ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI motherboard review: acceleration with PCI-E 5.0, USB4 and WiFi 7

Along with the launch of Ryzen 9000 processors, AMD has announced an updated line of chipsets for the Socket AM5 platform. The top-of-the-line AMD X870/X870E motherboards are already on sale, so it’s time to explore their capabilities. Let’s start with the ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI, a full-size model with interesting features that offers a balanced ratio between equipment and price.

ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI package contents

The board comes in a large cardboard box with a dark design and a large TUF logo on the top panel.

The ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI kit also includes a boxed set of paper assembly instructions, mounts for M.2 drives, two SATA interface cables, an external amplifying antenna (ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna) for the wireless module, and a set of stickers. The manufacturer offers to download the detailed manual from the corresponding section on the website.

Design and layout

ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI corresponds to the ATX format with classic dimensions for this form factor – 305×244 mm. The model has a dark exterior design with a black PCB and most of the radiators with connectors.

Some connectors are made in dark gray, but there are no sharp color contrasts. Everything is strict and laconic. But the huge inscription “TUF” on the protective casing in the area of the interface panel immediately reveals which series the novelty belongs to.

ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI is based on the AMD X870 chipset and allows the use of any processors for the Socket AM5 platform, namely Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000. Unsurprisingly, AMD X870/X870E models initially support Zen 5 chips and do not require a firmware update. However, we will come back to this point.

ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI has an 8-layer textolite base. This is an indirect sign that the board belongs to the “above average” category. The novelty has a rather powerful subsystem for stabilizing the processor power supply. The VRM unit has a 19-phase (16+2+1) configuration with an Infineon ASP2206 controller. The circuit includes MPS MP86670 and Vishay SiC629 power assemblies belonging to the SPS (Smart Power Stages) category and providing for an operating current of up to 80A. The AVR also includes a set of TUF 5K Black Metallic capacitors.

Aluminum radiators are used to cool the power assemblies, and the unit that covers the elements along the interface panel has significantly increased dimensions.

Two 8-pin EPS12V connectors are used to connect additional power.

The board is equipped with four slots for DIMM modules. In the case of ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI, support for up to DDR5-8000 is declared. At the same time, in the list of validated kits, this mode is indicated when using Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 chips.

The model supports 48GB modules, so the maximum RAM capacity can be increased up to 192GB. The DIMM connectors are designed with a one-way locking mechanism, which usually simplifies the process of installing/removing the strips in an already assembled system.

Nowadays, even full-size ATX motherboards are increasingly equipped with two or up to three slots for additional expansion cards. High-performance graphics cards are often equipped with 3/4-slot cooling systems, so there is usually no point in placing additional PCI-E cards alongside them. In addition, the free space between the existing slots is increasingly being occupied by additional M.2 storage.

So, in the case of ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI, the board offers “only” two full-size PCI-E x16 slots. The main one uses the CPU bus lines, complies with the PCI-E 5.0 standard, and can operate in x16/x8 modes. It has an additional metal frame to increase the mechanical strength of the connector itself.

In addition, an additional mechanical PCIe Slot Q-Release bracket is provided for the video card slot, which simplifies the release of the graphics adapter from the slot.

The second full-size PCI-E x16 connector is located in four slots, so even a very large video card cooler will not prevent you from using this connector if necessary. The additional slot uses the chipset lines of the PCI-E 4.0 bus and operates in x4 mode. However, it should be noted here that this slot is dependent on one of the M.2 slots (M.2_4) and can be deactivated if a drive is installed in the corresponding port.

We have already mentioned the attempts of engineers to maximize the use of free PCB space for the maximum number of M.2 drives. The developers of ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI follow this trend, so the model allows you to install up to four M.2 drives. Additional cooling is provided for three of them.

The first port is located above the main PCI-E x16 slot. This M.2 allows you to use the fastest possible drives and always works in PCI-E 5.0 x4 mode. A separate cooler is provided for this connector.

