ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 ATX Motherboard

Technical Specification

CPU

Intel Socket 1200 for 10th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors

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
OptiMem III

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.21 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) *3
1 x M.22 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

2×2 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

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

• 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)
  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
– Aluminium 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 AIOPUMP connector
1 x HAMP fan connector
1 x WPUMP+ connector
1 x WIN header
1 x WOUT header
1 x WFLOW 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

Package Content
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

Note

1 Support PCIe bifurcation for RAID on CPU function.
2 The PCIEX163 shares bandwidth with M.22. The PCIEX163 will be disabled when M.22 runs x4 mode.
3 When M.21 is operating in SATA mode, SATA6G2 will be disabled.
4 M.22 shares bandwidth with PCIEX163. When M.22 runs x4 mode, PCIEX163 will be disabled. When M.22 runs x2 mode, PCIEX163 runs x1 mode.
5 M.23 shares bandwidth with SATA6G56. When M.23 is populated SATA6G56 will be disabled.
6 Due to limitations in HDA bandwidth, 32-Bit/192kHz is not supported for 7.1 Surround Sound audio.

Overview

ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 ATX Motherboard
Z490 | Socket 1200 10th Gen | 4 x DDR4 | 6 x SATA | WIFI 6 | SLI | 3x PCIeX | ATX

• AI Cooling
• ROG Extreme OC kit
• 3 x M.2 slots
• Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
• ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound HD Audio

Maximus XII Hero

ROG Maximus XII Hero is the perfect foundation to the Republic of Gamers. It’s a motherboard that packs substantial power, smart cooling and faster memory support under a stealthy skin.

Loaded with renowned ROG features, from AI overclocking and AI cooling to attention-grabbing Aura Sync illumination, Maximus XII Hero is ready to perform and crafted for customization.

AI Overclocking

Tuning is now faster and smarter than ever before. AI Overclocking profiles the CPU and cooling to predict the optimal configuration for each system.

AI Cooling

AI Cooling automatically manages, and controls motherboard connected fans, ensuring the most efficient settings depending on the current system load and temperature.

AI Networking

GameFirst VI optimizes and organizes network bandwidth, effectively reducing jitter and eliminating spike lag to ensure smooth online gameplay.

PERFORMANCE

The Intel Comet Lake processor features 10 cores and a peak single-core Turbo speed that exceeds 5.3 GHz right out of the box.

To cope with this increased demand on the system, Maximus XII Hero takes advantage of its intelligent VRM design and uses quality components to ensure the best gaming and daily productive computing experience.

Teamed Power Architecture

Today’s CPU architectures place incredible demands on motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power saving modes, going from lower-power mode to full load in an instant.

Our latest VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current, while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.

ASUS Optimem III

Boasting proprietary memory trace layout tweaks that improve signal integrity and mitigate noise, ASUS OptiMem III is more compatible with 3600 MHz+ memory kits, allowing them to run at higher frequencies.

You can opt to optimize memory for high frequency settings, or low latency settings. With higher capacity memory kits, OptiMem III enables you to run at maximum frequency, whereas other motherboards will trade off frequency for capacity.

Stack Maximus XII Hero with your favourite modules and maximize throughput of the new 10th Generation Intel Core Comet Lake-S processor for applications that demand massive bandwidth.

COOLING

Maintaining system stability is paramount under high load, so Maximus XII Hero employs large VRM and chipset heatsinks that strike the right balance between surface area and mass. The extra-large Armor heatsinks also cover multiple M.2 slots. Featuring premium components and multiple fan headers, Maximus XII Hero is fully armed to provide the best foundation for gaming systems – enabling higher performance at lower temperatures.

OPTIMIZATION

Maximus XII Hero is packed with intuitive and flexible tools to allow customization across all system parameters to deliver the performance you want.

Performance Level Up

The dashboard-style control panel of AI Suite 3 lets you fine-tune almost every aspect of your ROG Maximus XII Hero system with ease. Get the best balance between performance, cooling, stability, and efficiency via one simple and intuitive interface.

UEFI BIOS

The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.

Accurate Voltage Monitoring

Conventional motherboards use single-ended sensing tapped from a location that isn’t ideal, leading to a large disparity between the actual voltage fed to the CPU and the value reported to software.

Maximus XII Hero features a differential-sensing circuit and delicate IC that simplify overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately.

CONNECTIVITY

ROG Maximus XII Hero offers advanced connectivity, including WiFi 6 (AX201) and dual Ethernet with intel 1Gb and Marvell 5Gb Ethernet port to eliminate bottlenecks so you can enjoy exceptionally smooth online and LAN play.

Additionally, the M.2 supports Intel Optane Memory technology to maximize the speed of your SSD for faster load times, and SupremeFX on-board audio provides superb sound, while saving a PCIe slot.

WiFi 6 (AX201)

Onboard WiFi 6 (802.11ax) supports ultrafast wireless-networking speeds, improved capacity and better performance in dense WiFi environments, providing exceptional online gaming experiences

Marvell 5Gbps Ethernet

With up to 5X the bandwidth of standard gigabit Ethernet, you’ll enjoy streaming uncompressed 4K UHD videos, backups and file transfers that are faster than ever before.

Hero supports intermediate 2.5Gbps connectivity, allowing you to step up to faster networks for maximum flexibility. Choose the bandwidth that meets your needs and enjoy ultra-low latency at any speed

Intel 1Gbps Ethernet

ROG Maximus XI Hero features Intel Gigabit Ethernet for faster, smoother gaming. Intel Ethernet controllers have a natural synergy with their processors and chipsets, reducing CPU overhead and offering exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput, so there’s more power for games and other tasks.

PERSONALIZE

In addition to extraordinary performance, Maximus XII Hero provides extensive styling and customization options to let you build a system that truly stands apart.

What’s in the box
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