ROG Maximus Z790 Formula
The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is the ultimate motherboard to feature our head-turning Moonlight White aesthetic. Beneath this bold expression lies a powerhouse arsenal of features, including the exclusive HybridChill VRM cooling system ready to elevate 14th-gen Intel® processors, advanced DDR5 settings, a multitude of PCIe 5.0 slots for both graphics cards and storage, blistering Intel® Wi-Fi 7 networking and a full slate of customizable ARGB lightning to make your premium build truly stand out from the crowd. This platform delivers the power and connectivity that advanced AI PC applications demand.
Click to check our Z790 Motherboard Guide
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x1 onboard M.2 slot, and x2 PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
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Effortless performance boost
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One-click fan tuning
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SPEC OVERVIEW
- Performance
- Cooling
- Gaming Immersion
- Connectivity
Extreme Power & Performance
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DUAL PROCOOL II POWER
CONNECTORS - 20+1+2 POWER STAGES
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EXPANSION SLOTS
・ 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Safeslots (x16, x8/x8)
・ 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 Slot
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INTEL® SOCKET LGA 1700
For 14th & 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors, and 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, and Celeron® Processors
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DDR5, 4 X DIMM
・ Max. 192GB
・ Dual Channel
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5 X M.2 SLOTS
・ 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4)
・ 4 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4)
Comprehensive Cooling
- MOONLIGHT-WHITE METAL COVER HYBRIDCHILL
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HEATSINKS FOR FIVE M.2 SLOTS
Three M.2 Slots with backplates and thermal pads
- MULTIPLE 4-PIN PWM FAN HEADERS
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ROG WATER-COOLING ZONE
・ W_FLOW tachometer
・ W_IN/OUT T-sensor
Total Gaming Immersion
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I/O ZONE AURA LIGHTING
AURA LIGHTING
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SUPREMEFX 7.1 ALC4082 AUDIO CODEC
・ ESS® ES9218 QUAD DAC
・ 120 dB SNR stereo playback output
・ 110 dB SNR recording input
・ Gold-plated audio jacks
SONIC STUDIO DTS® SOUND UNBOUND - 1 X 4-PIN AURA RGB HEADER
- 3 X 3-PIN ADDRESSABLE GEN 2 RGB HEADERS
- LIVEDASH OLED 2”
Full Connectivity
- BIOS FLASHBACK™ BUTTON
- CLEAR CMOS BUTTON
- 1 X HDMI™ PORT
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4 X USB 5Gbps PORTS
(4 x Type-A)
- 2 X THUNDERBOLT™ 4 USB TYPE-C® PORTS
- Realtek 5Gb ETHERNET PORT
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6 X USB 10Gbps ports
(5 X Type-A + 1X USB Type-C®)
- INTEL® Wi-Fi 7
- OPTICAL S/PDIF OUT
- 5 X GOLD-PLATED AUDIO JACKS
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1 X USB 20Gbps
USB Type-C® front panel connector supports QC4+
- 4 X SATA 6GB/S
ROG OVERCLOCKING TECHNOLOGIES
Maximize your CPU’s performance potential with intuitive tools that offer advanced control and monitoring.
- AI Overclocking
- Differential Sensing
AI OVERCLOCKING
Tuning is now faster and smarter than ever before. ASUS AI Overclocking profiles the CPU and cooling to predict the optimal configuration and push the system to its limits. Predicted values can be engaged automatically or used as a launching ground for further experimentation.
DIFFERENTIAL SENSING
Conventional motherboards use single-ended sensing tapped from a location that isn’t ideal, leading to a large disparity between the actual voltage fed to the CPU and the value reported to software. The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula features a differential-sensing circuit and delicate IC that simplify overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately.
TEAMED POWER ARCHITECTURE
Today’s CPU architectures place incredible demands on motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power-saving modes, going from lower-power mode to full load in an instant. The latest ROG VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current, while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.