The M.2_2 port located below the PCI-E x16 slot also supports the PCI-E 5.0 standard and operates in x4 mode. However, when using this M.2 connector, the main PCI-E 5.0 slot switches to x8 mode.

M.2_3 is chipset driven and offers PCI-E 4.0 x4 mode. The M.2_2 and M.2_3 ports have a common radiator block that is fixed with four screws. It’s not very convenient, but if you need to install/uninstall an SSD in these ports, you’ll probably have to remove the video card first, so you’ll have free access to the drive area.

Another port, M.2_4, also uses chipset resources and can offer PCI-E 4.0 x4 mode. One of the interesting features of this connector is the ability to use not only drives of the classic 2280 format, but also SSDs of other sizes: 2242, 2260, and 22110. However, there is no standard cooler for drives that will be installed in M.2_4. In addition, as we have already noted, using this port deactivates the additional PCI-E x16 (x4) slot.

All M.2 connectors are designed for screwless mounting of drives. Instead of plastic latches, M.2 Q-Latch clips are used to secure the SSD. Please note that all available M.2 ports support PCI Express drives. M.2 SATA connection is not provided. As for classic SATA devices, there are two 6Gb/s SATA connectors on the board. Even though the AMD X870 potentially has four SATA channels and no additional controllers are required to use them, the developers obviously rely on the ability to connect more modern drives.

A medium-sized radiator is used to cool the chipset. Unlike AMD X870E/X670E, which have two chips, AMD X870 consists of a single Promontory 21 chip. Its thermal package is about 7 W, so this design should be enough for normal temperature conditions.

Additional backlighting on the motherboard is usually already used in top models to emphasize certain elements. ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI has such a small “island of illumination” – along with SATA ports on the edge of the PCB, there is a place to highlight the segmental logo of the series.

However, for those who appreciate bright lighting, the board offers three connectors that allow you to connect second-generation aRGB addressable ribbons.

Of course, the board allows you to synchronize the backlighting of both the LED elements of the board and external devices that support AURA Sync.

To organize the cooling system, ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI offers seven 4-pin connectors with automatic control mode detection (PWM/DC). A pair of connectors for connecting CPU cooler fans have a synchronized channel. The other five are independent. The port for the liquid cooling system pump is reinforced and designed for a current of up to 3A (12 V, 36 W).

Using the Q-Fan Control capabilities in the BIOS, you can configure the algorithms of the cooling system elements in great detail, taking into account the readings of the available sensors.

The model also features a two-pin connector for connecting an external temperature sensor. The corresponding connector is located near the bottom edge of the PCB. An additional thermocouple will not be superfluous if you need to monitor the temperature of any surface inside the system unit (in principle, outside as well).

ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI is equipped with a primary Q-LED self-diagnostic system. The LED indication allows you to identify a potentially problematic system element that prevents the platform from starting. The DRAM indicator also signals incorrect installation of memory modules before the PC starts.

Additional service options of the board include BIOS Flashback, a technology that allows you to update the firmware from an external USB drive by connecting only the power supply to the board.

The board offers an internal Type-C connector to bring the corresponding port to the chassis panel. In this case, a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface with a bandwidth of up to 20 GB/s is implemented. Moreover, the port has power amplification and supports Power Delivery 3.0 with a capacity of up to 30 watts. So you always have a port for fast charging of your devices at your fingertips while your system is running.

The board’s audio subsystem uses the Realtek ALC1220P codec, which is hidden behind a metal casing. The audio path area is separated on the PCB, with specialized capacitors in the circuit.

The sound is clear and detailed. There is a clear emphasis on high frequencies, which makes the sound bright, but sometimes a little harsh. There is not too much bass, it is clear and does not “smear” even in heavy tracks. Activation of DTS effects makes the sound richer and livelier, but fans of pure sound will most likely refrain from using it: if you turn them off, the sound initially seems drier, with a lack of midrange – but it is clearly clearer and more detailed.

