ASUS TUF X470-Plus Gaming Motherboard Review

Specifications

ASUS TUF X470-Plus Gaming AMD Ryzen 2 AM4 DDR4 HDMI DVI M.2 ATX Motherboard

• CPU
  AMD AM4 Socket AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/Ryzen™ 1st Generation/7^th Generation A-series/Athlon X4 Processors
  Supports CPU up to 8 cores
  * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
• Chipset
  AMD X470
• Memory
  AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors
  4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666/2400/2133 MHz Un-buffered Memory
  AMD 7th Generation A-Series/Athlon X4 Processors
  4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 2400/2133 MHz Un-buffered Memory
  Dual Channel Memory Architecture
  ECC Memory (ECC model) support varies by CPU.
  ** Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
• Graphic
  Integrated Graphics in the AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ 7th Generation A-Series APU
  Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI-D ports
  – Supports HDMI 1.4b with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
  – Supports DVI-D with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
  Maximum shared memory of 2048 MB (for iGPU exclusively)
• Multi-GPU Support
  Supports AMD CrossFireX™ Technology
• Expansion Slots
  AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors
  1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 mode)
  AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics /7th Generation A-Series/Athlon X4 Processors
  1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode)
  AMD X470 chipset
  1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (max at x4 mode)
  3 x PCIe 2.0 x1
• Storage
  AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors : 
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
  AMD 7th Generation A-Series/Athlon X4 Processors : 
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA mode)
  AMD X470 chipset : 
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 2 mode)
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
  Support Raid 0, 1, 10
• LAN
  Realtek® RTL8111H
  TUF LANGuard
• Audio
  Realtek® ALC887-VD2 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  Audio Feature :
  – Exclusive DTS Custom for GAMING Headsets.
  – Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
  – Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals
  – Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
  – Audio Cover: Effective shielding preserves the integrity of audio signals to ensure best quality.
• USB Ports
  AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation/7th Generation A-Series/Athlon X4 Processors :
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (2 at back panel, , Type-A)
  AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation/7th Generation A-Series/Athlon X4 Processors :
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (1 at back panel, , USB Type-C^TM)
  AMD X470 chipset :
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s) (2 at back panel, )
  AMD X470 chipset :
  4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (4 at mid-board)
  AMD X470 chipset :
  6 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, , 4 at mid-board)
• Special Features
  ASUS TUF PROTECTION
  – ASUS SafeSlot: Protect your graphics card Investment
  – ASUS ESD Guard: Enhanced ESD protection
  – ASUS Overvoltage Protection: World-class circuit-protecting power design
  – ASUS Stainless-Steel Back I/O: 3X corrosion-resistance for greater durability!
  – ASUS DIGI+ VRM: 6 Phase digital power design
  AURA :
  – Aura Lighting Control
  ASUS Exclusive Features :
  – AI Suite 3
  – Ai Charger
  – PC Cleaner
  ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
  – Stylish Fanless Design Heat-sink solution & MOS Heatsink
  – ASUS Fan Xpert 4 Core
  ASUS EZ DIY :
  – ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
  – ASUS EZ Flash 3
  – ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
  ASUS Q-Design :
  – ASUS Q-Slot
  – ASUS Q-DIMM
  Overclocking Protection :
  – ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
• Back I/O Ports
  1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
  1 x DVI-D
  1 x HDMI
  1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A,
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (blue) USB Type-C^TM,
  2 x USB 2.0
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (blue)
  3 x Audio jack(s)
• Internal I/O Ports
  1 x RGB Header(s)
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1(up to 5Gbps) connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (19-pin)
  2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 X2 mode)
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin)
  1 x AIO_PUMP connector (1 x 4 -pin)
  1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
  1 x System panel(s)
  1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
  1 x COM port header
• Accessories
  User’s manual
  ASUS Q-Shield
  2 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
  1 x M.2 Screw Package
  1 x Supporting DVD
  1 x TUF GAMING Sticker
  1 x TUF Certification card(s)
• BIOS
  256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 6.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, ASUS User Profile,ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information, F6 Qfan Control,F4 AURA ON/OFF,F9 Search
• Manageability
  DMI 3.0, WOL by PME, PXE
• Operating System
  Windows® 10 64-bit
• Form Factor
  ATX Form Factor
  12.0 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )

Packaging

The front of the X470 TUF packaging has the ASUS logo on the top left-hand corner and AURA logo on the right. In the center, there is the TUF X470-Plus Gaming product branding. Across the bottom, they make mention of the AM4 socket and the Z470 chipset, along with the Ryzen logo and various certifications of the X470 TUF such as HDMI and VR Ready to name a couple. On the bottom right-hand corner is the TUF Gaming logo.

The rear of the packaging is where the bulk of the information is held. Across the top is the ASUS logo and TUG Gaming and X470-Plus branding. Underneath that, there is a depiction of the board, as well as an angled view of the I/O.  Down the left side of the board are the main specifications of the board. On the far right are depictions of a few of the main features of the board such as TUF Gaming Audio, AURA Sync, TUF Components and their Exclusive SafeSlot PCIe slots.

The left and right sides of the box are the same. Both with the ASUS logo and TUF Gaming logos, as well as the X470 branding. This is also printed on the top and bottom of the box as well. The bottom edge is where we find the serial number, part number, and UPC code. The top edge has the phrase “True USB 3.1 Gen 2, 20x faster data rates. TUF Components certified for TUF Duty.” Printed in several different languages.

The board itself comes in an anti-static bag and have the normal accessories one would expect with a budget motherboard. This includes a user guide I/O shield, driver disk, a couple SATA cables, standoffs and screws for the two M.2 slots TUF Certification of Reliability and a coupon for 20% off a cable mod purchase. For the record, we never used the code. So, the first person to claim it gets the 20% off their next Cable Mods purchase. Last is something I’ve never seen in a motherboard box. Stickers to cover up the CMOS battery. This I like. Plus one for ASUS.