With the release of AMD’s new Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, we’re seeing more and more new motherboards with the latest X870 chipset popping up on the shelves. Today, we’re taking a look at one of ASUS’s latest entries under their TUF lineup, the TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi. Sitting somewhere in the middle of the pack, this board doesn’t try to go full high-end, but still packs a solid set of features for AM5 builders who want more than just the basics.
So, how does it hold up in terms of design, thermals, memory tuning, and overall value? Let’s find out.
Unboxing
Unboxing the TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi is a pretty straightforward affair. ASUS kept things clean and simple, which is honestly expected for a TUF board. Inside the box, you’ll find the essentials like a couple of SATA cables, a Wi-Fi antenna, some documentation, and that’s pretty much it. Nothing fancy, but everything you actually need.
ASUS is clearly doubling down on the TUF branding this generation. The VRM heatsink shroud features a large “TUF” marking, and the chipset heatsink sports a bold TUF logo as well. It’s aggressive without being over the top, and very much in line with the TUF identity.
The board itself comes in a matte black finish, accented by industrial-looking traces and detailing. Aesthetically, it fits right into most stealthy or military-themed builds.
One of the standout highlights of the TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi is its VRM setup. ASUS has gone with a robust 19-phase power design in a 16+2+1 configuration, powered by the Infineon ASP2206 controller, MPS MP86670, and Vishay SiC629 power stages, both falling under the SPS (Smart Power Stage) category. These power stages are rated to handle up to 80A, which is more than sufficient even for high-end chips like the Ryzen 9 9900X or 9950X3D.
In terms of storage, ASUS isn’t holding back. You get the expected SATA ports, but the highlight here is the four M.2 slots. Two of them run on PCIe 5.0 and the other two run on PCIe 4.0. That’s more than enough for most users, whether you’re loading up on games or working with large media files.
As for expansion, you’ll find a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for your GPU and a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot for other devices like capture cards or NVMe add-in cards. One oddity here is the PCIe Q-release mechanism. It works in reverse from what we’re used to. You’ll need to press down on the lever to install a GPU, which might trip up first-time builders, but once you get the hang of it, it still gets the job done.
ASUS didn’t skimp on connectivity here. On the rear I/O, you’ll get:
- 2 x USB4 (40Gbps) (Type-C)
- 3 x USB 10Gbps (Type-A)
- 4 x USB 5Gbps (Type-A)
- 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A)
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port
- 1 x Wi-Fi 7 module
- 5 x Audio jacks
- 1 x BIOS FlashBack button
It’s especially nice to see more USB 3.2 ports instead of flooding the board with slower USB 2.0 ports. It’s a small detail, but it goes a long way.
CPU and Thermals
For testing, we paired the TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi with the Ryzen 9 9900X. Using HWInfo64, we monitored the VRM and chipset temps under load.
VRM temps peaked at 67°C under heavy workloads, and hovered around 51°C during gaming, which is acceptable. The chipset temp stayed steady at 54.6°C throughout our test.
We also took a peek with a thermal imaging camera. The VRM heatsink sections showed 47.5°C and 54.7°C, while the chipset heatsink showed 42.2°C. The heatsink is doing its job well, even under sustained loads.
Memory Overclocking: DDR5-6400 and Beyond?
ASUS claims that the board can go up to DDR5-8000+, but of course, that depends on the memory IC and the CPU’s memory controller.
In our tests, DDR5-7200 is achievable if you’re using Hynix A-die or M-die kits. Since AMD still recommends DDR5-6000 as the sweet spot, and DDR5-6400 if you’re going for 1:1 UCLK to MCLK, we tuned for DDR5-6400 CL30-38-38-32 with custom sub-timings inspired by Buildzoid’s recommendations:
- DRAM VDD: 1.43V
- tRC: 70
- tWR: 48
- tRFC: 560
- tREFI: 50000
- tRTP: 16
- tRRDS/L: 4/8
- tFAW: 20
- tWTRS/L: 4/16
Final Thoughts
At RM 1,839, the price of the ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi is on the higher side. It sits on the higher side of the X870 motherboard lineup, which might raise some eyebrows. But if you break down what you’re getting, like USB4, robust VRMs, PCIe 5.0, easy Wi-Fi antenna setup, and one of the better BIOS experiences around, it’s easier to justify.
Sure, you’re paying more, but you’re getting quality-of-life improvements that are often missing from lower-tier boards. It’s also a solid middle ground for AM5 adopters who don’t want to spend extra on X870E boards that offer features they might never use.
If you value a clean BIOS, better I/O, and straightforward installation without excessive RGB or flashy gimmicks, the TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi is a board worth considering.
