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ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming Review | 107 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£150
  • Avg. price in US: ~$160
  • CPU socket: LGA 1151
  • Chipset: Intel Z390
  • Form factor: ATX

ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

6.2

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

5.9

Technical Score

10.0%

9.4

User score

Good
5.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

5.9

Memory

16.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

16.0%

6.0

Storage

15.0%

6.7

Network

13.0%

3.4

Ports & USB

8.0%

4.4

Expansion

8.0%

6.0

Power & Cooling

5.0%

7.9

Audio

Good
9.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(1001)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(1023)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 4.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.5

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    5.5

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    4.6

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    4.7

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

  • asus-tuf-z390-plus-gaming
  • asus-tuf-z390-plus-gaming
asus-tuf-z390-plus-gaming
asus-tuf-z390-plus-gaming

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The ASUS TUF Z390-Plus Gaming is an ATX motherboard built on the Intel Z390 chipset, supporting 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core processors via the LGA 1151 socket. It features four DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB of memory at overclocked speeds of 4266MHz+, dual M.2 slots (one with a heatsink) for NVMe SSDs, and native USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity. Its primary strengths include military-grade TUF components for enhanced durability, OptiMem II for improved memory stability, and the Realtek S1200A codec for high-quality 8-channel audio. However, it lacks a USB Type-C port, has a limited 4+1 phase VRM design that may struggle with high-end i9 processors under heavy overclocking, and features a restricted second PCIe x16 slot that only operates at x4 mode.

Technical Specifications of ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

5.9

Memory

16.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

16.0%

6.0

Storage

15.0%

6.7

Network

13.0%

3.4

Ports & USB

8.0%

4.4

Expansion

8.0%

6.0

Power & Cooling

5.0%

7.9

Audio

5.9
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a technical score of 5.86 points, which is lower than that of 60.2% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(1001)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(1023)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.4
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a user score of 9.44 points, which is higher than that of 97.4% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
10
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 79.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

6.2

Overall score

40.0%

9.7

Price

7.3
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.3 points, which is higher than 46.1% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The brand that makes the motherboard.
When it matters: When you have a brand preference for support, BIOS, or build quality.

Importance: MEDIUM

Asus
CPU socket
What it is: The socket type the motherboard is built to support.
When it matters: When you need the motherboard to match a specific CPU.

Importance: HIGH

LGA 1151
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming uses the LGA 1151 CPU socket, which is less advanced than that of 70.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 13.8% of motherboards.
CPU platform

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Chipset
What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

Importance: HIGH

Intel Z390
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming uses the Intel Z390 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 60.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.1% of motherboards.
Form factor
What it is: The physical size standard of the motherboard, such as ATX or Micro-ATX.
When it matters: When you need the board to fit a specific case size.

Importance: HIGH

ATX
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has the ATX form factor, which is more versatile than that of 47.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 52.2% of motherboards.
Show more
DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the board to match a certain memory platform.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: DDR5

DDR4
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming uses DDR4 memory, which is newer than that of 13.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 51% of motherboards.
Memory slots
What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4

4
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.5% of motherboards and equal to 72.5% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

64 GB
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is less than 62.6% of motherboards and equal to 24.3% of motherboards.
requires BIOS update for full capacity
Memory channels
What it is: The memory channel configuration supported by the motherboard platform.
When it matters: When memory bandwidth matters for your build.

Importance: MEDIUM

2
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports 2 memory channels, which is more than 0.2% of motherboards and equal to 92.5% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
What it is: The highest officially supported memory speed for the motherboard.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=6400 MT/s

4,266 MT/s
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports memory speeds up to 4266 MT/s, which is lower than that of 54.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.8% of motherboards.
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N. of M.2 sockets
What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=3

2
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 2 M.2 sockets, which is more than 30.8% of motherboards and equal to 34.6% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

Importance: HIGH

1x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming offers 1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 for M.2 slot interfaces, which is slower than that of 63.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 3.3% of motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

6
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 52.6% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
What it is: The RAID modes officially supported by the motherboard storage platform.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple drives in a RAID setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

0/1/5/10
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 31.8% of motherboards and equal to 68.2% of motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

Importance: LOW

yes
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Intel RST support
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 5.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want the newest high-bandwidth expansion slots.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is equal to 68.5% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 4.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for modern expansion cards.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is equal to 55.6% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 3.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need more full-length expansion slots.

