ASUS is one of the go-to names for efficient and quality-made motherboards. Today, we will look into one of its offerings in this ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review.
The TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 is well-equipped with essential elements that make it a motherboard worth considering. Since it is part of the Z-series chipset, it has all the top-notch features and connectivity it needs to perform efficiently.
In our ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review, we will discuss the essential details related to the product. These include its specs, design, features, functions, and our experience with it.
Before we proceed further, let’s begin by unpacking the motherboard and examining the assortment of accessories and items that ASUS has included in the package.
ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Packaging
The TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 ships in a typical-looking ASUS box featuring plenty of details about the motherboard. The front displays an image of the product, its name, the company branding, and some features.
At the back, you will find more information about the motherboard. These are helpful if you need to make quick peeks for product details.
Inside the box, the TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 ships with other accessories you need to start using it. These are the following inclusions:
- Two SATA 6Gb/s cables
- ASUS WiFi moving antenna
- TUF GAMING sticker
- Screw package for M.2 SSD
- Two M.2 Rubber Packages
- TUF Certification Card and User Guide
ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review – Design and Functionality
In this ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review, the TUF gaming hardware does not disappoint. It is always a winner in looks and aesthetics; hence, this motherboard is no different from its siblings.
It sports a dark black on a darker black design with hints of grey along the surface. The hardware usually has hints of yellow. But for this motherboard, there are only touches of it on the chipset cover.
It is a classy and premium-looking motherboard without any flashy or head-turning aesthetics. Hence, it would blend nicely with most PC builds.
The product has a sturdy feel, which is reassuring when installing the TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 to the case. We did not worry about accidentally breaking/bending anything during installation. Plus, it fits perfectly into our PC case, with all its mounting holes lining up perfectly.
The Intel LGA1700 socket is compatible with the most recent 13th-generation Intel processors. Owing to its sophisticated VRM configuration, it can seamlessly drive the latest top-tier CPUs to their limits.
The socket incorporates TUF Components, including the certified military-grade TUF chokes and TUF 5K black metallic capacitors. These claim to deliver 52% broader temperature tolerance and longevity of 2.5 times that of regular motherboard capacitors.
While this might appear as a promotional exaggeration, the series garnered a solid reputation for its commitment to these elements.
The CPU gets its power from an arrangement within the 8-pin header. In addition, an extra 4-pin connector is present to augment both voltage output and stability.
Compared to its Z690 predecessor, the motherboard showcases an elevated number of power phases. This enhancement facilitates the pursuit of higher overclocking speeds.
The motherboard has 16+1 power stages, complemented by ample cooling provisions in the shape of an expanded heatsink. The latter dissipates heat away from the VRMs, ensuring sustained and reliable power delivery.
This motherboard is compatible with DDR4 memory modules. It is an appealing choice if you do not want to allocate additional resources towards new memory platforms. However, you are keen on harnessing the potential of the latest CPUs.
Overclocking with this motherboard lets you elevate your memory frequencies to an impressive 5333MHz. If you can retain stability while operating at these accelerated clock speeds, expect enhanced performance in various applications.
The principal expansion slot features PCIe 5.0 to unleash the capabilities of current and upcoming GPUs and storage devices. It has an armoured design to protect against potential strains of oversized graphics cards. This layout helps prevent the risk of damaging the motherboard socket.
The remaining expansion slots are exclusively PCIe 4.0, including an x16 slot located at the base. Moreover, there is also an x4 slot at the centre and a pair of x1s.
This array of slots offers possibilities catering to diverse needs such as storage, GPUs, sound cards, and beyond.
Removing all the heatsinks provides a better view of the four M.2 mounts and the primary motherboard chipset. Notably, the latter boasts a substantial heatsink, underscoring its significance in maintaining optimal performance.
The back I/O section boasts robust functionalities, incorporating dual display outputs for increased versatility. The I/O panel has four USB 3 and four USB 3.2 Gen2 ports. This latter set comprises two Type-A ports, a Type-C port operating at 10Gbps and an advanced Type-C port for 20Gbps.
Moreover, the motherboard has 2.5Gbps LAN capabilities and the latest WiFi 6 technology. These help ensure that connectivity speeds remain rapid across its operations.
Key Features of the ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard
What makes the TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 an excellent motherboard for a modern, budget-friendly build? It is a well-equipped Z-series motherboard with all the necessary features and connectivity options. We will discuss each primary element in detail to help you learn more about this product.
AI Cooling II
AI Cooling II balances the temperatures and acoustics with a single click. This proprietary algorithm from ASUS eliminates unnecessary noise while running a quick stress test. Next, it monitors CPU temperatures to adjust fans and achieve optimal fan speeds.
Well-Rounded Energy Efficiency
The power-saving function of this motherboard has several settings for convenient consumption optimisation, allowing you to maximise energy savings. The options include limiting CPU power, darkening Aura lighting, and setting fan profiles to a power-saving mode. Also, you can toggle the Power Saver plan integrated into Microsoft Windows.
Armoury Crate
Armoury Crate is a centralised ASUS-exclusive software that controls all supported products. It has an intuitive interface for customising RGB lighting. Plus, you can unify your lighting effects by linking your devices to Aura Sync.
This software displays information from a growing hardware ecosystem, allowing you to control it. In addition, you can register your products and view the news section to stay updated with the gaming community.
Top-Notch, Solid Performance of the ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard
This motherboard has an enhanced power design with comprehensive cooling options to fuel the latest Intel CPUs. It also supports PCIe 4.0 storage and DDR4 memory, providing your PC with the perfect foundation.
