The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero is an updated variant of the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, distinguished by its integration of the Wi-Fi 7 wireless network module and ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna directional antenna. This model stands out for its technical enhancements, including five M.2 slots and direct support for PCIe 5.0 x4, eliminating the need for additional expansion cards. In this analysis, we will explore the most prominent differences in this updated version.

Visual aesthetics remain largely unchanged from its predecessor, with the VRM heatsink maintaining its design language. The most significant modification is the chipset sharing its heatsink with the M.2 slots, including a dedicated M.2_1 heatsink to support PCIe 5.0 x4. These subtle adjustments result in a more streamlined appearance while retaining the 20 (vCore) + 1 (GT) + 2 (AUX) phase VRM design.

Components include 90A and 70A (AUX) power stages, 10K metal capacitors, MicroFine aluminium alloy inductors, and an efficient heat dissipation structure. Additionally, the DDR5 memory module slot now supports overclocking up to DDR5-8000+.

Installation configurations offer versatility, with numerous fan sockets and provisions for water cooling. Notable features include various lighting effects, the Extreme OC Kit, temperature measurement sockets, Q-Code, Q-LED indicators, and memory fan brackets. It's worth mentioning that VRM cancellation is no longer supported.

The motherboard accommodates three PCIe bus interface slots, with the first two PCIe x16 slots supporting PCIe 5.0 for x16 / x0 or x8 / x8 configurations. PCIEX16(G5)_1 features a user-friendly PCIe Slot for easy graphics card removal with its Q-Release design. The PCIe 4.0 slot for the Z790 chipset operates with a default x4 lane configuration.

Storage configurations have evolved, reducing SATA 6Gb/s ports from six to four, all directly provided by the chipset without third-party controllers. M.2 slots have undergone improvements, with ASUS eliminating the ROG Hyper M.2 expansion card option and offering a maximum of five groups. These M.2 slots incorporate the M.2 Q-Latch design, come with heatsinks, and include thermal pads, although the cooling base plate is provided only for the first three groups. Notably, M.2_1 allocates 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes to address potential high-temperature concerns.