard supports ECC memory, while the average motherboard does not. 20.9% of motherboards support ECC memory.
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • More recent Wi-Fi standard
    This motherboard has a more recent Wi-Fi standard than the average motherboard (Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1200 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Realtek ALC1200 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    This motherboard has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (120 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    120 dB vs 115 dB
  • 2 more RGB headers
    This motherboard has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    3 vs 1
  • Includes onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard has onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does not. 50% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (AMD B550 vs Intel B860).
    AMD B550 vs Intel B860
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • Fewer RAID options
    This motherboard offers fewer RAID levels than the average motherboard (0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10).
    0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10
  • 6.7% lower sentiment score
    7.0 vs 7.5
  • 6.7% lower sentiment score
    7.0 vs 7.5
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (AMD B550 vs Intel B860).
    AMD B550 vs Intel B860
  • Fewer RAID options
    This motherboard offers fewer RAID levels than the average motherboard (0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10).
    0/1/10 vs 0/1/5/10
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    0 vs 1

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
Graya Overload
≈ estimated
16/08/2022
First look · overview and unboxing
Verdict
GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 has good build quality and is a really good deal for a budget system, though not yet tested in a real build.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Overview video
Overview video
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2

  • Wi-Fi 6E comes built in, with the antenna in the box.
  • The 2.5 Gbps LAN port keeps large network transfers quick.
  • ECC memory support suits work where data errors matter.
  • Two M.2 sockets support NVMe RAID for storage.
  • Three 4-pin RGB headers handle case lighting.
  • BIOS flashback updates the firmware without a processor fitted.

What customers don't like about GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2

  • Memory tops out at 128 GB, which may be small for heavy editing.
  • RAM is capped at 4733 MT/s, so faster DDR4 kits run below their rating.
  • There is no USB-C port on the back panel.
  • Only two M.2 sockets leave little room for several SSDs.

Verdict

Wi-Fi 6E and ECC memory support set the GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 apart. It uses DDR4 memory in four slots, up to 128 GB, and the RAM tops out at 4733 MT/s. A 2.5 Gbps LAN port comes with Wi-Fi 6E, and the antenna is in the box. Two M.2 sockets support NVMe RAID, and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot takes a graphics card. Three 4-pin RGB headers handle the lights, and the audio runs at 120 dB SNR. BIOS flashback lets you update the firmware without a processor. The main trade-off is the 128 GB memory maximum, and there is no USB-C port on the back. It suits a buyer who is reusing DDR4 memory and wants Wi-Fi 6E, ECC and a tidy AMD build.

Compare GIGABYTE B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 with other products in the Motherboards category

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