Yeah people over on OC.net are returning Max X I Hero / Code / Formula boards and going for Gigabyte boards. For Asus, it looks like you have to go to the Extreme, Gene (not available in the US?) or Apex (which is probably going to be over $500) to get a decent VRM. Still no comment from Asus, though what can they say? They decided to go with a new VRM topology, with no doublers. It works, but with VRM temps 10C+ higher.
Maybe Asus will release a revision of the boards with a totally different (and better) VRM, like they did for the Max X Hero /wifi, when they had a parts shortage. This worked out great for those who got Max X Hero boards with the same VRM design as the higher cost ROG boards. Not so great for the people (like me) who got the cheaper, inferior VRM design, that does not report a VRM temp, despite their marketing at the time clearly showing a thermometer over the VRM section, indicating that VRM temp is reported. Asus would never comment on that either, and the details of what they pulled did not surface until a year later, when the whole Z390 VRM analysis craze started.
Generally, Asus BIOS is considered the best, better than Gigabyte. This time around, that is the only advantage I can see, and I am not sure it is worth the "Asus Tax" premium price over competitor's products that have better VRM designs for less money. First the shenanigans they pulled with the MX Hero VRMs, and now this "Twin 8-Phase" BS.
I guess its time to start looking at the Gigabyte BIOS.