ASUS Z690 Hero owners are FUMING because their motherboards are MELTING, SMOKING and CATCHING ON FIRE!
Take a look at the SHOCKING REASON why these premium motherboards are literally melting down…
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero : Potential Fire Hazard?!
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero owners are complaining on social media, and in the ASUS Support Forum, that their premium motherboards are literally burning up!
In fact, one user, TheMaxXHD, had two of his ASUS Z690 Hero motherboards die in just 3 days, with one actually catching on fire!
Late at night I am merely surfing the web and all of a sudden it hard shuts off again, and this time when I look over there I see a component on the motherboard literally on fire.
Other users reported hearing loud pops, and either smelling or seeing smoke wafting from their ASUS Z690 Hero motherboards, before shutting down.
Even users who were lucky not to experience a fire or melting components, reported that their ASUS Z690 Hero motherboards were unstable, rebooting on and off.
The motherboard’s Q Code display would also show Error Code 53, which refers to a memory error. However, replacing or swapping the memory modules will not solve the problem.
Why ASUS Z690 Hero Motherboards Are Melting / Catching On Fire!
Users who reported problems with their ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboards, have noted that they were melting / smoking / catching on fire in roughly the same area – between the last DIMM slot and the Q Code display.
In that location, you can see two MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors), but they are apparently not the cause.
According to a YouTuber called Buildzoid, the capacitor next to those two MOSFETs are the likely cause of the melting / smoking / catching on fire.
He pointed out that the etched text on the capacitor is upside down, which suggests that they were incorrectly installed in reverse!
In this comparison, the reversed capacitor is seen in the picture on the left, with the positive terminal on the left, instead of to the right, as seen on the picture on the right.
When such a capacitor is installed in reverse polarity, it will not only fail to work, it will actually act as a short circuit.
This quickly creates hydrogen gas (which is flammable!), and eventually destroys the capacity and could even start a fire.
There is no doubt that installing capacitors in reverse polarity is a dangerous mistake.
ASUS Confirms Reversed Capacitor On Z690 Hero Motherboards!
ASUS confirmed Buildzoid’s assessment, stating that they have “preliminarily identified a potential reversed memory capacitor issue in the production process“.
They also confirmed that the reversed capacitor issue affects units manufactured in 2021, with the part number 90MB18E0-MVAAY0 and serial numbers starting with MA, MB, or MC.
They did not, however, reveal how this dangerous mistake happened, or why their quality control (QC) measures failed to pick up the mistake.
To identify whether your ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard is affected by this reversed memory capacitor mistake, you can check the part and serial numbers in the product packaging label.
ASUS also created a serial number tool, for you to check if your motherboard is affected.
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero : Is There A Recall?
Unfortunately, there is no general recall of the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero.
While ASUS admitted that there is a reversed memory capacitor issue, they did not recall the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboards.
They only stated that they are going to continue their “thorough inspection” with their suppliers and customers, and “will be working with relevant government agencies on a replacement program“.
It is unknown why ASUS would need to work with government agencies on a replacement program, but for now – there is no recall program.
Neither did ASUS get back to the user whose Z690 Hero motherboard caught on fire after 2 weeks :
I have heard nothing from them. I sent them via reddit dm my second board’s serial number that I had returned to my local microcenter, which was the board that actually caught on fire, so they have a paper trail to follow and maybe retrieve that board from the store, and I explained the issue.
My only hope is they are actually looking into this, because it is a serious concern. However, I have heard nothing, so I don’t know.
One can only hope, but if they just sit there doing nothing, its a pretty big shame, as Asus support is one of the supposed big reasons why people buy Asus
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero : What Should You Do?
It is unfortunate that ASUS did not recall all affected ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboards. The memory capacitor installed in reverse polarity poses a real danger, and is a fire hazard.
Therefore, it would be advisable to avoid buying the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero until this issue is resolved satisfactorily.
If you are using a Z690 Hero motherboard that is affected by this issue, you should IMMEDIATELY STOP USING IT, and reach out to ASUS.
