ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO (WiFi 6E) DDR5 ATX Gaming Motherboard

Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero

Built with boosted power delivery, optimized cooling design, and support for the latest DDR5, the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero is well equipped to unleash the full potential of the 12th Gen Intel Core processors. It also packs future-ready connectivity to keep you ahead of the competition, including PCI 5.0 for VGA card and M.2 (via Hyper M.2 add-on card) SSD, USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 (20 Gbps), dual Thunderbolt 4, onboard WiFi 6E, and Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet. And boasting DIY-friendly design, comprehensive tuning options, and meticulously crafted heatsinks with animated Polymo lighting display on the I/O cover, the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero gives you a head start on your dream build.

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.

High-quality components

DDR5 Overclocking strength

Comprehensive memory tuning options are the cornerstone of ROG motherboards. For DDR5, the Maximus Z690 lineup breaks performance limits by providing a stacked suite of overclocking parameters for not only high-speed kits, but even entry-level memory modules that have a locked power management IC (PMIC).

• A dedicated circuit on the motherboard safely circumvents DDR5 memory PMIC restrictions, allowing you to step past the default 1.1-volt limit and push frequency and timings to the max.
• Ordinarily, a restricted PMIC that has been unlocked requires the system to be fully power-cycled each time memory voltage is adjusted. ROG motherboards leverage onboard hardware and firmware to cleverly work around this irksome limitation, enabling voltage adjustments to be applied through the same soft system-reset process employed for previous generations of DDR memory.

Cooler by Design

1. 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.

2. M.2 heatsinks

Three dedicated heatsinks keep up to three M.2 drives in the optimum operating temperature range for consistent performance and reliability.

3. L-shaped heatpipe

An L-shaped heatpipe allows for rapid and even heat transfer from the VRM.

4. High-conductivity thermal pad

A high-quality thermal pad improves overall heat transfer from the system by bridging the heat generated by the power stages to the heatsink.

5. M.2 backplates

Dual M.2 slots feature backplate blocks that ensure high-performance drives deliver peak performance, even when airflow is restricted.

6. Chipset heatsink

A dedicated chipset heatsink draws heat away to maintain optimum operating temperatures.

Thermal Management

ROG Maximus Z690 Hero features the most comprehensive cooling options ever.

ROG Water-Cooling Zone

Dual water-temperature headers and a flow-rate header feed information straight into the AI Suite utility, allowing you to track coolant temperatures and the flow rate of the entire loop.