Asus maximus ix hero review in Spanish (full analysis)

Since its first release in the fourth generation series of Intel processors, the Hero series motherboards have been a best seller, now it comes in a new Z270 version: Asus Maximus IX Hero as one of the best motherboards on the market and compatible with newer Intel Kaby Lake processors. Do you want to know its performance with an i7-7700k ? Well prepare the popcorn, that is the thing that burns.

We thank Asus for trusting the product for its analysis:

Asus Maximus IX Hero technical characteristics

Unboxing and design

The Asus Maximus IX Hero It comes in a large box in red. On its cover we find the Republic of Gamers logo, in large letters the model and all the certifications that endorse this fantastic motherboard.

Already in the back we have all the most important technical characteristics detailed. Undoubtedly, a recommended reading before starting the unpacking.

Inside we find the following bundle

Asus Maximus IX Hero motherboard. Back plate. Instruction manual and quick guide. Installation kit for Intel processors. CD disk with drivers. SATA Cable set. Screw for connecting M.2 disk. SLI HB ROG cable..

The Asus Maximus IX Hero is an ATX format motherboard with dimensions of 30.4 cm x 22.4 cm for the LGA 1151 socket . The board has a design quite similar to what we saw in the Asus Maximus VIII Hero a year ago. Auqnue, we see certain improvements with a matte black PCB, more modern lines in the heatsinks and reinforcement in all its connections.

Rear view for the most curious readers.

The motherboard features two cooling zones: the first for the power phases and the second for the Z270 chipset. It has a total of 8 + 2 power phases supported by Extreme Engine Digi + technology, 10K Black Metallic protection in its capacitors , MicroFine Alloy Chokes and Power Block MOSFET. That everything as a whole makes it one of the best motherboards in longevity and overclocking capacity.

Detail of the 8-pin EPS connection.

It has 4 available 64 GB DDR4 RAM memory sockets with frequencies up to 4133 Mhz and compatible with the XMP 2.0 profile. This allows us to have a gaming equipment but also use it as a high-performance workstation. We will no longer have problems with RAM.

The Asus Maximus IX Hero presents a very good layout since it allows us to connect two Nvidia graphics cards in SLI or three AMDs in CrossFireX. It has a total of three PCIe 3.0 to x16 slots and three other PCIe 3.0 connections at x1 speed. Notice that it incorporates the new internal USB 3.1 connection.

As we have already commented during the article, it incorporates the latest low cost SLI HB ROG bridge, which increases the great performance with two graphics cards.

It is also important to know that it incorporates two slots for the M.2 connection to install any disk of this format and type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (42/60/80 and 110mm).

For those who do not know what the M2 connection is and what it is for, we recommend reading our article. Although, as you know, we can take advantage of the 32 GB / s of its bandwidth and connect high-performance PCI Express NVMe disks.

It incorporates a sound card with SupremeFX technology with the new S1220 codec that isolates component interference (EMI) much faster and better. It also incorporates the best premium Nichicon capacitors, an ES9023 DAC supported by Sonic Radar III software.

Regarding storage, it has six SATA III connections of 6 GB / s with support for RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10. Finally we see that they are removing the SATA Express connection!

Finally we detail the rear connections. Point out that we have two 10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN connections signed by Intel I219V and I211-AT + Bluetooth V4.0. In addition, it incorporates two USB Type-C connections and USB 3.1 connections.

Clear BIOS button and another to switch to the second BIOS. 1 x DisplayPort. 1 x HDMI. 1 x Network (RJ45). 8 x USB 3.9 x USB 3.1.1 x USB 3.0 Type C. Audio Input / Output 7.1.

Test bench and tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i7-7700k.
Base plate:	Asus Maximus IX Hero.
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR4
Heatsink	Corsair H115
HDD	Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB.
Graphic card	Nvidia GTX 1080.
Power supply	Corsair AX860i.

WE RECOMMEND YOU YOUR ROG Strix Scar III: Top of the range of your gaming laptops

To check the stability of the i7-7700k processor at 4700 MHZ and the motherboard we have stressed with Prime 95 Custom and air cooling. The graphics we have used is an Nvidia GTX 1070, without further delay, let's see the results obtained in our tests with a 1920 x 1080 monitor.

BIOS

Like the ROG series the BIOS of the Asus Maximus IX Hero They are super stable and efficient for this new generation. It allows us to monitor temperatures, control temperatures, manage the lighting of the motherboard and its effects, easily overclock, have multiple profiles and have our favorite options saved. The best Z270 BIOS? Possibly!

Final words and conclusion about Asus Maximus IX Hero

The Asus Maximus IX Hero ranks among the best motherboards for the 1151 socket and Z270 chipset on the market. Its great overclocking capacity, its design that makes you fall in love at first sight, its AURA lighting capacity and the wide variety of connections make it the board that every user wants to have.

In our tests together with a GTX 1080 and an i7-7700k processor we have been able to verify that its performance is extraordinary. Coming to the processor at 4900 MHz and temperatures in its phases of excellent feeding.

We did not like its price rise to 315 euros as a RRP , since although we found differences from its previous version. But without a doubt, if you are looking for a trustworthy and overclocking motherboard, the Asus Maximus IX Hero should be the one.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ IMPROVED DESIGN.	- ITS PRICE IS NOT REACHED BY ALL POCKETS.
+ 8 + 2 FEEDING PHASES.
+ DOUBLE CONNECTION M.2.
+ GAMEFIRST IV AND SONIC RADAR III.
+ SOUND CARD ENHANCED WITH A DAC.