Motherboards

ASUS ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme vs Hero – Specifications Difference

Maximus XI Extreme vs Hero

Today we are talking about two of the most potent motherboards in Asus lineup; The Asus ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme vs Hero. The Extreme model is yet to hit the market. However, we will be discussing whatever information is available out there, to give you about an idea of what these motherboards are all about and how their performance level differs from each other. We will go through all the relevant specifications and technical details side by side, so our readers get the differences clear right before their eyes.

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Also Read: Best Z390 Motherboards

Motherboards features in this article:

Feature / Specs Highlights: (Maximus XI Extreme vs Hero)

Before we move to the specification comparison, let us have an overview of both of the motherboards. So here is quick specification highlight for both Asus ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme and Asus ROG Z390 Maximum XI Hero:

ASUS ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme – Specs Highlights:

  • Supports 9th and 8th gen Intel Core desktop processors with LGA1151 CPU Socket
  • ROG ecosystem, aura sync RGB lighting, dedicated headers for standard / addressable RGB strips
  • Dedicated water cooling zone, heatsinks for M.2 drives, modifiable fan controls, vertical M.2 expansion slot for enhanced cooling with sinks
  • Custom cooling profile support, Artificial intelligence overclocking, extensive tuning optimization
  • 5G LAN, inboard Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 4x M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2, ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO, LanGuard, GameFirst technologies
  • SupremeFX and Sonic Studio III for best sound experience
  • I/O Shield (pre-mounted), ASUS SafeSlot, high-quality components for enhanced durability.

ASUS ROG Z390 Maximus XI Hero – Specs Highlights:

  • Supports 9th and 8th gen Intel Core desktop processors with LGA1151 CPU Socket
  • RGB lighting sync technology (requires Aura Sync supported components), supports addressable light strips, Philips Hue
  • Enhanced cooling with dedicated water cooling zone, custom fan control and heatsink for M.2
  • Onboard Intel Gigabit Ethernet, LAN Guard, dual M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity
  • Custom cooling profile support, Artificial intelligence overclocking, full tuning optimization
  • SupremeFX and Sonic Studio III for best sound experience
  • Asus Safe Slot, premium components for increased durability

As this section implies, there are some similarities and many differences as well in these two motherboards. For example, they both have similar audio technologies, safeguard parameters and cooling specifications, overclocking support, etc. However, there are many differences as well. We will go a little bit deeper into the technical aspect in the following section.

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme vs Hero:

So after getting a quick overview of what these both motherboards, the Asus ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme and Hero has to offer, let us dive in a little deep into the technical specifications. Following is a brief specs comparison for both motherboards, categorized in various criteria. Have a look; we hope it will help you to get a complete understanding of the motherboards.

CPU:

Specification

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

 

Socket Intel Socket 1151Intel Socket 1151
CPU Support 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium, Gold, and Celeron Processors9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium, Gold, and Celeron Processors
Architecture Support Intel 14nm CPUsIntel 14nm CPUs
Chipset Z390Z390

As the table implies, the CPU support is nothing different for both the motherboards. They both are based on same architecture and chipset, they both come with the same socket and thus support the same range of Intel 8th and 9th gen CPU families without any restrictions.

Memory:

Specification

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

 

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

Slots 4x DIMM DDR4 slots4x DIMM DDR4 slots
Max. Memory Size64 GB64 GB
Supported Memory Type4400, 4266, 4133, 4000, 3866, 3733, 3600, 3466, 3400, 3333, 3300, 3200, 3000, 2800 (OC)

2666, 2400, 2133 MHz

Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory

4400, 4266, 4133, 4000, 3866, 3733, 3600, 3466, 3400, 3333, 3300, 3200, 3000, 2800 (OC)

2666, 2400, 2133 MHz

Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory

Other Dual Channel Memory Architecture

XMP Support

(Intel Extreme Memory Profiler)

Dual Channel Memory Architecture

XMP Support

(Intel Extreme Memory Profiler)

Like the CPU support, the memory configuration for both Asus ROG Z390 Maximum Xi Extreme and Hero are same. They come with four DIMM DDR4 slots supporting up to 64 GB of Non-ECC, the Un-buffered main memory of types specified above. However, the supported memory types may vary based on what type of processor you are going to use in your rig.

Moreover, they come with dual channel memory architecture. Which means you will need to install two or more supported memory modules into matching slots so that that memory controller can access each of these. Another great feature is Intel XMP support. The Intel Extreme Memory Profiler allows you to overclock the memory by merely tuning some BIOS settings to enhance your creation and gaming experience. That’s not it, XMP also allows loading and test predefined profiles through different ways. It makes convenient to find the right settings for your system.

Video:

SpecificationAsus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

IGP Support Intel UHD Graphics SupportIntel UHD Graphics Support
Multi VGA Output NOYES
VGA Outputs HDMI PortHDMI Port

DisplayPort Port

Max. Resolution4096 x 2160 / 30 Hz

(HDMI)

4096 x 2160 / 30 Hz (HDMI)

4096 x 2304 / 60 Hz (DisplayPort)

Multi GPU SupportNVIDIA 2 Way SLI Technology

AMD 3 Way CrossFireX Technology

NVIDIA 2 Way SLI Technology

AMD 3 Way CrossFireX Technology

Both of the motherboards are designed to optimize the integrated graphics processor (if your CPU has any). When we talk about the differences, the Maximus extreme does not support multiple VGA outputs. It has only one HDMI output, delivering 4096 x 2160 maximum resolutions with a 30 Hz refresh rate. On the other hand, Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Hero supports dual VGA output. Addition to HDMI, it also has DisplayPort, which delivers better resolution and refresh rate compared to HDMI, that is 4096 x 2304 at 60 Hz.

