Valve has merged a new script into the master branch of its SteamOS Gamescope compositor on GitHub. This update introduces display configuration support for the Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, notably enabling Gamescope to utilize the full 48-120 Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) range on the 1920x1080p panels of these devices. Having a wide VRR range is especially worth considering the challenges of maintaining high frame rates on portable devices due to limited computational power. So with VRR being present at 48 Hz, handheld consoles reach tear-free gaming even demanding titles. This update follows a series of recent Steam-related improvements, including an August update that added support for Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X buttons to the SteamOS input layer.

With VRR support being added now, we may see future Steam Deck iterations with VRR display support, as the current Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED don't support this feature. This VRR update shows Valve's continued progress towards a broader release of SteamOS for various PC platforms. It confirms the company's focus on optimizing the operating system for handheld devices as the future of SteamOS. What used to be mini PCs, Valve now sees as handheld gaming consoles, which are the target area of SteamOS. Despite the growing anticipation, the exact release date for a broader SteamOS rollout remains uncertain, given Valve's notorious "Valve Time" approach to product launches. However, with community-driven SteamOS 3 ports like Bazzite and HoloISO already available, enthusiasts have alternative options to explore in the meantime.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) and ASUS Metaverse today announced the release of the SL@SH206 Web3 project, which creates a gamified experience and Web3 community where players can explore the virtual world and unleash their creativity. The AI-generated stories are supported by cloud technology from Taiwan Web Service Corporation (TWSC), a subsidiary of ASUS. SL@SH206 is targeting users worldwide and is expected to support both Chinese and English languages.

Innovative Web3 gaming ecosystem
SL@SH206 is the first step in collaboration on virtual experiences between ASUS Metaverse and the ROG brand; it is built using Web3 technology that immerses players in a cyberpunk world. Players take on the role of an amnesiac robot, ZEI-6, in a society where humanity has sought refuge in the virtual world. Through AI-generated content and a gamified experience, they will gradually uncover the secrets of the SL@SH206 world. Along the way, players can discover various virtual objects, trigger game events, and be able to get SL@SH206 digital collectibles by completing missions. Additionally, players can join the official Discord community, where they can interact and participate in mini-games to accumulate points and earn valuable rewards.

Yesterday, we got a leak about Intel's "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra 200 series CPUs official public announcement on October 10 and the review embargo and official retail launch on October 24. However, today, we are able to look at some of the upcoming motherboards powering Core Ultra 200 CPUs, based on the Z890 chipset. Thanks to VideoCardz, we can look at ASUS high-end motherboard pictures and decipher some of the common features that will be present on high-end boards, like a hefty VRM configuration, along with some new color schemes. We notice that there are new GPU slot reinforcement and M.2 release mechanisms, alongside WiFi 7 and Thunderbolt 4. Some leaked pricing also suggests that ASUS ROG Maximus boards could be retailing for more than the highest-end Core Ultra 9 285K SKU, while there are more budget "Prime" series of motherboards present as well. Here are all leaked ASUS boards:

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme:

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today released a significant update to its bundled Virtual Assistant software (formerly known as Virtual Pet). This new software package comes preinstalled on the ROG Zephyrus G16 gaming laptop and leverages the incredible power of AI to significantly level up the capabilities of the Virtual Assistant, including an intelligent chat and Q&A interface, written document summarization, and voice transcription tools. This update is available on laptop models with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors as a free download via ASUS Live Update.

Intelligent chat support
The Virtual Assistant gives users a leg up when they're using an unfamiliar program or system tool. With a local chat and Q&A feature, even when disconnected from the internet, the Virtual Assistant can help users navigate complicated menus and activate the features and settings they need. For example, if a new user is looking to adjust fan settings, they can request that from the Virtual Assistant, and it will direct them to the appropriate settings menu within the Armoury Crate app. Applications like MyASUS, GlideX, and ProArt Creator Hub are supported, and the chat functionality adds a new layer of support for end users.

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, is thrilled to showcase an incredibly high-speed overclock of G.SKILL DDR5 memory at DDR5-9000 CL44-56-56 with 48 GB (24 GB x2) kit capacity, featuring AMD EXPO overclock profile and demonstrating the memory overclock capability of the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processor.