Thanks to these features, we enjoyed the performance of this motherboard during our tests. We will discuss how it worked later in our ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review.
60A DrMOS Power Stages
Each of the 16+1 power stages can handle 60 amperes, combining low and high-side MOSFETs and drivers. All these are in a single package for the TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 to deliver adequate power. As a result, the motherboard can offer maximum efficiency and stable performance for all compatible processors.
Six-Layer PCB Design
The six-layer printed circuit board effectively dissipates heat around the voltage regulators. It enhances system stability to allow more overclocking headroom for the CPU.
8+4-Pin AUS ProCool Power Inputs
Unlike most power connectors, ASUS ProCool inputs have tight specifications to guarantee contact with PSU power cables. With lower impedance, the motherboard prevents connector failure and hotspots.
Digi+ VRM
The TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 has integrated Digi+ VRMs. It is one of the best in the industry, making it optimal for ultra-clean and smooth CPU power delivery.
We played various CPU-demanding video games during our product tests for this ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review. Its power consumption was low, thanks to its high-quality VRMs efficiently delivering adequate clean power to the processor.
TUF Chokes and Capacitors of the ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard
This motherboard uses premium TUF components for its power design. These include the military-grade TUF chokes and 5K black metallic TUF capacitors.
TUF chokes provide rock-solid power that maintains system stability, while the TUF capacitors provide broader temperature tolerance. The latter offers a 2.5 times longer lifespan than conventional motherboard capacitors.
ESD Guards
ESD Guards lengthen the life of components while preventing damage caused by electrostatic discharge. These offer protection for +/- 6 kV contact discharge and +/- 10 kV air discharge, exceeding industry standards. Surface-mounted TVS diodes in a dual in-line package safeguard your computer from voltage spikes.
TUF LANGuard
TUF LANGuard integrates superior surface-mounted capacitors and modern signal-coupling technology to enhance throughput. It also protects the motherboard from static electricity and lightning strikes.
ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard with a Stainless Steel Back I/O Panel
Motherboards from TUF Gaming are excellent for integrating corrosion-resistant and stainless steel back I/O panels. These are bound with chromium oxide to increase lifespan, making the product three times more durable than classic panels.
Thanks to this feature, TUF boards can seamlessly pass a 72-hour salt fog test compared to other brands. Usually, these only last the 24-hour tests.
Intense and Immersive Gaming
The TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 packs all the gaming elements you need for an enjoyable and immersive experience. It has ultra-fast networking to provide seamless online gaming and pristine audio + FPS gaming positional cues.
The motherboard also integrates RGB lighting that syncs with the connected gear to customise and personalise gaming aesthetics.
Specifications
- Chipset: Intel Z790 Chipset
- Processor: LGA1700 for 13th Gen Intel Core Processors
- Operating System: Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit)
- Form Factor: ATX (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
- Memory: Four DIMM Slots with Maximum 128GB Capacity, Support for DDR4 Dual Channel Memory Architecture
- Wireless & Bluetooth:
– WiFi 6 (Supports 2.4 and 5GHz Frequency Bands)
– Bluetooth 5.2 - Audio: Realtek S1220A 7.1 Surround Sound
- USB Ports: 8x Rear Ports + 7x Front Ports
Hands-on with the ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard
ASUS provides a dual-option BIOS that caters to varying user preferences. The first variant (EZ) offers a streamlined and user-friendly experience. The second, a more intricate iteration, targets more confident people who tweak such settings.
Configuring the motherboard for its first boot presented no challenges when utilising EZ BIOS. Additionally, within the mode, you can access features for automatic performance optimisation, simplifying the entire procedure further.
The EZ mode settings provide swift and minor adjustments to your system configuration. You can do this without navigating through the advanced mode.
You can access BIOS by pressing the F7 key. Within this section, substantial changes to your system configuration are possible. In this area, you can overclock and make adjustments in boot priorities.
The AI tweaker tab caters specifically to enthusiasts with a penchant for overclocking. Here, you can fine-tune the performance of your CPU and activate XMP for your RAM modules.
The advanced tab reveals detailed settings that let you manage system enhancements. It is also where you can improve security measures. These settings include aspects like network stack configuration and NVMe settings.
If you want optimal thermal management, check the fan curve settings. Modifying the fan curve lets you acquire superior thermal control when the CPU is under heavy workloads.
If this is the first time you will install Windows on your PC, navigate to the boot tab. This place is where you can ensure that the drives are booting in the proper order.
The product delivered superior performance in our tests for this ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review.
When playing games with high graphics, we did not experience any issues since our PC performed smoothly. We did not notice lags and delays, even when using max graphic settings.
This motherboard is ideal for users who use their PC for demanding applications like gaming, rendering, and editing. It delivers stable performance and is highly reliable.
ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review Summary
The TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 is an impressive-looking motherboard with superior specifications, making it perfect for gamers and enthusiasts. It is a well-designed product that also delivers practical functions, fast connectivity, high-quality audio, and convenience in PC building.
Aside from that, it has an excellent power design, allowing it to deliver sufficient smooth power for processor-demanding applications. Its BIOS and the Armoury Crate software have intuitive interfaces, making them user-friendly for all users.
We were satisfied with the product performance in our tests for this ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard Review. It worked perfectly with low power consumption and temperatures. Most importantly, our gaming experiences were seamless.
We highly recommend this motherboard since it can handle the latest processors and offers excellent value for money. Visit the official ASUS product page for additional details about the TUF GAMING Z790-Plus WiFi D4 Motherboard.