The presence of the WiFi designation in the model name is an obvious sign that the board is initially equipped with a controller for working with wireless networks. ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI uses a tri-band (2.4/5/6 GHz) MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 MT7925 module. The unit belongs to the Wi-Fi 7 generation, providing support for 802.11be with 4096QAM modulation and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). However, it supports a frequency band of 160 MHz instead of 320 MHz in the top modules, so the bandwidth is “only” 2.9 GB/s. The module also supports Bluetooth 5.4.

The bundled ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna with dual receivers has improved sensitivity and, according to the developers, provides better reception than the previous generation model. This is especially true for the 2.4/5 GHz bands.

To connect to a wired network, ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI uses a 2.5Gbps controller from Realtek.

The board is initially equipped with a metal plug in the area of the interface panel. As for the equipment of the latter, it is quite diverse. We immediately note the presence of two USB 4.0 (Type-C) with a bandwidth of up to 40 GB/s. In this case, the ports also have the ability to transmit images, so the connectors also allow you to get a picture (up to 4K@60 Hz).

The panel also features three USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gb/s), four USB 3.2 Gen1 (5 Gb/s), and one USB 2.0 (480 Mb/s) ports in the classic Type-A design. The Ethernet socket has been moved from its usual position to the side. A full-size HDMI is also provided for connecting screens. The Wi-Fi antenna uses proprietary Q-Antenna connectors that do not require screwing.

Despite the fact that most top-of-the-line boards on AMD X870E offer only 2 connectors for connecting audio devices (https://mezha.media/articles/materynski-platy-na-amd-x870-x870e/), ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI has five 3.5 mm audio jacks. But there is no optical S/PDIF on the board. In its traditional place there is a BIOS Flashback activation button for firmware update. The port for connecting a USB drive with the appropriate microcode is outlined by a frame on the panel. In this case, it is a single USB 2.0 port.

BIOS and software

The UEFI initial setup shell has a familiar structure with EZ Mode for basic operations and a profile with access to detailed Advanced Mode options.

To familiarize yourself with the hardware of an already assembled system, beginners may find it convenient to use the Q-Dashboard option with visual indication and basic information about the devices connected to the board.

In general, the detail of the available settings corresponds to the capabilities of high-end boards. The voltages of all key elements, VRM, PBO parameters, and other customization options are available. The only question is whether you will have enough energy to study the impact of all the available parameters on the system’s operation.

We received the board for testing with the latest BIOS version – 0805. Despite the fact that AMD 800 chipset boards initially support the new Ryzen 9000 line of processors, certain updates can be useful. For example, to fix the SMM Lock Bypass and Sinkhole vulnerabilities.

Version 0805 includes AMD AGESA PI 1.2.0.2 microcode, which further improves the efficiency of inter-core interaction for Ryzen 9000 chips. In addition, with the new 0805 firmware, the developers have added a one-click option for Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 9700X chips to increase the TDP of these models from 65W to 105W, thereby improving their performance in multi-threaded modes.

To configure the platform in the operating system, the developers suggest using the Armoury Crate proprietary complex. All key options for effective monitoring of system parameters are available. There are options for customizing the cooling system, adjusting the backlight, etc.

PC configuration

We got the ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI board for testing as part of an assembled system from Artline.

The powerful gaming platform has a fairly balanced hardware, and generally falls into the conditional category of “Progressive Gaming PCs” according to the metrics of thePC of the Monthsection.

