ASUS Z490 Maximus XII Hero Wifi DDR4 Intel Motherboard
MPN ASUS-MAXIMUS-Z490-HERO-WIFI · Brand ASUS · ATX
The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero WiFi is an ATX Z490 motherboard for Intel LGA 1200 processors, featuring dual Ethernet (1Gb + 5Gb), Wi-Fi 6, three M.2 slots, AI overclocking, and ROG SupremeFX 7.1 audio — engineered for serious gaming builds
Inclusive of GST · GST invoice available
Overview
The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero WiFi is a full-size ATX gaming motherboard built on the Intel Z490 chipset for 10th Generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors using the LGA 1200 socket. Designed for enthusiasts who demand both raw performance and intelligent system management, it combines AI-driven overclocking, AI cooling, and AI networking in a single platform. At the heart of the board's performance story is its intelligent VRM design, paired with the Extreme Engine Digi+ power delivery featuring 10K Black Metallic Capacitors and MicroFine Alloy Chokes. The AI Overclocking feature within AI Suite 3 profiles the installed CPU and cooling solution to determine an optimal boost configuration automatically, while AI Cooling manages all motherboard fan headers dynamically based on real-time system load and temperature. Connectivity is a genuine differentiator. The Maximus XII Hero WiFi ships with a dual Ethernet configuration: Intel I219-V 1Gb Ethernet and Marvell AQtion AQC111C 5Gb Ethernet — both protected by ASUS LANGuard. Wireless connectivity is handled by the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 module (up to 2.4 Gbps theoretical maximum, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz, 160 MHz channel support) alongside Bluetooth 5.1. Network bandwidth prioritization is managed via GameFirst VI software to reduce jitter during online gaming sessions. Storage options are expansive: three M.2 slots (two supporting up to 22110 length, one 2280 maximum) all running PCIe 3.0 x4, plus six SATA 6 Gb/s ports with RAID 0/1/5/10 support and Intel Optane Memory compatibility. A Thunderbolt header is also present for future expansion. The ROG SupremeFX audio subsystem uses the S1220 High Definition Audio CODEC with an ESS ES9023 DAC and RC4580 Op-Amp, delivering up to 120 dB SNR stereo playback and 113 dB SNR recording input, with support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz playback. Gold-plated audio jacks and an optical S/PDIF output round out the audio rear panel. USB connectivity spans 17 total ports (10 rear, 7 via internal headers), including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C on the rear panel. Lighting is controlled via Aura Sync, with two standard RGB headers and two Addressable Gen 2 headers onboard. Verifiable Specifications: - CPU Socket: Intel LGA 1200 (10th Gen Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron) - Chipset: Intel Z490 - Memory: 4x DIMM, max 128 GB, DDR4 up to 4800 MHz (O.C.), dual-channel, XMP support - Form Factor: ATX, 12 x 9.5 inches (30.5 x 24.4 cm) - Storage: 3x M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), 6x SATA 6 Gb/s, RAID 0/1/5/10 - Expansion: 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 (CPU), 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode, chipset), 3x PCIe 3.0 x1 - LAN: Intel I219-V 1Gb + Marvell AQC111C 5Gb - Wireless: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.1 - USB Rear: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3x Type-A, 1x Type-C), 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 - Audio: ROG SupremeFX S1220 CODEC, 7.1 surround, 120 dB SNR playback - BIOS: 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI - Warranty: 3 Years
Datasheet
| Warranty | 3 Years |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 |
| CPU Type | |
| Lan | Intel® I219-V 1Gb EthernetMarvell® AQtion AQC111C 5Gb EthernetASUS LANGuard |
| Bios | 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX7.1 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 quality120dBSNR stereo playback outputand113dBSNR recording input- ESS™ ES9023 DAC + RC4580 OP AMP- Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playbackAudio Feature :- SupremeFX Shielding™ Technology- Gold-plated jacks- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel- Premium Japanese audio capacitors- Audio Cover |
| 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 Memory *Dual Channel Memory ArchitectureSupports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)OptiMem III* 10th Gen Intel® Core™i9/i7 CPUs support 2933/2800/2666/2400/2133 natively |
| Graphic | Integrated Graphics Processor1 x HDMI 1.4b*Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types |
| Storage | Total supports 3 x M.2 slots and 6 x SATA 6Gb/s portsIntel® Z490 Chipset :1 x M.2_1 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*31 x M.2_2 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)*41 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, 10Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.1**BT 5.1 function will be ready in Windows 10 build 19041 or later |
| 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) |
| Accessories | User´s manualAddressable LED extension cable1 x ROG logo plate sticker4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)1 x Supporting DVD1 x MOS Cooling kit (fan bracket and 40mm x 40mm fan)1 x ROG big sticker1 x Q-Connector1 x Wi-Fi Antenna(s)1 x Extension Cable for RGB strips (80 cm)1 x ROG Thank you card2 x M.2 SSD screw package(s)2 x M.2 Rubber Package(s)1 ROG key chain |
| Manageability | WOL by PME, PXE |
| Back I/O Ports | 1 x Marvell® AQtion AQC111C 5Gb Ethernet1 x Intel® I219-V 1Gb Ethernet1 x HDMI4 x USB 3.2 Gen 24 x USB 3.2 Gen 12 x USB 2.01 x Optical S/PDIF out1 x Clear CMOS button(s)1 x USB BIOS FlashBack™ Button(s)1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module5 x Gold-plated audio jacks |
| Expansion Slots | Intel® 10th Gen Processors2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) *1Intel® Z490 Chipset1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode) *23 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Operating System | Windows® 10 64-bit |
| Multi-Gpu Support | Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way SLI® TechnologySupports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ TechnologySupports AMD 2-Way CrossFireX Technology |
| 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 SyncAI Suite 3- 5-way Optimization with AI Overclocking: TPU, EPU, Digi+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 4, Turbo app- EZ update AI Charger WinRAR AI Overclocking Guide ASUS EZ DIY- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3- ASUS EZ Flash 3- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ ModeFlexKey |
| 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 AIO_PUMP connector1 x H_AMP fan connector1 x W_PUMP+ connector1 x W_IN header1 x W_OUT header1 x W_FLOW header1 x AAFP connector2 x Aura RGB Strip Headers2 x Addressable Gen 2 header(s)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 36 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 button1 x System panel connector1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 front panel connector1 x Speaker connector1 x Start button1 x FlexKey button |
| Asus Special Features | ROG Extreme OC kit- FlexKey button- ReTry button- Start buttonExtreme Engine Digi+- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors- MicroFine Alloy ChokeASUS Q-Design- ASUS Q-Code- ASUS Q-Connector- ASUS Q-DIMM- ASUS Q-LED (CPU , DRAM , VGA , Boot Device )- ASUS Q-SlotASUS Thermal Solution- Aluminum M.2 heatsink coverASUS EZ DIY- BIOS Flashback™ button- Clear CMOS button- Procool II- Pre-mounted I/O shield- SafeSlotAURA Sync- Standard RGB headers- Addressable Gen 2 RGB headers |
| Wireless Data Network | Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201Supports up to 2.4Gbps max data rateSupports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHzSupports channel bandwidth: HT20/HT40/HT80/HT160Supports CNVI interface |