Importance: MEDIUM

2
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 2 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 67.4% of motherboards and equal to 15.4% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

Importance: HIGH

?
PCIe bifurcation support
What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports PCIe bifurcation. 39.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8

6
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 6 USB ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.2% of motherboards and equal to 32.9% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=14

14
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 14 USB ports (including headers), which is fewer than 51.8% of motherboards and equal to 12.9% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 0 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.6% of motherboards and equal to 35.4% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB-C ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C connectivity across the whole build.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=2

0
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 0 USB-C ports (including headers), which is fewer than 69.6% of motherboards and equal to 30.4% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want very fast USB-C connectivity on the rear I/O.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is equal to 81.6% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.5GbE

1 Gbps
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 50.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 49.1% of motherboards.
LAN controller
What it is: The model of onboard Ethernet controller used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you compare networking hardware quality and features.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel I219-V
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming uses the Intel I219-V LAN controller, which is more advanced than that of 41% of motherboards and equal to that of 14.2% of motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
What it is: The number of wired Ethernet ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need one or more wired network connections.

Importance: LOW

1
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 1 RJ45 ports, which is equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes onboard Wi-Fi hardware instead of requiring a separate adapter.
When it matters: When you want wireless networking without adding an extra card.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.9% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: The supported Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7.
When it matters: When you care about wireless speed and router compatibility.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is newer than that of 49.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 10.7% of motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
What it is: The onboard audio codec used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When sound quality from the built-in audio matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Realtek S1200A
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming uses the Realtek S1200A audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 61.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.9% of motherboards.
Audio channels
What it is: The audio channel configuration supported by the onboard sound solution.
When it matters: When you want surround sound from the motherboard audio outputs.

Importance: LOW

Good value: 7.1

7.1
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
full 7.1 needs front panel audio.
Audio SNR
What it is: The signal-to-noise ratio of the onboard audio solution.
When it matters: When you care about cleaner onboard audio output.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=120 dB

108 dB
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has an audio SNR of 108 dB, which is lower than that of 61.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
What it is: Shows whether the onboard audio path includes dedicated headphone amplification for harder-to-drive headsets.
When it matters: When you use harder-to-drive headphones from the onboard audio.

Importance: LOW

yes
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
headphone amp on front panel.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
What it is: The number of rear 3.5mm audio jacks on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more analog audio connection options.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5

3
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 3 3.5mm audio jacks, which is fewer than 50.3% of motherboards and equal to 38.2% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
What it is: The number of power-delivery phases used by the motherboard VRM.
When it matters: When you care about CPU power delivery and overclocking headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=12

8+1
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 8+1 VRM phases, which is fewer than 66.1% of motherboards and equal to 1.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
What it is: The number of CPU power connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you care about power delivery for higher-end CPUs.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=2

1
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 1 CPU power connectors, which is equal to 54.5% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
What it is: The number of headers available for case or CPU fans.
When it matters: When your build uses several fans.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

5
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has 5 fan headers, which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 14.5% of motherboards.
Pump header
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes a dedicated header designed for a liquid-cooling pump.
When it matters: When you build with an AIO or custom liquid cooling loop.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a pump header. 23.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
What it is: The maximum current the dedicated pump header can supply.
When it matters: When you want to make sure the pump header can power your cooling setup.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2 A

1 A
ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports up to 1 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 58.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 15.9% of motherboards.
Show more

ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming vs the average motherboard