• Motherboard: ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI (AMD X870, ATX)
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (8/16; 3,8/5,5 ГГц; 32 МБ L3)
• CPU cooling: ASUS TUF Gaming LC II 360 ARGB
• Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 64 ГБ (F5-6000J3040G32GX2-TZ5N 2x32GB)
• Video card: ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 ГБ (TUF-RTX4070TIS-O16G-GAMING)
• Drive: Kingston NV2 1 ТБ (SNV2S1000G)
• PSU: ASUS TUF GAMING 750W Gold (750 Вт; 80 PLUS Gold)
• Body: ASUS TUF GAMING GT302 ARGB Black

The PC is equipped with the new Ryzen 7 9700X processor (8/16; 3.8/5.5 GHz; 32 MB L3), which we recently studied in some detail. An eight-core model with hidden reserves. A processor with a TDP of 65 W is probably not the best option for reviewing the capabilities of a motherboard, but we already know how it can be upgraded by adding work to the VRM subsystem.

The Ryzen 7 9700X was cooled by the ASUS TUF Gaming LC II 360 ARGB 3-fan liquid system, so it would be at least a bit frivolous to limit it to the basic mode with a TDP of 65W.

The desktop was also equipped with a dual-channel G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo DDR5-6000 64 GB RAM with a 30-40-40-96 latency formula and a supply voltage of 1.4 V. This time, the kit is without RGB, but there was no shortage of additional lighting sources in the system.

For a powerful gaming system, a GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER graphics card with 16 GB of memory is currently the most balanced solution in terms of potential and price. Therefore, ASUS TUF-RTX4070TIS-O16G-GAMING fits perfectly, complementing the overall set of components in the TUF style. The model needs no additional introduction: high operating frequencies and an efficient cooling system.

The configuration also included a Kingston NV2 1TB drive (SNV2S1000G), which was inexpensive and angry.

The ASUS TUF GAMING 750W Gold was used to provide power to the system. It is a modular model with ATX 3.0 compliance, 80 PLUS Gold efficiency certificate, and a 135mm fan that stops at low load.

The platform is assembled in the ASUS TUF GAMING GT302 ARGB chassis. It’s also a familiar model that complies with the BTF concept and allows the use of motherboards with connectors on the back. However, as you can see, the case is also perfect for cases of traditional PCB connector layout. The presence of a large compartment behind the working tray allows you to tidy up power and interface cables, and good overall airflow of the case helps to maintain the appropriate temperature inside the system unit.

Previously, the case came to us in a white design, and now we have the opportunity to evaluate the black version.

In operation

Although we have already reviewed the general capabilities of the new Ryzen 7 9700X in detail, here are the basic indicators of this CPU in popular test stages. For starters, we’ll use the processor’s normal mode with a TDP of 65W.

The results are generally at the expected level. Additionally, let’s evaluate the system’s performance parameters under a multi-threaded chip load in Cinebench R23. Here is a screenshot from HWinfo64.

Under these conditions, the processor’s computing cores operated at 4400-4450 MHz with a supply voltage of ~1.02 V. The existing TDP limitations obviously limit the potential of the Ryzen 7 9700X, but improve the overall efficiency. During rendering, the processor’s power consumption did not exceed 88 watts. At the same time, the processor heated up only to 53-57C. Of course, the liquid cooling system is to be commended here. By the way, we remind you that potential owners of Ryzen 7 9700X will have to choose a cooler or SRO, because even in the retail version of the chip, it is offered without a standard cooler.

In the updated BIOS version, the developers have simplified the process of switching the TDP mode from 65W to 105W. Previously, you had to make 3-4 clicks to do this, but now the corresponding “cTDP to 105W” option is visible in the Ai Tweaker section. Switch it to Enabled and reboot the system.

AMD has officially confirmed the warranty obligations when using TDP 105 W for 6/8-core Ryzen 9000 chips. Therefore, this option is not considered an additional overclock. AMD assures that these models were developed with a 105W thermal package in mind, but in the end, the focus was on efficiency. The lower power consumption is indeed a pleasant surprise, but performance is also of fundamental importance for desktop processors, especially for X-modifications of CPUs. In this situation, processor owners can decide whether to prioritize better efficiency or better performance. We have considered the first option, so let’s switch the CPU mode to “TDP 105 W” in the BIOS and repeat the tests.