Until ASUS agrees to fix the affected motherboards, the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero should only be used by “Those Who Dare” to risk damage, or worse, from the reversed memory capacitor…
If possible, return the motherboard for a full refund, or exchange it for alternative motherboards like the GIGABYTE AORUS Z690 Master (US | UK | AU | SG | MY), like TheMaxXHD whose Z690 Hero caught fire :
I have since swapped out the board for a Gigabyte Aorus Z690 Master and has been going just fine for almost a full week. Nothing else was changed other than the motherboard, indicating to me, this is a motherboard issue.
All in all, it appears like some boards have components in flames, some merely just become bricked with code 53. In any case, I would advise avoiding until and if Asus responds.
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Intel have officially launched the 8th Generation Intel Core processors (codenamed Coffee Lake)! In this article, we will share with you details, videos, pictures and specifications of the 11 new ASUS Z370 motherboards you can pair with your Intel Coffee Lake processor of choice! Which of these ASUS Z370 motherboards will fit your requirements? Read on and find out!
Everything You Need To Know About The ASUS Z370 Motherboards
We will go into the details of the individual ASUS Z370 motherboards, including their specifications. Here are their direct links :
But first, let’s take a look at the presentations on the ASUS Z370 motherboards and a special overclocking demonstration by Coolice!
Updated @ 2017-10-06 : Added the ASUS Z370 motherboard prices and availability. Various minor changes.
Originally posted @ 2017-09-29
The New ASUS Z370 Coffee Lake Motherboards Revealed!
At an exclusive regional shindig, ASUS gave us the lowdown on their upcoming Z370 motherboards. Let’s start with the ROG Z370 Gaming series of motherboards.
Then ASUS revealed the new TUF Gaming series for casual gamers, and the ASUS Prime Z370-A motherboard.
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Watch Coolice Overclock The Core i7-8700K To 6.6 GHz!
ASUS also brought overclocker Coolice to showcase the overclockability of the 8th Generation Intel Core processor. He paired the Intel Core i7-8700K with the new ASUS Maximus X Apex Z370 motherboard and used liquid nitrogen cooling, to achieve a clock speed of 6.6 GHz!
Now, let’s take a look at the details and specifications of the new ASUS Z370 motherboards!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The ASUS ROG Z370 Motherboards
The ASUS ROG family of Z370 motherboards is divided into the ROG Maximus series, and the ROG Strix series. The ROG Maximus motherboards offer the best features and performance for gamers and enthusiasts, while the ROG Strix motherboards offer key ROG features at more affordable price points.
Here are the specifications of the ASUS ROG Z370 motherboards :
Specifications
Maximus X Apex
Maximus X Hero
Strix Z370-E Gaming
Strix Z370-F Gaming
Strix Z370-H Gaming
Strix Z370-G Gaming
Strix Z370-I Gaming
Form Factor
EATX
ATX
ATX
ATX
ATX
microATX
Mini ATX
Memory Slots
2 X DDR4
(4266+ OC)
4 x DDR4
(4133+ OC)
4 x DDR4
(4000 OC)
4 x DDR4
(4000 OC)
4 x DDR4
(3866 OC)
4 x DDR4
(4000 OC)
4 x DDR4
(4333+ OC)
Multi GPU Support
2-way SLI
4-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
3-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
3-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
3-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
2-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
2-way CrossFire
NA
PCIe Slots
4 x PCIe x16
2 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
3 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
4 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
4 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
3 x PCIe x1
2 x PCIe x16
2 x PCIe x1
1 x PCIe x16
M.2 Slots
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x PCIe x4
2 x NVMe x4
SATA Ports
4
6
6
6
6
6
4
LAN Ports
Aquantia 5 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
WiFi
NA
802.11ac
802.11ac
NA
NA
802.11ac
802.11ac
Audio
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220
ESS Sabre ES9203P
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
USB 3.1 Gen2
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
1 x front header
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
1 x Front
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
2 x Type A
2 x Type A
1 x front header
Aura Sync Headers
4 Strip
2 Strip
1 Address
2 Strip
1 Address
2 Strip
1 Address
NA
NA
1 Address
The ASUS ROG Maximus X Apex Motherboard
This is the motherboard Coolice used to overclock the Intel Core i7-8700K to 6.6 GHz. That’s because the ROG Maximus is designed for extreme overclocking. It boasts special operating modes for liquid nitrogen cooling, and even a special fan bracket for the IO heatsink to let overclockers blow away LN2 vapour!
