ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero (Wi-Fi) Z490 Motherboard: features and fit

The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero (Wi-Fi) is an ATX motherboard for the Intel LGA 1200 socket and Z490 chipset. It is a component for building or upgrading a desktop PC around 10th Gen Intel Core processors, and it is aimed at gamers and enthusiasts who want strong power delivery, fast networking and good onboard audio.

What it fits

The LGA 1200 socket, according to ASUS, is designed to get the maximum performance from 10th Gen Intel Core processors. The motherboard takes DDR4 memory and is listed with support for speeds of DDR4 4800 and above. It follows the ATX standard, so it needs an ATX-compatible case. Check the CPU, memory and case against the full specification before ordering, since sockets are not interchangeable between generations.

Power delivery

A processor's power stages smooth and convert the power it draws. ASUS lists 14+2 power stages, a ProCool II power connector, alloy chokes and durable capacitors to provide reliable power even when pushing the CPU to its limit. In general, strong power delivery matters most if you plan to overclock, or run a high-core-count chip at sustained load.

Cooling

ASUS describes a comprehensive heatsink, heatpipe and fan headers, together with low-noise AI cooling that balances thermals and acoustics by reducing fan speeds while maintaining a 5-degree Celsius delta. Fan headers let you connect case and CPU fans and control them from the BIOS or software.

Networking, storage and ports

The board has dual Ethernet: 5Gb and gigabit, with LANGuard protection. The Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (802.11ax) adapter provides wireless. There are dual M.2 slots for NVMe drives and USB 3.2 Gen 2 support. A 5Gb port is only useful if your router or switch can also handle that speed, so check your network.

Audio and lighting

The audio uses the SupremeFX S1220A codec, with DTS Sound Unbound and Sonic Studio III software. ASUS also lists Aura Sync illumination, which synchronises lighting with compatible parts, and OptiMem III, a design for stable memory performance and a memory-boosting profile.

Size and weight

The listing gives the boxed dimensions as 14.5 x 12.2 x 4.3 inches and the weight as 3.2 lb. The board itself is a standard ATX size.

Who it suits

It suits people building a 10th Gen Intel desktop who want built-in Wi-Fi, fast Ethernet, two M.2 slots and capable power delivery. It is not for later Intel generations or AMD processors, because the socket differs.

What to check before you buy

• Processor: the CPU must be an LGA 1200 chip supported on the BIOS version the board has; read the compatibility list.
• Memory: it takes DDR4, and the manual lists supported kits.
• Case: confirm it takes an ATX motherboard.
• Cooler and PSU: check the cooler mounts on LGA 1200 and the power supply has the needed connectors.
• Network and drives: make sure your M.2 SSDs and router suit the board's capabilities.

The short version

• An ATX Z490 motherboard for 10th Gen Intel Core processors on the LGA 1200 socket.
• 14+2 power stages, heatsink and heatpipe cooling, plus AI cooling.
• 5Gb and gigabit Ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 and dual M.2 slots.
• SupremeFX S1220A audio and Aura Sync lighting.
• A bare component: processor, memory, storage and case are bought separately.

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