The test results are predictable and expected, as we have already seen when we first met Ryzen 7 9700X. The processor significantly adds to performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks. The actual increase in computing power is ~10-15%. The increase in TDP allows the chip to maintain a higher operating frequency even under heavy load on all cores.

As for the specifics, with a TDP of 105 W under load in Cinebench R23, all processor cores operated at 5150 MHz (instead of 4400-4500 MHz with a TDP of 65 W) with a supply voltage of ~1.2 V. At the same time, the actual power consumption of the chip increased to 140-142 W (88 W at 65 W TDP). So, we already have an energy “gain” of ~60%. Is an additional 10-15% of performance worth such an increase in power consumption? It depends on the situation and user needs. The owner has the ability to switch between TDP modes, choosing the most appropriate one for the current tasks. In newer versions of motherboard BIOS, this is done in a simple way.

As the chip’s power consumption increases, the efficiency of the CPU cooling system usually increases. In our case, the chip warmed up to 80C during rendering. This mode is quite normal for chips of this series. However, the contrast with ~55C at 65W TDP is obvious.

We checked the temperature performance of ASUS TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI using the “TDP 105 W” processor mode. Of course, for a model of this level, the Ryzen 7 9700X processor does not create any problems. According to the built-in thermal sensor, during the maximum CPU load, the VRM elements heated up to only 46C. The chipset’s temperature was 34C. So, an 8-core chip for the board was just a “cakewalk”. Obviously, with the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X, which has a TDP of 170 W and actual consumption of 220 W, the power subsystem will have to work harder, but it will cope. According to the network, in this case, the power assemblies will heat up to ~65C, which is quite acceptable.

Overclocking

When experimenting with overclocking, we used the simplest “lazy way”, relying on automation. After all, they invented these modes like “Ai OC” for a reason. Let the “artificial intelligence” work [sarcasm].

So we tested the results offered after the one-click overclocking results in practice.

The changes in the CPU mode were noticeable. For example, when testing Cinebench R23 in multi-threaded mode, the frequency of all cores increased to ~5300 MHz. That is, we have an additional increase of ~150 MHz compared to the “TDP 105 W” mode. At the same time, oddly enough, the supply voltage level of the computing units even slightly decreased and amounted to about 1.17 V.

Using the additional overclocking, we notice a certain increase in performance, but it is not comparable to what we get when switching from 65W TDP to 105W TDP. The actual increase in operating frequencies is small, so the additional acceleration is quite moderate.

Performance and power consumption in games

To check the PC for “professional suitability”, we conducted gaming tests in express mode. For the measurements, we used the 2560×1440 resolution mode with maximum picture quality, with the exception of ray tracing. These are typical conditions for a platform with GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB.

The final indicators guarantee very comfortable playing conditions even with resource-intensive projects. In all cases, you can connect RTs without any concerns and balance performance with DLSS if necessary.

During the gaming sessions, we also determined the overall power consumption of the system unit. This indicator is not stable and depends on the specific project. You can learn more about this topic in our separate article. As for the configuration under review, the PC consumed an average of 385-470 watts.

Type-C port with Power Delivery 3.0 (up to 30W)

Since the “test bench” this time was presented in the form of a fully assembled PC, we had the opportunity to test the capabilities of the Type-C external port, for which the developers have announced support for PD 3.0 at 30 watts.

After connecting the Pixel 7 to the USB Type-C port on the case, we received a notification that the smartphone was charging quickly. The very fact that such an inscription appears is a good sign. For curious users, ASUS offers the USB Wattage Watcher utility, which allows you to monitor the current level of power transfer through USB ports.

Given that the Pixel 7 has a 20W maximum power output, the 20.27W figure seems understandable.

Thus, the Type-C port with PD 3.0 support for up to 30W is an additional convenient option for recharging portable devices.