A New High-Speed Frontier with 24 GB x2 Continuing to explore the overclock limits of DDR5 memory speed in conjunction with the new ASUS NitroPath DRAM technology that provides enhanced DDR5 memory overclock performance, G.SKILL demonstrates an amazing DDR5-9000 CL44-56-56 with two 24 GB capacity modules. Refer to the screenshot below to see this G.SKILL memory kit reaching the astounding overclocked memory speed on the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processor

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the availability of the ROG Harpe Ace Extreme, an ultralight 47-gram gaming mouse featuring an eye-catching carbon fiber shell that offers extreme maneuverability and outstanding durability. The shape of Harpe Ace Extreme was co-developed with esports professionals to ensure exceptional stability and control when flicking and tracking—especially for players accustomed to playing with a claw grip. Built-in cutting-edge technologies such as the ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor and ROG Optical Micro Switches ensure absolute pinpoint accuracy and reliability. Additionally, the Harpe Ace Extreme is bundled with a host of premium accessories including a set of Corning Gorilla Glass mouse feet, a hard-shell carrying case, and the ROG Polling Rate Booster.

The ROG Polling Rate Booster, when combined with ROG SpeedNova wireless technology, delivers fast and precise data input at a true 8000 Hz polling rate in both wireless and wired modes. Its plug-and-play design allows users to directly attach the receivers or cables of compatible ROG peripherals.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the Falchion Ace HFX, a 65% analog wired gaming keyboard engineered for gamers who demand precision, speed, and customization. Featuring ROG HFX Magnetic Switches and an 8000 Hz polling rate, this ultra-compact keyboard sets a new standard in gaming peripherals. The ROG Falchion Ace HFX masterfully incorporates arrow and navigation keys into a 65% keyboard layout. At just 315 mm in length, it's almost the same size as a 60% keyboard, so gamers can enjoy all the functions of a normal keyboard while saving desktop space.

The ROG Falchion Ace HFX comes equipped with pre-lubed magnetic switches that are designed for a solid feel and lightning-fast, ultraprecise performance. With a lifespan of 100 million keypresses, these switches use high-quality POM plastic for the stem and bottom housing and PC for the top housing, ensuring ultrasmooth keystrokes. The innovative walled stem design enhances stability while keeping out dust, making this keyboard durable and reliable for intense gaming sessions. What really sets the Falchion Ace HFX apart is its customizable actuation range, which allows gamers to adjust the actuation point from 0.1 to 4.0 mm to match their gaming and typing experiences. This adjustment can be easily managed through the rear-mounted multifunction button and touch panel or via the Armoury Crate or Armoury Crate Gear software, providing flexibility and fingertip control.

ASUS and GIGABYTE have registered a large number of Intel Z890 motherboards with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). For ASUS, the registrations suggest that these will be released on October 10, followed by an official market launch on October 24. ASUS has added no less than 29 Z890 motherboards to its ROG MAXIMUS, ROG STRIX, TUF GAMING, PRIME, and other series, while GIGABYTE has added 18 models to both its AORUS and non-AORUS series.

ASUS Z890 Motherboards

• ROG MAXIMUS Series
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 EXTREME
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 FORMULA
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX ENCORE
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 DARK HERO
  • ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO BTF

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Strix Platinum PSU series, the ideal power supplies for gaming PC setups. These high-efficiency units, available in 1200-watt, 1000-watt, and 850-watt versions, raise the bar with lower connection temperatures, intelligent wattage delivery, ATX 3.1 with Intel lab testing and a sizeable 10-year warranty.

Smart design, efficient operation
The ROG Strix Platinum PSU series is ready to power any rig a user can assemble, no matter what kind of graphics card they put under the hood. That's where the patented GPU-First intelligent voltage stabilizer (IVS) comes into play. It ensures that even an overclocked graphics card always has the stable power flow it needs to perform at peak capacity during intense gaming sessions, providing up to 45% more stable flow to the GPU than without the stabilizer. And if users prefer a conventional CPU-focused voltage sensor, they can disconnect the Strix Platinum IVS cable.

