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The ASUS TUF GAMING lineup is known for its straightforward design, durability, and practicality at a reasonable price. The TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI, however, breaks the mold. This unique motherboard introduces a new era for TUF with a host of improvements and innovative features, embodied by its “BTF” (Back to the Future) moniker. But does it live up to the TUF legacy while delivering a truly cable-free experience? Let’s delve into the details.

A New Look for TUF

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard Box – Front

The Z790-BTF WIFI’s distinct identity is evident from its packaging. Departing from the traditional black TUF aesthetic, the box features a bright, almost painted, color scheme. The minimalist design highlights the TUF logo and key features like support for 12th-14th Gen Intel processors, Gen 2 ARGB lighting, and hidden connectors, creating an air of intrigue.

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard Box – Rear

The rear of the box provides a glimpse into the board’s technology and design: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 with a new antenna, AI Cooling II, a new PCIe slot retention mechanism, DDR5 support with AEMP II, and notably, the absence of visible power connectors.

Hidden Connectors: The BTF Advantage

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard – Front View

The Z790-BTF WIFI’s most striking feature is its rear-mounted connectors. Where connectors traditionally reside, you’ll find extensive heatsinks covering almost the entire front surface. These white, minimalist heatsinks, while retaining the TUF’s rugged aesthetic, contribute significantly to the board’s weight.

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard – Q-Release and High-Power Connector

The front features DDR5 slots supporting up to 192GB of RAM, a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot equipped with a new retention mechanism and a high-power connector capable of delivering up to 600W to the graphics card.

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard – Rear Connectors, PCIe and 12VHPWR

The rear reveals the relocated connectors, including three 8-pin PCIe power connectors and a 12VHPWR connector, ensuring compatibility with even the most power-hungry GPUs like the GeForce RTX 40 series.

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard – Rear Connectors, 8-Pin CPU Power

ASUS’s BTF standard aims to simplify PC building and improve aesthetics by routing all cables through the rear of the case. The GPU’s power is supplied via the motherboard, which in turn draws power from the PCIe connectors.

A Complete Ecosystem?

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard and RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF White OC Edition Graphics Card

ASUS has released the TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF White OC Edition graphics card specifically for the BTF ecosystem, showcasing the clean cable management this system offers. This simplifies the building process, especially for novice users, as it eliminates the need for complex cable routing.

• alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard and compatible Graphics Card, Rear View
• alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard and compatible Graphics Card, Side View

However, the BTF ecosystem’s limited component support presents a challenge. While compatible with standard cases and GPUs, cable routing and compatibility with the rear-mounted connectors might become an issue.

Performance and Features

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard Inside a PC Case

Although not the first to attempt this concept, ASUS has arguably delivered the most refined implementation of rear-mounted connectors, offering a more complete ecosystem with GPU and case support, even extending to third-party manufacturers like Corsair, Cooler Master, and Thermaltake.

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard – VRM Heatsink

The Z790-BTF WIFI boasts a 16+1+1 power phase design with 60A MOSFETs and substantial VRM heatsinks, cooled by two 8-pin power connectors located underneath. This robust power delivery system should easily handle even high-end CPUs like the i7-14700K, even when overclocked. Storage options include four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, all cooled by the main heatsink and equipped with Q-Latch mechanisms for easy drive installation.

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard – I/O Ports

Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring a 20Gbps USB Type-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2), two 10Gbps USB Type-A ports, a 10Gbps USB Type-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2), four 5Gbps USB Type-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen 1), Intel Wi-Fi 7 with theoretical speeds up to 2.4Gbps in the 6GHz band, Bluetooth 5.4, and a 2.5Gb LAN port.

Conclusion

alt: TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI Motherboard and Graphics Card on a Desk

The TUF GAMING Z790-BTF WIFI is a compelling motherboard with an innovative design and a robust feature set. While the BTF ecosystem is still in its early stages, it offers a glimpse into a future of cleaner, simpler PC builds. For users seeking cutting-edge technology and a unique aesthetic, the Z790-BTF WIFI presents an intriguing option within the TUF lineup.