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ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HeroMOBO

MOBOMotherboards·ASUS

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

4.7
Shed ScoreEditorial rating out of 5, based on specs, build quality and value in its class.
  • Elite VRM performance
  • Extensive overclocking headroom
  • Premium connectivity suite

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a flagship-tier motherboard built for enthusiasts who want top-tier VRM performance, extensive connectivity, and robust overclocking headroom for 13th/12th Gen Intel CPUs.

  • ChipsetIntel Z790
  • Memory SupportDDR5 up to 7800+ MT/s
  • PCIe SlotsPCIe 5.0 x16
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// Datasheet

Technical specifications

ROG-MAXIMUS-Z790-HERO5 fields
ChipsetIntel Z790
Memory SupportDDR5 up to 7800+ MT/s
PCIe SlotsPCIe 5.0 x16
NetworkingWiFi 6E + 2.5Gb LAN
Storage3x M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots

// Verdict

Our take

4.7

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a flagship-tier motherboard built for enthusiasts who want top-tier VRM performance, extensive connectivity, and robust overclocking headroom for 13th/12th Gen Intel CPUs. While its price and size cater to high-end builds, it delivers consistent stability and premium features that justify the investment for serious gamers and content creators.

// Trade-offs

Pros and cons

+What we like

  • Exceptional power delivery for high-end overclocking
  • Premium build quality with extensive cooling options
  • Rich connectivity including Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 6E
  • Intuitive BIOS and Armoury Crate software suite
  • Strong VRM thermals even under sustained loads

−Watch out for

  • Premium price point compared to other Z790 boards
  • Large size may not fit smaller ITX/mATX cases
  • No built-in power or reset buttons on some board edges
  • Limited number of SATA ports due to M.2 prioritization

// Feature set

Key features

  • 01Intel Z790 chipset supporting 13th/12th Gen Intel Core processors
  • 0216+1+2 power stage design with 110A power stages
  • 03DDR5 support up to 7800+ MT/s (OC)
  • 04PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and triple M.2 slots with M.2 heatsinks
  • 05Built-in WiFi 6E and 2.5Gb Ethernet plus Thunderbolt 4
  • 06ROG Water-Cooling Zone with onboard temperature/flow headers
  • 07AI Cooling II and Fan Xpert 4 utility for thermal tuning
  • 08Pre-mounted I/O shield and BIOS FlashBack button

// Long read

Full review

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero stands as a flagship LGA1700 motherboard built for enthusiasts who demand uncompromising performance from Intel's latest Core processors. Built on the Z790 chipset, this ATX board supports 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs and features a robust 20+1 power stage design with ProCool connectors ensuring stable, clean power delivery even under extreme overclocking conditions. The board's VRM is cooled by an extended heatsink design with direct-contact heat pipes, allowing enthusiasts to push their processors without thermal throttling concerns during sustained workloads or gaming sessions.

Memory and storage capabilities on the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero are equally impressive, supporting DDR5 memory configurations with AEMP (ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile) technology for optimized overclocking profiles reaching high frequencies. The board includes four M.2 slots with dedicated heatsinks to manage NVMe SSD temperatures, alongside PCIe 5.0 support for both graphics cards and storage devices, future-proofing builds against upcoming hardware generations. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and Thunderbolt 4 support, while the rear I/O includes multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports for high-speed peripheral connections, making it ideal for content creators and competitive gamers alike.

What truly distinguishes this motherboard within the PC components space is its integration of ASUS's SupremeFX audio technology alongside the signature ROG aesthetic, featuring customizable Aura Sync RGB lighting and a distinctive armor-clad design with polymo lighting effects on the chipset heatsink. The Hero variant includes a dedicated LiveDash OLED display for real-time system monitoring, BIOS Flashback functionality for firmware updates without a CPU installed, and Q-LED diagnostic indicators that simplify troubleshooting during builds. Combined with reinforced PCIe slots and premium capacitors rated for longevity, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero represents a complete platform for builders constructing high-performance gaming rigs or professional workstations where reliability and cutting-edge features are non-negotiable priorities.

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