Both the motherboards come with support to multiple GPU. They support various technologies by Nvidia and AMD to serve the purpose. You can use up to two Nvidia graphics card with the same GPU in both motherboards. AMD gives you some more space as it allows up to 3 graphics card and that too with different GPUs.

Audio:

SpecificationAsus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

Audio CodedROG SupremeFX 8-Channel S1220ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel S1220
Compliant StandardHigh Definition AudioHigh Definition Audio
TechnologiesImpedance sense

jack detection, multi-streaming, front panel jack retasking

120 dB SNR stereo playback output

113 dB SNR recording input

Supreme FX Shielding technology

ESS ES9023P

32 bit / 192kHz playback support

Impedance sense

jack detection, multi-streaming, front panel jack retasking

120 dB SNR stereo playback output

113 dB SNR recording input

Supreme FX Shielding technology

ESS ES9023P

32 bit / 192kHz playback support

FeaturesGold plated jacks

Optical S/PDIF out port

Sonic Radar III

Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Link

Gold plated jacks

Optical S/PDIF out port

Sonic Radar III

Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Link

The audio specifications in both motherboards are some.

Expansion Slots / Connectivity:

SpecificationAsus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

Expansions Slots 2x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16

(x16 or dual x8)

1x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16

1x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x1

2x PCIe 3.0 x16

(x16 or dual x8 or x8/x4/x4)

1x PCIe 3.0 x 16 (x4 mode)

3x PCIe 3.0 x1

Storage Interface SATA & PCIe 3.0 x4 mode

PCIe 3.0 x4 mode

6x SATA 3 GB/sports

(RAID 0-1-5-10 support)

SATA & PCIe 3.0 x4 mode

PCIe 3.0 x4 mode

6x SATA 6 GB/sports

(RAID 0-1-5-10 support)

USB Ports 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (front)

4x USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (back)

8x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports

4x USB 2.0 ports

2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports

4x USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports

2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (front)

2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (back)

2x USB 2.0 ports (back)

4x USB 2.0 ports (mid-board)

1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 front panel ports

As you can clearly see in the table above, the expansion support and storage interface is almost similar for both the motherboard. However, note that Hero offers better 6 GB/s SATA slots compared to ASUS ROG Z390 Maximum Extreme which offers only 3 GB/s SATA slots. Moreover, the USB specification and positions are different as well.

Networking:

SpecificationAsus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

LANAquantia AQC111C 5G LAN

Dual Integration technology

Anti-surge Lan guard

RPG GameFirst Technology

Intel I219V, Gigabit LAN Controller

Dual integration technology

Anti-surge Lan guard

RPG GameFirst Technology

Wireless Intel Wireless AC 9560

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Dual band 2.4 / 5 GHz support

MU-MIMO Support

Channel bandwidth support

(HT 20 / 40 / 80 / 160)

None
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0None

Talking about the wired connectivity, Extreme offers Aquantia AQC111C 5G LAN controller which Hero has onboard Intel I219V and Gigabit LAN controller as well. We are not sure how much it will impact the networking performance. However, Hero does not feature wireless connectivity nor Bluetooth, which is a big plus for extreme. It is going to save you from investing in separate Bluetooth / wireless cards. You can see in detail wireless connectivity details for ASUS ROG Z390 Maximus XI Extreme is described in the table above.

Features:

These motherboards come with some highlights and supported technologies as described in the table below, as  it implies, Extreme has much more to offer compared to Hero:

SpecificationAsus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

ROG Exclusive FeaturesRetry, Safe Boot, Start Button

LN2 Mode

Extreme Engine Digi+

Mem Tweak-it

Extreme Tweaker

ROG Exclusive Software

Retry, Safe Boot, Start Button

Extreme Engine Digi+

Mem Tweak-it

Extreme Tweaker

ROG Exclusive Software

Other FeaturesLive dash OLED

Safe DIMM slot

ASUS AURA

ASUS EZ DIY

ASUS Q Design

Overclocking Protection

OptiMem II

ASUS AURA

Asus Q-Design Features

Other:

SpecificationAsus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Extreme

Asus ROG Z390 Maximus Xi Hero

BIOS 2x 128 Mb Flash ROM

UEFI AMI BIOS

PNP

DMI 3.0

SM BIOS 3.1

ACPI 6.1

1x 128 Mb Flash ROM

UEFI AMI BIOS

PNP

DMI 3.0

SM BIOS 3.1

ACPI 6.1

Form Factor ATX Form Factor

(12 x 9.6 inches)

ATX Form Factor

(12 x 9.6 inches)

Recommended OS Windows 10 – 64 bitWindows 10 – 64 bit

Conclusion:

We hope this post helps you to understand the significant differences between Asus ROG Z390 Maximum xi extreme and hero. If there is any doubt or suggestion on your mind, feel free to contact us directly or comment down below.  Make sure you subscribe Face of IT for regular tech updates. See you until next post, Thank You.

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