The clash of the titans has begun in the world of motherboards. ASUS and MSI are two of the most well-known names in computer hardware, and both have some spectacularly good motherboards.
Many computer enthusiasts and gamers ask a common question: “Which is better – an ASUS or an MSI motherboard?”.
So, let’s take a look at the key differences between ASUS and MSI motherboards and see which one comes out on top.
ASUS Brief History
ASUS was founded in April 1989 by four engineers: Ted Hsu, T.H. Tung, M.T. Liao, and Wayne Hsieh. The company’s name comes from the last four letters of Pegasus – the winged horse in Greek mythology – as ASUS wanted its brand to represent the speed, accuracy, and power that this mythical creature possessed.
ASUS is based in Taiwan and has grown to become one of the world’s largest computer hardware companies. They started producing motherboards in the early 1990s and are now one of the world leaders in developing and producing motherboards and other PC components. But because we are talking about motherboards in this article, let’s not get too sidetracked.
ASUS motherboards are known for being strong, user-friendly, and high-performing. They offer a wide range of features and tend to be more expensive than MSI motherboards. They have great software support and a strong VRM design, which makes them a popular choice for gamers and other power users.
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MSI Brief History
MSI was founded in August 1986 by five engineers: Joseph Hsu, Henry Lu, Jeans Huang, Kenny Yu, and Frank Lin. The company’s name comes from Microstar International (hence MSI), and like ASUS, it is based in Taiwan.
MSI has grown to become one of the world’s largest computer hardware companies, they started out as a manufacturer of motherboards and add-on cards, but now they produce a wide range of computer hardware, including laptops, desktops, and graphics cards, and more.
MSI motherboards are known for their RGB lighting, good performance, and low price. They offer a wide range of features and tend to be more affordable than ASUS motherboards. They are pretty famous in the gaming community due to their association with professional gamers and gaming events.
Now that we have given you a brief history of each company, let’s see which brand has the better motherboards:
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So, which is better – an ASUS or AN MSI motherboard?
In my opinion, ASUS is a better choice for a motherboard. This doesn’t mean that MSI doesn’t make good motherboards because they do. But ASUS motherboards tend to be more durable, have better software support, and offer more features than MSI motherboards, but let me explain to you why I think this is the case.
The best way to decide which motherboard brand is right for you is to compare them side-by-side. And this is what we are going to do right now, so without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the key features that you should be looking at when comparing these two brands.
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ASUS vs MSI Motherboards Performance
The first thing that anyone should look for in a motherboard is performance. And there is only one way to measure this – overclocking stability.
When it comes to overclocking stability, ASUS motherboards are generally better than MSI. They have strong VRM designs that allow the processor to be overclocked without overheating or throttling, helping you achieve higher clock speeds for smoother gaming.
While MSI motherboards also have good overclocking stability, they don’t quite match up to ASUS motherboards. The main difference is that only the high-end MSI motherboards offer good overclocking stability. The medium and lower-end range MSI motherboards have overheating and throttling issues when trying to overclock the processor.
This is the reason that I have to give the edge to ASUS in terms of performance. Their motherboards are more stable and reliable when overclocking, which makes them a better choice for gamers, power users, and people who want to squeeze out maximum performance from their systems.
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ASUS vs MSI Motherboards Software
When you buy a motherboard, you are not only getting hardware components – you are also buying the software that goes along with it, known as the BIOS.
The BIOS is a critical piece of software that allows you to change system settings, overclock components, and more. Having a good BIOS is important because it can make the difference between a stable and unstable system.
ASUS motherboards are famous for having a good BIOS. They have an easy-to-use interface that is packed with features that is updated regularly. MSI motherboards also have a good BIOS, but it’s not as user-friendly as the ASUS. Also, MSI has a bad rap when it comes to updating their BIOS, which can lead to stability issues.
This is why ASUS motherboards have better software and support than MSI. They have a better BIOS that is easier to use and they are more timely with updates.
ASUS vs MSI Motherboards Features
When comparing motherboards, you should also look at each brand’s features, like PCIe slots, SATA ports, USB ports, and more.
