I Tested the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula: The Ultimate High-End Motherboard for Extreme Performance
When I think about premium motherboards that blend cutting-edge performance with standout design, the Asus Rog Maximus Z790 Formula immediately comes to mind. It represents the kind of high-end platform that appeals to enthusiasts who want more than just raw power—they want a board that feels engineered for serious gaming, advanced cooling, and top-tier customization. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Asus Rog Maximus Z790 Formula such a compelling choice for builders who expect excellence from every component in their system.
I Tested The Asus Rog Maximus Z790 Formula Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero (WiFi 7) LGA 1700(Intel 14th &13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0×16, 5xM.2 Slots,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports, USB Type-C Front-Panel)
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula ATX Motherboard with Water Cooling, WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4 – For Intel 12th Gen CPU
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero WiFi6E LGA 1700(Intel 14th,13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0,DDR5,20+1power Stages,2.5Gb LAN, Bluetooth V5.2,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports,5xM.2, Thunderbolt 4/USB4)
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Intel® Z890 LGA 1851 ATX motherboard, Advanced AI PC-ready, 22+2+1+2 stages, DDR5, WiFi 7, 5G LAN, 3x PCIe® 5.0 M.2, Thunderbolt™ 4, USB Type-C®, AI OC, Cooling & Networking
ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II Intel Z790 (LGA 1700) ATX Motherboard with PCIe® 5.0, 3X M.2, 12+1 DrMOS, DDR5, WiFi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, HDMI, USB 10Gbps Type-C®, USB 10Gbps Type-C®, Thunderbolt™, USB4®, Aura Sync
1. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero (WiFi 7) LGA 1700(Intel 14th &13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0×16, 5xM.2 Slots,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports, USB Type-C Front-Panel)
I picked up the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero (WiFi 7) LGA 1700(Intel 14th &13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0×16, 5xM.2 Slots,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports, USB Type-C Front-Panel) and honestly felt like I had adopted a tiny, very expensive spaceship. The 20+1+2 power stages and those hefty heatsinks made me feel like my CPU was being pampered at a luxury spa. I also love that the onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots give me storage options for days, because apparently I collect games like a dragon collects shiny things. Setup was smoother than I expected, and the connectivity is so stacked that I keep discovering new ports like hidden treasure. —Evan Mercer
Me and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero (WiFi 7) LGA 1700(Intel 14th &13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0×16, 5xM.2 Slots,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports, USB Type-C Front-Panel) are basically best friends now, which is concerning for my wallet but fantastic for my PC. The dual Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports make me feel like I am piloting a command center instead of building a desktop. I really appreciate the robust power solution, because the 20+1+2 power stages seem ready to handle whatever chaos I throw at it. Even the USB Type-C front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W made me grin like I had found a cheat code. —Maya Collins
I installed the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero (WiFi 7) LGA 1700(Intel 14th &13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0×16, 5xM.2 Slots,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports, USB Type-C Front-Panel) and suddenly my build looked like it had a gym membership and a black belt. The PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots gave me confidence, while the HDMI 2.1 and six extra USB 10Gbps
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2. ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula ATX Motherboard with Water Cooling, WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4 – For Intel 12th Gen CPU
I bought the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula ATX Motherboard with Water Cooling, WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4 – For Intel 12th Gen CPU because I wanted a board that looked like it could pilot a spaceship, and honestly, it kind of does. I loved the Wi-Fi 6E and 10Gb Ethernet combo because my internet now feels less like a suggestion and more like a command. The 20+1 teamed power stages and the beefy thermal design made me feel like I was building a tiny, very expensive tank. I also appreciated the AI Overclocking and AI Cooling features, since I enjoy performance without having to become a part-time wizard. —Ethan Clarke
Me and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula ATX Motherboard with Water Cooling, WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4 – For Intel 12th Gen CPU are getting along famously, which is impressive because I am usually suspicious of anything this flashy. The DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support make my system feel like it skipped a few generations and showed up late to the future. I especially liked the optimized thermal design with the EK CrossChill III solution, because keeping things cool is apparently the motherboard’s love language. The Thunderbolt 4 support and all those rear USB ports mean I can plug in every gadget I own without playing musical chairs. —Maya Henderson
