ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO: Excellence in the service of performance

From the moment you open the box, the color is clear: the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO is clearly aimed at the very high end. Designed for enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their configuration, this motherboard concentrates all of ASUS's expertise in overclocking, connectivity, and stability. Through its muscular technical specifications, its complete software ecosystem, and its sleek design, it stands out as a successful model... even if its price clearly reserves it for a discerning audience.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero

★★★★☆ 4.1 / 5.0 (103 reviews)

Asus quality at the top. The weight of the card says a lot about the manufacturing quality. Be careful when choosing SSD drives because you should not have a heat sink mounted on them. The card integrates two heat sinks, one of which is huge. For my part, I had a Samsung Evo pro SSD with a heat sink that I dismantled. A USB key (placed in a small box) replaces the traditional installation CD. I would have liked a more explicit and detailed paper manual than the small booklet provided. No major problems for the installation with Windows 11 pro. I do not regret my investment.

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A neat design and a generous bundle

As soon as you lay your hands on the ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero , you can tell that ASUS has pulled out all the stops. The box looks high-end: thick, well-compartmentalized, with dense foam that could almost hold a gold bar. The motherboard isn't just sitting there: it has its own dedicated case, topped with a plastic lid that gives that little premium product thrill when you lift it.

And let's talk about the bundle. It feels like we're opening a treasure chest, the list is so long. There are tons of SATA cables, an ARGB cable, thermal pads, and everything you need to pamper M.2 SSDs, right down to the famous Q-Latch latches that make life easier. Add to that a memory fan mount, the ultra-practical magnetic Wi-Fi antenna (with its Q-Antenna quick connector), and don't forget the Q-Connector for wiring your case with your eyes closed. ASUS also throws in its usual ROG goodies: stickers, keychains, VIP card. And finally, a USB key with drivers and documentation, so you don't have to run around chasing downloads.

Once the card is out, it's clear why it's called Dark Hero. The whole thing is massive, dominated by a deep, matte black, almost entirely covered by angular radiators, themselves dressed in understated but stylish gray patterns. The VRM radiator on the rear panel is particularly eye-catching with its mirror-effect plate. This isn't just a gimmick: ASUS has integrated its reflective microstructures to make the reflections of the peripheral LEDs dance, a lighting effect called Polymo Lighting. No LCD screen here, but a discreet and more durable aesthetic.

Turn the board over and you'll discover a metal backplate. Not only does it stiffen the whole thing and protect against electromagnetic interference, but it also adds a certain density that immediately gives that "high-end, beefy" feeling. You can tell you're not dealing with a simple ATX motherboard, but a model designed to last and impress every time you open the case.

Power and stability: the power stage and thermal management

The LGA 1700 socket , compatible with LGA 1151/1200 coolers thanks to a double perforation, is at the heart of the platform. The power stage is covered by an impressive passive cooling system , consisting of two radiators connected by a flat heat pipe. Thermal pads ensure optimal contact with the VRMs and inductors, guaranteeing efficient heat dissipation.

The power stage is broken down into 20 (CPU) + 1 (IGP) + 2 (auxiliary) phases . It is important to note that this is a 10 + 10 phase configuration, wired in parallel for the CPU. The VCore and VccGT (IGP) are managed by a Renesas RAA229131 , capable of managing up to 20 phases. The Vccsa (auxiliary) is managed by a Monolithic Power System MP2940A .

The CPU and IGP VRMs are Intersil ISL99390s , each capable of delivering 90 amps continuously. For the auxiliary, the two VRMs are Monolithic Power System MP86992s , providing 70 A continuously. This power stage, similar to that of the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, is more than sufficient even for heavy overclocking, offering up to 1800 amps for the VCore.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO motherboard proved its robustness. Under intensive synthetic evaluations, it achieved an average score of 55,244 points in stock configuration and 56,466 points with Auto OC . Operating temperatures remained at 79 °C in stock and 85 °C with Auto OC . Load voltages reached a peak of 1.454 V in stock and 1.526 V with Auto OC for the Core i9-14900K.

A rigorous VRM test protocol, simulating extreme load (CPU at 5.8 GHz with a Vcore measured at 1.395 V), revealed excellent cooling capabilities:

Thermal imaging forehead measurement: 60.7°C
PCB backside measurement by thermal imaging: 80.7°C
Internal sensor reading: 66°C

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO's passive VRM cooling system , with good heat distribution.

Advanced connectivity and expansion options

The motherboard is designed for flexibility and high performance. It features four DDR5 DIMM slots supporting up to 192GB of memory with frequencies up to DDR5-8000 . On-board markings indicate priority slots for dual-memory installation, and a segment display makes it easy to diagnose problems during POST. Physical buttons and switches simplify operation outside the case.

Storage and expansion side:

SATA: 4 ports are available for SATA compatible reading/storage units.
Internal USB: One USB 3.2 Gen 1 header connector and one internal USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector flanked by an 8-pin PCIe connector. The latter can deliver up to 60W via the connected USB Type-C port (case permitting).
PCIe: Three PCIe expansion slots are present: two in x16 format and a third in x4 format. The latter is wired as x4 Gen 4 from the chipset. The two x16 ports take advantage of the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 lanes, with dynamic allocation via cascading PCIe switches. The PCIe Q-Release allows you to easily release the latch of the first PCIe x16 port.
M.2: The board features five M.2 slots , all covered by heatsinks. The first port, located between the graphics slot and the socket, uses 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes of the CPU. Using it reduces the lanes of the first PCIe x16 port to x8 and disables the second PCIe x16 slot. If this M.2 port is not used, both PCIe x16 slots will operate at x8/x8 (Gen 5). The second M.2 port (2280 max.) uses 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes of the CPU without constraint. The remaining three M.2 ports (2280 max.) are interconnected to the Z790 chipset via 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes each. All SSDs are locked with M.2 Q-Latch .

The rear connection panel of the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO motherboard is also very comprehensive:

Buttons: Push buttons to reset BIOS settings or flash it independently.
Video: An HDMI video connector.
External USB: Nine USB Type-A ports (four USB 3.2 Gen 1 at 5 Gbps and five USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10 Gbps). Three Type-C connectors are also present: one USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) and two Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) configurable as USB 4.0, capable of carrying two DisplayPort video streams.
Network: One 2.5G RJ45 port powered by an Intel i226 chip. WiFi 7 is managed by the Intel BE200 chip (2x2 / 320 MHz / 4K QAM, max. throughput of 5.8 Gbps). Although full support by Windows 11 requires a future update, the module works in WiFi 6E on a WiFi 7 router, ensuring high throughput. The Q-Antenna greatly simplifies the connection of the antenna. Bluetooth 5.4 is also supported.
Audio: Realtek ALC4082 CODEC coupled with an ESS9218 Quad DAC and audiophile capacitors, with a physical boundary and a metal cover to protect against interference. 3.5 mm jacks and a digital optical output are available.

Our verdict: exceptional performance at a substantial price

The ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO motherboard is a technically impressive product, delivering cutting-edge performance and undeniable feature richness. Its excellent VRM temperatures, multiple M.2 SSD slots (including a PCIe 5.0 one), DDR5-8000 support, elegant design, and the ASUS software ecosystem contribute to its excellent status.

However, its high retail price , around 643.74 euros on Amazon, remains a critical point. This general trend towards increasing motherboard prices raises questions about the accessibility of these components for a wider audience.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO motherboard is renowned for its exceptional qualities. It is a top choice for users who demand the best and are willing to invest accordingly for an uncompromising gaming or work rig.