Does the Asus TUF Z390-Plus Gaming support 9th Gen Intel Core processors out of the box?

Yes, the Z390 chipset was specifically launched alongside 9th Generation Intel Core processors, ensuring native compatibility right out of the box without requiring a BIOS update.

Does this motherboard come with built-in Wi-Fi?

No, the standard Asus TUF Z390-Plus Gaming model relies on wired Intel Gigabit Ethernet. If you need wireless connectivity, you will want to look for the Wi-Fi specific variant or install a separate M.2/PCIe Wi-Fi card.

Can I install two M.2 NVMe SSDs in RAID mode?

Yes, the board features dual M.2 slots that support high-speed NVMe solid-state drives, allowing you to configure them in a RAID array for maximum read and write speeds.

What is the maximum memory capacity and speed supported?

The motherboard supports up to 64GB of DDR4 memory across four slots. Overclocked speeds up to 4266MHz and beyond are supported depending on your memory kit and CPU memory controller.

Are the PCIe slots reinforced to prevent graphics card sagging?

Yes, the primary PCIe x16 slot features Asus SafeSlot Core+ technology, incorporating a stainless steel brace anchored to the PCB for superior structural retention.

Does the board feature RGB lighting control?

Yes, it includes onboard lighting zones and features both a standard RGB header and an addressable Gen 2 header, fully controllable via Asus Aura Sync software.

What power supply connectors does the CPU require?

The board utilizes a standard 8-pin ProCool power connector to supply clean and stable current to the CPU socket.

Asus TUF Z390-Plus Gaming

Built for Battle-Hardened Durability and Uncompromising 9th-Gen Intel Performance

Overview

The Asus TUF Z390-Plus Gaming is engineered to withstand punishing workloads and marathon gaming sessions without flinching. Built around the robust Intel Z390 chipset, this ATX motherboard brings military-grade TUF components, comprehensive thermal management, and intuitive DIY features to mainstream enthusiasts. By supporting 8th and 9th Generation Intel Core processors, it delivers the raw processing muscle required for high-framerate gaming, content creation, and multi-tasking powerhouses. Encased in an understated aesthetic featuring Aura Sync RGB lighting and the signature TUF Gaming Armor, it bridges the gap between industrial-grade reliability and modern aesthetic flair.

How It Works

The Asus TUF Z390-Plus Gaming acts as the central nerve center for your desktop ecosystem, orchestrating high-speed communication between your processor, memory, and peripherals.

CPU Power Distribution

The digi+ VRM regulates and steps down voltage from your power supply, delivering clean, stable power to your LGA 1151 socket processor even under heavy overclocked loads.

Data Routing & PCIe Interconnect

High-speed lanes route instructions between your dual M.2 NVMe drives, PCIe 3.0 graphics cards, and DDR4 memory slots with minimal latency.

Thermal & System Oversight

Onboard Fan Xpert 4 core sensors continuously monitor temperatures across critical zones, dynamically adjusting fan curves to maintain optimal thermal equilibrium.

Key Features

Military-Grade TUF Components

Utilizes TUF chokes, TUF capacitors, and TUF MOSFETs certified for extreme durability and extended lifespan under demanding conditions.

Dual Native M.2 Support

Features two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots supporting up to 22110 form factor SSDs and lightning-fast NVMe RAID configurations.

SafeSlot Core+ Reinforcement

Fortified PCIe slots anchored to the motherboard with a seamless stainless steel brace to prevent damage from heavy GPUs.

Intel Gigabit Ethernet

Equipped with Intel I219-V LAN which reduces CPU overhead and offers exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput.

Aura Sync RGB Lighting

Built-in RGB headers and onboard lighting zones allow complete synchronization with compatible mice, keyboards, strips, and cases.

Realtek S1200A Codec

Features an unprecedented 108dB signal-to-noise ratio for the stereo line-out and 103dB SNR for line-in, delivering pristine audio clarity.

OptiMem Memory Design

Careful routing of traces and vias across the PCB layers preserves signal integrity for enhanced DDR4 memory overclocking headroom.

TUF LANGuard

Military-grade network protection utilizing signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors for lightning and static defense.

