ASUS Z590-Plus TUF Gaming Review

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It’s easy to get used to seeing ASUS products in either the Strix or ROG boxes, as those are comfortably the ones we see the most. The TUF Gaming is a bit of a throwback to the old dasy with big, bold identifying text and clear product imagery accompanied by ALL the technology logos.

  

There is a nice simplicity to the Z590-Plus TUF Gaming design, although we know that those of you who prefer full covering or flash and flair might not take to it, if you prefer your motherboards more utilitiarian then it checks that box in a big way. We really like the accuracy of the diagonal slashes through the heatsink. Attention to detail and all that.

  

There is very little space between the north and west power heat sink, although they aren’t tied together with a heatpipe as we’ve seen on some of the other Z590 motherboards we’re reviewing today. CPU power input is still in full effect though with a 4+8pin 12V arrangement.

  

At the top we find an addressable RGB LED strip alongside a more regular one, forming the basis of the ASUS AURA Sync lighting system. Cast your eyes a little further left and you’ll spot the two CPU fan headers just above the power phase heatsink.

  

Moving downwards we find both the Type-A and Type-C front panel USB headers. We speak all the time about how useful front panel USB are, particularly for those of us who move data around a lot or just like to plug in a gaming peripheral too big to sit on our desk all the time.

  

Coming with vertically mounted SATA ports is a bit of a surprise. We understand that cost is often the reason behind such things but we’re sure the few pence difference isn’t worth the cabling hassle vertical ports have over horizontal ones. C’mon ASUS. Next to those are another couple of fan headers for your front intake fans.

  

Lastly at the bottom left we have a couple of USB 2.0 front panel connectors, these days largely used for RGB AIOs and the like. Next to that another RGB LED strip header just below the M.2 heat spreader.

  

We’ve always said that you can use the IO section of a motherboard as a good rule of thumb about the price tag and where it’s positioned in the market. That’s certainly the case for the TUF, having a fair amount of USB ports fewer than many we’re reviewing today, whilst also having a PS/2 port should you happen to have a keyboard or mouse from 1995 that you still want to use. Like the rest of the Z590-Plus TUF Gaming though you’re still getting all the important elements; USB 3.2 Gen2, 20G Type-C, 2.5G LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort outputs, it’s all here.