ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus DDR4 Intel Motherboard

The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus is a microATX motherboard built on the Intel B560 chipset and designed for Intel LGA 1200 processors, including 10th Gen and 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs. At 9.6 x 9.6 inches (24.4 x 24.4 cm), it delivers a compact yet feature-packed foundation for mid-range and enthusiast gaming builds. Power delivery centres on an 8+1 DrMOS power stage configuration, combining high-side and low-side MOSFETs into single packages for efficient, stable power to demanding 11th Gen processors. A 6-layer PCB, ProCool socket, and premium capacitors reinforce long-term reliability under sustained loads. Memory support spans DDR4 speeds from 2133 MHz up to 5000 MHz (OC) in dual-channel configuration, with Intel XMP compatibility and ASUS OptiMem II trace routing for improved signal integrity. Two M.2 Key-M slots handle NVMe and SATA storage: M.2_1 supports PCIe 4.0 x4 exclusively with 11th Gen CPUs, while M.2_2 (chipset-attached) supports PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes. Six SATA 6 Gb/s ports provide additional storage capacity. Connectivity is comprehensive: a rear I/O panel supplies 9 USB ports (2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 including one Type-C, 4x USB 2.0), one DisplayPort, one HDMI port, five audio jacks, and an optical S/PDIF output. Wired networking uses an Intel I225-V controller delivering 2.5 Gb Ethernet, complemented by ASUS TUF LANGuard surge protection. A Thunderbolt 4 header is present for add-in card expansion. Audio is handled by a dedicated codec with audio shielding, separate PCB layers, premium Japanese capacitors, and support for 24-bit/192 kHz playback. ASUS Armoury Crate software provides Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation for cleaner in-game voice communication. The board carries ASUS Aura Sync RGB via two standard RGB headers and two Addressable Gen 2 headers. Safety features include SafeSlot Core+ (reinforced PCIe x16 slot), ESD guards, overvoltage protection, and enhanced DRAM overcurrent protection. Q-Design touches — M.2 Q-Latch, Q-DIMM, Q-LED debug indicators, and Q-Slot — simplify assembly for first-time builders. Verified Specifications: - Socket: LGA 1200 | Chipset: Intel B560 - Form Factor: microATX, 9.6 x 9.6 in (24.4 x 24.4 cm) - Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM, dual-channel, up to DDR4-5000 (OC), Non-ECC unbuffered, XMP supported - Expansion: 1x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (CPU), 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode, chipset), 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 - Storage: 2x M.2 Key-M (2242/2260/2280), 6x SATA 6 Gb/s - Ethernet: Intel I225-V 2.5 Gb - Rear USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (2x Type-A + 1x Type-C), 4x USB 2.0 - Display: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI (2.0 with 11th Gen; 1.4 with 10th Gen) - Audio: 5x 3.5 mm jacks, 1x optical S/PDIF out, 24-bit/192 kHz - BIOS: 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI - Warranty: 3 Years