Asus ROG Maximus X Hero (Z370) Motherboard Review

Specifications and Features

Intel Z370 ATX gaming motherboard with Aura Sync RGB LEDs, DDR4 4133MHz, dual M.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 2

• CPU
  Intel® Socket 1151 for 8^th Generation Core^™ Processors 
  Supports Intel® 14 nm CPU
  Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 
  * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
  * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
• Chipset
  Intel® Z370
• Memory
  4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 4133(O.C.)/4000(O.C.)/3866(O.C.)/3733(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666/2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory 
  Dual Channel Memory Architecture 
  Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  * Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. 
  * Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
• Graphic
  Integrated Graphics Processor 
  Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort 1.2 ports 
  – Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz
  – Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2304 @ 60 Hz 
  Maximum shared memory of 1024 MB
• Multi-GPU Support
  Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way SLI™ Technology 
  Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
• Expansion Slots
  Intel® Z370 Chipset
  2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) 
  1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode) *¹
  3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x1
• Storage
  Intel® Z370 Chipset : 
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*²
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*³
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
  Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology*⁴
  Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
• LAN
  Intel® I219V
  Anti-surge LANGuard
  ROG GameFirst IV
• Audio
  ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220
  – Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
  – Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  – High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input
  – SupremeFX Shielding Technology
  – ESS® ES9023P
  – Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback *⁵
  Audio Feature :
  – Gold-plated jacks
  – Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  – Sonic Radar III
  – Sonic Studio III
• USB Ports
  ASMedia® USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller : 
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector port(s) 
  ASMedia® USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller : 
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s) (2 at back panel, , Type-A + USB Type-C^TM)
  Intel® Z370 Chipset : 
  6 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (4 at back panel, +blue, 2 at mid-board)
  Intel® Z370 Chipset : 
  6 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, +black, 4 at mid-board)
• ROG Exclusive Features
  ROG RAMCache II
  ROG CPU-Z
  ROG CloneDrive
  Pre-mounted I/O Shield
  MemOK! Button
  Slow Mode
  Overwolf
  GameFirst IV
  Extreme Engine Digi+ :
  – MicroFine Alloy Chokes
  – NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET
  – 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
  Mem TweakIt
  ROG Extreme OC kit :
  – ReTry button
  – Safe Boot button
  – Start button
  – Reset button
  – LN2 Mode 
  KeyBot II
  – One-click Overclocking
  – X.M.P.
  – DirectKey
  – ClrCMOS
  – Power On
  UEFI BIOS features :
  – O.C. Profile
  – Tweakers’ Paradise
  – ROG SSD Secure Erase
  ROG RAMDisk
  Extreme Tweaker
  USB BIOS Flashback
  Overclocking Protection :
  – ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
• Special Features
  ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 :
  – 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ VRM, Fan Expert 4, and Turbo App
  AURA :
  – Aura Lighting Control
  – Aura RGB Strip Headers
  – Aura Lighting Effects Synchronization with compatible ASUS ROG devices
  – Aura Addressable Strip Header(s)
  ASUS Exclusive Features :
  – AI Suite 3
  – Disk Unlocker
  ASUS EZ DIY :
  – ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 
  – ASUS EZ Flash 3 
  CPU Installation Tool
  – Three-step simplicity and safety
  ASUS Q-Design :
  – ASUS Q-Code
  – ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
  – ASUS Q-Slot
  – ASUS Q-DIMM 
  – ASUS Q-Connector
  Gaming Aesthetics :
  – 3D printing friendly
  – AURA-RGB Lighting
• Back I/O Ports
  1 x DisplayPort
  1 x HDMI
  1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A + USB Type-C^TM
  4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (blue) 
  2 x USB 2.0 
  1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
  1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
  5 x Gold-plated audio jacks
• Internal I/O Ports
  1 x Aura Addressable Strip Header(s)
  2 x Aura RGB Strip Headers
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) 
  2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
  1 x TPM connector(s) 
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin)
  1 x AIO_PUMP connector (1 x 4 -pin)
  1 x H_AMP fan connector 
  1 x W_PUMP+ connector (1 x 4 -pin)
  1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
  1 x MemOK! button(s)
  1 x Slow Mode switch(es)
  1 x Reset button(s)
  1 x LN2 Mode jumper(s)
  1 x Safe Boot button
  1 x ReTry button
  1 x System panel connector
  3 x 3D Mount screw port(s)
  1 x EXT_Fan header
  1 x W_IN header
  1 x W_OUT header
  1 x W_FLOW header
  1 x Thermal sensor connector
  1 x Start button
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector
• Accessories
  User’s manual
  4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
  1 x M.2 Screw Package
  1 x CPU installation tool
  1 x Supporting DVD
  1 x MOS fan bracket kit
  1 x SLI HB BRIDGE(2-WAY-M)
  1 x ROG big sticker
  1 x Q-Connector
  1 x Extension Cable for RGB strips (80 cm)
  1 x Extension cable for Addressable LED
  1 x 3D printing mount package
  1 x ROG coaster(s)
• BIOS
  1 x 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 6.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut functions and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.
• Operating System
  Windows® 10 64-bit
• Form Factor
  ATX Form Factor 
  12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )