ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-PLUS WiFi motherboard: features and specs

The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-PLUS WiFi is a Micro ATX motherboard for Intel's LGA 1200 socket. It is the board that every other part of a PC connects to, and this one is built around stable power delivery, cooling and modern connectivity. Here is what its features mean for a build.

Socket and processor support

The LGA 1200 socket is made for Intel Core processors of the 10th and 11th generations. ASUS lists it as ready for 11th Gen chips, and the title says 11th and 10th Gen. Because the board uses the B560 chipset, a BIOS update may be needed for some processor generations, so check ASUS's compatibility list for your exact CPU. These processors will not fit newer sockets, and newer processors will not fit this one.

Power delivery

The board has 8+1 power stages, a 6-layer PCB, a ProCool socket and durable capacitors. The power stages convert the supply voltage to what the processor needs, and more stages typically spread the load and heat. ASUS says the design provides stable power, and describes it as built for 24/7 operation. A six-layer circuit board generally helps with signal quality and heat spreading.

Cooling

There are heatsinks over the voltage regulators (VRM), the chipset (PCH) and the M.2 storage slot. Hybrid fan headers accept either a three-pin or four-pin fan or pump, and Fan Xpert 2+ is ASUS's software for tuning fan behaviour. Together they help keep temperatures in check during long gaming or work sessions.

Storage, memory and expansion

The board has two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, and PCIe 4.0 support. PCIe 4.0 doubles the per-lane bandwidth of PCIe 3.0 for compatible devices. In general with this generation of Intel, PCIe 4.0 needs an 11th Gen processor, and a 10th Gen chip runs the same slots at PCIe 3.0 speeds. The Micro ATX size (10.8 x 10.8 inches) is smaller than full ATX and suits compact cases.

Networking and ports

ASUS lists Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet and Intel Wi-Fi 6. A 2.5Gb port is faster than standard gigabit if your router or switch supports it. For USB, there are rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and a front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C header. The board also supports Thunderbolt 4, which usually depends on adding a compatible add-in card, so check the manual.

Audio and calls

Two-way AI Noise-Cancelation reduces background noise from both the microphone and the audio output. ASUS says it helps with clear communication in games and video conferences.

Who it suits

The board suits people building a compact gaming or home PC around an Intel 10th or 11th Gen processor, and those upgrading within that platform. Anyone planning a current-generation Intel or AMD build will need a different board.

What to check before you buy

• Processor: confirm your CPU is supported, and whether a BIOS update is needed.
• Case: check that your case takes Micro ATX.
• Memory: look up the memory type, speeds and number of slots in the manual.
• Storage: note how many M.2 and SATA drives you plan to connect.
• Thunderbolt: check what extra hardware is needed for Thunderbolt 4.
• Offers: the listing mentions a software subscription offer with a fixed end date; it has expired.

The short version

• A Micro ATX LGA 1200 motherboard for 10th and 11th Gen Intel Core processors.
• 8+1 power stages, 6-layer PCB, VRM, chipset and M.2 heatsinks.
• PCIe 4.0, two M.2 slots, 2.5Gb Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2, front Type-C header and Thunderbolt 4 support.
• Two-way AI Noise-Cancelation.

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