PERFORMANCE
Utilize the Hero’s immense power and control to take your 13th Gen CPU and DDR5 memory kit to the next level.
ROG OVERCLOCKING TECHNOLOGIES
Psyche up and engage the Hero overclocker in you, with onboard intelligence to scan, predict, and adapt CPU performance parameters, and tools to command and track system vitals.
TEAMED POWER ARCHITECTURE
Today’s CPU architectures place incredible demands on motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power-saving modes, going from lower-power mode to full load in an instant. The latest ROG VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current, while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.
MEMORY
Comprehensive memory tuning options are the cornerstone of ROG motherboards. With the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, you can extract all of the potential out of your DDR5 modules, regardless of if they’re from an extreme-speed kit or an entry-level set that would otherwise be locked.
COOLING
Stacked with titanic heatsink arrays and surging with controls for liquid- and air-cooled setups, the Hero is fully armed to combat the fiery heat of the latest processors and high-speed drives.
COOLER BY DESIGN
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero features an upgraded cooling solution.
VRM and aluminum I/O heatsink
A VRM heatsink on the MOSFETs and chokes is connected to the aluminum I/O cover via an embedded heatpipe to increase mass and surface area for dissipation.
M.2 heatsink and backplates
Large aluminum heatsinks provide extensive surface area to cool mounted M.2 drives, and each of the three onboard slots has a dedicated backplate for additional heat dissipation.
High-conductivity thermal pads
Each thermal pad improves overall heat transfer from the system by bridging the heat generated by the power stages to the heatsink. For future maintenance, a replacement thermal pad can also be found in the package.
Solid steel backplate
A plate of electro-galvanized steel strengthens the spine of the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero to prevent bending.
Chipset heatsink
A dedicated heatsink draws heat away from the chipset to maintain optimum operating temperature.
THERMAL MANAGEMENT
An extensive array of headers line the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero for precise cooling control and monitoring.
Multiple temperature sources – Each header can be set to monitor and react to three user-configurable thermal sensors for workload-based cooling, and all settings can be easily managed by Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.
4-pin fan headers – In addition to the pair of CPU fan headers, the Maximus Z790 Hero features four chassis headers, and each supports auto-detection of PWM or DC fans.
AIO pump header – An additional PWM/DC fan header offers dedicated control of self-contained water-cooling setups.
ROG WATER-COOLING ZONE
Dual water-temperature headers and a flow-rate header feed information straight into Armoury Crate, allowing you to track coolant temperatures and the flow rate of the entire loop.
Water pump+ – A dedicated header can supply over 3 amps to a high-performance PWM or DC water pumps.
Water in/out – A dedicated header enables monitoring of temperatures at the input/output points of any component.
Water flow – A dedicated header enables constant monitoring of flow rate throughout the entire loop.
COOLER COMPATIBILITY
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero bears the same LGA 1700 socket as the Z690 models, so it is backward compatible with all coolers that supported the previous generation, including all AIO offerings from ASUS and ROG.
CONNECTIVITY
Next-gen connectivity for graphics, storage, peripherals, and networking, plus high-definition audio for all types of setups – it all combines to create a Hero that’s connected with now and the future.
PCIE 5.0
Fully embracing the new standard, the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero offers abundant Gen 5 support to give unfettered bandwidth to the fastest SSDs and graphics cards available.
USB PORTS
TWO THUNDERBOLT 4 TYPE-C® PORTS
Each port delivers up to 40 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth for the latest super-speed devices and drives. Both ports can be employed for up to two external 4K displays, and PCIe bandwidth extends to up to 32 Gbps.
USB 3.2 GEN 2X2 TYPE-C® FRONT-PANEL CONNECTOR WITH QUICK CHARGE 4+
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 adds an additional lane that can boost Type-C data transfers with speeds of up to 20 Gbps. The port also features Quick Charge 4+ technology that can quickly charge devices up to 60W*.
* Requires a PCIe power supply cable to be plugged into the nearby 6-pin connector.
NETWORKING
WIFI 6E
Onboard WiFi 6E technology takes advantage of newly available spectrum in the 6 GHz band to provide up to seven 160 MHz channels for ultrafast throughput and better performance in dense wireless environments.
2.5G ETHERNET
Low-latency gaming, speedy file transfers, and high-resolution video streaming are among the many perks of onboard Intel® 2.5 Gbps Ethernet.
