ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard: features, specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi is an ATX motherboard for Intel processors that use the LGA 1700 socket. It supports DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, and adds four M.2 slots, 2.5Gb Ethernet and built-in WiFi 6. Here is what the main specifications mean and what to confirm before building around it.

Socket and processor support

The board uses the LGA 1700 socket. The listing's title names Intel 12th, 13th and 14th Gen processors, while the feature text mentions 12th and 13th Gen. Support for newer chips often depends on the BIOS version, so check the manufacturer's CPU support list and whether a BIOS update is needed before you start.

Power delivery

ASUS lists a 16+1 DrMOS power design, ProCool sockets, military-grade TUF components and Digi+ VRM. The power stages convert the supply to the voltage the processor needs. More stages and quality components are meant to give steadier power under heavy load and spread out heat. "Military-grade" is ASUS's name for its component selection, not a certification for the entire board.

Cooling

The board has a VRM heatsink, a fanless chipset heatsink and an M.2 heatsink, plus hybrid fan headers and the Fan Xpert 4 utility. Hybrid headers accept both three-pin and four-pin fans, and the utility lets you set fan curves in software.

Memory and storage

DDR5 memory is required; DDR4 modules do not fit. For storage, ASUS lists four M.2/NVMe slots, so you can install several fast SSDs without adapters. PCIe 5.0 support is listed for the platform; a PCIe 5.0 drive can in principle move data faster than PCIe 4.0, but the drive must support it, and a slower drive still works at its own speed.

Networking, audio and connectors

Wireless is WiFi 6 (Intel AX201, 802.11ax). Wired networking uses an Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet controller, with TUF LANGuard and TurboLAN technology for protection and traffic prioritisation. Audio uses the Realtek S1200A codec, along with AI Noise Canceling Mic technology to reduce background noise during voice chat.

The listing mentions a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C header, USB Gen 2x2 Type-C and a Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) header. A header is a connector on the board for a case port or an add-in card, so you need a case or card to match.

Easier building

ASUS lists SafeDIMM, a PCIe 5.0 Safeslot, Q-LED status lights, M.2 Q-Latch and a pre-mounted I/O shield. The Safeslot is a reinforced graphics-card slot, and Q-LED lights show where a build is stuck if it does not start.

Lighting

TUF Gaming styling comes with Aura Sync, which can match LED effects across compatible gear, including addressable RGB strips.

Who it suits

It suits builders who want a full-size ATX board for a 12th, 13th or 14th Gen Intel build, with DDR5, several SSDs and built-in WiFi.

What to check before you buy

• Processor and BIOS: confirm support for your exact CPU and any BIOS needs.
• Memory: buy DDR5 modules and check supported speeds.
• Case: an ATX board needs a compatible case; the package weighs about 2.9 lb (1.3 kg).
• Thunderbolt: the listing refers to a header, so check whether you need an add-in card.
• Cooler: confirm LGA 1700 compatibility.
• Power supply: check the CPU power connectors the board needs.

The short version

• An ATX LGA 1700 board for Intel 12th, 13th and 14th Gen processors, as the listing describes.
• 16+1 DrMOS power stages and DDR5 memory.
• Four M.2 slots, with PCIe 5.0 support.
• WiFi 6 and Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet.
• Front USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) headers.

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