Test – Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi : Review| Specs | Hashrate | Pros & Cons | Set-up

Introduction

Hi all !

On the occasion of the release of the Intel Rocket Lake CPUs (see our test of the Core i5-11600K and i9-11900K), we tested a first motherboard equipped with the Z590 chipset, the Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming. We’re back to work today with a card still from Asus but which is more entry-level to the mid-range, the TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wifi. Offered at around 280 €, it should have everything you need for the vast majority of uses. Let’s see this right away!

Technical characteristics

The Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi is a standard ATX format card measuring 30.5 by 24.4 cm and will therefore easily fit into all ATX cases on the market. Socket LGA 1200 requires, it supports both the latest Intel Rocket Lake CPU (Core 11th gen) but also the Comet Lake (Core 10th gen). On the memory side, Asus announces compatibility of up to 5133 MHz modules, 200 MHz less than the ROG Strix Z590 previously tested but while being more than enough for the average user who does not seek to break records. overclocking. But as we always say, it is imperative to take a good look at the QVL list (available here) of manufacturer tested and approved memory kits in order to ensure that your next purchases will work properly.

On this card, there are four PCIe ports altogether. Of course, PCIe 4.0 is in the game with a PCIe 16X port for the graphics card while the others are in PCIe 3.0 (one PCIe 16X wired in 4X and two PCIe 1X). PCIe 4.0 is also found on the first M.2 PCIe 4X glued to the CPU in order to get the most out of the fastest SSDs on the market. And if that’s not enough for you, you also have two more M.2 PCIe 3.0 4X connected to the Z590 chipset. SATA ports are also still present even if they are less and less used in modern machines without mechanical disks (or SATA SSD), there are six compatible with RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10.

In terms of additional features, the card is also well equipped. There is indeed a wired network entrusted to Intel and its I225-V capable of reaching speeds of 2.5 Gb / s but also WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 still at Intel with its AX201 controller. So you can rest easy regardless of the network technology used in your home. As for the sound part, Asus turned to Realtek and its ALC1200A which equips almost all middle motherboards, this is more than enough as long as you are not using a very high-end HiFi sound system.
The connection is not forgotten either, there are seven USB ports on the back including one 20 Gb / s Type-C and six Type-A (two 10 Gb / s, two 5 Gb / s and two USB 2.0) . In addition, a Type-C header (5 Gb / s) is also present on the PCB if you have a box equipped with a USB Type-C port on the front. And to avoid spoiling anything, the number of 4-pin connectors for the different fans or water-cooling pump is the most correct, six in all!