Both ASUS and MSI, like all other major motherboard brands, offer almost the same features. For example, the top X570 motherboards of both brands offer support for PCIe 4.0, M.2 slots, WiFi 6, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, and more in their top-of-the-line models.
So when it comes to features, there is no clear winner – both ASUS and MSI offer similar features. So I think it is a tie in this category.
ASUS vs MSI Motherboard Warranty
Another really important thing to consider when buying a motherboard is the warranty. You should never buy a motherboard from any brand that doesn’t offer a good warranty because you’ll be forced to pay for repairs if something goes wrong.
ASUS offers an industry-leading 5-year warranty on their TUF motherboards and a 3-year warranty on their other motherboards. MSI also offers a 3-year warranty on their top products and 1 year or 2 years of warranty for cheaper models.
Overall, I think ASUS has the better warranty here. They have longer warranties for more expensive motherboards, which is definitely something to consider when comparing these two brands.
MSI vs ASUS Motherboard Design
I hate discussing design as I think it is a matter of personal preference. But I know that many people care about how their motherboard looks, so I’ll include my thoughts on this topic.
ASUS motherboards have a more classic look with their all-black designs and RGB lighting. MSI motherboards have a more modern look with their carbon fiber designs and crazy RGB lighting. I think both brands offer good-looking motherboards, but I have to give the edge to MSI here because their designs are more unique and eye-catching.
MSI vs ASUS motherboard Prices
The last thing I want to compare is the prices of these two brands. In general, ASUS motherboards are more expensive than MSI motherboards. This is something that every one that is in the market for a new motherboard knows.
In my opinion, there is a reason why ASUS motherboards are more expensive than MSI – they are better overall. But for the sake of this comparison, I have to give it to MSI because you can get more for your money.
The Verdict
Overall, I think ASUS motherboards are better than MSI motherboards. Out of the six major categories that I compared, ASUS not only has the edge in three of them, but they are also the most important ones – performance, BIOS support, and warranty.
I would recommend ASUS if you are looking for the best motherboard on the market today. But if budget is your main concern, MSI might be a better option. Either way, I think both brands are excellent choices in their own right. Before you decide which brand to buy, you should do some research on the individual models and see which one has the features that are most important to you.
Let’s take a look at some of the top ASUS and MSI motherboards on the market and see how they compare.
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ASUS vs MSI Top Z690 motherboards
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero
The ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero is one of the best Z690 motherboards on the market.
The hero comes with a massive power 20+1 90A delivery system, which can support even the most power-hungry processors. It also comes with DDR5 memory support for speeds up to 6400Mhz. It has 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and also supports multi-GPU configurations. Other notable features include 5x M.2 connectors, support for WiFi 6 via an add-in card, and much more.
MSI MEG Z690 GODLIKE
MSI MEG Z690 GODLIKE is MSI’s top motherboard in their Z690 series. It comes with a 20+2 power delivery system that can deliver an impressive 2100A of power, which is more than enough for most processors.
The MEG also supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM at speeds up to 6666MHz and 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and multi-GPU configurations.
Other notable features include a touch screen next to the CPU that you can use to watch CPU and memory frequencies and fan speeds and temperatures.
In my opinion, both of these motherboards are excellent options for anyone looking to build a high-performance PC. They have powerful processors and lots of memory support, which is what you need for gaming or other demanding tasks. I used this example to show you that when you read the specs of similar boards, it is clear that they offer pretty much the same features.
This is why it is really important to dig in and read reviews like our best motherboards for i9 12900K article, benchmarks, and the opinions of real users. That way, you can find out which board offers the best performance and quality for your needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, I think this comparison has a clear winner – ASUS motherboards. They have better performance, features, warranty, and software than MSI, which are the most important factors when choosing a motherboard.
But if you are looking for the best value for your money, MSI might be a better option. Either way, both brands are considered some of the best in the industry and offer quality products that will help you build an excellent gaming PC.
Which brand do you think offers the best motherboards – ASUS or MSI? Share your thoughts in the comments!
