ASUS
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO
Best high-performance motherboard for serious gamers and extreme overclocking enthusiasts.
The ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO is a high-performance ATX motherboard engineered for 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core processors utilizing the LGA 1700 socket. It features robust power delivery with 20 + 1 power stages, ensuring stability for demanding tasks and overclocking. Connectivity is extensive, supporting DDR5 memory up to 7800+(OC) MHz across four slots, and offering multiple high-speed storage options via five M.2 slots. Integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN provide fast networking, complemented by premium onboard audio featuring the ESS SABRE9218 DAC for superior sound quality.
$799.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
89
/ 977
#89 in Motherboards
Price vs Category Average
+140%
Above average
CPU Socket
17001312
/ LGA (Supports th/th Gen Intel Core)
Who it's for
- Overclockers pushing Intel processors to their absolute thermal limits
- Power users requiring maximum bandwidth for high-end storage and GPUs
- System builders valuing premium aesthetics and convenient hardware installation tools
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious gamers who do not require extreme overclocking capabilities
- Network enthusiasts demanding ultra-fast 10Gb connectivity for local file transfers
- Performance purists who refuse to compromise on full GPU bandwidth
Performance breakdown
Power Delivery
The 20+1 power stage design handles extreme overclocking with effortless stability.
Memory Throughput
DDR5 support at 7800+ MHz pushes system responsiveness to the absolute limit.
Storage Expandability
Five M.2 slots provide massive high-speed capacity for demanding creative workflows.
Connectivity Versatility
Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports offer best-in-class bandwidth for modern peripheral ecosystems.
Audio Fidelity
Integrated ESS SABRE DAC delivers studio-grade sound clarity for discerning listeners.
Thermal Management
Robust heatsinks keep critical components cool under sustained heavy processing loads.
Key Specs
CPU Socket
LGA 1700 (Supports 13th/12th Gen Intel Core)
Form Factor
ATX (305 mm x 244 mm)
VRM Design
20 + 1 Power Stages (90A)
Memory Support
DDR5 up to 7800+(OC) MHz, 4 slots, 128GB max
Storage
5 x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA), 6 x SATA ports
Networking
2.5Gbps LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3
Rear USB Ports
2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C
Expansion Slots
1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4 mode)
Features
- Extreme power delivery for high-end CPUs
- Next-generation PCIe 5.0 support
- Premium onboard audio with dedicated DAC
- Extensive high-speed M.2 storage support
- Integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Comprehensive cooling and fan control options
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 connectivity
- Optimized for serious overclocking
What customers say
The ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO earns high praise, positioning itself as a premier motherboard for performance enthusiasts. Reviewers consistently highlight the exceptional build quality and the massive, effective VRM cooling, ensuring stable power delivery even when pushing flagship Intel CPUs. Its robust feature set, including ample high-speed M.2 slots and integrated Thunderbolt 4, offers excellent future proofing. The sleek design blends premium aesthetics with high functionality. While the price reflects its top tier status, most users agree the investment is justified by the superior stability and performance headroom provided. The UEFI BIOS offers unparalleled control for advanced tweaking, solidifying this board as a powerful foundation for demanding builds.
Know before you buy
This motherboard features an LGA 1700 socket and is designed specifically for 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors.
Yes, it supports DDR5 memory modules with overclocked speeds reaching 7800+ MHz. You can install up to 128GB of RAM across the four available slots.
The board includes five M.2 slots, providing ample space for high-speed NVMe storage drives alongside six traditional SATA ports for additional connectivity.
Absolutely. It is built with a robust 20 + 1 power stage design rated for 90A, which provides the stable power delivery required for pushing high-end CPUs to their limits.
The rear panel is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports for high-bandwidth peripherals, along with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port for fast data transfers.
No, the motherboard features premium onboard audio integrated with an ESS SABRE9218 DAC, which delivers high-fidelity sound quality suitable for most audiophile needs.
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