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Firmware
Asus’ BIOS for Z590 looks the same as found on previous-generation Z490-based motherboards. The BIOS starts in “EZ” mode, presenting some high-level information and a couple of adjustable options such as enabling XMP and Boot priority. Advanced Mode has a slew of BIOS options, many of which most users will not touch. Asus organizes the BIOS well, and many of the common functions, particularly overclocking functionality, are easily accessible without drilling deep into the pages. Overall, Asus offers a user-friendly BIOS with enough options to keep the most advanced users busy.
Software
On the software side, Asus includes a few applications designed for varying functions. This includes RGB lighting control, system monitoring and overclocking, audio and more. Below we’ve captured a few screenshots of Ai Suite, Armoury Crate and Aura Creator.
Test System
As of March 2021, we’ve updated our test system to Windows 10 64-bit OS (20H2) with all threat mitigations applied. On the hardware front, we’ve switched to all PCIe 4.0 components. We upgraded our video card to an Asus RTX 3070 TUF Gaming and the storage device to a 2TB Phison PS5-18-E18 M.2. We’ve also updated the games to F1 2020 and Far Cry: New Dawn, along with the hardware changes. We use the latest non-beta motherboard BIOS available to the public unless otherwise noted (typically during new platform launches). The hardware used is as follows:
Test System Components
CPU | Intel i9-11900K |
Memory | GSkill Trident Z Neo 2x8GB DDR4 3600 (F4-3600C16Q-32GTZN) |
Row 2 - Cell 0 | GSkill Trident Z Royale 2x8GB DDR4 4000 (F4-4000C18Q-32GTRS) |
GPU | Asus TUF Gaming RTX 3070 |
Cooling | Corsair H150i |
PSU | Corsair AX1200i |
Software | Windows 10 64-bit 20H2 |
Graphics Driver | NVIDIA Driver 461.40 |
Sound | Integrated HD audio |
Network | Integrated Networking (GbE or 2.5 GbE) |
Benchmark Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
PCMark 10 | Version 2.1.2508 64 |
Row 2 - Cell 0 | Essentials, Productivity, Digital Content Creation, MS Office |
3DMark | Version 2.17.7137 64 |
Row 4 - Cell 0 | Firestrike Extreme and Time Spy Default Presets |
Cinebench R20 | Version RBBENCHMARK271150 |
Row 6 - Cell 0 | Open GL Benchmark - Single and Multi-threaded |
Application Tests and Settings | Row 7 - Cell 1 |
LAME MP3 | Version SSE2_2019 |
Row 9 - Cell 0 | Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 --nores (160Kb/s) |
HandBrake CLI | Version: 1.2.2 |
Row 11 - Cell 0 | Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX) |
Corona 1.4 | Version 1.4 |
Row 13 - Cell 0 | Custom benchmark |
7-Zip | Version 19.00 |
Row 15 - Cell 0 | Integrated benchmark |
Game Tests and Settings | Row 16 - Cell 1 |
F1 2020 | Ultra Preset - 1920 x 1080, TAA, 16xAF (Australia, Clear, Dry) |
Far Cry: New Dawn | Ultra Preset - 1920 x 1080 |
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Prev Page Features and Specifications Next Page Benchmarks and Final ThoughtsJoe Shields is a Freelance writer for Tom’s Hardware US. He reviews motherboards.
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Co BIY I enjoy these midrange reviews because these are boards I may actually be in the market for. The tradeoffs between the options are interesting.Reply
I think the tables with the "best" board on the bottom are confusing . The "best" should be at the top even when that means it has a lower number.
And why is the MSI MEG Ace always at the top regardless of it's performance in a given test ? ( I don't think Tom's would sell top billing on every table regardless of scores - Especially when the top is sometimes the worst spot the way the tables are set.) -
Howardohyea
I just read those reviews for fun, it is interesting to see different boards with different perks/aspects.Co BIY said:I enjoy these midrange reviews because these are boards I may actually be in the market for.
It might be me though but I really would like to see a CMOS clear button on the rear IO, or have the CMOS battery not blocked under a graphics card -
Captain_Hook https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/USMhA68MCq8KqFhv4uwYMJ-970-80.jpg - it's nice to have a pic with Ryzen in an Intel motherboard review 🆒Reply -
MainFramR1
The top result in the charts is always the same and a reference for the 10900K versus the 11900K (AMD reviews its a 3900X). In other words, it's not the board, but the CPU used as a reference and is not included in the performance sort.Co BIY said:I enjoy these midrange reviews because these are boards I may actually be in the market for. The tradeoffs between the options are interesting.
I think the tables with the "best" board on the bottom are confusing . The "best" should be at the top even when that means it has a lower number.
And why is the MSI MEG Ace always at the top regardless of it's performance in a given test ? ( I don't think Tom's would sell top billing on every table regardless of scores - Especially when the top is sometimes the worst spot the way the tables are set.) -
Co BIY MainFramR1 said:The top result in the charts is always the same and a reference for the 10900K versus the 11900K (AMD reviews its a 3900X). In other words, it's not the board, but the CPU used as a reference and is not included in the performance sort.
Now I see it. Thanks for the explanation. -
TheInspector069
Joe,Admin said:Asus’ TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WIFI includes three M.2 slots with a unique latching system, a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, integrated Wi-Fi 6 and capable power delivery. Priced at around $250, it isn’t cheap but compares well to similarly priced Intel boards.
Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WIFI Review: TUF Enough : Read more
If you look st the graphics for this board, it states 3Gbs for SATA connectivity. When I have seen 6Gbs including on your review.
Would it be possible for someone on your side to notify ASUS of this error?
Jonathan