ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO, ASUS Hero ATX Intel Socket (2023)

FAQs

How many m 2 slots does asus rog maximus Z690 hero have? ›

2 slots and the MSI Z690 Carbon five, but that's until you consider the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero includes a PCIe expansion card, the ROG Hyper, with two M. 2 slots, bringing its total to five.

They say hard times don't create heroes, but ASUS has done for many years with good results. Equipped with plenty of top-tier features such as Thunderbolt 4, Intel's Wi-Fi 6E CNVi, and support for up to DDR5-6400 memory, it has enough to make it a solid choice for gamers and enthusiasts.

ASUS Z690 motherboards utilize teamed power-stages and high-quality components to fuel the latest 12th Gen Intel CPUs. Even at entry level, the power solutions are geared to deliver sustained performance, and through the lineup those credentials are strategically scaled up to push boundaries and set new standards.

You should buy the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero if:

You plan on using a 12th- or 13th-gen Intel CPU. You want one of the best Z690 motherboards in terms of value. You plan on overclocking an Intel processor. You will be using DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

Nowadays, most motherboards come with at least one or two such slots, and the highest-end ones go up to a whopping four. And you can add even more M. 2 SSDs with PCIe Adapter Add-In Cards.

M2 slot is a standard that serves as a connection terminal for expansion cards built into personal computers, also known as a Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF). M. 2 is the latest interface in many new laptops, and computers (on the motherboard) have become increasingly common (which is not surprising!).

That big price increase is due to what pieces are needed to implement PCIe 5.0. The higher-end Z690 motherboards, like the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero, utilize DDR5 RAM, which has an entirely different operating procedure that needs to be brought into play during design.

For enthusiasts who want the best performance, whatever the cost, we recommend the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 range. This includes the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero, which is the entry-level model in the high-end range, and the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme, which is the flagship with all the features an enthusiast could want.

However, the big surprise to us is that the single part that has driven up the cost the most is the physical LGA-17xx CPU socket and retention mechanism, which is apparently around four times as expensive as the LGA-12xx socket.

Will Intel 14th gen be LGA 1700? ›

Will Intel 14th Gen CPUs be compatible with the LGA 1700 socket? No, the 14th Gen Meteor Lake CPUs are expected to use the LGA 1851 socket, which means they won't be compatible with the LGA 1700 socket used by the 12th and 13th Gen Intel CPUs.

For example, the Intel Q87 and the H61 Express Chipset processors have been discontinued by Intel, even though they were a popular choice for quite some time. This makes sourcing their replacement chips difficult, as they use the outdated LGA 1150 socket, which no current generation chip can use.

Usually it's because ASUS' “ROG” is a well known brand with a good reputation among gamers, and because the motherboards have a lot of RGB and generally look nice. This is often summarised as “ROG tax”.

Hazard: A capacitor on the motherboard was installed in a reverse position which can lead to a short circuit, overheating or melting, posing fire and burn hazards.

This motherboard type is required for anyone who wants to do CPU overclocking: Z690 boards are the only ones that allow users to overclock an Alder Lake processor. You're restricted to just memory overclocking with the other motherboard chipsets.

Won't matter much, but generally you want your OS on the fastest drive you have, or in the fastest slot you have. The difference from 1 M. 2 slot to another is basically negligible however. It doesn't matter, any SSD including Sata would provide you with minimal load and boot times.

NVMe M.2 SSDs are much more performance driven compared to SATA M.2 SSDs. By leveraging the PCIe bus, NVMe M.2 SSDs have theoretical transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps which is already faster compared to SATA M.2 SSDs with 6Gbps. PCIe buses can support 1x, 4x, 8x, and 16x lanes.

2 SATA SSDs have a similar level of performance to mSATA cards, but M. 2 PCIe cards are notably faster. In addition, SATA SSDs have a maximum speed of 600 MB per second, while M. 2 PCIe cards can hit 4 GB per second.

