Asus TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS D4

Overpriced

The raw state of the BIOS. In the currently available firmware (0807), the issue with memory overclocking via the XMP profile (AI Overclock Tuner XMP-I or XMP-II) has not been resolved. The problem is that in these modes, the motherboard sets the FSB above 100 MHz, which often leads to memory instability at frequencies above 3600 MHz. However, this problem can be easily bypassed by setting the Overclock Tuner to Manual (FSB will be 99.8 MHz when set to 100 in the BIOS) or Auto (FSB will be exactly 100 MHz), and then manually setting all the memory timings and voltage according to the chosen XMP profile (if you're not sure how to do this, set the Overclock Tuner to XMP-II, open DRAM Timing Control and note all values different from Auto, then set the Overclock Tuner to Manual or Auto and open DRAM Timing Control again, change values from Auto to the previously recorded ones, and don't forget to adjust the DRAM Voltages according to the XMP profile).

Considering the catastrophic shortage of DDR5 and its unreasonable prices, it can be taken as a transitional option (provided you already have DDR4 from a previous build) with an eye on an upgrade in half a year to a year when DDR5 prices and timings decrease.

-Raw BIOS, need to wait for an update.
-The HX436C17PB3K4 memory didn't run at the declared 3600MHz, neither with XMP-I (ASUS tweaker) nor with XMP-II (stock XMP profile). Despite this, the model is listed on the motherboard's tested list. Had to lower the frequency by 200MHz. Seems to be fixable with BIOS, waiting for an update.
-As with all motherboards, PCIe ports are somehow crammed towards the first x16 slot. So if you install a graphics card, you have to say goodbye to x1 and x4 ports. Partially resolved with risers.
-Only 4 SATA ports. Some people might not like this.
-Strange logic of built-in SSDs. The processor NVMe is under the heatsink, another one is open, two more under a common heatsink, and one of these slots seems to support NGFF. It would be more logical to place the NGFF-compatible one in the open slot, but this is more of an aesthetic issue.
-No IO indicator and button header in the package, have to connect directly.
-(on integrated) If the board doesn't detect a monitor at startup, no image will appear on the port until you reboot, no matter how much you poke the monitor. Seems to have been fixed by the latest BIOS, haven't checked.
-No Thunderbolt, had to install an expansion card. The maximum on the motherboard is USB 3.2 gen2x2.