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ASUS
asus.com › us › supportonly › rog maximus z790 hero › helpdesk_bios
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO - Support
1. Improved DDR5 compatibility 2. Further optimized CEP settings when disabled Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to version 16.1.30.2307. Please note after you update this BIOS, the ME version remains the updated one even if you roll back to an older BIOS ...
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rog.asus.com › motherboards › motherboards filter › rog maximus z790 hero › support
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO | ROG Maximus | Gaming Motherboards|ROG - Republic of Gamers|ROG Global
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero makes builds soar with its immense 20-stage power solution, hyperspeed DDR5 memory, and next-gen PCIe 5.0 connectivity. It features five M.2 SSD slots with heatsinks, Thunderbolt™ 4 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support, Wi-Fi ...
Discussions

ASUS ROG Maximus Hero Z790 - Intel ME update and Bios help (order confusion)
the ME FW requires the OS to be installed what you do: install the OS install the ME driver: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1700/ROG_STRIX_Z790-I_GAMING_WIFI/DRV_MEI_Intel_Cons_TP_W11_64_V2306430_20230628R.zip update the ME FW: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/03CHIPSET/MEUpdateTool_16.1.27.2176_T.zip update the BIOS: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/BIOS/ROG-MAXIMUS-Z790-HERO-ASUS-1202.zip it's highly important that you update the ME FW before the BIOS More on reddit.com
🌐 r/ASUS
23
6
August 21, 2023
Solved: Bios update for the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO BTF , mi... - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1079790
Hello My motherboard is the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO BTF . My CPU is the i9 14900K. I want to update my Bios in order to fix the microcode issue. My Bios firmware is currently the version 0203. Since , Intel has fixed the issue with the "Intel microcode 0x12B " in version 1703 of the Bios firmware. More on rog-forum.asus.com
🌐 rog-forum.asus.com
March 6, 2025
Updated my BIOS without reading fully the instructions. Motherboard:ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO
Yes, just redo the process with the firmware file named correctly More on reddit.com
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November 8, 2025
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO BIOS Version 2107 - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1135000
Hello, there is a new BIOS 2107 for this board saying "Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to version 16.1.38.2676", but the actual BIOS file only contains the 16.1.35.2557. How so? More on rog-forum.asus.com
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January 24, 2026
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FlashMyBoard
flashmyboard.com › mb › Asus_ROG_MAXIMUS_Z790_HERO
Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO BIOS - Analysis, Alerts & Downloads
December 15, 2025 - "1. Enhance overall system security.2. pdate the ME Firmware version to 16.1.38.2676.Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to version 16.1.38.2676.
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Asus
rog.asus.com › motherboards › motherboards filter › rog maximus z790 dark hero › support
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO | ROG Maximus | Gaming Motherboards|ROG - Republic of Gamers|ROG Global
The ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero makes builds soar with 20+1+2 power stages, hyperspeed DDR5 support and the latest PCIe® 5.0 connectivity. It features five M.2 SSD slots with heatsinks, Intel® Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt™ 4, USB 20Gbps support, ...
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero BIOS Update Tutorial - YouTube
In this video, I’ll show you step-by-step how to update the BIOS on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero motherboard.We’ll go through downloading the latest B...
Published   October 18, 2025
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Asus
rog.asus.com › motherboards › motherboards filter › rog maximus z790 hero eva-02 edition › support
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO EVA-02 EDITION | Motherboards | ROG Global
Discover ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition- High performing motherboard powered by ASUS AI, sporting EVA-02 design and superior cooling!
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asus › asus rog maximus hero z790 - intel me update and bios help (order confusion)
r/ASUS on Reddit: ASUS ROG Maximus Hero Z790 - Intel ME update and Bios help (order confusion)
August 21, 2023 -

Greetings all,

I am doing a new PC build with the ASUS ROG Maximus Hero Z790, and I noticed on the BIOS page, I saw this message:

“Before BIOS update, please download Intel ME update tool from ASUS support site, and update ME firmware to Version 16.1.27.2176 to ensure optimized system settings.”

