The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero remains a capable premium LGA1700 motherboard for enthusiasts who will use its DDR5 tuning, five M.2 positions, PCIe 5.0 expansion, and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. Its value is harder to defend for an ordinary gaming PC, and anyone considering a 2021 or used board should check its serial number against ASUS’s recall information before powering it on.
What the Z690 Hero offers
The Maximus Z690 Hero is an ATX motherboard built around Intel’s Z690 chipset and the LGA1700 socket. ASUS lists support for 12th-, 13th-, and 14th-generation Intel Core processors, as well as Pentium Gold and Celeron processors. Processor support can depend on BIOS version, so check ASUS’s CPU support information for the exact processor and board before assembling a system.
| Area | Published specification |
|---|---|
| Memory | Four DDR5 DIMM slots; up to 192 GB; DDR5-6400+ (OC) and XMP support, per ASUS |
| Storage | Five M.2 positions and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, per ASUS; the supplied ROG Hyper M.2 card provides additional M.2 slots, and the documented configuration can expose a PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 path |
| Expansion | Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, per ASUS |
| Networking and I/O | Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E-class wireless connectivity, per ASUS |
| CPU power delivery | 20+1 teamed power design with 90 A power stages, 10K capacitors, and MicroFine alloy chokes, per ASUS |
The DDR5 speed above is an overclocked specification, not a guarantee that every processor and memory kit will run at that rate. Check the board’s current memory compatibility information and the memory kit’s specifications when selecting RAM. The board does not support DDR4.
How well does it perform?
AnandTech’s June 15, 2022 review found competitive compute and gaming performance, very good power results, and excellent DPC latency. In its testing, AnandTech overclocked a Core i9-12900K to 5.3 GHz on its P-cores. That result demonstrates what the tested board and processor achieved in that review; it is not a guaranteed overclock for every chip, cooling setup, or BIOS.
#1 Best Overall
- Intel LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors and Windows 11, support PCIe 5.0 and DDR5. Manageability: WOL by PME, PXE
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive tools including AI Overclocking, AI Cooling, AI Networking(GameFirst VI) and Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelation for easy configuration
- Robust Power Solution: 20+1 teamed power stages rated for 90 A, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors
- Optimized Thermal Design: VRM heatsinks plus integrated aluminum I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pad, triple M.2 heatsinks and dual with embedded backplates, and ROG Water-Cooling Zone
- High-performance Networking: Onboard WiFi 6E,Bluetooth V5.2, Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet, and ASUS LANGaurd
Power delivery and thermals
In AnandTech’s overclocked stress test, the hottest CPU-socket-area reading was 57.4°C. The integrated VRM sensor reported approximately 65°C, while thermocouples recorded 67–68°C. AnandTech described the Z690 Hero as among the coolest Z690 designs it had tested. Those are results from that review’s test method, not temperatures every build should expect.
POST and day-to-day trade-offs
AnandTech noted that POST was a little slower than on some competing Z690 boards. Its overall assessment was that the feature set was good, but the price could be difficult to justify. That trade-off matters most if you restart frequently or will not use the board’s high-end connectivity and expansion.
Rank #2
- Ready for Advanced AI PCs: Designed for the future of AI computing, with the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications
- Intel LGA 1851 Socket: Ready for Intel Core Ultra Processors (series 2)
- Exclusive AI Technologies: ASUS AI Advisor, ASUS-exclusive AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, and AI Networking II to simplify setup and improve performance
- Exclusive Overclocking & Memory Technologies: NitroPath DRAM Technology, NPU Boost, DIMM Fit, DIMM Flex and AEMP III to simplify setup and improve performance
- Robust Power Solution: 22(110A)+2(90A)+1(90A)+2(80A) power stages with ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors
How many M.2 drives can it support?
ASUS specifies five M.2 positions and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports. The included ROG Hyper M.2 card adds M.2 slots, and ASUS documents a configuration that can provide a PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 path. Before buying several drives, consult the motherboard manual for the exact slot and lane-sharing rules: ASUS’s published documentation does not establish every simultaneous-slot configuration or which other connectors may be affected.
For a build that needs multiple fast NVMe drives, the M.2 capacity is a meaningful advantage. For a single boot drive and one game or project drive, it may be more expansion than the system needs.
