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ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero WiFi 6E motherboard: features, specs and who it suits
An ATX LGA 1700 motherboard for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core processors, with DDR5, PCIe 5.0, five M.2 slots, Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 6E. What the specs mean.
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The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is an ATX motherboard for Intel's LGA 1700 socket, aimed at enthusiast gaming builds and overclockers. It is the board everything else in a PC plugs into, and it decides which processor, memory and storage you can use. Here is what its main specs mean for a build.
Socket, chipset and memory
The board uses the Intel LGA 1700 socket and the Z790 chipset. ASUS says it is built for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core processors. It takes DDR5 memory, which is not interchangeable with the older DDR4 standard, so any memory you already own from an earlier build will not fit. In general, Z790 is the chipset family that allows processor and memory overclocking on unlocked Intel chips.
Before buying, check that the processor you plan to use is on ASUS's compatibility list, and that the board's firmware version supports it. Newer processors sometimes need a BIOS update on boards that shipped earlier.
What 20+1 power stages means
The voltage regulator module (VRM) converts power from the supply into the steady, low voltage a processor needs. ASUS lists 20 teamed power stages for the processor and one for other circuits, each rated for 90 A, with ProCool II power connectors, alloy chokes and metallic capacitors. In general, a stronger VRM matters most with high-end, power-hungry processors and when overclocking, because it has to deliver stable current for long periods.
Cooling and thermal design
ASUS describes VRM heatsinks joined to an aluminum I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pads, heatsinks over the M.2 drive slots (with embedded backplates on two of them), and a ROG Water-Cooling Zone. That last feature is aimed at custom liquid-cooling builds. Fast PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 drives can run warm under sustained transfers, so the drive heatsinks are a practical detail.
Storage and expansion
The listing gives PCIe 5.0 support and five M.2 slots, so a build can carry several solid-state drives without add-in cards. PCIe 5.0 is the newest generation of the expansion interface and roughly doubles the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 per lane. Whether a given graphics card or SSD can use that bandwidth depends on the device. Check the manual for how the M.2 slots share lanes with each other and with SATA ports, since using certain slots can disable others on many boards.
Networking and ports
Onboard connectivity includes WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet, plus ASUS's LANGuard protection. ASUS also lists two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which use the USB-C connector and support USB4-class speeds, daisy-chained devices and display output. The Thunderbolt 4 ports are useful for fast external drives and docks.
ASUS software tools
ASUS lists AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking (GameFirst VI) and Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelation. These are software helpers meant to simplify tuning, fan control, network traffic priority and microphone clean-up. Whether you use them is a matter of preference; manual settings in the BIOS remain available.
Who it suits
It suits people building a high-end Intel gaming or creator PC who want plenty of fast storage, Thunderbolt connectivity and a strong power-delivery design. It is more board than a modest build typically needs.
What to check before you buy
- Processor: confirm your exact Intel model and whether the board needs a BIOS update for it.
- Memory: DDR5 only; check the supported speeds and capacity in the manual.
- Case size: it is a full ATX board, so confirm your case accepts that size.
- Cooler fit: check the cooler's mounting for the LGA 1700 socket.
- Storage plan: note which M.2 slots share bandwidth with other ports.
- Power: make sure the power supply has the required processor and board connectors.
The short version
- An ATX motherboard for LGA 1700 Intel Core processors (12th to 14th Gen), with DDR5 memory.
- 20+1 power stages rated at 90 A, with extensive heatsinks.
- Five M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 support and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
- WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.5Gb Ethernet built in.
- Built for high-end gaming builds and overclocking.
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