Category: DIY Upgraders
Key Features
- AMD AM5 Socket
- X870 Chipset
- 16+2+1, 80A SPS Power Stages
- DDR5 Memory Support
- PCIe 5.0 Ready
- Four M.2 Slots
- Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gb LAN
- HDMI, USB4® 40Gbps, SATA 6 Gbps
- ASUS AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II
Overview and First Impressions
The ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi motherboard immediately impressed me with its robust build quality and feature-rich design. Stepping into the world of AM5 motherboards, this one felt like a natural progression for those seeking powerful performance and future-proof capabilities. Right out of the box, I was drawn to its clean layout, clear markings, and the intuitive placement of key components. While it might not be the most visually striking motherboard on the market, its understated aesthetic appeals to users who prioritize functionality over flashy RGB lighting.
The board felt solid in my hands, with a good weight to it that suggested quality materials and construction. The black PCB with contrasting heatsinks provided a clean look that would easily blend into any build aesthetic. One of the first things I noticed was the abundance of fan headers, which is a welcome sight for anyone building a system with multiple cooling components. This motherboard clearly caters to users who prioritize performance and want to ensure their components stay cool under heavy load.
Design and Build Quality
The X870-PLUS WiFi boasts a well-designed layout that prioritizes both functionality and aesthetics. The CPU socket is prominently positioned, surrounded by ample spacing for installing large coolers. The memory slots are conveniently located near the CPU socket, making it easy to access them during installation. The abundance of M.2 slots (four!) provides excellent flexibility for users looking to utilize NVMe SSDs for blazing-fast storage speeds.
I was particularly impressed with the build quality of the board. The 8-layer PCB helps minimize signal interference, ensuring stable performance even under heavy workloads. The robust power delivery system, featuring 16+2+1, 80A SPS power stages, is a testament to ASUS' commitment to providing reliable power to the CPU and other components.
Setup and Ease of Use
Setting up the motherboard was a breeze thanks to ASUS' well-documented UEFI BIOS. The BIOS interface is intuitive and user-friendly, even for beginners. I easily navigated through the menus, configuring settings like boot order, fan curves, and XMP profiles.
ASUS also provides excellent software utilities like AI Suite 3, which offers comprehensive system monitoring, overclocking tools, and network optimization features.
Compatibility
The TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi is fully compatible with the latest AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 Series desktop processors, offering users a wide range of high-performance CPU options. The motherboard supports DDR5 memory, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved system responsiveness.
It's also PCIe 5.0 ready, ensuring compatibility with the latest graphics cards and other peripherals that leverage this high-speed interface.
Performance
With its robust power delivery system and efficient cooling solution, the X870-PLUS WiFi delivers exceptional performance. I was able to achieve impressive overclocking results on my Ryzen 9 7950X processor, pushing it beyond its factory specifications. The motherboard handled even the most demanding tasks with ease, from gaming to content creation.
The four M.2 slots allowed me to configure a high-speed storage setup using both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 SSDs, resulting in incredibly fast boot times and application loading speeds.
Features and Connectivity
This motherboard is packed with features that cater to the needs of modern gamers and PC enthusiasts. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and a 2.5Gb LAN port provides users with blazing-fast network connectivity options.
The board also boasts multiple USB ports, including USB4® for high-bandwidth data transfer, as well as HDMI output for connecting to external displays.
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