Among many other releases, ASUS has shown several upcoming peripheral releases at Gamescom, including both the ROG Harpe Ace Mini and the Harpe Ace Extreme, the latter of which had already been announced prior. Interestingly enough, the mouse demonstration units weren't pre-production units, but rather from mass production, hinting at an impending release. While no exact date has been revealed, both the ROG Harpe Ace Mini and the Harpe Ace Extreme indeed are expected to hit shelves within the next few weeks.

Shared between both mice are their basic specifications and internals. Much like on the ROG Keris II Ace, ASUS's latest AimPoint Pro sensor capable of 42,000 CPI sees use, along with ROG Optical main button switches. When asked for comment, ASUS has stated that on their enthusiast mouse releases, optical switches will continue to be preferred over push-fit mechanical switch sockets to save as much weight as possible. Through the ROG Polling Rate Booster, polling rates of up to 8000 Hz can be achieved in wired operation, and up to 4000 Hz in wireless operation. Since the firmware is shared across all models, performance of the ROG Harpe Ace Mini and the Harpe Ace Extreme will closely match the Keris II Ace provided the ROG Polling Rate Booster is used.

ASUS today announced the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000, ASUS RT-BE86U and ROG USB-BE92 during Gamescom 2024. These three devices showcase the ASUS commitment to offering an array of perfomant, reliable and robust featured Wi-Fi 7 products. These three products offers demanding digital homes and offices alongside networking enthusiast and gamers outstanding range, throughput and low latency ensuring outstanding wired and wireless connectivity. Additionally, the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 alongside the latest Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 network card are being demonstrated in a dedicated section at the ASUS Gamescom 2024 booth, where attendees can see these two latest gen devices work ideally to deliver an ultra performance Gigabit+ network experience.

Wi-Fi 7 functionality is coming to Windows 11 later this year, and the new ROG GT-BE19000 can unleash Wi-Fi 7 gaming experiences with speeds up to 2.4 times faster and coverage up to 73% greater. Its ROG Gaming Network feature uses Guest Network Pro to deliver a dedicated Gaming Network SSID and VLAN with complete game-acceleration technology. Meanwhile, the new ASUS RT-BE86U offers up to 20 Gbps of wired capacity, triple that of the RT-AX86U, with 30% more CPU power and rich Ethernet backhaul options to create a feature-packed AiMesh extendable network. And the ROG USB-BE92 tri-band Wi-Fi 7 USB adapter supports both USB Type-A and USB 3.2 Gen 1 x1 Type-C connections, and give users access to the wide-open 6 GHz band for low-interference networking.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced an exciting array of gaming peripherals designed to give hardcore gamers and esports pros an edge over the competition. New peripherals include the Falchion Ace HFX and Strix Scope II 96 RX Wireless gaming keyboards, ROG Harpe Ace Mini and Strix Impact III Wireless gaming mice, and the ROG Pelta headset.

ROG Falchion Ace HFX gaming keyboard
The ROG Falchion Ace HFX wired gaming keyboard boasts a 65% layout in a 60% keyboard frame, and masterfully incorporates navigation and arrow keys into its design. It features ROG HFX Magnetic Switches that deliver solid keystrokes. The switch actuation points can be customized from anywhere between 0.1- 4.0 mm for instantaneous response. An 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125 ms response time make the Falchion Ace HFX up to 8X faster than competitor keyboards. Plus, a Rapid Trigger toggle can be activated for the fastest typing response and key repeat rates, without the need for additional software. The Speed Tap mode prioritizes the last input and automatically releases the previous one to eliminate any time gap for counter-strafing and ensure precise aim, especially in FPS games.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the groundbreaking ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP, the ROG Strix OLED XG27ACDNG and the ROG Swift 360 Hz PG27AQNR gaming monitors at Gamescom 2024.