SUPREMEFX
ROG SupremeFX audio technology delivers an exceptional 113 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection to provide exceptional recording quality. There’s also a low-dropout regulator for cleaner power delivery to the SupremeFX ALC4082 codec, and an integrated ESS® ES9218 QUAD DAC capable of reaching -115dB THD+N for superior front-panel output. The combined solution allows for end-to-end 32-bit 384 kHz resolution playback that conveys all the subtlety and nuances of each audio track.
OPTIMIZATION
Flexible utilities and firmware provide everything needed to optimize the performance of your system loadout.
AI SUITE 3
The AI Suite 3 dashboard contains a set of intuitive controls that boost CPU performance while maintaining system stability.
UEFI BIOS
The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as more comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.
PERSONALIZATION
Illuminating the I/O shroud of the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a colorful microstructural array called Polymo Lighting. Two stylish patterns are available for builders to tinker with in Armoury Crate and sync up with the rest of their system for a brilliant display of individuality.
GROW YOUR GAMING WORLD WITH AURA SYNC
Up your game with complementary Aura Sync enhanced aesthetics, featuring preset lighting effects that can be easily synchronized across compatible ROG graphics cards, monitors, keyboards, and mice to give your setup a unified look.
ARMOURY CRATE
Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to give you centralized control of supported gaming products, making it easy to tune the look and feel of your system. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate helps you customize RGB lighting and effects for compatible devices and synchronize them with Aura Sync to create a unified lighting scheme across your system. In addition, Armoury Crate’s Fan Xpert4 tool provides comprehensive control over fans, water pumps, and all-in-one (AIO) coolers.
You can use Armoury Crate to download drivers, tools, and user manuals, and to register products. It also taps into a special news feed that connects you to the global ASUS gaming community.
*Windows 10 or 11 required for full Aura Sync functionality within Armoury Crate. For Windows 8 and earlier versions, standalone Aura Sync software is available for free download from the product support site.
AIDA64 EXTREME
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero includes a one-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription, a tool that provides detailed information about hardware and software, as well as benchmarks to measure the performance of the entire system or individual components. AIDA64 Extreme includes a monitoring and diagnostics feature to detect and prevent hardware issues. All vital system sensors can be tracked in real time, allowing voltage readings, fan speeds, and temperature information to be displayed on the desktop or sent to dedicated displays or to the LCD panels of ROG AIO liquid coolers*.
*Support available for ROG Ryujin II and later models.
Main Features
Intel LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 13th Gen Intel Core processors & 12th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors
Robust Power Solution: 20 + 1 teamed power solution rated for 90A per stage with dual ProCool II power connectors, high-quality alloy chokes, and durable capacitors to support multi-core processors
Optimized VRM Thermals: Massive heatsinks integrated with the I/O cover, joined by an L-shaped heatpipe, and connected to the power stages with high-conductivity thermal pads
Next-Gen M.2 Support: PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot on the bundled ROG Hyper M.2 card, and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots all with substantial cooling solutions
Abundant Connectivity: Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W, six additional USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots, HDMI 2.1
High-Performance Networking: On-board Intel WI-FI 6E (802.11ax) and Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard
Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking and Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation to simplify setup and improve performance
Immersive Audio: ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 codec with ESS ES9218 Quad DAC for up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback
Unmatched Personalization: I/O cover with PolymoLighting, three addressable Gen 2 headers and one RGB header, all configurable with ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting
DIY Friendly Design: PCIe Slot Q-Release, M.2 Q-Latch, pre-mounted I/O shield, Q-Code, Q-LED, FlexKey button, Start button, BIOS FlashBack button, and Clear CMOS button
Renowned Software: Bundled 1-year AIDA64 Extreme trial subscription and intuitive UEFI BIOS dashboard with integrated MemTest86

CPU
CPU Socket Socket 1700
CPU Brand Intel
Installed Processors (Max) 0 (1)
Supported Processor Manufacturer Intel
Supported Processors 13th Gen Intel Core Processors & 12th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors
64-bit Support Yes
Socket LGA1700
Rear Panel I/O Ports
USB Ports 2 x Thunderbolt 4
1 x USB-C 3.1
5 x USB 3.1
4 x USB 3.0
HDMI Port 1 x HDMI 2.1
RJ-45 Ports 1 x RJ-45
Audio Line In Ports 1 x 3.5mm Jack
Audio Line Out Ports 3 x 3.5mm Jacks
Microphone In Port 1 x 3.5mm Jack
S/PDIF Port 1 x S/PDIF Optical Out
Antenna Connector(s) 2 x SMA Antenna
Internal I/O Connectors
SATA Connectors 6 x SATA III
USB Connectors 1 x USB-C 3.2 header (supports 1 port)
2 x USB 3.0 headers (supports 4 ports)
2 x USB 2.0 headers (supports 4 ports)
Front Panel Connectors 1 x Front Panel
1 x Front Audio
Cooling Fan Support 1 x CPU fan header
1 x CPU_OPT fan header
1 x AIO pump header
4 x Chassis fan headers
1 x W_PUMP+ header
1 x Water In header
1 x Water Out header
1 x Water Flow header
Power Connector Port 1 x 24-pin ATX
2 x 8-pin EPS
1 x 6-pin PCIe
Other Connectors 1 x M.2 slot, Key M, Type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (PCIe Gen4)
1 x M.2 slot, Key M, Type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe Gen4)
1 x M.2 slot, Key M, Type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe Gen4 or SATA)
3 x 3-pin ARGB LED headers
1 x 4-pin RGB LED headers
1 x Thermal Sensor header
Memory
Memory Bus Speed Up to 7200 (OC) MHz
Memory Type DDR5
Maximum RAM 128 GB
Memory Slot 4 x DIMM
Motherboard
Northbridge Intel
RAID Supported Yes
RAID Format RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
SATA Supported Yes
Expansion
Number of PCI Express Slots 2 x PCI Express 5.0 x16 slots (@ x16 or x8/x8)
Graphics Device
Integrated Graphics Supported Yes
Sound
Integrated Sound ROG SupremeFX ALC4082
Warranty
Warranty 3 Years
Network
Integrated Network Intel
Network Speeds Supported Up to 2.5 Gbps
Wireless LAN Yes (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Network Speed Up to 2.4 Gbps
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth Version 5.2
System Requirements
Operating Systems Supported Microsoft Windows 11 64-bit
System
BIOS 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS
Jumpers 1 x CPU Over Voltage
Software Included (may be trial or restricted) Yes
Drivers Yes
Physical
Form Factor ATX Motherboard
In The Box Motherboard
1 x ARGB RGB extension cable
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cables
1 x ROG Hyper M.2 Card with heatsink
2 x M.2 screw packages for ROG Hyper M.2 Card
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas
3 x M.2 backplate Q-Latch package
3 x M.2 backplate Rubber Packages
1 x Q-connector
1 x DDR5 Fan holder
1 x VRM Fan holder
1 x ROG stickers
1 x ROG key chain
1 x ROG VIP card
1 x USB drive with utilities and drivers
1 x User Guide
Width 305 mm
Length 244 mm
Key Features
Firewire
IDE/EIDE Supported
SCSI/SAS Supported
Wireless Network Yes
Chipset Manufacturer Intel
Number of PCI Slots slot(s)
Number of PCI-X Slots slot(s)
Main Colour
Socket(s)
Memory Channel Dual
On-board Audio Type 7.1
Number of SATA Ports 6 port(s)
Number of USB Ports 10 port(s)
SATA III Support Yes
USB 3.0 Support Yes
Multi GPU Support No
VGA Connection No
DVI Connection No
HDMI Connection Yes
DisplayPort Connection No
Motherboard Form Factor ATX
Wake on LAN
Motherboard Power Connectors 8 + 8-Pin
Motherboard Chipset Intel Z790
Thunderbolt Yes
Motherboard Model ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
WiFi Speed 2400 Mbps
USB 3.1 Support Yes
Internal USB3.0 Header Yes
Cooler Height mm
M.2 Support Yes
On-board RGB Control ASUS Aura Sync
Memory Speed 7200 MHz
Skip Audio Test
RGB Header Type 3-Pin ARGB
Addressable RGB Yes
Internal USB Type-C Header Yes
Radiator Length mm
Microsoft Processor List
Power Requirement (auto) 70 W
Cooler count
Max Memory Speed Supported (Non-overclocked) 5600 MHz
Max Memory Speed Supported (overclocked) 7200 MHz
CPU Power Pins (female) 16
PCI Express Power Pins (female) 6
Total M.2 Slots 3
Maximum NVMe M.2 ports 3
Maximum SATA M.2 ports 1
PCI-e slots
SATA ports 6
No. of front USB2.0 ports supported 4
No. of front USB3.0 ports supported 4
No. of front USB-C ports supported 1
Graphics
Graphics Chipset