What I've gathered from the internet is the following:

  1. Don't install M.2 OS SSD in M.2_1 slot on motherboard, use any other slot you have.

  2. Intel ME Firmware. This is flashed to your motherboard and is independent of the OS. It remains in place unless updated.

  3. Install Windows 11 OS as you normally would.

  4. Intel ME interface drivers for Windows. These will need to be installed every time you do a fresh install of Windows.

  5. Switch M.2 installation to M.2_1 slot on motherboard

  6. Flash the BIOS.

Would this order be correct to follow, if I want to ensure things are smooth sailing?

This is the order I have found people doing. I wasn't too confident in understanding why people were swapping M.2 slots on their motherboard for the Intel ME stuff. Is that something I should do, or do I not have to?

One other question I had was for step 2. I have the files for the Bios update I need to flash in step 6.

So, for step 2, what exact files are the "Intel ME Firmware"? I wasn't exactly sure which file I would put on a flashdrive to flash to the motherboard.

I think Step 4's files and Step 2's files are both found on the ROG Bios website, but I just want to make sure I'm looking in the right place for those 2.

For reference, I'm talking about this website, for all the bios and intel me information: https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-hero-model/helpdesk_bios/

----

TLDR:

Are these the correct order of events to follow for proper installation, in step 2 what files would be for "Intel ME Firmware" and do I need to swap the M.2 SSD slots during Intel ME installation? Thanks for reading, have great rest of your day.

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FlashMyBoard
flashmyboard.com › mb › Asus_ROG_MAXIMUS_Z790_DARK_HERO
Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO BIOS - Analysis, Alerts & Downloads
December 15, 2025 - "1. Enhance overall system security.2. pdate the ME Firmware version to 16.1.38.2676.Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to version 16.1.38.2676.
Find elsewhere
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › gaming-motherboards › bios-update-for-the-rog-maximus-z790-hero-btf-microcode-fix › td-p › 1079790
Solved: Bios update for the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO BTF , mi... - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1079790
March 6, 2025 - I want to update my Bios in order to fix the microcode issue. My Bios firmware is currently the version 0203. Since , Intel has fixed the issue with the "Intel microcode 0x12B " in version 1703 of the Bios firmware.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How To Update BIOS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO (2025) - Step by Step - YouTube
How To Update BIOS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO (2025) - Step by StepIn this video I will clear your doubts about how to update bios rog maximus z790 hero, and whet...
Published   April 12, 2025
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Asus
rog.asus.com › motherboards › motherboards filter › rog maximus z790 hero › support
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero makes builds soar with its immense 20-stage power solution, hyperspeed DDR5 memory, and next-gen PCIe 5.0 connectivity. It features five M.2 SSD slots with heatsinks, Thunderbolt™ 4 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support, Wi-Fi 6E, AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation, and Aura Sync RGB lighting.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/pcmasterrace › updated my bios without reading fully the instructions. motherboard:rog maximus z790 hero
r/pcmasterrace on Reddit: Updated my BIOS without reading fully the instructions. Motherboard:ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO
November 8, 2025 -

Exactly as the title said, I updated my mother board, but I missed the drop down under it. "Before running the USB BIOS Flashback tool, please rename the BIOS file (MZ790H.CAP) using BIOSRenamer."

Link to BIOS page: https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-hero-model/helpdesk_bios/

The ai assistant told me:"If you have started the BIOS update without renaming the BIOS file as required, your motherboard is not necessarily bricked. The ASUS EZ Flash 3 utility is designed to safely update the BIOS, and if the file name is incorrect, the update process typically will not proceed or will notify you of an error. To resolve this, you can restart the update process by preparing a USB flash drive formatted in FAT16/32, download the correct BIOS file for your motherboard model, rename it using the BIOSRenamer tool as instructed, and then perform the update again via ASUS EZ Flash 3. If you encounter any issues or the system does not boot properly, it is recommended to contact your local ASUS customer service center for further assistance."