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- Intel LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 14th, 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core processors and Windows 11, support PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive tools including AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking(GameFirst VI) and Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelation for easy configuration
- Robust Power Solution: 20+1 teamed power stages rated for 90 A, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors
- Optimized Thermal Design: VRM heatsinks plus integrated aluminum I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pad, triple M.2 heatsinks and dual with embedded backplates, and ROG Water-Cooling Zone
- High-performance Networking: Onboard WiFi 6E,Bluetooth V5.2, Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet, and ASUS LANGaurd
Does it support PCIe 5.0 and Thunderbolt 4?
Yes. ASUS lists two PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slots, and the documented storage configuration can expose a PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 path through the supplied Hyper M.2 card. The board also has two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. These features make it better suited than a basic motherboard to a workstation or enthusiast setup with demanding add-in cards, fast storage, or Thunderbolt peripherals. Confirm the manual’s lane allocation and device-sharing details for the particular configuration you plan to use.
Can it handle an i9-12900K overclock?
In AnandTech’s review, the board ran a Core i9-12900K with its P-cores at 5.3 GHz during testing. Its 20+1 teamed power design and the review’s thermal results support its enthusiast positioning, but overclocking remains dependent on the individual CPU, BIOS settings, cooling, memory, and power limits. Treat the review result as evidence of capability under one test setup, not as a promised stable setting.
Rank #4
- Intel LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors and Windows 11, support PCIe 5.0 and DDR5.USB - Rear USB: Total 12 ports
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive tools including AI Overclocking, AI Cooling, AI Networking and Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelation for easy configuration
- Robust Power Solution: 20+1 teamed power stages rated for 105 A, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors
- Optimized Thermal Design: VRM heatsinks with EK CrossChill III solution, high-conductivity thermal pads, triple M.2 heatsinks and with dual embedded backplates, and ROG Water-Cooling Zone and ROG Hyper M.2 card with heatsinks
- High Performance Networking: Onboard Wi-Fi 6E, Marvell AQtion 10Gb Ethernet, and ASUS LANGuard
Is the Z690 Hero still worth buying?
It is worth considering when its particular feature mix solves a real need: many M.2 devices, Thunderbolt 4, DDR5 tuning, PCIe 5.0 expansion, or a powerful LGA1700 system. Tom’s Hardware listed a launch price of $599.99, which helps explain why the board is difficult to recommend solely for routine gaming. That is the launch price, not a statement of current retail or used-market pricing.
- Consider it if you need its high-speed I/O and storage expansion and can verify the exact board’s recall status.
- Look elsewhere if you need a basic gaming motherboard; a less expensive Z690 or B660 board, or a newer platform, may provide the required features at lower total platform cost.
- Compare before buying by checking memory type, M.2 count and generation, lane-sharing rules, Thunderbolt availability, networking, sustained-load thermals, POST behavior, BIOS usability, and the used board’s safety status.
How to check whether a board is affected by the recall
ASUS wrote on December 29, 2021, that it had preliminarily identified a potential reversed memory-capacitor issue in a production process on one line. ASUS said it could cause debug error code 53, failure to POST, or motherboard-component damage. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission described the affected boards as posing fire and burn hazards.
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- Features a multi-layer PCB design that delivers excellent electrical performance, effectively reduces signal interference, and enhances overall system stability
- Equipped with ample USB ports and expansion slots to support simultaneous connection of multiple devices, including keyboards, mice, storage devices, and peripherals.
- Supports high-speed network transmission and stable data exchange, ensuring smooth and lag-free performance for gaming, live streaming, and file transfers.
- Offers excellent hardware compatibility, supporting mainstream graphics cards, coolers, and storage devices, with ample room for upgrades.
- Subject to strict quality control and reliability testing, it features high durability and is capable of withstanding prolonged, uninterrupted operation.
ASUS identified potentially affected 2021 units by part number 90MB18E0-MVAAY0 and serial numbers beginning MA, MB, or MC. Those details are screening criteria, not a substitute for checking an individual board through ASUS’s official checking process.
- Find the motherboard’s part number and serial number on its label or packaging. If you cannot confirm the identifiers, do not assume the board is unaffected.
- Use ASUS’s official Z690 Hero checking process to verify the serial number before powering an old or used board.
- If the board is identified as affected, follow ASUS’s instructions for the applicable replacement or warranty process rather than testing it by powering it on.
- Keep the serial-number record and all communications or transaction documents for any replacement or warranty claim.
Who should buy it?
The Z690 Hero makes the most sense for an enthusiast who will use its unusually broad expansion and connectivity and who wants a premium DDR5 LGA1700 board. Its tested power and thermal behavior are strong, but its features come with a high launch price and a recall issue that requires care when buying older stock or second-hand hardware. For a simpler gaming build, paying for capabilities that will go unused is difficult to justify.
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