  • Supports Wi-Fi
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does not. 49.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes onboard Wi-Fi hardware instead of requiring a separate adapter.
    When it matters: When you want wireless networking without adding an extra card.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does not. 49.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    What it is: The number of internal USB 3.2 Gen1 headers for front-panel Type-A ports.
    When it matters: When your case has front USB-A ports to connect.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster USB-A ports for storage or accessories.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.2 vs 1
  • 3 more PCIe x1 slots
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    What it is: The number of PCIe x1 slots on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want space for smaller add-in cards.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.4 vs 1
  • 1 more RGB headers
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    What it is: The number of 4-pin RGB headers available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to connect more standard RGB lighting devices.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.2 vs 1
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.6 vs 4
  • 18% higher user score
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a higher user score than the average motherboard (9.44 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a higher user score than the average motherboard (9.44 vs 8.000).9.44 vs 8
  • Better audio codec
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek S1,200A vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.
    What it is: The onboard audio codec used by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When sound quality from the built-in audio matters to you.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek S1,200A vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.Realtek S1200A vs Realtek ALC898
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • 3 more PCIe x1 slots
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does not. 49.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Better audio codec
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek S1,200A vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.
  • 1 more RGB headers
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.

Total
Overall
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z390 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • No BIOS flashback support
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • 50% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    requires BIOS update for full capacity
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
  • 2 fewer rear USB ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
  • 1 fewer total USB connections
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer total USB connections than the average motherboard (14 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
  • 1 fewer total USB-C connections
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
  • Older HDMI version
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has older HDMI version than the average motherboard (1.4b vs 2.1). The average motherboard supports HDMI 2.1.
  • 2 fewer USB 2.0 ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer USB 2.0 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 port/s.
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has older Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (5 vs 5.4). The average motherboard supports Bluetooth 5.4.
  • 2 fewer 3.5mm audio jacks
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (3 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks.
  • 7 dB lower audio SNR
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (108 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
  • No optical S/PDIF out
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming does not have optical S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does. 55.7% of motherboards include optical S/PDIF out.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • Fewer VRM phases
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer VRM phases than the average motherboard (8+1 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
  • 1 A lower pump header current limit
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (1 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z390 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
    When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z390 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel Z390 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.5GbE

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 2 fewer rear USB ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=8

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.6 vs 8
  • 50% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    requires BIOS update for full capacity
    What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
    When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=128 GB

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.64 GB vs 128 GB
  • No BIOS flashback support
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard can update BIOS without needing a fully installed or supported CPU to boot first.
    When it matters: When you may need to update BIOS before the system can boot.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.0 vs 1
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    What it is: The number of 3-pin addressable RGB headers available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to connect more ARGB lighting devices.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.0 vs 2
Total
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
1001 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
1023 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming?

  • Durable build quality with military-grade components designed to 'survive and thrive' in tough conditions.
  • Highly user-friendly and responsive UEFI BIOS, featuring a well-organized 'EZ Mode' for quick configurations.
  • Ease of setup and installation, with many users reporting a smooth 'plug and play' experience on first boot.
  • Excellent storage flexibility, including multiple M.2 slots (one with a dedicated heat sink) and support for high-speed NVMe drives.
  • Reliable stability and performance for mainstream gaming, including decent support for 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processors at stock speeds.
  • Clean visual design with integrated RGB lighting that is fully customizable via Aura Sync.

What customers dislike about ASUS TUF Z390 Plus Gaming?

  • VRM cooling is considered subpar for heavy overclocking, potentially leading to overheating when paired with high-end CPUs like the i9-9900K.
  • Disappointing rear I/O connectivity, specifically lacking a USB Type-C port and featuring a limited array of audio outputs without optical support.
  • Reports of memory compatibility issues where certain common DDR4 RAM kits failed to run at their rated XMP speeds without manual tweaking.
  • Lack of an integrated I/O shield, which can make the installation process feel slightly more 'budget' compared to competitors.
  • Mixed reviews on longevity, with some users reporting hardware failures and difficult warranty claims after several months of use.

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