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Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF specifications and in-depth review

Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF is an ATX form factor motherboard built on the Z790 chipset for Intel LGA 1700 processors, targeting users who want a well-connected and overclocking-capable platform. It includes Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with backward compatibility down to Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.4, RGB lighting, an easy BIOS reset function, and a three-year warranty. There is no dual BIOS, and the board does not carry integrated graphics or an integrated CPU.

Memory support is handled via four DDR5 slots in a dual-channel configuration, maxing out at 192GB and reaching up to 8000 MHz when overclocked. The rear I/O features a notable selection of USB ports including two USB 4 40Gbps connections that double as Thunderbolt 4 ports, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. Expansion is provided by a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot, while storage options include five M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. Onboard audio covers 7.1 channels at 120 dB SNR with five analog connectors and an S/PDIF output.

Pros
  • Two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB 4 40Gbps capability provide high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals and external devices
  • Wi-Fi 7 support with backward compatibility down to Wi-Fi 4, paired with Bluetooth 5.4, covers current and future wireless needs
  • DDR5 memory overclocking up to 8000 MHz across four slots with a 192GB maximum capacity
  • Five M.2 sockets offer extensive high-speed storage expansion without consuming SATA ports
  • Easy BIOS reset function simplifies recovery from failed overclocking attempts
  • Three-year warranty provides longer coverage than is typical in this product category
Cons
  • No dual BIOS, meaning there is no firmware backup in case of a failed BIOS update
  • ECC memory is not supported, limiting the board for workstation or data-integrity-critical use cases
  • No TPM connector, which may affect users who rely on hardware-based security modules
  • No DisplayPort output — video connectivity is limited to a single HDMI port
  • aptX Bluetooth audio codec is not supported
Who is this for?

The Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF is well-suited for enthusiast desktop builders on the Intel LGA 1700 platform who need both high-speed peripheral connectivity and serious memory performance. Users who rely on Thunderbolt 4 devices — such as high-bandwidth external storage or professional audio interfaces — will find the two dedicated ports particularly useful. Those pushing memory performance will benefit from DDR5 overclocking up to 8000 MHz, and the five M.2 sockets make it a strong fit for builds that prioritize fast, multi-drive storage configurations.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need ECC memory support for workstation-grade reliability or data-integrity-sensitive tasks will find this board unsuitable, as ECC is not supported. Those who require a TPM connector for hardware-based security implementations will also need to look elsewhere, since that header is absent. Additionally, builders who depend on a DisplayPort output for their monitor setup are limited here, as the only video output is a single HDMI port with no DisplayPort alternative available.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1700
chipset Z790
form factor ATX
supports Wi-Fi ✓
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth ✓
Bluetooth version 5.4
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock ✓
has RGB lighting ✓
Easy to reset BIOS ✓
Has dual BIOS ✕
has aptX ✕
CPU sockets 1
Has integrated graphics ✕
warranty period 3 years
height 244 mm
width 305 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕

This ATX board measures 305 × 244 mm and is built around the Z790 chipset with a single LGA 1700 socket. It supports overclocking, includes an easy BIOS reset function, and features RGB lighting, though it does not have dual BIOS. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is built in with backward compatibility down to Wi-Fi 4, alongside Bluetooth 5.4, while aptX is not supported. Video output is available via HDMI 2.1, but the board carries no integrated graphics or integrated CPU. A three-year warranty is included.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 192GB
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8000 MHz
memory slots 4
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory ✕

The board supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 192GB. Native speeds reach up to 5600 MHz, while overclocking pushes that ceiling to 8000 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 5
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 2
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output ✓
DisplayPort outputs 0
RJ45 ports 1
Has USB Type-C ✓
eSATA ports 0
DVI outputs 0
has a VGA connector ✕
PS/2 ports 0

The rear I/O offers a substantial USB selection, including five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and two USB 4 40Gbps ports that also function as Thunderbolt 4 connections. There are no USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, or Thunderbolt 3 ports. Video output is limited to a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connections present. A single RJ45 port handles wired network connectivity, and no eSATA or PS/2 ports are included.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4
SATA 3 connectors 4
fan headers 6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 4
M.2 sockets 5
Has TPM connector ✕
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0

Storage options include five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with no SATA 2, mSATA, or U.2 sockets available. Internal expansion headers support two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports for front-panel connectivity. The board provides six fan headers for cooling management, but does not include a TPM connector.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x1 slots 0
PCI slots 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x4 slots 1
PCIe x8 slots 0

Expansion is provided by two slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the primary graphics card and one PCIe x4 slot for additional devices. There are no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, x1, x8, or legacy PCI slots on this board.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC) 120 dB
audio channels 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port ✓
audio connectors 5

Onboard audio supports 7.1-channel output with a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, providing a clean signal across five analog connectors on the rear panel. An S/PDIF output is also present for connecting external digital audio equipment.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1 ✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0) ✓
Supports RAID 5 ✓
Supports RAID 0 ✓
Supports RAID 0+1 ✕

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations, accommodating both performance-oriented and redundancy-focused storage setups. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF is a high-specification ATX motherboard for the LGA 1700 platform that makes a strong case for connectivity-focused builds, anchored by two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB 4 40Gbps capability and DDR5 memory support overclockable to 8000 MHz across five M.2-equipped storage options. The three-year warranty and easy BIOS reset add practical value, though the absence of dual BIOS, ECC support, a TPM connector, and a DisplayPort output means the board has clear boundaries around the type of user it serves. For enthusiast builders on the Intel Z790 platform who prioritize peripheral bandwidth, wireless connectivity, and memory headroom over workstation-grade features, the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF delivers a focused and well-equipped foundation.

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