So is this good advice?

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Oreate AI
oreateai.com › blog › unlocking-the-power-of-rog-maximus-z790-hero-bios-a-guide-to-updates-and-features › b6cd2851a01a3537623e94fab007b75d
Unlocking the Power of ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BIOS: A Guide to Updates and Features - Oreate AI Blog
January 21, 2026 - The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero motherboard stands as a testament to cutting-edge technology, particularly for those harnessing the power of Intel's 13th and 14th generation processors. With its latest BIOS update (version 3107), users can enhance ...
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › intel-700-600-series › rog-maximus-z790-dark-hero-bios-version-2107 › td-p › 1135000
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO BIOS Version 2107 - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1135000
January 24, 2026 - Hello, there is a new BIOS 2107 for this board saying " Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to - 1135000
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asusrog › asus rog maximus z790 hero bios update/post issue bios v.3001/3107
r/ASUSROG on Reddit: ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero Bios update/post issue bios v.3001/3107
January 6, 2026 -

Hello,

i can't get my PC running after updating bios either to v3001 or v.3107 with 4 sticks of memory installed. It will let me boot if i only use 1 or 2 sticks of memory. I don't know why iam stuck in a boot loop and can't even get my system to post. Yes i have testet every single stick and it postet and booted to windows.

The only thing that works right now is rolling back to bios v.2801 and all 4 sticks let me post and boot to windows.

I am kinda frustrated and don't know what to do next. Does anyone have a solution and no i do not want to just use 2 sticks.

My Specs:

Board (see title) Bios v.2801

CPU: Intel i9 14900k (second one, first was part of the issues from last year and got replaced)

Memory: 4x16GB Corsair Dominator 6000Mhz running at stock speed with no XMP @ 4200Mhz.

GPU: ASUS Strix RTX 4090

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asusrog › rog maximus z790 hero - bios 1202 - me fw 16.1.27.2176 not available
r/ASUSROG on Reddit: ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO - BIOS 1202 - ME FW 16.1.27.2176 not available
June 19, 2023 -

Greetings all,

On the official site there is a new BIOS 1202. It recommends to update the Intel ME to 16.1.27.2176 but the latest version on the very same page is 16.1.25.2124.

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-hero-model/helpdesk_bios/

I found link to an offsite download of 16.1.27.2176 https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/hardware-build-advice/index-all-my-firmware-drivers-software-threads/m-p/827232

Wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this?

In the past I have always used the main site (first link) to do both. But it seems odd that the latest ME FW is not there, even though they say you should use it.

TIA. :-)

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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › intel-700-600-series › asus-rog-maximus-z790-hero-bios-update-post-issue-bios-v-3001 › td-p › 1133473
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero Bios update/post issue ... - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1133473
January 18, 2026 - It is working on bios v.2801 and i am not using XMP. I can't get the 4 sticks kit running on 3107 with default bios settings. ... The part number of the memory kit. It'll be written on any one of the modules, thanks · 9800X3D / 6400 CAS 28 / ROG X870 Crosshair / ROG Astral 5090 OC
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › gaming-motherboards › rog-maximus-z790-hero-bios-update-question › td-p › 1074183
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO - BIOS Update Question - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1074183
February 7, 2025 - If you encounter any further issues or have any additional concerns, please feel free to let us know. ... BIOS 2107 Breaks DDR5 Memory Training in ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero in Gaming ...
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Asus
rog.asus.com › motherboards › motherboards filter › rog maximus z790 hero btf › support
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO BTF | ROG Maximus | Gaming Motherboards|ROG - Republic of Gamers|ROG Global
The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero BTF delivers ... Card High-Power Slot, 20+1+2 power stages, hyperspeed DDR5 support and the latest PCIe® 5.0 connectivity....