ROG Maximus Z690N/AHeroN/AThe ROG Maximus Z690 Hero is a quintessential strand of the Republic of Gamers DNA replete with high-octane components to satisfy users who seek an introduction to the enthusiast-grade Maximus line. Its arsenal of cooling power delivery and connectivity stands ready to handle whatever the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors throw at it. And with its new animated Polymo lighting display on the I/O cover that dazzles with vibrant RGB logos and patterns the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero has the looks to match its leverage.N/AN/AINTELLIGENT MOTHERBOARDN/AIntelligent software solutions help ensure that your system performs at its best. The latest ASUS AI-powered enhancements span four pillars of performance including overclocking cooling networking and onboard audio making advanced tweaks and optimization accessible to new recruits and savvy PC DIY veterans alike.N/AN/APERFORMANCEN/AWith tailored power delivery and support for the latest high-performance memory ROG Maximus Z690 Hero easily handles the demands of Intel Alder Lake-S processors. It features an intelligent VRM design thats rated for 90 amps plus carefully selected components and memory layout optimizations to cater to enthusiasts looking to create a battle-ready rig with balanced performance.N/AN/ADDR5 OVERCLOCKING STRENGTHN/AComprehensive memory tuning options are the cornerstone of ROG motherboards. For DDR5 the Maximus Z690 lineup breaks performance limits by providing a stacked suite of overclocking parameters for not only high-speed kits but even entry-level memory modules that have a locked power management IC (PMIC).N/AN/AA dedicated circuit on the motherboard safely circumvents DDR5 memory PMIC restrictions allowing you to step past the default 1.1-volt limit and push frequency and timings to the max.N/AOrdinarily a restricted PMIC that has been unlocked requires the system to be fully power-cycled each time memory voltage is adjusted. ROG motherboards leverage onboard hardware and firmware to cleverly work around this irksome limitation enabling voltage adjustments to be applied through the same soft system-reset process employed for previous generations of DDR memory.N/AN/ACOOLINGN/ATop-level PC performance demands exceptional cooling. The ROG Maximus Z690 Hero is armed with robust VRM and chipset heatsinks that provide the perfect balance of mass and surface area for heat dissipation. Load up with an AIO or custom cooling loop paired with your choice of fans to keep thermals under complete control.N/AN/ATHERMAL MANAGEMENTN/AROG Maximus Z690 Hero features the most comprehensive cooling options ever.N/AN/AEach header can be set to monitor and react to three user-configurable thermal sensors for workload-based cooling and all settings can be easily managed by Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.N/AN/AROG WATER-COOLING ZONEN/ADual water-temperature headers and a flow-rate header feed information straight into the AI Suite utility allowing you to track coolant temperatures and the flow rate of the entire loop.N/AN/ACONNECTIVITYN/AThe latest connectivity solutions WiFi 6E PCIe 5.0 and two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports empower supersmooth networking and blisteringly fast file transfers. And for enthusiasts looking for high-fidelity audio the SupremeFX ALC4082 codec takes gaming immersion to a whole new level while also saving a PCIe slot.N/AN/AUSB 3.2 GEN 2X2 TYPE-C FRONT-PANEL CONNECTOR WITH QUICK CHARGE 4+N/AUSB 3.2 Gen 2x2 adds an additional lane that can boost Type-C data transfers with speeds of up to 20 Gbps. The port also features Quick Charge 4+ technology that can quickly charge devices up to 60 W with a PCIe power supply cable plugged into the nearby 6-pin connector.N/AN/ATWO ONBOARD THUNDERBOLT 4 USB TYPE-C PORTSN/AEach port delivers up to 40 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth for the latest high-speed devices and drives. Thunderbolt 4 also supports up to two external 4K displays and extends PCIe bandwidth to up to 32 Gbps.N/AN/AThree Onboard M.2 SlotsN/AROG Maximus Z690 Hero features three onboard M.2 slots with two offering support for the latest PCIe 4.0 SSDs.N/AN/AROG HYPER M.2 CARDN/APCIE 5.0 READYN/AIf users need more M.2 storage or even faster data transfers the bundled ROG Hyper M.2 Card features two more slots one of which is a PCIe 5.0 and ready to perform at up to twice the speed of the accompanying PCIe 4.0 slot.N/AN/ASUPREMEFXN/AROG SupremeFX audio technology delivers an exceptional 113 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection to provide best-ever recording quality. There’s also a low-dropout regulator for cleaner power delivery to the SupremeFX ALC4082 codec and an ESS 9018Q2C integrated DAC capable of reaching -115dB THD+N to provide playback that conveys all the subtlety and nuances of the audio track.N/A Learn more about ROG audio technologyN/AN/AOPTIMIZATIONN/AROG Maximus Z690 Hero is packed with intuitive and flexible tools that give builders next-level control of system performance.N/AN/AUEFI BIOSN/AThe 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 more comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.N/AN/AACCURATE VOLTAGE MONITORINGN/AConventional 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. ROG Maximus Z690 Hero features a differential-sensing circuit and delicate IC that simplify overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately.N/AN/APERSONALIZATIONN/AIn addition to elite performance ROG Maximus Z690 Hero introduces the new Polymo Lighting display gracing the I/O cover with an eye-catching microstructural array of light and color. This intricate design features two RGB patterns empowering builders to show off a luminous RGB style that they wont see anywhere else.N/AN/ASONIC STUDIO IIIN/ASonic Studio supports HRTF-based (head-related transfer function*) virtual surround for headsets casting an immersive aural landscape that draws you deeper into the action. The intuitive Sonic Studio interface also offers a range of EQ options and one-click presets allowing you to tailor acoustics to suit personal preferences or the characteristics of your headset.N/AA head-related transfer function is an audio algorithm derived from sound data recorded through a dummy head. Test tones are played from a spherical grid around the dummy head to obtain subtle changes in sounds that come from different directions. The results are combined into an algorithm that allows Sonic Studio’s virtual surround to process sound true to life.N/AN/ADTS : SOUND UNBOUNDN/AROG Maximus Z690 Hero includes a pre-loaded DTS Sound Unbound app that envelops you in audio as never before conjuring whole new levels of immersion for extraordinary gaming and entertainment experiences. By exploiting Windows Sonic spatial technology DTS Sound Unbound delivers audio in a virtual 3D space putting you right in the middle of the soundscape where you can sense the location and direction of every gunshot footstep or other sound in your virtual environment.N/A DTS Sound Unbound requires in-game support. Check with developers for titles that offer support.N/AN/AARMOURY CRATEN/AArmoury Crate is a software utility designed to provide centralized control of supported ROG gaming products. From a single intuitive interface Armoury Crate puts command of all your Aura gear at your fingertips with the new Aura Creator suite ready. The software also provides control of settings for a growing number of ROG products making it easier to tune the look and feel of your system. Armoury Crate even offers dedicated product registration and ROG news feeds to help you stay in touch with the ROG gaming community.N/AN/AAIDA64 EXTREMEN/AROG Maximus Z690 series includes a one-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription a tool that provides detailed information about hardware and software as well as benchmarks to measure the performance of the entire system or individual components. AIDA64 Extreme includes a monitoring and diagnostics feature to detect and prevent hardware issues. All vital system sensors can be tracked in real time allowing voltage readings fan speeds and temperature information to be displayed on the desktop or sent to dedicated displays or to the LCD panels of ROG AIO liquid coolers*.N/A*Support available for ROG Ryujin II and later models.N/AN/AGRAPHICS CARD HOLDERN/AFeaturing a magnetic base and adjustable slider and hinge the ROG Graphics Card Holder banishes sag and provides support where its needed most.