- A brief history
- A shift in CPU demands
- Bucking the trend
- Thermal performance
- High-quality components
Teamed
Power Stage Design
Conventional
Phase-doubled Design
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ASUS became the first manufacturer to implement phase-doublers with the A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard, back in 2005. The board’s VRM was lauded for elegantly overcoming the power handling capabilities of components that were available at the time while also reducing voltage ripple. Those benefits led to phase-doublers becoming universally accepted in the industry, and they are still used for similar purposes today.
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Modern CPUs pack more cores than their predecessors, and the latest instruction sets allow them to crunch computationally dense workloads at an incredible pace. In addition, they consume less power at idle and can transition between load states much more quickly. These improvements necessitate a re-evaluation of power-design priorities because phase-doublers add a propagation delay that hampers transient response.
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Fortunately, the latest integrated power components can handle higher currents than the devices of yesteryear, making it possible to implement a simple circuit topology that isn’t hamstrung by the processing lag of phase-doublers. That’s why the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula utilizes teamed power stages to deliver higher burst current per phase, while maintaining the thermal performance of phase-doubled designs.
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Each VRM component serves a specific purpose. PWM controllers and phase-doublers control the circuit, and the power stages do the heavy lifting from an electrical and thermal standpoint. The power stages feature low RDSON to reduce switching and conduction losses, helping to improve overall thermal headroom.
MEMORY
Comprehensive memory tuning options are the cornerstone of ROG motherboards. With the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula, you can extract all of the potential out of your DDR5 modules, regardless of if they’re from an extreme-speed kit or an entry-level set that would otherwise be locked.
- DDR5 DOMINATION
- DIMM FLEX
- AEMP II
DDR5 DOMINATION
ROG has a long legacy of flexing the fastest memory performance, and DDR5 is no outlier. Thanks to improved signal routing, now enthusiast-grade kits have been driven far beyond the 8 GT/s mark on the Maximus Z790 Formula, and who knows how far future DIMMs can go? Seasoned veterans can test their mettle by tinkering with the extensive array of tuning options in the UEFI.
DIMM Flex provides enthusiasts a powerful new way to overclock their memory by employing specialized hardware circuitry to address the stability issues in DDR5 memory caused by temperature sensitivity. When temperatures permit, it can maximize memory performance and efficiency, and when temperatures increase, it can adjust memory performance downward to maintain stability.
››› DIMM Flex QVL List
Average FPS Comparison Across Games
Metro Exodus
Extreme preset 2560x1440
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
MAX FPS preset 3840x2160
** The comparison chart is based on a test with an Intel Core i9 next-gen processor, ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II, ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 OC Edition 24GB, and G.SKILL F5-7200J3646F24GX2-TZ5RK DDR5.
ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile II (AEMP II) is an exclusive firmware feature that allows users to achieve supreme memory performance and compatibility with optimized clock speeds, even when they're using PMIC-restricted memory modules that do not provide an XMP or EXPO profile. Developed through a flexible training method, AEMP II simplifies the process of fine-tuning memory settings beyond the baseline configuration, all while ensuring system stability. This applies whether you are maximizing the potential of an entry-level module or preparing a high-speed kit for ultimate performance.
AEMP II
Now, AEMP II offers even more flexibility. With the latest firmware update, AEMP II allows users to optimize the performance of a four-DIMM DDR5 RAM configuration, even with a mixture of different brands and dies. Increasing the memory capacity of your build by adding additional DIMMs has never been easier — with AEMP II, you can get optimized memory performance even when all four memory modules are not an exact match, provided that all four DIMMs have the same capacity.
Up to 60%
** The testing chart is based on a test with an Intel i9-13900K processor and 4x16 GB SK Hynix DDR5-5600 non-ECC UDIMMs, model HMCG78AGBUA081N
HybridChill
The ASUS HybridChill water block leverages a fusion of passive and liquid cooling to achieve highly efficient VRM operation. Its copper water channels resist corrosion and offer excellent heat dissipation, while its threaded fittings use the G1/4” industry standard to ensure compatibility with a wide variety of custom cooling setups.