The Swift OLED PG27AQDP is the world's first 1440p 480 Hz monitor, and it features an anti-glare WOLED panel. Meanwhile, the 26.5-inch Strix OLED XG27ACDNG boasts an impressive 360 Hz refresh rate and a QHD QD-OLED panel with an anti-reflection. Both monitors feature ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) and OLED Anti-Flicker technologies. ROG is the only gaming monitor brand to offer QD-OLED and WOLED offerings to cater to different needs. Each display offers unparalleled visuals and unprecedented refresh rates to redefine gaming performance for gamers worldwide. Also launched was the 360 Hz ROG Swift 360 Hz PG27AQNR, with a QHD Ultrafast IPS display and G-SYNC Pulsar that make it a superior choice for esports and competitive gaming.

According to The Verge, Valve confirmed its intention to extend support for its Linux-based SteamOS to rival gaming handhelds, including the ASUS ROG Ally. This move marks a significant step towards realizing Valve's decade-old vision of a widespread "Steam Machine" ecosystem. Lawrence Yang, a designer at Valve, confirmed to The Verge that the company is actively working on adding support for additional handhelds to SteamOS. This revelation came after eagle-eyed observers spotted a curious line in Valve's latest SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta release notes mentioning the addition of "support for extra ROG Ally keys." While the development is still in progress, Yang emphasized that SteamOS isn't quite ready for out-of-the-box use on rival devices. However, he assured that the team is making "steady progress" towards this goal.

This initiative doesn't necessarily mean that manufacturers like ASUS will officially endorse Valve's installer or ship their devices with SteamOS preinstalled. Many companies, including ASUS, have cited various reasons for sticking with Windows, including Microsoft's dedicated validation teams that ensure compatibility across diverse hardware configurations. Other devices, such as Lenovo Legion Go, AYANEO, and GPD Pocket 4, ship with Windows, but it could be interesting to see with SteamOS. Alongside support for third-party handhelds, Valve is also working on a general release of SteamOS 3 for non-handheld PCs. Finally, Valve hasn't forgotten about its promise to enable dual-booting on Steam Deck devices. While there's no specific timeline, Mr. Yang confirmed that it remains a priority for the company. We remain to see how this will materialize, and with added bells and whistles to SteamOS, the adoption of Linux-based gaming could be pushed even further.

KLEVV, the premier consumer memory and storage brand introduced by Essencore, proudly presents all-new CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 Gaming Memory. Engineered by the masterful collaboration of KLEVV and ROG (Republic of Gamers)'s expert team, the CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 memory is purpose-built to unleash mind-bending performance with supreme stability. Available in 16 GB x2 and 24 GB x2 kits with a base clock speed of DDR5-7200, it is tailored for hardcore gamers and PC enthusiasts who demand the best.

Furthermore, when paired with a compatible ROG motherboard, the CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 can achieve blazing clock speeds of DDR5-7400, enabled by ROG's superior hardware synergy and software tuning, making them the ideal choice for high-end AAA games and power-hungry software. Inspired by KLEVV's award-winning CRAS V RGB series, which won the Red Dot and iF Design Awards in 2024, this special edition memory stands out with its unique and striking duotone color design. Rocking a sleek black-and-white aesthetic, complemented by an eye-catching advanced RGB light array, the CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 memory perfectly matches an all-ROG system that exudes undeniable power at a glance.

ASUS today announced an exclusive collaboration with Boosteroid, a global cloud gaming provider, to offer a 50% discount on the first month of a Boosteroid subscription, empowering gamers to level up their gaming experience at a fraction of the cost. The promotion will apply to selected ASUS and ROG gaming products, which includes routers, a range of motherboards, graphics cards, peripherals, displays, cases and power supplies in the Prime, TUF Gaming and ROG families, plus the ROG NUC. The offer runs from August 1 to December 31, 2024.

Beyond this bundle promotion, ASUS and Boosteroid share a deep-rooted partnership. Since 2019, ASUS has been a vital technology partner for Boosteroid, providing the high-performance server solutions that power the platform's infrastructure. The partnership ensures that Boosteroid can deliver smooth, low-lag gameplay for its users. "This partnership leverages our complementary strengths to propel gaming to new heights," states Ivan Shvaichenko, CEO of Boosteroid. "The ASUS dedication to cutting-edge hardware is a perfect match for Boosteroid's innovative cloud gaming solutions. Together, we empower the highest levels of performance and flexibility."