NVMe PCIe Add-in-Card (AIC) SSDs

The only difference is the way they connect to your motherboard--they utilize the PCIe slot instead of via an M. 2 connector. They also are much more expensive on average than the M. 2 form factor NVMe SDDs.

The quick answer to the NVMe versus M. 2 question is that there is no versus at all. NVMe is the interface, and M. 2 is the latest form factor for SSDs.

How do I know if my m 2 slot supports NVMe? ›

Choosing the best Intel Z690 motherboard

Alder Lake CPUs, such as the Intel Core i9-12900K, are compatible with any of these Z690 boards, with the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi coming out on top as the best overall choice for its cutting-edge tech and reasonable price.

Some early ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboards were affected by a manufacturing issue, which caused a specific capacitor to be installed in an incorrect orientation. ASUS' quality control mechanisms failed to spot this defect, and faulty motherboards were packaged and shipped to retailers in the US.

MSI Pro Z690-A WIFI & Z690-A (DDR4)

The only difference between both models is the WIFI model includes a networking CNVi, while the standard Z690-A does not.

Memory. Max overclocking frequency: 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 5333+ MHz. 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 4800+ MHz.

Intel's 13th Gen Core processors are facing issues on older Z690 boards, adversely affecting performance, compatibility, storage, and memory. First reported by the editor of Hardware Luxx, this bug is especially prominent among ASUS motherboards.

The maximum memory capacity on the Z690 motherboard is 128GB.

More pricey motherboards will feature more phases of power delivery for this purpose, ad better cooling for the VRMs on the board which regulate the voltage to the CPU. As such, pricier motherboards are better for those seeking out the best performance possible from their components.

In addition to those bigger features, the Z690 chipset also supports more PCI Express lanes, SATA ports, and USB 3.2 2×2 ports than Z590 or Z490. The integrated wireless capabilities in Z690 are also improved, with Wi-Fi 6E being utilized instead of Wi-Fi 6.

Of all 12th Gen chipsets, Z690 is the highest end – making it a great choice for enthusiasts and gamers looking at the high-end. These processors use the new LGA1700 socket and Intel's Alder Lake architecture. The Z690 chipset offers compatibility with the newest DDR5 memory, alongside the older DDR4 standard.

What CPU does the Z690 use? ›

Intel® Celeron® Processor G Series.

Upgrade to Z690 for Performance and Compatibility

To fully unleash the power of your 12th gen Intel Core CPU, you'll also need a robust thermal system, high-speed memory expansion slots, and seamless Wi-Fi.

You Have to Choose DDR5-Compatible Motherboards When Getting an LGA 1700 Motherboard. The AM5 socket for AMD processors launched in 2022 only supports DDR5 RAM, ensuring that if you upgrade to a Ryzen 7000-series CPU, you must have DDR5 RAM.

You can overclock this processor for even greater performance. The Core i9-12900K features integrated Intel UHD 770 Graphics. Please note that a thermal solution is NOT included. The processor is compatible with Intel LGA 1700 socket motherboards and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

The LGA 1700 socket doesn't have the same dimensions as the former LGA 1200, so 600 and 700 series motherboards have different mounting hole patterns for the coolers. The LGA 1700 socket not only has an asymmetrical design but also comes with a lower z-stack height.

Intel 13th Gen chips may be the last to support LGA 1700, and we might see the socket's fall from grace in the last quarter of 2023 with the entry of Meteor Lake, Intel's 14th Gen CPUs.

Yes, you can easily upgrade CPUs in Desktop PCs. You'll have to make sure the CPU you want to get is compatible with the Motherboard and CPU Cooler that you already have. Also, you might have to upgrade some other components as well to make the new CPU compatible.

Verdict: The $599.99 Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero comes with five M. 2 sockets (one PCIe 5.0 capable), Thunderbolt 4 ports, plenty of fast rear USB connectivity, 2.5 GbE with Wi-Fi 6E and more.