- Metal cover
- G1/4" threaded design
- Watertight rubber gasket
- Electroless Nickel Plating
- Waved Fin Channel
- Full Copper Design
Cooler by Design
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HybridChill thermal design
Engineered with full copper design, 10 μm thick electroless nickel to provide highly effective and superior heat dissipation.
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M.2 heatsinks and backplates
Large aluminum heatsinks provide extensive surface area to cool mounted M.2 drives, and each of the three onboard slots has a dedicated backplate for additional heat dissipation.
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High-conductivity thermal pads
Each thermal pad improves overall heat transfer from the system by bridging the heat generated by the power stages to the heatsink. For future maintenance, a replacement thermal pad can also be found in the package.
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Solid metal backplate
A plate of electro-galvanized metal strengthens the spine of the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula to prevent bending.
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Chipset heatsink
A dedicated heatsink draws heat away from the chipset to maintain optimum operating temperature.
THERMAL MANAGEMENT
An extensive array of headers line the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula for precise cooling control and monitoring.
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Multiple temperature sources
Each header can be set to monitor and react to three user-configurable thermal sensors for workload-based cooling, and all settings can be easily managed by Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.
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4-pin fan headers
In addition to the pair of CPU fan headers, the Maximus Z790 Formula features four chassis headers, and each supports auto-detection of PWM or DC fans.
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AIO pump header
An additional PWM/DC fan header offers dedicated control of self-contained water-cooling setups.
ROG WATER-COOLING ZONE
Dual water-temperature headers and a flow-rate header feed information straight into Armoury Crate, allowing you to track coolant temperatures and the flow rate of the entire loop.
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Water pump+
A dedicated header can supply over 3 amps to a high-performance PWM or DC water pumps.
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Water in/out
A dedicated header enables monitoring of temperatures at the input/output points of any component.
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Water flow
A dedicated header enables constant monitoring of flow rate throughout the entire loop.
COOLER COMPATIBILITY
ASUS AIO coolers offer robust performance, high overclocking potential, bold aesthetics and customizable functionality for new Z790 motherboards, empowering you to build your dream gaming rig.
››› SEE COMPATIBLE AIO COOLERS
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WIFI 7
Next-gen WiFi 7* chipset introduces all-new ultrawide 320 MHz channel bandwidth in the 6 GHz band and 4096 QAM, delivering up to 2.4X ultra-fast WiFi speeds**. The revolutionary Multi-Link Operation (MLO) provides a more stable WiFi connection and lower latency, unlocking the realms of the unknown in gaming, streaming, and industrial IoT.
Learn more about Multi-link Operation (MLO) and WiFi 7 technology.
*WiFi 7 features require onboard WiFi chipset, WiFi AP, and WiFi 7-supported operating systems to support the corresponding features. The 320 Mhz in the 6 GHz band may be unavailable in some regions / countries due to regulatory restrictions. Expected support for Multi-Link Operation (MLO) will be available later this year (October 2023). Please visit the ASUS support page for more information.
**Compared to WiFi 6E -
5Gb ETHERNET
Low-latency gaming, speedy file transfers, and high-resolution video streaming are among the many perks of onboard Realtek 5 Gbps Ethernet.
ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna
Dual transceivers support the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands to enable faster throughput, with directional sensitivity to improve signal quality and cover greater distances.
Wireless Signal Reception Improvement
Versus previous-generation antenna
Up to +6%
6GHz
Up to +18%
5/2.4 GHz
Fast Check
Armoury Crate’s Fast Check empowers users to rapidly detect WiFi signal strength.
Direction Finder
Armoury Crate’s Direction Finder* helps users detect the optimal antenna orientation for achieving the best WiFi signal strength.
*The Direction Finder is only compatible with connections in the 5GHz and 6GHz bandsPCIE 5.0
Fully embracing the new standard, the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula offers abundant Gen 5 support to give unfettered bandwidth to the fastest SSDs and graphics cards available.