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today released Armoury Crate Special Edition 1.5 (ACSE 1.5)—a brand-new major update to this software—to coincide with the launch of the ROG Ally X gaming handheld. Featuring a massive 80 Wh battery, upgraded joysticks and face buttons, and redesigned handgrips, the ROG Ally X is an improvement in every way on the original ROG Ally.

ACSE is the control software behind the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, and provides a centralized hub for game storage, access, and settings customization for gamers to play all of their games, no matter the launcher. ACSE 1.5 introduces a more console-like and easy-to-navigate UI, with more customization for how game titles are displayed and arranged, and revamped carousel and list views. Taken together, ACSE has seen a huge usability increase since its initial launch just over a year ago.

Tech manufacturer JSAUX announces a new product in its line of handheld accessories. After having released successful new items such as the transparent backplate or the ModCase, the company reveals today a blend of docking station and stand, codenamed HB0609, that is compatible with the future ROG Ally X plus other handheld devices such as the ROG Ally, the Steam Deck or the Legion Go. This two-in-one design helps keep the console in a vertical position while offering a multifunctional six-in-one interface and is available for $45.99.

Unleash the full potential of your handheld device, (Steam Deck, ROG Ally, ROG Ally X or Legion Go) with a multifunctional docking station that also works as a console stand. Display your handheld either at your living or your gaming room while taking advantage of its connectivity. The docking station and stand feature the following ports:

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the Azoth Extreme, a custom 75% gaming keyboard featuring a precision-crafted aluminium-alloy chassis with metal frame, delivering premium aesthetics and top-tier wireless performance. A carbon-fiber positioning plate delivers a crisp typing feel and keeps keystroke vibrations down to a minimum. The keyboard includes an adjustable gasket mount that can be toggled to offer a hard or soft typing feel via a quick-flip switch. A full-color OLED touchscreen on the top right corner of the keyboard can show system info and keyboard settings; with the adjacent three-way knob allowing for instant volume, multimedia, lighting adjustments, and settings customization. An extended wrist rest ensures comfortable typing experiences and retains its firmness over time.

Superior build quality
The eye-catching ROG Azoth Extreme gaming keyboard boasts a premium aluminium-alloy chassis with a metal frame that undergoes an intricate 12-step manufacturing process that includes sandblasting, anodizing, CNC machining, and more. Additionally, the Azoth Extreme achieves an impressive 8000 Hz polling rate when used with the ROG Polling Rate Booster, while offering up to 1600 hours of battery life.

ASUS Republic of Gamers today announced the launch of the ROG NUC gaming PC. The first-ever ROG NUC PC is packed with cutting-edge technology and performance for AAA gaming and more.

Gaming, redefined
Featuring Intel Core Ultra 9 or Intel Core Ultra 7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 or 4060 discrete graphics, the ROG NUC PC is a compact powerhouse that delivers unmatched gaming experiences. The high-performance hybrid architecture of Intel Core Ultra processors provides gamers with the power needed to stream, edit, record and play without skipping a beat. The 2.5-liter chassis is designed for quick system access to make upgrades and cleaning easy. Plus, the compatible ROG Raikiri Pro controller can be used to deliver a console-like experience for gamers seeking uncompromised performance and flexibility in a compact form factor.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the Archer ErgoAir Gaming Backpack BP3800. With a capacity of 40 liters, the versatile Archer ErgoAir features a detachable top pouch that can double as a small day pack plus an additional accessories pouch, a waterproof cover, and two concealed pockets. The backpack is made of lightweight 200D nylon and includes a breathable foam backrest. Inside, there's more than enough room to accommodate up to an 18-inch gaming laptop, along with accessories and other essentials.

The Archer ErgoAir is designed to adapt to any situation. Its 200D nylon construction resists light showers, and the waterproof rain cover is available on standby should the weather deteriorate. The pack's top pouch features multiple compartments, including a fleece-lined sleeve for sunglasses. It can be used to store smaller items or detached to be used as a waist or crossbody bag. Closing the bag is easy, either via drawstring or folding down the roll-top.