Power Delivery & VRM Architecture

Engineered for rock-solid stability and sustained multi-core turbo frequencies

Digi+ VRM Control

Provides real-time adjustment of voltage frequency and transient efficiency for supreme CPU stability.

ProCool Power Connector

Solid pin construction ensures a tighter connection with the PSU cable to lower impedance and prevent connector burnout.

TUF Alloy Chokes

Deliver exceptional durability and high current capacity to the CPU voltage regulator modules.

TUF 5K Black Metallic Capacitors

Offer 20% greater temperature endurance and twice the operational lifespan of traditional electrolytic capacitors.

Extended Heatsink Design

Massive surface-area heatsinks directly contact the VRM and choke areas to prevent thermal throttling during heavy workloads.

Memory Optimization & OptiMem

Maximizing RAM speeds and compatibility for high-bandwidth tasks

DDR4 Support up to 4266MHz+

Allows enthusiasts to run high-frequency memory kits with excellent stability when overclocked.

T-Topology Circuit Design

Balances trace lengths across memory slots to ensure time-aligned signal transfer for multi-DIMM setups.

Enhanced XMP Profiles

Pre-configured Intel Extreme Memory Profiles can be loaded instantly within the UEFI BIOS.

Signal Integrity Shielding

Dedicated ground layers isolate memory traces from high-frequency electrical noise generated by other components.

Comprehensive QVL Testing

Extensive validation guarantees plug-and-play compatibility with hundreds of memory kits from major vendors.

Expansion and Storage Versatility

Blazing-fast M.2 speeds and robust PCIe connectivity for modern hardware

Dual PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 Slots

Enables rapid data transfer speeds up to 32 Gbps using high-performance NVMe solid-state drives.

Intel Optane Memory Ready

Accelerates traditional mechanical hard drives to near-SSD performance tiers using cache memory technology.

SafeSlot Core+ PCIe Protection

Reinforced metal slot construction provides superior retention force and shearing resistance for heavy graphics cards.

Multi-GPU Support

Supports AMD CrossFireX technology for gamers looking to scale graphical horsepower across multiple GPUs.

Flexible PCIe Lane Division

Intelligently shares bandwidth between PCIe expansion slots and M.2 storage without dead locks.

Networking and Connectivity

Uninterrupted online battles backed by hardware-level surge protection

Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN

Delivers fast, reliable networking with high throughput while reducing processor utilization.

Turbo LAN Utility

Network optimization software featuring cFosSpeed traffic-shaping technology to prioritize game packets.

TUF LANGuard Protection

Surface-mounted components and ESD TVS diodes protect the LAN port against lightning strikes and static electricity.

Multiple USB 3.1 Gen 2 Ports

Provides ultra-fast Type-A and Type-C ports on the rear I/O panel delivering up to 10 Gbps transfer rates.

Front Panel USB 3.0 Headers

Easily accessible internal headers for connecting modern high-speed chassis input/output ports.

Audio Engineering & Realtek S1200A

Immersive soundscapes designed for competitive spatial awareness

108dB SNR Stereo Output

Ensures exceptionally low background hiss and clean playback for high-impedance headphones.

Audio Shielding

Analog/digital separation blocks electromagnetic interference from ruining delicate audio signals.

Dedicated Audio PCB Layers

Separate layers for left and right channels ensure minimal crosstalk and maximum channel separation.

Japanese Audio Capacitors

Premium components deliver natural, immersive sound with deep bass and crisp highs.

DTS Custom Support

Provides onboard spatial cue allocation for stereo headphones, categorizing modes into Aerial, Soundscape, and Tactical.

Cooling Control & Fan Xpert 4

Comprehensive thermal management for silent operation and heavy overclocks

Hybrid Fan Headers

Automatically detect whether connected fans are operating via PWM or DC voltage control modes.

Dedicated AIO Pump Header

Provides full-speed or adjustable DC/PWM power output for standalone liquid cooling water pumps.

GPU Temperature Input

Allows fan profiles to react dynamically to the temperature of supported Asus graphics cards.

Multiple Thermal Sensors

Strategic onboard thermistors monitor critical motherboard zones in real time to prevent hot spots.

Smart Fan Calibration

The UEFI and software utility automatically scan fan spin ranges to create custom quiet or performance profiles.

