Intel didn't rest on its silicon laurels for long after the release of its Z490 chipset—and neither has Asus. The 2021 launch of the Z590 chipset has brought a wave of fresh motherboards for the 11th Generation Core "Rocket Lake" desktop CPUs. Given the high-end nature of the chipset, many are predictably premium models, and that includes Asus' Z590 ROG Maximus XIII Hero ($499.99). This board features a number of changes over its predecessor, some good and some not so good, but it's nonetheless a solid platform packed with features. Other than a few nitpicks, there's little to complain about; indeed, this is a fairly lucky XIII for discerning Intel upgraders and well-funded DIY builders. (The hardcore—and you lottery winners—can also ogle Asus' ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial(Opens in a new window), which, far from being glacier-slow, integrates a waterblock from EKWB directly into the Z590 board's design, plus almost every conceivable luxury, for a mind-bending $1,843 MSRP.) ...
Asus' well-built Z590 ROG Maximus XIII Hero may not outdo its Z490 predecessor in every way, but it remains an excellent "Rocket Lake" motherboard that's competitively priced for discerning buyers at the top end of the Intel CPU market.
Attractive, edgy aesthetics; Stable operation; Easy-to-navigate, feature-rich BIOS; Competitively priced for a near-flagship board
No 5Gbps or 10Gbps Ethernet controller; VRM heatsinks have sharp corners near CPU power connector