Head-to-Head · Motherboards
ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5) vs ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5)
Scored Dimensions
8.8
Value for Money
9.2
9.8
Build & Ergonomics
8.8
8.0
Connectivity & Ports
7.8
6.5
Compatibility Experience
6.0
7.0
Stability
8.5
8.8
Upgrade Potential
8.8
ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5)
The Good
- Exceptional build quality and striking white/silver aesthetics
- Rich feature set including WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0 M.2, and ample modern ports
- Strong performance and compatibility with new Ryzen CPUs and DDR5 RAM
- User-friendly BIOS with comprehensive tuning options and convenient features like BIOS FlashBack
The Bad
- Frequent reports of initial setup difficulties, including missing LAN/WiFi drivers and mandatory BIOS updates
- ASUS Armoury Crate software is widely criticized for being resource-intensive, buggy, and difficult to use
- Several users experienced stability issues, including RAM incompatibility and GPU driver conflicts
- Some reports of slow boot times and isolated instances of physical defects on arrival
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5)
The Good
- Robust build quality and durable components, contributing to cool and stable operation.
- Excellent power delivery (16+1 DrMOS) reliably supports high-end Intel processors without thermal throttling.
- Extensive connectivity, including four M.2 slots, WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, and a Thunderbolt 4/USB4 header.
- Intuitive and feature-rich BIOS that facilitates XMP profile activation and overclocking.
- Offers strong value for money, providing a comprehensive feature set at its price point.
The Bad
- Frequent reports of initial driver issues for LAN and WiFi, often requiring manual installation during OS setup.
- Many users needed BIOS updates for 14th Gen Intel CPUs, sometimes necessitating an older CPU for the flashing process.
- Some experienced difficulties with memory installation due to one-sided DIMM clasps or instability when all four RAM slots were populated.
- Occasional reports of defective units, including bent CPU pins or non-functional ports, requiring returns.
The ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5) Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi offers a premium aesthetic and robust feature set for AM5 builds, making it an attractive option for enthusiasts. However, potential buyers should be prepared for a challenging initial setup and possible software or compatibility quirks.
Read the full ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5) consensus →The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) Verdict
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi motherboard offers a powerful and feature-rich foundation for high-performance Intel builds, delivering strong stability and upgrade potential once initial setup hurdles, particularly with drivers and BIOS, are addressed.
Read the full ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) consensus →
The Bottom Line
Our pick: ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5) · 7.9/10
Dead even on the headline score, but the ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5) takes more of the scored dimensions — including Build & Ergonomics and Compatibility Experience.
ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi (AM5)
$159.98
Best price the consensus found
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ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5)
$225.00
Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
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How ORA built this: We read recent reviews, remove suspected bot or incentivized entries, off-topic complaints, and reviews describing the buyer's own setup problems rather than the product, then synthesize the remainder into a single unbiased verdict. Read our full methodology →