The Asus TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi ($229.99) is an inexpensive Intel Z790 motherboard that guarantees game-ready options and confirmed sturdiness. Asus boasts that it is engineered with military-grade elements and a complete cooling system supposed for extended-use eventualities. Its prolonged characteristic record consists of 4 M.2 sockets, succesful energy supply, a premium (last-gen) audio resolution, quick networking together with Wi-Fi 6E, and a number of other USB ports together with a 20Gbps USB-C port on the rear I/O panel. It falls wanting an Editors’ Alternative advice, however it’s a tempting price range alternative with Intel’s present high chipset aboard.
The Design: Industrial Worth Stylish
The TUF Gaming Z790-Plus has a fundamental aesthetic (as you’d count on on this value vary), however one that matches with most construct themes. It options an embossed nameplate together with geometric design components Asus says replicate the dependability and stability that outline the TUF collection. Shrouds and heatsinks cowl solely what’s crucial on the six-layer PCB. The VRM heatsinks are large and sport deep miter cuts to extend floor space and effectiveness. When you’re in search of RGB bling, the board has two areas that shine by means of the PCB on the suitable edge.
Since 1982, PCMag has examined and rated 1000’s of merchandise that can assist you make higher shopping for selections. See how we check.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)
The motherboard helps Intel’s twelfth and thirteenth Technology LGA1700 processors together with the flagship Core i9-13900K and the Core i9-13900KS. The 16 60-amp MOSFETs and TUF chokes devoted to the processor dealt with our CPU with out a hitch throughout testing. The heatsinks stored the facility bits beneath operating effectively inside spec, even with overclocking, although they do are likely to get heat.
Reminiscence assist goes as much as DDR5-7200+ (OC), which is true round common for the platform. A lot previous the candy spot (roughly DDR5-6000 to DDR-6400), you are spending additional cash for fewer efficiency beneficial properties, anyway. When you want loads of RAM, the board accommodates as much as 192GB, which is sufficient for even probably the most hardcore customers.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)
Our DDR5-5600 and DDR5-6000 kits had been completely secure after setting the inner XMP profile, so all is effectively round these speeds. The TUF Gaming board even ran our quickest package at DDR5-7200. If that does not fulfill you, one can find loads of sub-timings to tweak inside the BIOS to squeeze much more out of your system.
Structure and Inside Connectors
Beginning within the high left nook, we spy the 2 8-pin EPS energy connectors (one required) to gas the CPU. Flanking these are the 2 giant VRM heatsinks. The rear I/O cowl sports activities embossed branding displaying off the TUF gaming image.
Simply above the highest VRM heatsink are the primary two of seven fan headers. Every header helps PWM and DC-controlled gadgets and may output as much as 1A/12W. This ought to be loads for many followers, although for those who plan to make use of a customized water-cooling loop make sure your pump (or another part) does not eclipse that quantity or you can injury the board. Management over these gadgets is dealt with by means of the BIOS or Asus’ Armoury Crate software program.
Above the DRAM slots is a Q-LED characteristic that helps troubleshoot POST points. The 4 LEDs (Boot, DRAM, CPU, and VGA) gentle up throughout the POST course of. If there’s an issue in one in every of these areas, the LED stays lit that can assist you monitor down the difficulty spot.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)
Shifting down the suitable edge, we run into the primary RGB characteristic, illuminating the translucent PCB on this space. Under that we discover the primary RGB headers, on this case, 4-pin RGB and 3-pin ARGB headers. Two extra 3-pin ARGB headers are situated alongside the underside edge. Subsequent is the 24-pin ATX connector to energy the board, a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Kind-C port, and at last a 19-pin front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Kind-A header.
Audio, Growth, Storage, and Rear I/O
On the backside left of the board is an audio part comprised of three devoted audio caps and, hidden under a Faraday cage (one of many electrostatic discharge safety options incomes the TUF label), a Realtek ALC1220A codec. This is likely one of the greatest from the earlier era, and most customers will discover its 7.1 channel configuration appropriate for his or her wants.
In the course of the board are 5 PCI Categorical slots, with 4 M.2 sockets sprinkled in and round. Beginning with PCIe, the strengthened high slot is your major graphics-card slot and helps PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds. The underside full-length slot connects by means of the chipset and runs as much as PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. Additionally linked through the chipset are a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot and two smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, providing you with loads of locations to place enlargement playing cards. Additionally value a point out right here is Asus’ use of a PCIe Slot Q-Launch to simply unlock the graphics card within the major slot.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)
Three of the 4 M.2 sockets are coated by heatsinks. The highest socket, utilizing the biggest heatsink, is a CPU-attached PCIe 5.0 x4 (128Gbps) socket that matches as much as 110mm modules. The underside three sockets join by means of the chipset and run as much as PCIe 4.0 x4 (64Gbps). All of the M.2 sockets use an M.2 Q-Latch to safe modules with out utilizing screws, which is extremely handy as these screws are tiny! The 4 sockets ought to be loads for the mainstream customers and avid gamers the motherboard targets.
