At a look

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Great for each players and content material creators 
• Excellent I/O, M.2 drive choices, and USB ports
• Attractive design and strong construct high quality

Cons

• 10GbE networking could be welcomed
• Gamer-only PC builds could also be higher off with the cheaper Strix fashions

Our Verdict

Both players and content material creators will discover rather a lot to love within the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero. It’s effectively designed and has the entire next-gen options each events want, corresponding to PCIe Gen 5, Thunderbolt 4 and USB ports, and loads of M.2 slots. It lacks 10GbE networking, which you’d count on with a premium board like this, however that’s removed from a deal breaker. Overall it is a implausible next-gen motherboard with a comparatively inexpensive price ticket that may enchantment to a large viewers.

Price When Reviewed

629

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

$668.48

There are many intelligent methods to riff on this motherboard’s title, however we’ll spare you the puns and metaphors and dive proper in to see if that is the “Hero” motherboard that we’ve been searching for. (Okay, we couldn’t resist.)

Perhaps the very best candidates to match this heroic providing from Asus are within the type of Intel’s new Thirteenth-generation CPU lineup, such because the i9 13900K. This chip is bursting with fiery efficiency and power-draw which are superhero-caliber! 

The Asus ROG Maximus Hero is as much as the duty of assembly the i9 13900K the place it’s at. This Z790 iteration of the illustrious “Republic of Gamers” (ROG) lineup aspires to be the proper mix of operate and aesthetics. 

If the Asus ROG Strix Z790-E is good for players, the Z790 Hero takes it up a notch—each players and content material creators can be spoiled by the bevy of extras. We’ll go over the specs, options, design, and efficiency. Will the additional function set entice you to decide on this board over different choices? Let’s discover out!

Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: The Specs

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The Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero clocks in at an MSRP of $629, which places it close to the mid to higher echelon of motherboards. (Still shy of the dearer behemoths such because the Asus ROG Extreme we reviewed for Z690)

Let’s take a gander on the fundamental specs beneath, and what you’re getting for the worth. We’ll subsequently talk about essentially the most consequential.  

You’ll have the ability to use each Intel’s Twelfth- and Thirteenth-gen CPUs with Z790, alongside along with your current CPU coolers. 

The field is greater than most traditional motherboards, together with a couple of neat included extras that denote the Z790 Hero’s premium pedigree. Of be aware is the Asus M.2 Hyper PCIe card, permitting you so as to add two further M.2 drives, one being able to PCIe Gen 5. Other included equipment vary from the driving force USB drive and ROG stickers, to further cooling {hardware} for including small followers. 

The Hero provides a bunch of options that transcend purely gaming requirements and enchantment to content material creators, too.

• ATX type issue 
• Support for each Intel Twelfth- and Thirteenth-gen CPUs 
• Twin 20+1 energy phases with 105 amps
• DDR5 RAM 
• 2x PCIe Gen 5.0 16x slots (16x and 8x/8x) 
• 3x onboard M.2 slots, (PCIe Gen 4) 
• Asus Hyper M.2 growth card: 2 further M.2 slots (PCIe Gen 5 and Gen 4)
• HDMI out 
• 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports
• 10 USB ports on again, together with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gb/s
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E 
• Intel 2.5GbE LAN
• RGB Aura Sync header
• 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports 
• 8 PWM fan headers plus water stream headers
• BIOS Flashback and Clear CMOS 
• Onboard energy button
• Audio: ROG SupremeFX with ALC4082 Codec  
• Backwards appropriate CPU cooler mounting
• Asus Q-Release and Q-Latch
• MSRP $629

Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: Features

The Z790 Hero, very similar to the ROG Strix, has all the things you’d ever need for a candy gaming construct. Where the Hero actually begins to shine is in its further options, which spherical it out for content material creators too. 

Z790 continues the next-gen upgrades launched with Z690, corresponding to DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5. While present GPUs such because the RTX 4090 are nonetheless solely PCIe Gen 4, you’ll have tons of future-proofing right here. 

On the Hero, you’ll get two PCIe 16x PCIe slots, which each supply the superior Q-Release button. If you’ve ever tried to take away your GPU out of a good PC construct, you’ll know the way beneficial these quick-release buttons are permitting for simpler entry!

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USB ports are lots right here, and also you’ll get one which’s the newer 20Gb/s 3.2 Gen 2×2 too. Of curiosity to workstation customers and content material creators is the inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4 ports, with speeds as much as 40Gb/s. Thunderbolt has a big ecosystem of supported equipment, from speedy exterior drives to even exterior GPUs, one thing content material creators can recognize.

