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Manufacturer: ASUS Last updated: September 11, 2026
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ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero Review
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero was ASUS's flagship LGA1700 board for 12th/13th/14th Gen Intel processors, still a strong pick for builders who want a high-end Intel platform without moving to the newer Core Ultra Series 2 chips.
ASUS's specification pages for this board rate its VRM as sufficient for i9-13900K and i9-14900K chips at sustained overclocked settings, though an exact phase count isn't listed on the current spec page. Four DDR5 DIMM slots support high-capacity, high-speed memory kits with ASUS AEMP-enabled overclocking for 13th/14th Gen Intel processors. Expansion includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the GPU. Storage covers multiple M.2 slots including PCIe 4.0 support across CPU and chipset lanes. Dual 2.5Gb LAN controllers handle wired networking, paired with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and onboard Thunderbolt 4 for high-speed peripheral connectivity. Audio uses ASUS's ROG SupremeFX implementation. Against the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi in this batch, the Maximus Z790 Hero adds Thunderbolt 4 and dual 2.5Gb LAN as its key differentiators, positioned as ASUS's higher-tier LGA1700 flagship.
Power Delivery and VRM Design
ASUS's specification pages for this board rate its VRM as sufficient for i9-13900K and i9-14900K chips at sustained overclocked settings, though an exact phase count isn't listed on the current spec page.
Memory Support
Four DDR5 DIMM slots support high-capacity, high-speed memory kits with ASUS AEMP-enabled overclocking for 13th/14th Gen Intel processors.
Expansion and Storage
Expansion includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the GPU. Storage covers multiple M.2 slots including PCIe 4.0 support across CPU and chipset lanes.
Connectivity
Dual 2.5Gb LAN controllers handle wired networking, paired with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and onboard Thunderbolt 4 for high-speed peripheral connectivity. Audio uses ASUS's ROG SupremeFX implementation.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi in this batch, the Maximus Z790 Hero adds Thunderbolt 4 and dual 2.5Gb LAN as its key differentiators, positioned as ASUS's higher-tier LGA1700 flagship.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Builders who want a high-end LGA1700 board with Thunderbolt 4
- Enthusiasts completing a 13th/14th Gen Intel system
Not for
- New builds better served by the newer Core Ultra Series 2 (LGA1851) platform
- Budget-first LGA1700 builds
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity
| Model Number | ROG Maximus Z790 Hero |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
Platform and CPU compatibility
| Platform | Intel |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 |
| Chipset | Z790 |
| Newest CPU Family Supported | Core 14th Gen |
| Oldest CPU Family Supported | Core 12th Gen |
| CPU Overclocking Supported | Yes |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Memory Slots | 4 |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Capacity | 192 GB |
| Max Rated Memory Speed | 7800 MT/s |
| ECC Memory Support | None |
Expansion & Connectivity
| M.2 Slots | 5 |
|---|---|
| PCIe 5.0 Support | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Onboard | Yes |
Physical fit
| Board Width | 243.84 mm |
|---|
M.2 storage
| M.2 PCIe 4.0 Slots | 3 |
|---|
Other storage
| SATA Ports | 6 |
|---|
PCIe expansion
| PCIe x16 Slots | 3 |
|---|---|
| Primary Graphics Slot Gen | PCIe 5.0 |
Rear USB
| Rear USB4 or TB Ports | 2 |
|---|---|
| Rear USB 10Gbps Ports | 6 |
| Rear USB 5Gbps Ports | 4 |
Internal headers
| Fan and Pump Headers | 7 |
|---|---|
| ARGB Headers | 3 |
Power delivery
| Vcore Power Stages | 20 |
|---|---|
| EPS 12V Configuration | Two 8-pin |
Network and audio
| Max Ethernet Speed | 2.5 Gbps |
|---|---|
| Ethernet Port Count | 1 |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Audio Codec | Realtek ALC4082 |
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/Thunderbolt 4/Wi-Fi 6E)?
Key specs for the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: Chipset Z790, Socket LGA1700, Socket Type LGA1700, Max Memory Capacity 192 GB, Form Factor ATX, VRM 20-stage power solution (exact current rating not officially disclosed).
Will the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/Thunderbolt 4/Wi-Fi 6E) work with my current setup?
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/Thunderbolt 4/Wi-Fi 6E) lists Socket is LGA1700. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/Thunderbolt 4/Wi-Fi 6E) best suited to?
Best suited to: Builders who want a high-end LGA1700 board with Thunderbolt 4; Enthusiasts completing a 13th/14th Gen Intel system.
What are the drawbacks of the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero (LGA1700/Intel Z790/ATX/PCIe 5.0/Thunderbolt 4/Wi-Fi 6E)?
Not the best fit for: New builds better served by the newer Core Ultra Series 2 (LGA1851) platform; Budget-first LGA1700 builds.
Compare and read more
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