Asus Maximus Hero VII Manual

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Back I/O Ports
1 x RGB (VGA) port
1 x DVI-D (DVI) port
4 x USB 3.0 ports [blue] 
1 x Anti-surge LAN (RJ45) port 
6 x 8-channel golden plated audio jacks
ROG Exclusive Features
Extreme Engine Digi+ III- Full digital CPU/DRAM power- NexFETTM Power Block MOSFET- 60A Ferrite Chokes- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
KeyBot- CPU Level Up- XMP- DirectKey
ROG RAMDisk
UEFI BIOS features- Extreme Tweaker- Tweaker’s Paradise- ROG SSD Secure Erase- GPU.DIMM Post- O.C. Profile- Graphics Card information Preview
Special Features
ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5 - 5-way Optimization Tuning Key, consolidating DIGI+ Power Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 3
ASUS Exclusive Features- AI Suite 3- USB 3.0 Boost- USB Charger+- AI Charger- Disk Unlocker
ASUS EZ DIY- Push Notice- USB BIOS Flashback- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3- ASUS EZ Flash 2- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
MemOK!
ASUS Q-Design  -  ASUS Q-Code  -  ASUS Q-Shield  -  ASUS Q-Connector  -  ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)  -  ASUS Q-Slot  -  ASUS Q-DIMM
MAXIMUS VII HERO specifications summary  
						

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Internal Connectors
1 x USB 3.0 connector (supports additional two USB 3.0 ports)
3 x USB 2.0 connectors (support additional five USB 2.0 ports, one connector shares with ROG_EXT header)
1 x ROG Extension (ROG_EXT) header
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x 4-pin CPU fan connector
1 x 4-pin CPU optional fan connector
4 x 4-pin Chassis fan connectors
1 x Thermal sensor connector (T-SENSOR1)
1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x Power-on button
1 x Reset button
1 x MemOK! button
1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
1 x System panel connector
1 x TPM connector
1 x Sonic SoundStage button
1 x KeyBot button
BIOS Features64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS
ManageabilityWfM2.0, DMI2.7, WOL by PME, PXE
Software
Drivers
ROG GameFirst III
ROG RAMDisk
ROG CPU-Z
ROG MemTweakIt
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus
DAEMON Tools Pro Standard
ASUS WebStorage
Home Cloud
ASUS Utilities
Form FactorATX Form Factor, 12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
MAXIMUS VII HERO specifications summary  
						

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Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
MotherboardROG MAXIMUS VII HERO
Cables3 x 2-in-1 SATA 6 Gb/s cables
1 x SLI® bridge
Accessories
1 x I/O Shield
1 x 12-in-1 ROG cable label
1 x 2-in-1 Q-Connector kit
1 x ROG Door Hanger
Application DVDROG motherboard support DVD
DocumentationUser guide
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.  
						

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Installation tools and components
1 bag of screwsPhilips \(cross\) screwdriver
PC chassisPower supply unit
Intel LGAIntel LGA
DDR3 DIMMSATA
SATAGraphics card \(optional\)
The tools and components in the table above are not included in the moth\
erboard package.  
						

