ASUS TUF Gaming Z790 Plus Wifi DDR5 Intel Motherboard

The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi DDR5 is an ATX-form-factor motherboard built around the Intel Z790 chipset, designed to pair with 12th and 13th Generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors via the LGA1700 socket. Its power delivery system features a 16+1 DrMOS power stage configuration, with each stage rated at 60 amperes. Two 8-pin ProCool EPS connectors supply the CPU, and a six-layer PCB aids thermal dissipation around the voltage regulators. The integrated Digi+ VRM provides digital power regulation, while TUF-certified military-grade chokes and 5K black metallic capacitors are rated for a 2.5x-longer lifespan and a 52% wider temperature tolerance compared to standard capacitors. Memory support covers four DIMM slots accommodating up to 128 GB of DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. Native speeds begin at DDR5-4800 with overclocked profiles reaching DDR5-7200 via Intel XMP, and ASUS OptiMem II technology is also included. A single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot serves the primary GPU, supplemented by one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot operating at x4 mode, one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots from the Z790 chipset. Storage is handled by four M.2 Key-M slots — the primary slot directly attached to the CPU supports PCIe 4.0 x4, while the three chipset-connected slots also support PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2_4 additionally supports SATA mode) — alongside four SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Networking is covered by onboard 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) supporting 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, Bluetooth 5.3, and an Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet port protected by TUF LANGuard. Audio is managed by a Realtek S1220A codec offering 7.1 surround sound, 120 dB SNR stereo playback, and 113 dB SNR line-in recording, with an optical S/PDIF output on the rear panel. The rear I/O panel provides eight USB ports: one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A. Front-panel headers add a further seven USB connections. Additional features include ESD Guards rated to ±10 kV air discharge and ±6 kV contact discharge, a stainless-steel back I/O panel, SafeSlot reinforced PCIe retention, SafeDIMM, Q-LED diagnostic indicators, AURA Sync RGB headers (one Aura RGB + three Addressable Gen 2), M.2 Q-Latch screwless retention, an onboard Thunderbolt (USB4) header, and a 3-year warranty. Verifiable Specifications: - Chipset: Intel Z790 - Socket: LGA1700 (Intel 12th & 13th Gen) - Form Factor: ATX, 12 in × 9.6 in (30.5 cm × 24.4 cm) - Memory: 4× DIMM, DDR5, max 128 GB, DDR5-4800 to DDR5-7200(OC), dual-channel, XMP - Power Stages: 16+1 DrMOS, 60A per stage - PCIe: 1× PCIe 5.0 x16; 1× PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4 mode); 1× PCIe 4.0 x4; 2× PCIe 3.0 x1 - Storage: 4× M.2 (PCIe 4.0 x4), 4× SATA 6 Gb/s - Networking: Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet; Wi-Fi 6E (2×2); Bluetooth 5.3 - Audio: Realtek S1220A, 7.1 HD, 120 dB SNR playback, 113 dB SNR recording - Rear USB: 1× USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C; 2× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A; 1× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C; 4× USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A - Display Output: 1× DisplayPort 1.4 (4K@60Hz); 1× HDMI 2.1 (4K@60Hz) - BIOS: 192 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI - Warranty: 3 years