The Gigabyte Z890 AORUS MASTER is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more individual specification victories than its competitor. While both boards share identical ratings across the majority of measured categories, the Gigabyte Z890 AORUS MASTER holds a significant lead in connectivity options. Its most impactful advantage is the inclusion of PCIe x1 slots, where it offers a 100% improvement over the ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi.

Users who require maximum expansion capabilities for specialized add-in cards should prioritize the Gigabyte Z890 AORUS MASTER for its superior PCIe slot configuration. Conversely, the ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi is the more logical choice for budget-conscious builders. By selecting this model, consumers benefit from a 46% advantage in MSRP, making it the preferred option for those who do not require the additional expansion slots provided by the alternative.