All ROG laptops are built for gaming, but Strix machines go above and beyond with models that offers that fastest CPU, GPU, and display refresh rates available for laptops.

ROG Maximus is a lineup of top-of-the-line motherboards with all the latest features and (mostly) overkill power delivery system. ROG Strix boards are cheaper, lack some of the features but are still robust and of high quality.

What is the average lifespan of an ASUS motherboard? ›

Advantages of ASUS 5-Year-Longevity Motherboard Program

Working with ASUS removes the worry about material-supply gaps.

ASUS is also the only motherboard brand to achieve a reliability rate of below 2% returns, adding to the cachet — and providing reassurance for ASUS customers.

Power Consumption

Our power supply has ~75% efficiency > 50W, and 90%+ efficiency at 250W, suitable for both idle and multi-GPU loading.

The Corsair AX1600i, EVGA SuperNOVA 1200W, and XPG Core Reactor 1000W are three excellent PSU options for the Z690 motherboard. These PSUs are highly efficient, fully modular, and feature-packed, making them ideal for high-performance computing and gaming systems.

Tom's Hardware Verdict. ASRock's Z690 Extreme WiFi 6E is a well-rounded and good-looking Z690 motherboard with a sub $200 price. The black and RGB-laden board comes with plenty of storage options sporting eight SATA ports and three M. 2 sockets.

The ASUS Hyper M. 2 x16 Gen 4 Card has four M. 2 slots — supporting both PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 — that allow you to expand your system with high-performance SSD storage.

Four M. 2 and six SATA III connectors accommodate storage drives, while a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot can be used to install various adapter cards. This board also supports AMD CrossFireX for multi-GPU setups.

It sports an LGA 1151 socket as well as four dual-channel DIMM slots, which support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory modules. To keep up with the performance of the slots and socket, a PCIe 3.0 x4 M. 2 slot along with two PCIe U.

There are five M. 2 (Key M) slots capable of supporting 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices. One slot is controlled via the CPU and the rest by the Z690 chipset.

What is the difference between NVMe and M 2? ›

2 and NVMe aren't the same, but they work in conjunction with each other. M. 2 is the SSD form factor, while NVMe is the interface that connects it to the motherboard. Combine them and you have a lightning-fast drive.

Check the specs on your mobo and see if they support an M. 2 device. If you don't still have the manual that came with the mobo, search online for them. Those specs will tell you which device compatibility the mobo supports.

There are two types of M.2 SSDs which are SATA and NVMe-based. They differ in storage technology and depending on your needs and budget, they each have their individual pros and cons.

All PCIe Generations slots and M. 2 slots are backward compatible so there is no need to worry about purchasing the wrong expansion card or NVMe SSD. But you might want to save a buck or two by buying the correct generation expansion card and NVMe SSD according to your motherboard and PCIe slot you plan to slot it in.

2 SSD is only compatible with a motherboard that supports a M. 2 slot. Check your computer's motherboard to make sure it has an M. 2 slot.

Can you have 2 SSDs in the same motherboard? Yes, you could have as many as supported by motherboard. Today all motherboards have 1 - 3 M. 2 slots and 2 - 6(8) SATA connectors.

What's the problem? Some early ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboards were affected by a manufacturing issue, which caused a specific capacitor to be installed in an incorrect orientation. ASUS' quality control mechanisms failed to spot this defect, and faulty motherboards were packaged and shipped to retailers in the US.

The M. 2 standard contains variants with up to four PCIe lanes, one SATA 6 Gb/s and / or one USB 3.0 port. So, it is possible to connect PCIe as well as SATA SSDs.

Expansion Slots

The CPU has 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes, and Intel distributed them thoughtfully so that the motherboard could support various expansion devices. The PCIe x16 slot for graphics cards has 16 reserved PCIe 5.0 lanes. Some Intel Z690 chipset motherboards may offer two PCIe x16 slots for multi-GPU configuration.