Five onboard M.2 Slots
The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula features five onboard M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0-ready to offer blistering 16 GB/s speeds, while the others offer still-impressive 8 GB/s over PCIe 4.0 interfaces.
Expansion Slots
Both of the x16 expansion slots have the PCIe 5.0 treatment to offer incredible speeds up to 64 GB/s for compatible devices. To bear the brunt of massive graphics cards, they are also protected with SafeSlot retention brackets, and the top slot can be released easily thanks to the Q-Release button.
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TWO THUNDERBOLT 4 TYPE-C® PORTS
Each port delivers up to 40 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth for the latest super-speed devices and drives. Both ports can be employed for up to two external 4K displays, and PCIe bandwidth extends to up to 32 Gbps.
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USB 20Gbps TYPE-C® FRONT-PANEL CONNECTOR WITH QUICK CHARGE 4+
USB 20 Gbps Type-C® front-panel connector features Quick Charge 4+ technology that can rapidly charge devices at up to 60 watts.
*Requires a PCIe power supply cable to be plugged into the nearby 8-pin connector.
USB Wattage Watcher
USB Wattage Watcher allows users to monitor the current wattage delivered to a device connected to the USB 20Gbps Type-C front-panel connector. With USB Wattage Watcher, users can glance at their device's charging wattage in real-time and check on their device’s Fast-Charging status.
SUPREMEFX
ROG SupremeFX audio technology delivers an exceptional 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection to provide exceptional recording quality. There’s also a low-dropout regulator for cleaner power delivery to the SupremeFX ALC4082 codec, and an integrated ESS® ES9218 QUAD DAC capable of reaching -115dB THD+N for superior front-panel output. The combined solution allows for end-to-end 32-bit 384 kHz resolution playback that conveys all the subtlety and nuances of each audio track.
››› Learn more about ROG audio technology
- AUDIO LINE SHIELDING
- ESS® ES9218 QUAD DAC
- ALC4082 CODEC
- SWITCHING MOSFETS
- CAPACITORS
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Blocks electromagnetic interference from the motherboard or add-ons to provide cleaner audio.
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The ESS® ES9218 integrated QUAD DAC amplifier is capable of providing -114 dB total harmonic distortion (THD+N) for standard audio devices, and can ramp up to 2Vrms on supported audiophile hardware. In addition, the 121 dB dynamic range (DNR) provides an extremely low noise-floor, further accentuating dynamics and punch.
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Instead of the conventional high definition audio (HDA) interface, the ALC4082 codec uses a USB interface to deliver studio-level sound reaching up to 32-bit 384 kHz audio resolution.
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Unique design allows the codec's impedance-sensing function to be ported with either the front or rear headphone outputs.
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Fine-quality components that produce a warmer, natural sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity.
DIY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
PCIE® SLOT Q-RELEASE
A physical button unlocks the first PCIe slot’s security latch with one tap, greatly simplifying the process of detaching a PCIe card from the motherboard when it’s time to upgrade to a new GPU or other compatible device.
M.2 Q-Latch
The innovative Q-Latch makes it easy to install or remove an M.2 SSD without the need for specific tools. The design employs a simple locking mechanism to secure the drive and neatly eliminate traditional screws.
Q-Antenna
With Q-Antenna, attaching a WiFi antenna to your PC is now easy and fast. Instead of slowly rotating two fasteners until they finally lock in, they just snap into place. Less hassle, and more consistent performance.
Q-Code
The on-board LED panel shows 2-digit diagnostic codes, providing a valuable reference for troubleshooting common boot problems and hardware issues.
Q-LED
On-board Q-LED troubleshooting lights give PC builders a quick indicator to confirm that key components ― CPU, RAM, graphics card, storage devices ― are functioning normally during startup. Builders can use the Q-LED feature to correct power delivery issues affecting their motherboard, and it can also alert them when memory modules have not been properly installed--even before attempting to boot a newly built PC.
