This is another choice to aid overclockers who use LN2 cool a GPU by allowing extra room for pots and insulation. The primary PCIe slot is not the topmost one either, it’s the one below it. This helps reduce latency and allows for a little more performance headroom compared to a four-slot design. The idea behind having only two memory slots instead of four is to minimize trace complexity and bring the slots closer to the CPU. It’s clear that this isn’t a regular board with a fancy sticker slapped on. Then there’s a comprehensive BIOS with extensive tweaking options. The dual memory slot design, all those buttons and switches, a monstrous VRM, and a unique layout are all aimed at making life easier for overclockers. This time around all the major manufacturers have Z590 boards specifically designed for serious overclocking. Overclocking focused motherboards have made a proper comeback. Only really for overclockers -Inevitably expensive You get six fan headers and two addressable RGB headers too. There are a further two regular horizontal ports adjacent to the heatsink. Also, note the vertical SATA ports that sticklers for cable management might find objectionable. The two at the bottom are contained under a single heatsink. There are three M.2 slots with the topmost one supporting PCIe 4.0. You get a couple of little splashes of RGB around the right side too.
The TUF Z590 Plus features a subtle design with a particularly nice white font. And given the pricing of many Z590 motherboards, that makes for a welcome change. Combined it means this is a good affordable option for someone after a no-fuss, solid, and reliable system. Asus has always positioned its TUF products as reliable options, with decent pricing and a more basic feature set. This is a gaming motherboard positioned as an entry-level option for anyone looking to run Rocket Lake. 4+8-pin power connectors could be restrictive -A few more USB at the back would be nice