Recently, ASUS introduced a line of motherboards built to support the newest 14th generation Intel CPUs. This series offers a variety of new features and enhancements that appeal to different user preferences.
The ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero, the ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore, and the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula are three further versions in the ASUS ROG Maximus motherboard family. Additionally, ASUS has expanded the ROG Strix portfolio with three new models, and the TUF Gaming series has expanded with the TUF Gaming Z790-Pro WiFi.
Some of these new motherboards offer WiFi 7, which will meet your networking needs into the future. Additional onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots are also provided for speedier storage options. These motherboards include user-friendly components, including DIMM Flex, that improve the whole PC-building experience.
The ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero has a slick, modern appearance and delivers reliable performance. It is a desirable alternative for gamers because it has dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and top-notch audio components.
specifications for the ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
- Form Factor: ATX
- Memory: 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5
- PCIe: 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4
- Storage: 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 4 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4)
- Networking: Intel Wi-Fi 7 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Rear I/O: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C) 6 x USB 10Gbps ports (5 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
- Front I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) with QC 4+ up to 60W 2 x USB 5Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
- Aura: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header
- Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header
The ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore is aimed at enthusiasts that like overclocking. It has cutting-edge power options, effective cooling capabilities, and the ROG DDR5 Fan Kit to keep memory temperatures down when overclocking.
ROG Maximus Z790 APEX ENCORE specs
- Form Factor: ATX
- Memory: 2 x DIMM, Max. 96 GB, DDR5
- PCIe: 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x4
- Storage: 3 x Onboard M.2 Slots 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) ROG DIMM.2 CARD 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4)
- Networking: Intel Wi-Fi 7 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Audio: ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080
- Rear I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C) 5 x USB 10Gbps ports (5 x Type-A) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
- Front I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C with up to 60W PD/QC4+) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers support additional 4 USB 5Gbps ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
- Aura: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header
- Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 2 x 4-pin Full Speed Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header 1 x Extra Flow Fan header
For those interested in creating a custom liquid cooling loop, the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula offers an elegant white design and an all-copper HybridChill VRM block for effective cooling.
ROG Maximus Z790 Formula specs
- Form Factor: ATX
- Memory: 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5
- PCIe: 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4
- Storage: 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 4 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4)
- Networking: Intel® Wi-Fi 7 1 x Realtek 5Gb Ethernet
- Audio: ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4082
- Rear I/O: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C) 6 x USB 10Gbps ports (5 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
- Front I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C with up to 60W PD/QC4+) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
- Aura: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header
- Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header
The Z790-E Gaming WiFi II and Z790-F Gaming WiFi II are high-performance choices in the ROG Strix line. For customers building a white-themed PC, the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II is a good option because it improves connection and VRM cooling.
ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II specs
- Form Factor: ATX
- Memory: 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5
- PCIe: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (@x4)
- Storage: 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 3 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA)
- Networking: Intel Wi-Fi 7 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Audio: ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080
- Rear I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x Type-C) 11 x USB 10Gbps ports (10 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C)
- Front I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) with up to 30W PD Fast-charge 2 x USB 5Gbps header (supports 4 USB 5Gbps ports) 3 x USB 2.0 headers (support 6 USB 2.0 ports)
- Aura: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header
- Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 5 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers
The Z790-Pro WiFi from TUF Gaming comes with AI Overclocking for easy performance tuning, a fast front-panel USB Type-C connector for charging smartphones, and an ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna for better wireless communication.
TUF GAMING Z790-PRO WIFI spec
- Form Factor: ATX
- Memory: 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5
- PCIe: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (@x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (@x1) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
- Storage: 2 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA)
- Networking: 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet Wi-Fi 6E
- Rear I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C) 3 x USB 10Gbps ports (2 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
- Front I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports 1 x USB Type-C with up to 30W PD Fast-charge) 1 x USB 5Gbps header supports 2 additional USB 5Gbps ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
- Aura: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header
- Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers
For aficionados of anime, ASUS has also released the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition. Asuka’s EVA-02 from Neon Genesis Evangelion served as inspiration for the distinctive appearance of this motherboard.
ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition specs
- Form Factor: ATX
- Memory: 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5
- PCIe: 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (@x4 or @x4/x4)
- Storage: 3 x Onboard M.2 Slots ・ 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) ・ 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) ・ 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) ROG Hyper M.2 Card ・ 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4/PCIe 4.0 x4) ・ 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4)
- Networking: Intel® Wi-Fi 6E Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Rear I/O: 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C®) 6 x USB 10Gbps ports (5 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C®) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
- Front I/O: 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®) with QC 4+ 2 x USB 5Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
- Aura: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header
- Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header