ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) vs GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5)
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 Good
- Excellent build quality and sturdy design with a premium feel, often described as heavy-duty.
- User-friendly installation features like EZ-Latch, tool-less M.2 slots, and well-placed connectors.
- Helpful debugging tools and diagnostic displays to assist with troubleshooting boot issues and monitoring temperatures.
- Strong expansion capabilities, including multiple M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 support, and a generous number of USB ports.
The Bad
- Significant compatibility and stability problems, particularly with RAM over 6000MHz and frequent boot failures or error codes.
- WiFi 7 and Bluetooth drivers often lack Windows 10 support, forcing users to find workarounds or use external dongles.
- Poor or missing documentation, confusing BIOS organization, and incorrect Q-Flash instructions lead to frustrating setup experiences.
- Connectivity limitations, such as M.2 slot bifurcation reducing GPU lanes and awkwardly placed front panel connectors.
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 →This motherboard offers a solid foundation for high-end AMD AM5 builds with its robust construction and future-proofing features, but potential buyers should be prepared for potential setup hurdles and stability challenges, especially with memory and Windows 10.
Read the full GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5) consensus →Our pick: ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) · 7.9/10
Owners rate the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) meaningfully higher — 7.9/10 against 5.9/10 for the GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (AM5). It wins where it counts: Stability and Connectivity & Ports.
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