Alongside the underside fringe of the board are a number of headers, together with further USB 2.0 ports and fan headers, front-panel audio, COM port, ARGB headers, a Thunderbolt AIC header, a Clear CMOS jumper, two SATA ports, and at last the front-panel cables’ header.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)
The rear I/O consists of a pre-installed panel with white labels on a black background. It is constructed from corrosion-resistant stainless-steel bonded with chromium oxide that Asus says will final thrice longer than conventional panels. (It survived 72 moderately than 24 hours of salt-fog testing, not that you just plan to maintain your PC in a salt fog…we hope.)
Beginning on the left, we run into the HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs to be used with some CPUs’ built-in graphics. Subsequent are a number of USB ports together with two Kind-C (one 10Gbps, the opposite 20Gbps). There are six extra USB-A ports, together with two 10Gbps and two 5Gbps ports, which could be barely limiting for some customers. Lastly, we see the Wi-Fi 6E antenna connections, the two.5GbE networking port, and the audio stack consisting of 5 analog ports plus S/PDIF.
A Transient Have a look at the BIOS and Utilities
The TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi sports activities the identical background we have seen for a few generations of Asus TUF BIOSes, an easy-to-read black and grey with white and yellow textual content. You begin in EZ Mode, which affords high-level system data together with CPU temperature and core voltage, DRAM standing, fan profiles and entry to the Q-Fan performance, and even an EZ System Tuning button to tweak your system with one click on. Nonetheless, because the Z790 chipset helps overclocking, you will get extra out of your system for those who overclock manually.
(Credit score: Asus)
The superior BIOS affords a normal configuration with main headings throughout the highest, together with My Favorites (customizable), Major, AI Tweaker, Superior, Monitor, Boot, and Instruments. All of the detailed performance is on this way more complete mode.
(Credit score: Asus)
The AI Tweaker part comprises all of the choices to tweak and overclock your system. Right here you’ll be able to alter voltages, RAM speeds and timings, and overclocking choices for the processor. Whereas the facility supply is not the strongest we have seen, chances are high your CPU temperatures and cooling might be limiting components earlier than this motherboard is.
(Credit score: Asus)
Contained in the Superior part are a number of sub-headings the place you’ll be able to tweak the CPU, chipset, USB, audio, and networking performance.
(Credit score: Asus)
The monitoring part shows detailed details about temperatures, fan speeds, voltages, and the Q-Fan configuration to regulate your fan profiles. There are each canned profiles and the flexibility to create and save customized fan curves, which is all we are able to ask from a BIOS.
The Asus BIOS is logically laid out and simple to navigate, and the Z790 model has a full array of tweaks, together with these to overclock RAM and the processor. The corporate’s BIOS is usually my favourite as every part is straightforward to learn, and choices are simple to seek out. Our model (1220) was rock-stable throughout our time with the board.
As for software program, Asus’ Armoury Crate homes a slew of performance together with system tweaking and monitoring, and management of RGB lighting and followers. This system matches the ROG theme and is straightforward to work with. The primary screenshot under reveals the touchdown web page, the {hardware} it could actually management on our check system, and features akin to fan and RGB management under.
(Credit score: Asus)
The Fan Knowledgeable 4 module controls all of the followers and water pumps linked to the 4-pin headers. You may alter by means of 4 canned settings, or tweak every header together with your customized curve or curves.
(Credit score: Asus)
The Aura Sync part controls all of the RGB lighting and consists of numerous preset modes (static, respiration, coloration cycle, rainbow, comet, glowing yo-yo, starry night time, flash and sprint, and strobe) which you can even tweak individually.
(Credit score: Asus)
Asus’ software program affords an entire Home windows-based suite of options to regulate absolutely anything you’ll be able to through the BIOS. If you wish to overlock, you will wish to use the AI Suite 3 software program, because it provides you probably the most management over the processor.
Verdict: An All-Day, On a regular basis Gamer
The Asus TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi motherboard’s declare to fame is its robustness, with guards and protections akin to ESD that different boards could not have. Its military-grade elements, together with an upgraded energy resolution with TUF chokes and a complete cooling system (although neither of those actually stands out amongst its friends) promise to deal with marathon gaming classes with rock-solid efficiency. We are able to testify that the efficiency is true up there with its rivals’, and the board held up simply fantastic throughout our time with it, as anticipated.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)
So far as these rivals are involved, ASRock’s Z790 PG Riptide matches the Asus’ $229.99 value, whereas the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX DDR5 and the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR5 record $10 and $30 larger respectively. None of them stands out as a must-buy over the others, as every affords one thing its rivals do not. We just like the ASRock’s value level and storage assist, whereas the Gigabyte’s and MSI’s appears to be like and well-balanced specs are additionally attractive. However finally, we like what the TUF Gaming has to supply, even when it is not armor-clad throughout as TUF boards had been a number of generations in the past. It is a worthwhile choose within the price range Z790 enviornment.
Asus TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi
Execs
View Extra
The Backside Line
Asus’ TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi is a well-rounded price range Intel Z790 motherboard, with engaging specs and ESD safety. It isn’t as dazzling as some TUF boards of yesteryear, however nonetheless deal.
Like What You are Studying?
Join Lab Report to get the most recent opinions and high product recommendation delivered proper to your inbox.
This article could comprise promoting, offers, or affiliate hyperlinks. Subscribing to a publication signifies your consent to our Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage. It’s possible you’ll unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