BIOS FLASHBACK™
BIOS FlashBack™ is a safe and simple way to update BIOS. Just drop the (UEFI) BIOS file onto a FAT32-formatted USB stick, plug it into the USB BIOS FlashBack port, and press the button. Updates can even be performed without having memory or a CPU installed.
CLEAR CMOS
The Clear CMOS button quickly resets BIOS settings to factory default. It can also be used to reboot the PC if incorrect BIOS settings have been selected.
- AI Cooling II
- TWO-WAY AI NOISE CANCELATION
- AI Networking
AI COOLING II
Balance the thermals and acoustics of any build with a single click. A proprietary ASUS algorithm slashes unnecessary noise while running a quick stress test, and then monitors CPU temperatures to dynamically adjust fans to optimal speeds.
TWO-WAY AI NOISE CANCELATION
This utility leverages a massive deep-learning database to reduce over 5 million types of background noise from incoming or outgoing audio, helping ensure crystal-clear communication in games or calls.
Hear the difference
AI ON
AI OFF
AI NETWORKING
GameFirst is now integrated into Armoury Crate for an even better user experience. GameFirst optimizes networking performance by allocating bandwidth in real time, based on intelligent algorithms designed for various application customizable usage scenarios and corresponding learning algorithms. The latest update includes dedicated support for NVIDIA® GeForce NOW to ensure the lowest latency possible during intense game streaming cloud gaming sessions. To provide a better user’s experience, GameFirst is now integrated into Armoury Crate.
AI SUITE 3
The AI Suite 3 dashboard contains a set of intuitive controls that boost CPU performance while maintaining system stability.
- TPU INSIGHT
- Digital Power Control
- Turbo Core app
TPU INSIGHT
The TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) is an intelligent onboard micro-controller that provides an array of system-tuning features, including the ability to fine-tune voltages, monitor system stats and adjust overclocking parameters.
DIGITAL POWER CONTROL
The Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) delivers real-time control over voltage droop, switching frequency, and power-efficiency settings, allowing you to fine-tune CPU voltage regulation for ultimate stability and performance.
TURBO CORE APP
Modern processors feature per-core tuning, and the ASUS Turbo app makes use of this feature by letting you assign applications to specific processor cores, prioritizing computing power where it's needed most.
UEFI BIOS
The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as more comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.
- Advanced mode
- EZ mode
- MEMTEST86
Advanced mode
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My Favorites
Quickly locate tuning options and add preferred tools to your favorites list.
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EZ Flash 3
Flash the latest BIOS via the internet from within the BIOS.
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S.M.A.R.T.
Check your storage device Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) logs to gauge reliability or to identify potential failures.
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GPU POST
Automatically detect selected ASUS graphics cards to view detailed information.
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Secure Erase
Restore your SSDs and NVMe storage to factory settings.
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Last Modified Log
Track the last change and save preferred profiles to a USB drive.
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SATA Port Renaming
Rename SATA ports for easy identification.
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ASUS User Profile
Port configuration settings between different BIOS versions or share them with friends.
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Q-Fan Control
Configure the fan's operating speed manually or use pre-configured Standard, Silent, Turbo, or Full Speed modes. By default, system fans will automatically switch to full speed if the temperature reaches 75° C.
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Aura On/Off mode (Stealth)
Easily enable or disable Aura RGB lighting or every onboard LED, for a more subdued aesthetic.
EZ mode
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Intuitive Graphical Fan Controls
Fine-tune individual fans simply by dragging a curve with the mouse.
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Storage Information
View SATA port details for easy device recognition.
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Clock Adjustment
Click on the settings icon to quickly change time and date settings.
MEMTEST86 PRE-INSTALLED
For diagnostic convenience, MemTest86 has been pre-installed into the ROG UEFI. Run the test to pinpoint memory issues without the need to start up the OS or attach a USB drive. Memory test results are stored in the BIOS archives for later reference.