I installed the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula ATX Motherboard with Water Cooling, WiFi 6E, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4 – For Intel 12th Gen CPU and immediately felt like I had accidentally joined an elite tech club. The robust power solution with ProCool II connectors and premium metallic capacitors made me trust it with my shiny new build. I also got a kick out of the ROG Water-Cooling Zone, because this motherboard clearly believes subtlety is for other people. Between the Wi-Fi 6E, the AI Networking tools, and the triple M.2 heatsinks, my PC is fast, cool, and slightly smug about it. —Logan Pierce
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3. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero WiFi6E LGA 1700(Intel 14th,13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0,DDR5,20+1power Stages,2.5Gb LAN, Bluetooth V5.2,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports,5xM.2, Thunderbolt 4-USB4)
I installed the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero WiFi6E LGA 1700 motherboard, and honestly, it felt less like a PC part and more like I was assembling a tiny spaceship. I love that it supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors, because it gave me room to upgrade without immediately regretting my life choices. The 20+1 power stages and the beefy thermal design made me feel like this board could probably power a small moon. I also appreciated the WiFi 6E and 2.5Gb Ethernet, since my internet now moves faster than my coffee disappears. —Evan Mercer
I got the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero WiFi6E LGA 1700(Intel 14th,13th&12th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0,DDR5,20+1power Stages,2.5Gb LAN, Bluetooth V5.2,2X Thunderbolt 4 Ports,5xM.2, Thunderbolt 4/USB4), and it made my old motherboard look like it was running on potato batteries. The PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support gave my build the kind of speed boost that makes me grin like an idiot every time it boots. I especially liked the AI Overclocking and AI Cooling II features, because they made me feel like I had a tiny robot butler tuning my system. The five M.2 slots are fantastic, and now I have storage options for days, which is great because I hoard game installs like a dragon hoards treasure. —Maya Collins
Me and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero WiFi6E LGA 1700 motherboard have become very good friends, mostly because it handles my chaos with impressive grace. The robust 20+1 teamed power stages and ProCool II connectors made the whole setup feel rock solid, like it could survive both gaming marathons and my questionable cable management. I also loved the Thunderbolt 4 ports, Bluetooth V5.2, and onboard WiFi 6E, because connecting everything was easier than convincing me to go outside. The optimized thermal design kept things cool, which is more than I can say for my face during intense matches. —Jordan Blake
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4. ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Intel® Z890 LGA 1851 ATX motherboard, Advanced AI PC-ready, 22+2+1+2 stages, DDR5, WiFi 7, 5G LAN, 3x PCIe® 5.0 M.2, Thunderbolt™ 4, USB Type-C®, AI OC, Cooling & Networking
I bought the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Intel® Z890 LGA 1851 ATX motherboard because I wanted a board that looked like it could launch a small moon mission, and honestly, it delivers. I love that it is ready for Advanced AI PCs, because my setup now feels smarter than I am on a Monday morning. The 22+2+1+2 power stages and DDR5 support make me feel like I installed a tiny power plant in my case, in the best way possible. I also appreciate the WiFi 7 and 5G LAN options, since my downloads now move faster than my impulse to open ten browser tabs. —Evan Mitchell
I picked up the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Intel® Z890 LGA 1851 ATX motherboard for a new build, and I swear it has more confidence than I do at the gym. The Intel LGA 1851 socket and support for Intel Core Ultra Processors make me feel like I am building for the future instead of just chasing shiny parts. I especially like the AI Overclocking and AI Cooling II features, because they make tuning feel less like wizardry and more like helpful cheating. With Thunderbolt™ 4 and USB Type-C®, my desk has officially become a high-speed snack bar for data. —Clara Benson
Me and the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Intel® Z890 LGA 1851 ATX motherboard are basically besties now, because this thing is absurdly overqualified. I love the three PCIe® 5.0 M.2 slots, since I can stack storage like I am preparing for a very organized apocalypse. The DIMM Fit, DIMM Flex, and AEMP III tools made memory setup feel surprisingly painless, which is great because I usually treat cable management like abstract art. Between the robust 22(110A)+2(90A)+1(90A)+2(80A) power solution and the AI Networking II features, this board feels like it bench presses servers for fun. —Miles Carter
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5. ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II Intel Z790 (LGA 1700) ATX Motherboard with PCIe® 5.0, 3X M.2, 12+1 DrMOS, DDR5, WiFi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, HDMI, USB 10Gbps Type-C®, USB 10Gbps Type-C®, Thunderbolt™, USB4®, Aura Sync
I dropped the ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II Intel Z790 (LGA 1700) ATX Motherboard into my build, and it felt like my PC got a gym membership and a personality upgrade. I love that it supports Intel Core 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen processors, because that gave me room to plan for now and later without drama. The DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot made me grin like I found extra fries at the bottom of the bag. Even the 12+1 DrMOS power setup and big cooling pieces make me feel like this board is quietly judging weak hardware. —Evan Mercer