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M.2 choices are attention-grabbing right here: three onboard PCIe Gen 4 slots supplemented by the PCIe Asus Hyper M.2 card for 2 further slots. Some motherboards will present extra slots onboard, however on the expense of PCIe lane compromises. At least right here you’ve got the choice so as to add them with some simpler entry. Of profit to the onboard slots, is the Q-Latch system, making toolless set up doable. This is a good innovation since these tiny M.2 screws are sometimes troublesome to work with! 

You’ll nonetheless get six SATA ports for individuals who want it, which exceeds the 4 SATA ports discovered on lower-tier motherboards not too long ago.

Audio connectivity is properly represented, with the ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 Codec and audio outputs on the again, together with digital. 

Networking choices are positive, with Intel’s 2.5GbE and 6E Wi-Fi. We’d wish to see 10GbE provided on this degree of motherboard, like what is accessible on the Asus ROG Extreme, nevertheless. 

The helpful overclocking options are right here too, in fact. A helpful begin button on the motherboard itself is available in clutch whenever you’re on a check bench, or just testing your new PC construct. Clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback are additionally current—staples of premium overclocking motherboards. 

Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: Design

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The $629 MSRP ROG Maximus Z790 Hero feels solidly constructed, and substantial within the arms. Part of that’s because of the impressively strong backplate—with a tastefully finished Asus ROG brand. This accentuates the premium really feel of the Z790 Hero in each visible and tactile high quality.

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The spectacular design continues on the entrance with simply the correct amount of RGB touches to make it interesting. You’ll get an exquisite show on the I/O upper-left space of the motherboard, customizable within the Asus Armoury Crate software program. Asus calls this “Polymo Lighting.” We wish to name it “cool shiny lights,” because it’s a colourful show of eye sweet!

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The M.2 and PCIe space has practical and enticing styling, with the Asus ROG brand as soon as once more outstanding. Reflective surfaces abound, though when in use, they’re usually hidden by the GPU and brilliant RGB results.

Rounding out the remainder of the design, you’ll have the imposing VRM heatsink letting you understand this motherboard is prepared for motion! Careful with these fingers; that is excessive grade stuff!

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Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: Performance, software program, and BIOS

Asus calls the 20+1 energy phases its “Teamed Power Stage Design” due to the usage of “Phase Doublers.” This ensures most efficiency whereas conserving voltages and thermals in examine. Strapping Intel’s i9 13900K to this, even overclocked? No worries, these VRMs will simply deal with the scorching monster with out breaking a sweat!

While the Z690 Hero additionally has the chops to deal with the most recent CPUs, the Z790 has a couple of added efficiency advantages. When it involves DDR5, Z790 has improved stability and better overlocking limits for the quickest RAM kits. Asus says it’s because of improved sign routing—so that you’re welcome, overclockers. Go have enjoyable! (Non-overclockers may even profit from added stability and higher compatibility with 4 -DIMM RAM configurations on the Z790, too).

The Asus BIOS has been famend for ease of use and help for deep tinkering for individuals who need it. Sure, simple computerized XMP profiles and Ai overclocking are right here, too. If you need to change RAM timings, or modify minute particulars on a CPU overclock, you’ll be like a child in a toy retailer right here.

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If you like to maintain your mad-scientist role-playing out of the BIOS, Asus Armoury Crate software program is right here for that. Easily modify fan curves, and Aura Sync RGB choices aplenty. It can routinely examine for driver updates, though we all the time advisable occasional checking of the Asus web site—typically BIOS updates and the like are launched quicker there if it’s worthwhile to replace. Otherwise, the software program has nice visible enchantment and is mostly simple to make use of.

Should you purchase the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero?

The Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Hero is a pleasant motherboard that bridges the hole between players and content material creators. For players wanting premium construct high quality, chock-full of choices, you may’t go improper. It’s going to look nice in your construct with its tasteful RGB, too. At $629, it’s dearer than previous-generation Hero choices, however it’s additionally packing the most recent and best applied sciences, which aren’t low cost to implement. 

For content material creators and people wanting to make use of the board as a workstation, there’s rather a lot to love right here, too. Thunderbolt 4, loads of USB, and 5 slots for M.2 drives with the included Asus Hyper PCIe card, for instance. Six SATA ports will provide you with much more storage choices, too. If you don’t want 10GbE networking, there’s little else that you will want. 

If you need a high-end, premium-feeling motherboard, with out having to shell out the dough for the uber-class choices, the Z790 Hero makes for a superb selection with little compromise.