✓ Pros

✓Robust military-grade TUF components ensure exceptional long-term reliability and durability.
✓Dual native PCIe 3.0 M.2 slots support lightning-fast NVMe storage in RAID arrays.
✓Reinforced SafeSlot Core+ prevents GPU sag and physical damage to PCIe slots.
✓Clean and intuitive UEFI BIOS layout with comprehensive fan and overclocking controls.
✓Integrated Intel Gigabit Ethernet paired with TUF LANGuard surge protection.
✓High-fidelity Realtek S1200A audio codec enhanced with DTS Custom spatial audio.
✓Subtle yet customizable Aura Sync RGB lighting headers for ecosystem synchronization.

✗ Cons

✗Lacks integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth out of the box (requires the Wi-Fi specific variant or a separate M.2/PCIe card).
✗Limited to standard USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds without modern USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt 3 native support.
✗VRM heatsink styling and thermal mass are geared toward mainstream CPUs rather than extreme multi-core core i9 overclocking.
✗Only two RGB headers (one standard, one addressable) which may limit complex lighting builds.

Use Cases

Mid-to-high-tier gaming rigs powered by 8th or 9th Gen Intel Core processors.Reliable workstation builds for video editing, photo retouching, and general content creation.Esports gaming setups requiring reliable, lag-free Intel Ethernet networking and clear spatial audio.Durable, rugged system builds intended for environments where component longevity is paramount.Budget-conscious enthusiast builds looking to maximize Z390 chipset overclocking potential.

Technical Specifications

CPU Socket

LGA 1151 for 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors

Chipset

Intel Z390

Form Factor

ATX (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)

Memory Support

4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 4266(O.C.)/4133(O.C.)/4000(O.C.)/3866(O.C.)/3733(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666/2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory

Expansion Slots

2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x4), 4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x1

Storage Interfaces

2 x M.2 Socket 3 (M key), 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10)

Networking

Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN with TUF LANGuard

Audio

Realtek S1200A 8-Channel High Definition Audio Codec

USB Ports

2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-A + Type-C), 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 6 x USB 2.0

Internal I/O Connectors

1 x AIO_PUMP header, 4 x Chassis Fan headers, 1 x Aura RGB Strip header, 1 x Addressable Gen 2 header

BIOS

128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.1, ACPI 6.1

Operating System

Windows 10 (64-bit)

Z390 Motherboard Tier Comparison

Feature	tufZ390PlusGaming	z390AorusPro	mpgZ390GamingEdgeAc
Chipset	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390
Form Factor	ATX	ATX	ATX
VRM Phase Design	Digital Power Solution	12+1 Real Phases	10+1 Phases
Wireless Networking	None (PCIe/M.2 Add-in required)	Intel CNVi Wi-Fi	Intel Wireless-AC 9462
M.2 Slots	2 x PCIe 3.0 x4	2 x PCIe 3.0 x4 with Heatsinks	2 x PCIe 3.0 x4
Audio Codec	Realtek S1200A	Realtek ALC1220-VB	Realtek ALC1220

Setup Tips

Update to the Latest BIOS

Download and flash the latest stable UEFI BIOS version from Asus support to ensure optimal microcode security patches and memory compatibility.

Enable XMP in UEFI

Enter the BIOS on first boot and activate the XMP profile to ensure your DDR4 memory kit runs at its rated high-frequency speed rather than the default 2133MHz.

Connect Fans to Hybrid Headers

Plug your case fans into the board's hybrid fan headers and run Fan Xpert 4 calibration in the BIOS or Windows app for customized, quiet cooling profiles.

Utilize SafeSlot for Heavy GPUs

Ensure your primary graphics card is firmly seated in the top metal-reinforced SafeSlot Core+ slot to prevent physical strain during transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaway

The Asus TUF Z390-Plus Gaming is a rugged, feature-rich ATX motherboard designed for 8th and 9th Gen Intel processors, combining military-grade durability, dual M.2 support, and intuitive tuning tools. It provides a solid foundation for mainstream gamers and creators seeking dependable performance without unnecessary premium fluff. While lacking built-in Wi-Fi on the base model, its robust construction, reliable Intel LAN, and robust expansion options make it an enduring choice for classic LGA 1151 builds.