GROW YOUR GAMING WORLD WITH AURA SYNC
Up your game with complementary Aura Sync enhanced aesthetics, featuring preset lighting effects that can be easily synchronized across compatible ROG graphics cards, monitors, keyboards, and mice to give your setup a unified look.
Learn more about Aura Sync
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Static
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Breathing
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Strobing
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Rainbow
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Color cycle
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Starry night
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Music effect
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Smart
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Adaptive color
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Dark
ADDRESSABLE GEN 2 RGB HEADERS
The addressable Gen 2 RGB headers can be controlled with Aura software, which automatically tailors your preferred lighting effects to the number of LEDs present in the connected gear or strip. The new headers also offer backward-compatibility with existing Aura RGB components.
LiveDash OLED
The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula includes LiveDash, a built-in 2-inch OLED panel that shows useful information and features customizable graphics. During the power-on, self-test (POST) phase, the OLED shows key stats in simple language using traditional POST codes. In normal operation, the panel can be programmed to show CPU frequency, device temperatures, fan speeds or water-cooling information. You can also personalize the default OLED GIF with a preferred image or animation.
- Hardware Monitor
- Formula Exclusive
- BIOS Update
- Customization Content
- Sonic Studio
- DTS® SOUND UNBOUND
Sonic Studio
Sonic Studio supports HRTF-based (head-related transfer function*) virtual surround for headsets, casting an immersive aural landscape that draws you deeper into the action. The intuitive Sonic Studio interface also offers a range of EQ options and one-click presets, allowing you to tailor acoustics to suit personal preferences or the characteristics of your headset.
DTS® SOUND UNBOUND
Through the pre-loaded DTS® Sound Unbound™ app, the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula envelops you in rich audio, conjuring whole new levels of immersion for extraordinary gaming and entertainment experiences. By exploiting Microsoft spatial sound technology, DTS Sound Unbound creates an audial 3D space — putting you right in the middle of the soundscape, where you can sense the location and direction of every gunshot, footstep, or other sound in your virtual environment.
* DTS Sound Unbound requires in-game support. Check with developers for supported titles.
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Stereo Sound
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Surround Sound
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Spatial Sound
Armoury Crate
Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to give you centralized control of supported gaming products, making it easy to tune the look and feel of your system. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate helps you customize RGB lighting and effects for compatible devices and synchronize them with Aura Sync to create a unified lighting scheme across your system. In addition, Armoury Crate’s Fan Xpert4 tool provides comprehensive control over fans, water pumps, and all-in-one (AIO) coolers.
You can use Armoury Crate to download drivers, tools, and user manuals, and to register products. It also taps into a special news feed that connects you to the global ASUS gaming community.
*Windows 10 or 11 required for full Aura Sync functionality within Armoury Crate. For Windows 8 and earlier versions, standalone Aura Sync software is available for free download from the product support site.Download Link ›››
- AURA SYNC
- Devices
- Tools
- Fan Controls
- GAMEFIRST
- ASUS Account Management
AIDA64 EXTREME
The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula includes a one-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription, a tool that provides detailed information about hardware and software, as well as benchmarks to measure the performance of the entire system or individual components. AIDA64 Extreme includes a monitoring and diagnostics feature to detect and prevent hardware issues. All vital system sensors can be tracked in real time, allowing voltage readings, fan speeds, and temperature information to be displayed on the desktop or sent to dedicated displays or to the LCD panels of ROG AIO liquid coolers*.
*Support available for ROG Ryujin II and later models.
Learn More About AIDA64 >
- ROG x AIDA64 Extreme
- Hardware Monitor Display
Dare to Be Green
We at the Republic of Gamers are on a mission to create a sustainable future where all gamers can flourish on the planet we call home.
Every step counts, and as part of ROG’s commitment to creating a more sustainable future, ROG has begun to utilize post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and paper materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC™) in the packaging of motherboard.
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