ASUS Maximus XII Hero WiFi Motherboard Review

As a hardware enthusiast I get really excited when new hardware launches and it is fun to dive into what makes the new components different from the previous generation.  ASUS is one of the few companies that established a theme early on and kept with it.  This theme helped to shape gaming and overclocking hardware as we know it and even influenced other companies to eventually do the same.

Republic of Gamers is the brand they created and while the name suggests a gaming focus it really encompasses a design process that includes a toolbox of features catered not only for Gamers but also Hardware Enthusiasts, System Builders and Overclockers.  While there are specialized products for pushing the limit there are also more realistic versions for the “every person”.

In this review we will be looking at the ASUS Maximus XII Hero motherboard.  This motherboard is build on the new Intel Z490 chipset and is designed for the Intel 10^th generation LGA 1200 Processors.  If you have been paying attention to the numbering you’ll realize this is a new socket type however, uses the same heatsink mounting as the previous LGA 115x.  The only difference you’ll want to know is that with the 10^th generation temperature counts.

One thing I have always been impressed with is how detailed ASUS is with their product specifications.  They really go into detail and while this is just a copy from their website I do urge you to check out the product page for more details including some fancy photos and downloads.

CPU
Intel Socket 1200 for 10th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors
Supports Intel 14 nm CPU
Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0**
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
**Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on the CPU types.
Chipset
Intel Z490

Memory
4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 4800(O.C.)/4700(O.C)/4600(O.C)/4500(O.C)/4400(O.C)/4266(O.C.)/4133(O.C.)/4000(O.C.)/3866(O.C.)/3733(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2933/2800/2666/2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory *
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
OptiMem III
* 10th Gen Intel Corei9/i7 CPUs support 2933/2800/2666/2400/2133 natively, Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists). 

Graphic
Integrated Graphics Processor
1 x HDMI 1.4b
*Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types.
Multi-GPU Support
Supports NVIDIA 2-Way SLI Technology
Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology
Supports AMD 2-Way CrossFireX Technology
Expansion Slots
Intel 10th Gen Processors
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) *1
Intel Z490 Chipset
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode) *2
3 x PCIe 3.0 x1

Storage
Total supports 3 x M.2 slots and 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Intel Z490 Chipset :
1 x M.2_1 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*3
1 x M.2_2 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*4
1 x M.2_3 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s),
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Intel Optane Memory Ready

LAN
Intel I219-V 1Gb Ethernet
Marvell AQtion AQC111C 5Gb Ethernet
ASUS LANGuard
Wireless Data Network
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
2x2 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) support 1024QAM/OFDMA/MU-MIMO
Supports up to 2.4Gbps max data rate
Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Supports channel bandwidth: HT20/HT40/HT80/HT160
Supports CNVI interface
Bluetooth
Bluetooth v5.1*
*BT 5.1 function will be ready in Windows 10 build 19041 or later.

Audio
ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC S1220*6
- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
- Supports : Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, up to 24-Bit/192kHz playback
- High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input
- ESS ES9023 DAC + RC4580 OP AMP
- Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback
Audio Feature :
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- Gold-plated jacks
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
- Premium Japanese audio capacitors
- Audio Cover

USB Ports
Rear USB Port ( Total 10 )
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s)(3 + Type-A +1 + USB Type-C)
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s)(4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 port(s)(2 x Type-A)
Front USB Port ( Total 7 )
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 front panel connector port(s)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s)
4 x USB 2.0 port(s)

Software Features
[ROG Exclusive Software]
- Mem Tweakit
- RAMCache III
- ROG CPU-Z
- GameFirst VI
- Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer
- Sonic Radar III
- DTS Sound Unbound
- Overwolf
- BullGuard Internet Security (1-year full version)
 
[ASUS Exclusive Software]
Armoury Crate
- Aura Creator
- Aura Sync
AI Suite 3
- 5-way Optimization with AI Overclocking: TPU, EPU, Digi+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 4, Turbo app
- EZ update
AI Charger
WinRAR
 
[UEFI BIOS]
AI Overclocking Guide
ASUS EZ DIY
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 3
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
FlexKey

ASUS Special Features
ROG Extreme OC kit
- FlexKey button
- ReTry button
- Start button
 
Extreme Engine Digi+
- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
- MicroFine Alloy Choke
 
ASUS Q-Design
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-Connector
- ASUS Q-DIMM
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green])
- ASUS Q-Slot
 
ASUS Thermal Solution
- Aluminum M.2 heatsink cover
 
ASUS EZ DIY
- BIOS Flashback button
- Clear CMOS button
- Procool II
- Pre-mounted I/O shield
- SafeSlot
 
AURA Sync
- Standard RGB headers
- Addressable Gen 2 RGB headers

Back I/O Ports
1 x Marvell AQtion AQC111C 5Gb Ethernet
1 x Intel I219-V 1Gb Ethernet
1 x HDMI
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x USB BIOS FlashBack Button(s)
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module
5 x Gold-plated audio jacks

Internal I/O Ports
1 x CPU Fan connector(s)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s)
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s)
1 x AIO_PUMP connector
1 x H_AMP fan connector
1 x W_PUMP+ connector
1 x W_IN header
1 x W_OUT header
1 x W_FLOW header
1 x AAFP connector
2 x Aura RGB Strip Headers
2 x Addressable Gen 2 header(s)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 front panel TypeC connector
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1(up to 5Gbps) connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
3 x M.2 Socket 3
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x ReTry button
1 x System panel connector
1 x Speaker connector
1 x Start button
1 x FlexKey button

Accessories
User's manual
Addressable LED extension cable
1 x ROG logo plate sticker
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x Supporting DVD
1 x MOS Cooling kit (fan bracket and 40mm x 40mm fan)
1 x ROG big sticker
1 x Q-Connector
1 x Wi-Fi Antenna(s)
1 x Extension Cable for RGB strips (80 cm)
1 x ROG Thank you card
2 x M.2 SSD screw package(s)
2 x M.2 Rubber Package(s)
1 ROG key chain

BIOS
256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS

Manageability
WOL by PME, PXE

Operating System
Windows 10 64-bit

Form Factor
ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.5 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )