Motherboards

ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) review: Affordable PCIe 4.0 performance

PROS

  • Cheap way to get PCIe 4.0
  • Supports Ryzen 5000 out of the box
  • Robust and high-value feature set
CONS

  • Port selection could be better

The Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) stands out as the most affordable X570 motherboard we have evaluated since the initial wave of motherboards released after the launch of AMD Ryzen 3000. Its attractive pricing, combined with a hint of premium features, makes this X570 model an inviting entry point into the PCIe 4.0 ecosystem.

The X570 chipset has been specifically designed for high-end, enthusiast-level motherboards. This means it caters primarily to gamers and content creators who have substantial financial resources. Its purpose is not to replace the existing X470 or B450 motherboards in the market, but rather to serve as a premium option for those who wish to fully invest in the capabilities of Zen 2 technology.

This situation places the TUF Gaming in a challenging position. The concept of an inexpensive X570 motherboard is inherently contradictory. However, as a result of the historical transition of critical components from the northbridge to the CPU, the influence of a motherboard on overall system performance has been significantly diminished. Given the minimal performance difference between the MSI MEG X570 Godlike and the Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus, the entry-level X570 may represent the most advantageous option available.

Although the TUF series is often regarded as the more economical choice in the current market, Asus has not overlooked the distinctive qualities that contributed to the unique appeal of this range. The industrial design is consistently maintained in the budget TUF series motherboards, featuring two large VRM heatsinks that encompass six blocks of VRPower SiC639 in a triplicate configuration, resulting in a total of 12 VCore phases.

The angular design of the chipset fan and the I/O elements exhibit a somewhat plastic-like quality. Additionally, I believe that the absence of the RGB lighting strip located on the bottom right side of the TUF Gaming would not have been significantly felt.

Regrettably, the exquisite full-body armor plating that once adorned boards like the Sabretooth or Mark S models is no longer available. In my time…

The TUF Gaming maintains PCIe 4.0 bandwidth across two x16 slots and two x1 slots. This configuration offers slightly less than what is typically anticipated from the X570 platform, likely as a result of cost-reduction strategies. Fortunately, two M.2 slots that can fully utilize the PCIe 4.0 bandwidth remain unaffected by these budgetary constraints.

The Phison PS5016 controller, currently the only SSD on the market that supports PCIe 4.0, is capable of operating at its maximum performance. This translates to sequential read speeds exceeding 4,100MB/s and sequential write speeds approaching 3,900MB/s, as measured by AS SSD.

The implementation of cost-saving measures on the rear I/O does not entirely compromise connectivity, as a reasonable number of USB ports remain available. Specifically, the rear I/O configuration includes a total of four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.

Wi-Fi connectivity has been preserved; however, the most recent Wi-Fi 6 feature has not been included. Implementing this would have necessitated an upgrade to the router. The TUF Gaming system is outfitted with Intel’s wireless-AC 9290 and supports Bluetooth 5.0. The management of wired LAN connections is solely handled by the Realtek L8200A.

This motherboard is rated for a maximum memory speed of 4,400MHz (overclocked). Nevertheless, AMD advises maintaining the memory frequency at approximately 3,600/3,733MHz to achieve optimal performance. Exceeding this range may cause the Infinity Fabric clock to become misaligned with the memory clock, resulting in increased latency.

It becomes evident that the primary consideration remains price, and the Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) successfully navigates the pitfalls that many of its X570 counterparts encounter. While numerous premium X570 motherboards are often overshadowed by comparable X470 or B450 models, the TUF Gaming stands out with a competitive price.

This remains significantly more expensive than the Asus TUF X470-Plus Gaming and is comparable to the premium Asus ROG Strix X470-F Gaming. However, it is important to note that the additional cost for PCIe 4.0 is justifiable. While this feature may not be essential for every user or necessary for a gaming setup with current technology, the Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus provides an opportunity for enthusiasts to indulge in over-specification, making the investment more palatable. As PC gamers, we often find ourselves succumbing to this tendency.