ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO Motherboard Review

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero is here, ready to take on the enthusiast PC gaming market! It comes armed with Intel’s latest Z890 chipset and is ready to unleash the full potential of 15th-gen Intel Core processors, although technically it’s the “first gen” of the “Core Ultra” series and a new naming/number structure. This ATX motherboard is a technological tour de force, boasting cutting-edge features designed to satisfy the most demanding gamers and enthusiasts. At its core lies the Z890 chipset, which facilitates enhanced PCIe capabilities, increased bandwidth for storage devices, and improved power delivery. With wide support for the latest PCIe 5.0 devices, enabling lightning-fast data transfer speeds for next-generation graphics cards and SSDs. It likely comes are no surprise that this also means it’s the most expensive Z890 motherboard we’re reviewing today, by quite a large margin.

Extreme Connectivity

Furthermore, the Maximus Z890 Hero embraces the future of memory with its quad-DIMM slots supporting up to 192GB (4x48GB) of RAM, pushing frequencies to a staggering 8800+ MT/s through ASUS’s OptiMem III technology. The ROG Maximus Z890 Hero features six onboard M.2 slots, three of which are PCIe 5.0-ready to offer blistering 16 GB/s speeds, while the others offer PCIe 4.0 interfaces. It also features a SlimSAS connector, which supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode or up to 4 SATA devices via a transfer cable.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO

To ensure those powerful CPUs receive clean and stable power, ASUS has equipped the Z890 Hero with an extremely robust 22(110A)+1(90A)+2(90A)+2(80A) power stages with ProCool II power connectors. This high-end power delivery system is nothing but premium components, including alloy chokes and durable capacitors, to handle the demands of high-performance processors, even under heavy overclocking, for extended periods. Large heatsinks connected via a heat pipe effectively dissipate heat generated by the VRM, maintaining optimal operating temperatures for enhanced stability and longevity; it’s overengineered to high hell, which is what you expect at this price range.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme Motherboard Key Features

AI-Powered Performance

• Ready for Advanced AI PCs: Designed for the future of AI computing, delivering the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications.
• Intel® LGA 1851 Socket: Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2).
• Exclusive AI Technologies: ASUS AI Advisor, AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, and AI Networking II to optimize setup and enhance performance.
• Advanced Overclocking & Memory Technologies:
  • NPU Boost
  • NitroPath DRAM Technology
  • DIMM Fit
  • DIMM Flex
  • AEMP III

Unmatched Power & Cooling

• Robust Power Solution: 22(110A)+1(90A)+2(90A)+2(80A) power stages with ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes, and premium metallic capacitors.
• Optimized Thermal Design: Massive heatsinks integrated with the I/O cover, connected to the power stages with high-conductivity thermal pads, and joined by a U-shaped heatpipe.

Extensive Connectivity

• Latest M.2 Support:
  • Three PCIe® 5.0 M.2 slots
  • Three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
  • ROG M.2 PowerBoost
  • Substantial cooling solutions for all M.2 slots
• Abundant Connectivity:
  • Dual Thunderbolt™ 4 USB Type-C® ports
  • USB 20Gbps Type-C front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ (up to 60W) and USB Wattage Watcher
  • USB 10Gbps Type-C front-panel connector
  • Five additional USB 10Gbps ports
  • PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlot with full support for next-gen graphics cards
  • HDMI™ 2.1
• High-Performance Networking:
  • On-board Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna
  • Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
  • Realtek 5Gb Ethernet

DIY-Friendly Features

• Effortless Upgrades: PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim, new M.2 Q-Latch, M.2 Q-Release, M.2 Q-Slide.
• Simplified Troubleshooting: Q-Antenna, BIOS Q-Dashboard, Q-Code, Q-LED.
• Convenient Controls: FlexKey button, Start button, BIOS FlashBack™ button, Clear CMOS button, and pre-mounted I/O shield.

Immersive Audio & Personalization

• Immersive Audio: ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 codec with ESS® ES9219 Quad DAC for up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback.
• Unmatched Personalization:
  • I/O cover with Polymo Lighting II
  • Three Gen 2 ARGB headers
  • ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting

Renowned Software

• Comprehensive Suite:
  • ASUS DriverHub
  • Dolby Atmos®
  • 1-year Internet Security subscription
  • TurboV Core
  • GlideX
  • HWiNFO
  • 1-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription

For more information, please visit the official product page here.

What ASUS Had to Say

“The ROG Maximus Z890 Hero unleashes the performance of Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2) via exclusive AI PC technologies, robust power delivery, optimized thermal management, extensive PCIe® 5.0 support, DDR5 slots and WiFi 7. Meanwhile, angular design elements and Polymo II Lighting accents around the ROG logo deliver a signature aesthetic that elevates system design.”