EK, the leading manufacturer of premium liquid cooling gear, is proud to introduce the EK-Quantum Momentum² ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme D-RGB - Plexi. This top-tier Ultrablock-class product, part of EK's renowned Quantum Line, is engineered for the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme motherboard to ensure flawless compatibility.

The EK-Quantum Momentum² ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme D-RGB - Plexi is equipped with the award-winning EK-Quantum Velocity² cooling engine, delivering direct cooling to crucial motherboard components, such as the primary M.2 drive. This monoblock also features:

• Direct connection to Vector² GPU water block and Active Backplate Sets via bypass valves
• Temperature sensors
• Liquid flow meter
• Direct integration with the ROG water-cooling zone
• ILM Replacement Kit

ASUS at the 2024 Computex showed off the latest revisions of its ROG Strix Platinum and ROG Thor Titanium III power supplies that pack a slew of cutting edge innovations for high-end gaming PCs. In their latest revisions, these PSUs meet the ATX 3.1 specification, and offer updated 12V-2x6 (H++) graphics card power connectors, but there's a key bit of innovation here.

Notice the purple 2-pin connector on the PSU? It is a set of sense pins that lead to the 12V-2x6 connectors, and lets the PSU get active feedback from the graphics card (rather than the motherboard) on how the voltage stability is, so it can actively hold the +12 V domain within a tight tolerance band. This mechanism lets the PSU observe voltage drops and spikes beyond the excursion tolerances of the ATX 3.1 spec. ASUS holds the patent for this innovation. Another major innovation with both these PSU lines is the use of modern GaN MOSFETs for improved switching efficiency, and compact dimensions, which vastly improves the layout of the PSU's mainboard, and serves up more room for heatsinks or airflow. ASUS is backing both these PSU lines with 10-year warranties.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 tri-band WiFi 7 gaming router at Computex 2024. This next-generation powerhouse is designed to dominate gaming and computing experiences with ultra-fast tri-band WiFi 7 speeds of up to 19 Gbps, innovative features like Automatic Frequency Coordination, and comprehensive wired and wireless network functions.

Next-gen WiFi power
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 router boasts ultra-fast wireless speeds of up to 19 Gbps, thanks to innovative WiFi 7 features like 320 MHz channels, 4096-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation. It is the world's first gaming router with Automatic Frequency Coordination. AFC automatically checks the WiFi environment and chooses the least congested channel in the 6 GHz band, boosting peak transmit power by up to 63 times higher than Low Power Indoor networking devices. The GT-BE19000 also provides up to 31 Gbps of wired capacity, including dual 10 Gb Ethernet and quad 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports, ensuring strong, stable connections for building a robust local network in the new era of AI.

Intel Socket LGA1851 will be the new infrastructure driving at least the next two generations of Intel desktop processors, and the new Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-S" will be the first processor generation to use it. These chips pack new "Lion Cove" P-cores, "Skymont" E-cores, an updated PCIe Gen 5 I/O, and new Xe2 "Battlemage" integrated graphics; with generational performance leaps to be had. At the ASUS Computex 2024 booth, we spotted some of the company's first high-end gaming PC motherboards for the platform, based on what could be the Intel Z890 chipset.

Our first find is the ROG Maximus Z890 Hero, or at least a variant of it featuring the ASUS BTF backside I/O connectivity. There will be a regular variant with conventional front-facing I/O, too. The LGA1851 socket looks almost identical to the LGA1700. In fact the two have the same physical dimensions, and are cooler compatible—your LGA1700-compatible coolers will work on LGA1851 motherboards. Intel added to the pin-count by tweaking the pin pitch, and reducing the size of the "courtyard" (the central void in the land grid meant for SMDs). LGA1851 is a pure-DDR5 platform, and has more PCIe Gen 5 connectivity than LGA1700, such as CPU-attached Gen 5 NVMe slots that don't subtract lanes from the x16 PEG slot. The ROG Maximus Hero appears to be a feature-packed motherboard geared for CPU overclocking, as well as connectivity galore. It also comes with Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, USB4, 5 GbE, and next-generation SupremeFX onboard audio.