ASUS TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING DDR4 AMD AM4 Motherboard

If you're looking for a motherboard that balances solid performance, durability, and value, the **ASUS TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING** DDR4 AMD AM4 motherboard is definitely worth considering. Designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts on a budget, this micro-ATX motherboard offers a compelling mix of features, while maintaining the rugged durability that the TUF series is known for. In this review, we'll take a deep dive into the key features, performance, pros, and cons of the TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING.

### **Overview**

The **ASUS TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING** is built around the AMD B450 chipset, which offers a good balance of performance and cost-effectiveness for mid-range builds. With support for **AMD Ryzen processors** (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation), this motherboard is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build a gaming PC without breaking the bank. The "TUF" brand is synonymous with durability, so this motherboard is designed to handle tough conditions while delivering stable and reliable performance.

### **Design and Build Quality**

One of the standout features of the TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING is its robust build. The TUF series is known for durability, and this board doesn't disappoint. Featuring a **military-grade component design**, this motherboard is engineered to withstand long gaming sessions, overclocking, and temperature extremes. ASUS uses high-quality capacitors, MOSFETs, and a reinforced backplate to ensure a longer lifespan. The **TUF components** (including TUF capacitors and chokes) ensure that this motherboard can handle heavy workloads, so you don’t need to worry about wear and tear.

Visually, the B450M-PLUS GAMING follows the characteristic TUF aesthetic with a subtle military-inspired design. It features a **black and yellow color scheme**, with the TUF logo and durable heatsinks that add a bit of flair without being too flashy. The compact **micro-ATX form factor** ensures it fits into smaller cases while still offering plenty of room for most components.

### **Key Features**

- **Socket AM4 for AMD Ryzen Processors**

The TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING supports a wide range of **AMD Ryzen processors** from 1st to 3rd generation, offering flexibility for upgrading your CPU in the future. It supports **overclocking** on Ryzen chips, allowing you to get extra performance out of your processor, which is ideal for gaming or productivity tasks.

- **Dual Channel DDR4 Support (up to 64GB)**

The motherboard comes with **four DDR4 DIMM slots** supporting up to **64GB of RAM** with speeds of up to **2933MHz (OC)**. While this might not be the highest RAM speed compared to some premium boards, it's certainly adequate for most gamers and general users. If you're building a budget system, the TUF B450M-PLUS provides sufficient memory capacity for most modern games and applications.

- **PCIe 3.0 and M.2 Support**

It offers **one PCIe 3.0 x16** slot for a discrete graphics card and **one PCIe 2.0 x16** slot (running at x4). Additionally, it features an **M.2 slot** for fast SSD storage, which is becoming essential for faster boot times and load speeds in modern games and software.

- **6x SATA 6Gb/s Ports**

There are six **SATA 6Gb/s ports**, allowing you to connect additional hard drives or SSDs for ample storage capacity.

- **Enhanced Cooling with TUF Heatsinks**

The B450M-PLUS GAMING is equipped with **active cooling solutions** such as **VRM heatsinks** and **M.2 heatsinks** to prevent thermal throttling, particularly during heavy workloads or overclocking. This makes it a solid choice for gamers looking to push their system to its limits.

- **Comprehensive I/O Ports**

The motherboard has a decent selection of **USB ports**, including **USB 3.1 Gen 1** and **USB 3.0**, as well as **HDMI** and **DisplayPort** for integrated graphics (though you'll likely be using a discrete GPU for gaming). It also offers **Gigabit Ethernet** (Realtek RTL8111H) for stable online gaming performance.

- **Military-Grade TUF Components**

The motherboard uses **TUF capacitors**, **chokes**, and **MOSFETs**, all rated for military-grade reliability, ensuring that it can handle tough gaming environments without faltering.

### **Performance**

In terms of raw performance, the **TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING** holds its ground as a solid mid-range motherboard. During our testing, it was able to run a **Ryzen 5 3600** without issue, offering strong gaming and multitasking performance. Gaming benchmarks showed smooth frame rates at 1080p with an **RTX 2060**, and general system responsiveness was snappy with an **M.2 NVMe SSD**.

While not a top-tier overclocking motherboard like some of the X570 options, the TUF B450M-PLUS still handles moderate overclocking well, thanks to its **decent VRM** and **heatsink design**. Stability remained intact, even when pushing the CPU clock speeds, though you'll want to be cautious about extreme overclocking if you plan to push the system hard for sustained periods.

### **Pros**

- **Exceptional Durability:** TUF components are built to last, which gives this motherboard an edge over other budget options.

- **Affordable Price Point:** For the features and performance it offers, the price of the TUF B450M-PLUS is hard to beat.

- **Solid Performance for Gaming:** It handles most games at high settings with ease, and it offers plenty of room for a capable gaming build.

- **Excellent Cooling:** The TUF heatsinks ensure that components are kept cool, even under heavy loads.

- **Good Connectivity:** PCIe 3.0, M.2 support, and ample USB ports are more than enough for most users.

- **Compatible with Future Ryzen CPUs:** Thanks to BIOS updates, you can upgrade to a 3rd-generation Ryzen CPU.

### **Cons**

- **Limited PCIe Slots:** The motherboard only has one full PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, so it's less ideal for multi-GPU setups or extensive expansion needs.

- **No USB 3.1 Gen 2:** While it supports USB 3.1 Gen 1, the lack of **USB 3.1 Gen 2** can be a minor inconvenience for those needing faster data transfer speeds.

- **Not Ideal for Extreme Overclocking:** Though the board handles moderate overclocking well, it's not designed for extreme or sustained high-end overclocking. If you're looking to push your system to the absolute limit, you might want to consider higher-end options.

### **Final Verdict**

The **ASUS TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING** is a fantastic choice for those looking to build a durable, cost-effective gaming PC. With its strong feature set, including **solid cooling solutions**, **durable TUF components**, and **good performance**, it's an excellent motherboard for mid-range AMD Ryzen builds.

While it may not offer the most advanced features found in higher-end boards, for the price, the TUF B450M-PLUS delivers exceptional value, making it a top contender for gamers and PC builders on a budget. Whether you're a first-time builder or an experienced enthusiast looking for a reliable workhorse, this motherboard will serve you well for years to come.

**Rating:** ★★★★☆ (4/5)