The ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 EXTREME is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in eight out of thirteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is a 300% superiority in USB Type-C connectivity compared to the ASRock B550 Steel Legend. While the latter holds its own in specific expansion categories, the former dominates the majority of the measured technical fields, establishing itself as the more robust and feature-rich option for modern system builds.

Users prioritizing high-speed peripheral connectivity and advanced interface options should select the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 EXTREME for their workstation or enthusiast setup. Conversely, the ASRock B550 Steel Legend is the appropriate choice for builders who specifically require a 100% advantage in PCIe x1 slot availability for specialized expansion cards. Choosing between these two motherboards depends entirely on whether your build demands superior USB Type-C integration or a higher density of PCIe x1 connectivity.