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Product introduction
1
1.1 Special features
1.1.1  Product highlights
Republic of Gamers 
The Republic of Gamers offers you the best of the best. We offer the bes\
t hardware engineering, the fastest performance, the most innovative ideas, and we \
welcome the best gamers to join in. In the Republic of Gamers, mercy rules are only for t\
he weak, and bragging rights means everything. We believe in making statements and we excel in\
 competitions. If your character matches our trait, then join the elite Republic of Gam\
ers and make your presence felt.
LGA1150 socket for 4th/ New 4th/ 5th generation Intel\256 Core\231 i7/Intel\256 
Core\231 i5/Intel\256 Core\231 i3, Pentium\256 and Celeron\256 processors
This motherboard supports for 4th/ New 4th/ 5th generation Intel® Core™ i7/Intel® Core™ i5/Intel® Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® processors in the LGA1150 package. It provides great graphics and system performance with its GPU, dual-channel DDR3 me\
mory slots, and PCI Express 2.0/3.0 expansion slots.
Intel\256 Z97 Express Chipset
Intel® Z97 Express Chipset is a single chipset that supports the LGA1150 socke\
t for 4th/ New 4th/ 5th generation Intel® Core™ i7/Intel® Core™ i5/Intel® Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® processors. It utilizes the serial point-to-point links, which increases\
 bandwidth and enhances the system’s performance. It natively supports up to six USB 3.0 port\
s, six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, and M.2 support for faster data retrieval. It also enables the iG\
PU function for Intel® integrated graphics performance.
PCIE\256 3.0
PCIE® 3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the PCIe bus standard that provides twice the perfo\
rmance and speed of PCIe 2.0. It provides an optimal graphics performance, unpreced\
ented data speed and seamless transition with its complete backward compatibility to PCIe\
 1.0/2.0 devices.
SLI\256/CrossFire\231 On-Demand
This motherboard features a unique PCIe 3.0 bridge chip to support multi\
-GPU SLI®/
CrossFireX\231 graphics cards for an unrivalled gaming performance. With the Intel® Z97 platform to optimize the PCIe allocation of multiple GPUs, it supports u\
p to 2-WAY GPU SLI® 
or CrossFireX\231 configuration. 
Chapter 1:  Product Introduction
ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO  
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M.2 Support
This motherboard features the M.2 slot, which shares bandwidth with PCIe\
 x2 slot to speed up data transfer up to 10 Gb/s. This helps enhance the performance of yo\
ur Solid State Drive (SSD) that is dedicated only to the operating system. The M.2 slot pro\
vides support for faster access to data and applications, and quicker wake up time for your syste\
m. 
• Supports PCIe interface only.
• Supports  2260 (22 mm x 60 mm) and 2280 (22 mm x 80 mm) SSD cards.
Complete USB 3.0 integration
This motherboard offers you the strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both\
 the front and rear panels, allowing you to experience the convenience of the latest plug an\
d play connectivity solution at speed up to ten times faster than USB 2.0.
Chapter 1: Product introduction 
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							1-3
1.1.2 ROG Gaming Features
SupremeFX
The re-engineered ROG-exclusive SupremeFX audio technology features an o\
nboard 8-channel high-definition sound of true audiophile-grade performance that is equal in power, clarity, and range to dedicated sound cards. Its unique Red Line Shieldi\
ng and special metallic cover provides pristine sound and a highly attractive look for \
the motherboard that is in keeping with the ROG style. The Japan-made premium ELNA capac\
itor ensures warm natural sound with exceptional clarity for all your gaming and mult\
imedia activities. SupremeFX revolutionizes the way you hear games, movies, music, and even\
 other people via chat - letting you rule and discover a totally whole new dimension o\
f superior audio.
Sonic Radar II
Sonic Radar II features the exclusive audio enhancement that enhances in\
-game sound for better hearing awareness.  It has a customizable user interface with a s\
tealthy overlay display that shows what opponents and teammates are up to including information \
on the precise direction and origin of gunshots, footsteps, and call-outs when playing first person shooting (FPS) games. 
Sonic Studio
Sonic Studio is an audio tuning software that simulates 7.1 channels eve\
n through a stereo (2.0-channel) headset with its virtual surround-sound function. It com\
es with six superb audio controls including Reverb, Bass Boost, Equalizer, Voice Clarity, Smart E\
Q (Smart Volume), and Virtual Surround. 
Sonic SoundStage
Sonic SoundStage is an on-board solution that improves audio experience \
when you connect your front-panel headset. It works with any operating system and on any \
game. You can choose from any of the four presets or manually fine tune your own setting to fire up your game. 
Sonic SenseAmp
Sonic SenseAmp is an exclusive ROG invention that automatically detects \
your headset’s impedance and adjusts the built-in amp accordingly. Sonic SenseAmp makes\
 tuning your high-quality headphones as simple as plugging them in.
GameFirst III
ASUS GameFirst III is a network management software that features four p\
reset packet prioritized profiles (Optimization, Game, Media Streaming and File Sharing) facilitating user’s need. Users can also manually allocate bandwidth and adjust pr\
iority settings of each application to run faster and smoother.
Intel\256 Ethernet
This LAN solution from Intel features high TCP and UDP throughput with l\
