The Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP is the objective winner, securing victory in eight of the thirteen comparable fields. Its most impactful advantage is the USB Type-C connectivity, which offers a 400% improvement over the ASRock B550 Steel Legend. While the latter motherboard holds its own in specific categories, the former dominates the majority of the technical specifications provided, establishing itself as the superior option for users prioritizing modern connectivity standards and overall feature density.

Users should choose the Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP if they require the highest available USB Type-C capacity for their peripheral ecosystem. Conversely, the ASRock B550 Steel Legend remains the logical selection for those who specifically prioritize a higher count of PCIe x1 slots, where it maintains a 100% advantage. Selecting between these two boards depends entirely on whether your build demands expanded legacy expansion card support or the latest high-speed external interface capabilities.