To ensure greater overclockability of the memory modules, the Maximus X Apex uses only two DDR4 memory slots. With the traces slightly more direct with only one slot per memory channel, the memory modules can be overclocked to 4200 MHz and beyond.
2 x pump headers
5 x fan headers
3 x full-speed fan headers
4 x thermal sensor headers
1 x flow header
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The ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero Motherboard
The ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero is designed to support both liquid and air coolers, as well as AIO coolers and standalone pumps, with headers for monitoring liquid temperatures and flow. It is also compatible with the ASUS Fan Extension Card, which adds headers for more fans and temperature probes.
Catering to audiophiles, the Maximus X Hero pairs the SupremeFX codec with an ESS Sabre DAC for greater range and an exceptional 120 dB SNR. It also boasts an integrated I/O shield for easier installation and a cleaner look.
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The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming & Z370-F Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming and Z370-F Gaming are almost identical. They both have two PCIe x16 slots with SafeSlot reinforcement, and four DDR4-4000 memory slots. They also have dual M.2 slots – both cooled by a large M.2 heatsink that reduces operating temperatures by up to 15°C.
The only real difference is their colour schemes. The Z370-E has integrated WiFi and a gleaming silver finish on its heatsinks and I/O shroud, while the Z370-F has no WiFi capabilities and subtle charcoal shades.
IO shield, 2 x strip headers, 1 x addressable header
IO shield, 2 x strip headers, 1 x addressable header
Cooling
1 x AIO header
5 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
1 x AIO header
5 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-H Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-H Gaming is an entry-level ROG motherboard with all the essential features. It has dual PCIe x16 slots with SafeSlot protection, and support for 2-way SLI and CrossFire, as well as dual NVMe slots. The Strix Z370-H Gaming has four fan headers, with one AIO cooler header. It only lacks sensor grouping and GPU temperature detection.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming is a microATX motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots with SafeSlot protection. It even supports 2-way SLI and CrossFire, but cannot fit larger 2.5 slots cards like the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. There are two M.2 slots, but one of them is located under the second PCIe slot.
1 x pump header
4 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming is a mini ITX motherboard that is capable of overclocking the memory to DDR4-4333 or better. It also has two M.2 SSD slots, but only one has a heatsink to keep it cool. The usual trimmings are there – SafeSlot protection, 802.11ac WiFi, SupremeFX audio and Fan Xpert 4 capability.
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The ASUS Prime & TUF Gaming Z370 Motherboards
The ASUS Prime motherboards are targeted at enthusiasts who don’t need gamer-oriented design or features. The new ASUS TUF Gaming series offers entry-level gaming motherboards.
The ASUS Prime Z370-A Motherboard
The ASUS Prime Z370-A motherboard has all of the key features like dual PCI Express slots with SafeSlot protection, two M.2 slots with integrated heatsink. There is even a dedicated mount for a fan bracket with a fan header if you are inclined to cool the M.2 SSDs with a fan.
1 x AIO header
5 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
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The ASUS Prime Z370-P Motherboard
The ASUS Prime Z370-P motherboard is targeted at budget-minded system builders. It has two PCIe x16 slots, but does not support SLI or CrossFire. It has two M.2 slots, which are without any cooling, but placed away from the hot spots. This is the most affordable ASUS Z370 motherboard in the current line-up.
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The ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming Motherboard
The ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming has three PCIe x16 slots, which supports 2-way SLI or 3-way CrossFire. However, the third slot is limited to two PCIe lanes, so a 3-way CrossFire is not a good idea. It has two M.2 slots, that supports the longer 110 mm drives.
The ASUS TUF Z370-Plus Gaming is a more affordable version of the TUF Z370-Pro. It lacks SLI support, but it supports 2-way CrossFire. That said, the second PCIe x16 slot only has four lanes of bandwidth to the Z370 chipset. It also supports two M.2 SSDs, with the lower one cooled by a heatsink.
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