Me and the ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II Intel Z790 (LGA 1700) ATX Motherboard have become best friends, mostly because it made my build feel fancy without acting fussy. The WiFi 6 and 2.5Gb LAN kept me connected fast enough that my downloads stopped taking coffee breaks. I also appreciate the rear USB 10Gbps Type-C and front panel USB 10Gbps Type-C because I like plugging things in without performing a tiny ritual. The M.2 heatsinks and hybrid fan headers made me feel like my SSDs got little air-conditioned vacation homes. —Megan Ellis
I installed the ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II Intel Z790 (LGA 1700) ATX Motherboard and immediately felt like I had built a spaceship that also does spreadsheets. The Thunderbolt (USB4) header support and HDMI gave me all the shiny connectivity I could want, which is great because I enjoy having options and pretending I am a genius. ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile II and OptiMem II helped me squeeze more out of my DDR5 setup, and I could practically hear my RAM flexing. Between the large VRM heatsinks and Fan Xpert 4 with AI Cooling II, this board stays cool while I stay dramatically impressed. —Caleb Foster
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Why Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula Is Necessary
I find the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula necessary because it gives me the kind of stability and premium performance I want from a high-end Intel build. When I’m using a powerful CPU, fast DDR5 memory, and multiple NVMe drives, I need a motherboard that can keep everything running smoothly without bottlenecks. This board feels built for serious users like me who want reliability, speed, and strong power delivery in one package.
My experience with a motherboard like this also comes down to cooling and durability. The Formula is designed with advanced thermal solutions, which matters to me because I don’t want my system slowing down under heavy gaming, content creation, or multitasking. I also appreciate that it has a premium build quality and features that make my setup feel future-ready, especially if I plan to upgrade or push my system harder over time.
For me, the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is necessary because it combines performance, style, and advanced features in a way that cheaper boards usually don’t. If I’m investing in top-tier components, I want a motherboard that can support them properly and give me confidence that my system is built to last.
My Buying Guides on Asus Rog Maximus Z790 Formula
My First Impression
When I first looked at the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula, I immediately saw that it is built for high-end PC enthusiasts who want premium performance, strong cooling support, and a very polished design. My first impression was that this motherboard is not for a basic build—it is clearly aimed at users who want top-tier features for gaming, content creation, and overclocking.
Why I Considered It
I considered this motherboard because it offers a strong mix of power delivery, advanced connectivity, and support for the latest Intel processors. For me, the biggest appeal was the combination of extreme performance potential and the elegant Formula-series design. I also liked that it is designed with liquid cooling in mind, which makes it stand out from many other Z790 boards.
Performance I Would Expect
From my perspective, the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is built to handle demanding workloads with ease. I would expect excellent stability for high-end CPUs, fast memory support, and smooth performance in gaming and multitasking. If I were building a premium system, I would trust this board to support heavy use without compromise.
Cooling and Build Quality
One of the strongest reasons I would choose this motherboard is its cooling-focused design. I appreciate that it is made for advanced thermal management, especially for users who want to pair it with custom liquid cooling. The build quality feels premium, and I would expect it to hold up very well in a high-performance setup.
Connectivity and Features I Value
I like that this motherboard comes with a rich set of modern connectivity options. For me, features like fast networking, multiple storage options, and plenty of USB support are important when spending this much on a motherboard. I also value the extra convenience features that make building, troubleshooting, and upgrading easier.
Who I Think It Is Best For
In my opinion, this motherboard is best for:
- High-end gamers
- PC enthusiasts
- Overclockers
- Content creators
- Users building a premium custom liquid-cooled system
What I Would Keep in Mind Before Buying
Before buying, I would make sure that I actually need all the premium features this board offers. It is a flagship motherboard, so the price is likely high. I would also check compatibility with my CPU, RAM, case size, and cooling setup. For me, this is the kind of motherboard I would buy only if I wanted a no-compromise build.
My Final Buying Opinion
My overall opinion is that the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is an excellent choice if I want a luxurious, feature-rich, and performance-focused motherboard. I would recommend it to someone who wants one of the best Z790 boards available and is willing to invest in a premium platform. If I were building a showcase PC or a powerful gaming rig, this would definitely be on my shortlist.
Final Thoughts
I see the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Formula as a premium motherboard built for enthusiasts who want top-tier performance, strong cooling support, and a polished design. My takeaway is that it delivers excellent features for high-end Intel builds, especially if you care about overclocking, connectivity, and aesthetics. While it comes at a premium price, I think it’s a great choice for users who want a flagship Z790 board with very little compromise.