ower CPU utilization for a smooth networking experience. It has advanced features\
 including advanced interrupt-handling, low-power consumption, and Intel Stable Image Platfo\
rm Program (SIPP) support thanks to its compatibility with the Intel CPU and chipset.
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1.1.3 ROG Exclusive Features
Extreme Engine Digi+ III
Extreme Engine Digi+ III offers you a hardcore power delivery for a chal\
lenging and 
extreme gaming enjoyment. It utilizes the best components such as NexFET\
™ Power Block MOSFETs, 60A Ferrite chokes, and super-premium 10K black metallic solid \
state capacitors. 
The NexFET™ Power Block MOSFETs combine great durability and up to 90% efficiency under normal operation. Super-premium 10K Black Metallic solid state cap\
acitors are forged for overclocking and the most extreme demands, lasting up to five times longer than generic capacitors with 20% wider temperature tolerance.
RAMDisk
RAMDisk reserves part of system memory and turns it into actual storage,\
 so you can place favorite app and game cache files in it to enjoy high-speed RAM performance while accessing them. With the Dynamic Memory Allocation function, it can also\
 release the unused memory of RAMDisk back to the system when needed. Plus, this exte\
nds SSD lifespan and keeps your main storage optimized for really important task\
s, and you get auto data backup and restore.
NOTE: RAMDisk only supports 64-bit operating systems.
CPU Level Up
With ROG’s CPU Level Up, overclocking has never been so easy, or cost\
-free. Simply select the processor that you want to overclock to, and the motherboard will do\
 the rest.
1.1.4 ASUS Special Features
AI Suite 3
With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite 3 consolidates all the e\
xclusive ASUS features into one simple-to-use software package. It allows you to super\
vise fan speed control, voltage and sensor readings. This all-in-one software offers di\
verse and ease to use functions, with no need to switch back and forth between different utili\
ties.
USB 3.0 Boost
ASUS USB 3.0 Boost, which supports USB 3.0 standard UASP (USB Attached \
SCSI Protocol), significantly increases a USB device’s transfer speed up to 170% faster than the already impressive USB 3.0 transfer speed. It automatically accelerates \
data speeds for compatible USB 3.0 peripherals without the need for any user interaction\
.
USB BIOS Flashback
USB BIOS Flashback offers a hassle-free updating solution for your ultim\
ate convenience. Install a USB storage device containing the BIOS file, press the BIOS Flashback button for about three seconds, and the UEFI BIOS is automatically updated even wit\
hout entering the existing BIOS or operating system. It also allows you to regularly c\
heck for UEFI BIOS updates, and download the latest BIOS automatically.
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1.1.5 ROG rich bundled software
KeyBot  
KeyBot is a built-in microprocessor that provides instant upgrade to you\
r keyboard. You can configure and assign macros to specific keys on your keyboard to perform specific or several task at the same time. You can also configure your PC to wake up in CPU Level UP, XMP, or directly to BIOS mode. 
This feature supports USB keyboards only.
Kaspersky\256 Anti-Virus  
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus Personal offers premium anti virus protection for individual\
 users and home offices. It is based on advanced anti virus technologies. The product incorporates the Kaspersky® Anti-Virus engine, which is renowned for malicious program detection ra\
tes that are among the industry’s highest.
DAEMON Tools Pro Standard  
DAEMON Tools Pro offers essential functionality to backup CD, DVD and Bl\
u-ray discs. It converts optical media into virtual discs and emulates devices to work w\
ith the virtual copies. DAEMON Tools Pro organizes data, music, video, and photo collections on \
a PC, notebook, or netbook.
ROG CPU-Z  
ROG CPU-Z is a customized ROG version utility authorized by Intel’s CPU Identification (CPUID) that allows you to gather information of the main devices of y\
our system. It gives you the information and status of your CPU, motherboard, memory, a\
nd the whole component. Use the ROG look of reporting your system’s current inform\
ation with ROG CPU-Z.
MemT
MemTweakIt is a DRAM efficiency tool that allows you to read DRAM timings and allows you to post and share your DRAM configuration scores to the ROG website.
DTS Connect
To get the most out of your audio entertainment across all formats and q\
uality levels, DTS Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo:PC™ up mixes ster\
eo sources (CDs, MP3s, WMAs, internet radio) into as many as 7.1 channels of incredible \
surround sound. Consumers can connect their PC to a home theatre system. DTS Interactive\
 is capable of performing multichannel encoding of DTS bitstreams on personal computers\
, and sending encoded bitstreams out of a digital audio connection (such as S/PDIF or\
 HDMI) designed to deliver audio to an external decoder.
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1.2 Motherboard overview
1.2.1  Before you proceed
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard co\
mponents or change any motherboard settings.
• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.
• Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely\
 grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damagi\
ng them due to static electricity.
• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.
• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component.
• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failur\
e to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.
Chapter 1: Product introduction 
Chapter 1