Test – Asus ROG 10 biggest Hero |Specs | Price

Hi all!

Today sounds the arrival of the latest Coffe Lake processors from Intel but also motherboards that are compatible. Asus is first on the spot at Conseil Config with the very latest motherboard oriented “Gamers” and “Overclockers”, the ROG Maximus X Hero! On the program, a model equipped with the latest Z370 chipset from Intel, so the top of the range accepting overclocking “K” processors, like all Z models before it, so nothing surprising here. Note that even if we stay on socket 1151, this is v2, so only Coffee Lake processors are compatible.
The ROG Maximus X Hero is available at a price of 289.90 €, a slate after all quite salty without going to extremes, the latter will arrive later. Let’s see what it gives.

Here we are faced with a motherboard in the classic ATX format, 30.5 x 24.4 cm, it will therefore fit without worries in all ATX boxes. ROG Maximus X Hero is equipped with the latest Z370 chipset only compatible with Intel Coffee Lake processors, for the moment the Core i3 8110 / 8370K, the Core i5 8400 / 8600K and the Core i7 8700 / 8700K, the processors K as usual will be the only ones that can be overclocked.
The card of course accommodates DDR4 memory with a small increase in native frequency compared to the Z270 which goes from 2400 MHz to 2666 MHz. As always it will be possible to install higher frequency modules, via the XMP profile, this is considered as overclocking of the memory controller. In total it will be possible to install 64 GB, which will be more than enough for almost all users on the market.
The ROG Maximus X Hero is equipped with 3 PCIe 3.0 16x ports, cabled in 16x / 8x / 4x and NVIDA and AMD CrossFireX 2 and 3-Way compatible, as usual this will clamp the first PCIE port to achieve a speed of 8x / 8x. In addition to that 3 PCIe 1x ports are there for the possible installation of peripherals.
On the storage side of the classic, with 3 Sata 6G / s ports as well as 2 M.2 ports managed by the Z370 chipset. On the 2 M.2 ports (M2_1) one is PCIe 4x compatible and Sata 6Gb / s, if a Sata SSD is connected to it it will disable the Sata 1 port of the motherboard. The other (The M2_2) is only PCIe 4x compatible, if an SSD is connected here it will disable 2 Sata ports, numbers 5 and 6. So be careful where you plug your peripherals 😉
The on-board peripherals are rather classic but of good quality. For example, we find the audio controller marketingly called ROG SupremeFX S1220, which is none other than a Realtek chipset to which Asus has made its small modifications (given the metal cover to make more bling bling!) Accompanied by high-end capacitors, no worries for the audio part so unless you have a very high-end sound system. The network controller is the very good Intel i219V which will be perfect for all uses.
Asus decided to give a good bunch of connectors for ventilation here, no less than 8 4-pin connectors to plug in a whole bunch of fans and pumps. Indeed the configuration of the ports is not the same everywhere, let’s see this table:

Asus has added connectors capable of delivering 12W for the case, processor and pump fans of an AIO kit. On the other hand 2 are able to send 36 Watts, W_PUMP + and H_AMP, it will therefore be possible to connect one (or 2) pumps from a custom water-cooling installation, this may be useful for some. The 2 connectors provided for the pumps (AIO_PUMP and W_PUMP +) will always be supplied to the maximum, while the others can be controlled via Q-Fan, either in the BIOS or on Windows.

Of course you, fans of LEDs, Asus offers 32 RGB zones directly installed on the card, at the chipset, AIO plate and M.2 connector closest to the processor. In addition to that 3 4-pin connectors for RGB LED strips are present, do not panic for those who love Christmas trees!
Offered at a price of 289.90 € as usual for ROG products, it hurts, let’s see what it looks like more closely!

The beast is delivered in a good big solid box reminiscent of a high-end product. On the front, as usual, the red and black mixture specific to “gamers” products (for some reason). We find the name of the model, the logo ROG and Asus as well as the various logos of use. Note that it remains quite sober, so much the better 😉
At the back a photo of the beast accompanied by the technical characteristics, there is everything you need to know!

Here I open the box and I’m greeted by it, oh my god I feel like I’m part of something now! 😀

We fall directly in front of the motherboard protected by a plastic mold and all in a cardboard box, no worries during transport.

Below the manual is there as well as the bundle in small covers on the sides.

The bundle is rather provided as you can see. For the peripherals 4 Sata cables are present as well as 2 extension cords for RGB LEDs. The screws necessary for M.2 SSDs are also there, with a small connector helping to connect the connectors on the front of the box. A small metal support is provided which will allow the installation of a small fan on the VRMs. If you want to SLI there is also a HB 2-Way Bridge.
A whole lot of various and varied stickers bearing the image of the brand will allow you to customize what you want with a concentrate of good taste. Maybe they can even be glued on the glass that will rest on the ROG coaster delivered 😉
Kidding aside you also have the manual and the driver / software DVD.