ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Review

Name: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
Brand: ASUS
Price: 600 USD

ir_cow

on Nov 4th, 2021,

in Motherboards.

Manufacturer: ASUS

Board Software »

BIOS Overview

Clocks	Range	Interval
BCLK Frequency:	80 MHz ... 1000 MHz	0.050 MHz
CPU P-Core Ratio:	8 - 85	1
CPU E-Core Ratio:	8 - 85	1
CPU Cache Ratio:	8 - 85	1
DRAM Frequency:	DDR5-800 - DDR5-13333	N/A
CPU Voltages	Range	Interval
CPU Voltage:	0.6 V - 1.7 V	0.001 V
CPU Input Voltage:	1.5 V - 2.1 V	0.010 V
VCCSA Voltage:	0.7 V - 1.8 V	0.001 V
DRAM Voltages	Range	Interval
DRAM VDD:	0.8 V - 2.070 V	0.01 V
DRAM VDDQ:	0.8 V - 2.070 V	0.01 V

ASUS has a BIOS loaded with a plethora of settings which are for the most part organized into sections. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero does not disappoint with an EZ Mode, accessed with F7, which gives you the ability to set the memory XMP profile, drive boot priority, automatic overclocking, and fan control.

Across the top is a helpful search tool if looking for a certain setting. It also allows for the language to be set and ReSize enabling, and the Memtest86 software is built-in for memory stability testing.

Switch over to Advanced Mode and the familiar ASUS BIOS layout presents itself. I personally enjoy using the My Favorites menu as you can add any setting you like for quick access instead of digging through multiple sub-menus every time to make a change. It is ideal for overclocking when you only want to deal with a few voltage settings and access certain menus repeatably.

My only major complaint is that a lot of the settings best left on auto should be hidden by default so as not to clutter up any settings most of us will likely use daily. I could not find a way to disable the E-Core cluster for the entire review process. I could set the E-Core clock frequency, but couldn't disable it completely. This does not mean this motherboard cannot, just that it isn't front and center inside the overclocking-oriented Extreme Tweaker section of the BIOS. After a bit of help, I found the setting in the Advanced menu inside another sub-menu called CPU Configuration.