Asus TUF Gaming Z690-Plus vs MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk: Which One Reigns Supreme?

Choosing the right motherboard for your next PC build can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available in the market. Two popular contenders that often come up in discussions are the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus and the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk. Both motherboards offer solid performance, robust features, and a compelling price point, making the decision even tougher.
This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of these two popular motherboards, exploring their key features, performance, and overall value proposition. By the end of this read, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which motherboard best suits your needs and budget.

Design and Aesthetics

Both the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus and the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk sport a sleek and understated design, catering to a wide range of PC build aesthetics. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus features a black and grey color scheme with subtle TUF branding, emphasizing a more understated and professional look. On the other hand, the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk boasts a more aggressive design with a black and silver color scheme and prominent MSI branding, appealing to gamers seeking a bolder aesthetic.

Features and Connectivity

Both motherboards offer a robust set of features and connectivity options, leaving you well-equipped for a wide range of PC builds. Let’s delve into the specifics:

ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus

• Connectivity:
• PCIe: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (for GPU), 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 (for NVMe SSD), 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1
• USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C (20 Gbps), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps), 2 x USB 2.0
• Networking: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (Gig+) with Bluetooth 5.2, Intel 2.5 GbE LAN
• Audio: Realtek ALC4080 codec with DTS Custom for immersive audio
• Other Features:
• TUF LANGuard for enhanced network stability
• TUF Military-Grade components for durability
• ASUS Q-Design features for ease of assembly

MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk

• Connectivity:
• PCIe: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (for GPU), 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 (for NVMe SSD), 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1
• USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C (20 Gbps), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps), 2 x USB 2.0
• Networking: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (Gig+) with Bluetooth 5.2, Intel 2.5 GbE LAN
• Audio: Realtek ALC1220 codec with Nahimic Audio for immersive sound
• Other Features:
• MSI Mystic Light for customizable RGB lighting
• M.2 Shield Frozr for improved cooling performance
• MSI Core Boost for optimized CPU power delivery

Performance

Both the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus and the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk deliver exceptional performance, thanks to their robust feature set and high-quality components. They both support the latest 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, providing ample power for demanding tasks like gaming, content creation, and professional workloads.
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus boasts a 16-phase power delivery system, ensuring stable and efficient power delivery to your CPU, while the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk utilizes a 14-phase power delivery system. Both motherboards offer excellent overclocking capabilities, allowing you to squeeze out the maximum performance from your CPU.

Cooling Solutions

Both motherboards prioritize efficient thermal management, ensuring your components run cool and stable under heavy workloads. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus features a large heatsink covering the VRM and M.2 slots, while the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk boasts the M.2 Shield Frozr, a dedicated heatsink for your NVMe SSD. Both solutions effectively dissipate heat, preventing throttling and maximizing performance.

BIOS and Software

Both ASUS and MSI offer intuitive and feature-rich BIOS interfaces, allowing you to fine-tune your system settings and optimize performance. ASUS’s UEFI BIOS is known for its user-friendly layout and comprehensive options, while MSI’s Click BIOS 5 offers a similar level of customization and ease of use.
Both manufacturers provide accompanying software utilities for enhancing your system’s functionality. ASUS’s Armoury Crate allows for system monitoring, lighting control, and performance tuning, while MSI’s Dragon Center offers similar features with added functionality for customizing RGB lighting effects.

Pricing and Value Proposition

The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus and the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk are priced competitively, offering excellent value for their features and performance. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus tends to be slightly more expensive than the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk, but the difference is usually minimal.
Ultimately, the best value proposition depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you prioritize a robust power delivery system and a more understated aesthetic, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a motherboard with aggressive aesthetics, customizable RGB lighting, and a dedicated heatsink for your NVMe SSD, the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk could be a more compelling option.

Choosing the Right Motherboard: A Final Verdict

Both the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus and the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk are excellent motherboards that offer exceptional performance, robust features, and compelling value propositions. The choice ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and needs.
Consider the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus if:

• You prioritize a robust power delivery system for maximum CPU performance.
• You prefer a more understated and professional aesthetic.
• You value the durability and reliability of TUF Military-Grade components.

Consider the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk if:

• You want a motherboard with aggressive aesthetics and customizable RGB lighting.
• You prioritize a dedicated heatsink for your NVMe SSD to enhance cooling performance.
• You prefer the features and functionality offered by MSI’s Dragon Center software.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q1: Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
Both motherboards offer excellent overclocking capabilities. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus boasts a 16-phase power delivery system, which might provide a slight edge in stability and performance during overclocking. However, the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk’s 14-phase system is still more than capable for most overclocking scenarios.
Q2: Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk features the Realtek ALC1220 codec with Nahimic Audio, which generally offers a slightly better audio experience than the Realtek ALC4080 codec with DTS Custom on the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus. However, both motherboards provide excellent audio quality for everyday use and gaming.
Q3: Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both motherboards offer excellent gaming performance, thanks to their robust feature set and high-quality components. Ultimately, the best motherboard for gaming depends on your individual needs and preferences. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus might be a better choice for those seeking a more stable and reliable platform, while the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk could appeal to gamers who prioritize aesthetics and customizable RGB lighting.
Q4: Which motherboard is better for content creation?
Both motherboards are well-suited for content creation tasks, offering ample performance and robust features. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus’s 16-phase power delivery system might provide a slight advantage in stability and performance for demanding workloads, but the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk’s 14-phase system is still more than capable for most content creation tasks.
Q5: Which motherboard is the better value for money?
The value proposition of both motherboards is excellent, offering a compelling balance of features, performance, and price. The MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk tends to be slightly more affordable, making it a better value for money if you’re on a tighter budget. However, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus’s added features and robust power delivery system could be worth the extra cost for some users.