The Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP is the objective winner, securing victory in eight of the thirteen comparable fields. Its most significant technical advantage is its USB Type-C connectivity, which offers a 400% improvement over the ASRock B550 Steel Legend. While the latter motherboard remains competitive in specific legacy expansion areas, the superior interface density and modern connectivity standards provided by the Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP establish it as the more capable hardware platform.

Users requiring extensive modern peripheral support should prioritize the Gigabyte X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP for its vastly superior USB Type-C integration. Conversely, the ASRock B550 Steel Legend is the appropriate choice for builders who specifically require a higher quantity of PCIe x1 slots, where it maintains a 100% advantage. Selecting between these two components depends entirely on whether your workflow demands high-speed external connectivity or the specific expansion layout provided by the ASRock B550 Steel Legend.