Im in the same spot as OP - getting whole new PC with Z790 dark hero + 14700k cpu. Anyone can answer op's question? would be very helpful ! thanks and have a good day everyone Also - is it better to first install windows along with ME FW and then update BIOS, or before windows installation? Or should i just pay for the tech guys in the store and they will do it for me ? Answer from xPurrrfect on reddit.com
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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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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.
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Asus
asus.com › supportonly › rog maximus z790 dark hero › helpdesk_bios
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK 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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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asusrog › z790 dark hero bios 1402
r/ASUSROG on Reddit: Z790 Dark Hero Bios 1402
July 20, 2024 -

Hello r/ASUSROG

I own a 14900k and a Z790 Dark Hero motherboard on bios 1202. I have crashes with games for a long time now. I was considering flashing to the latest bios with the Intel Microcode update 0x125. I am just making this post to get input from other Dark Hero owners who have flashed the latest bios and whether they regret it or not. I heard it can cause more crashes so I haven't tried it yet.

Top answer
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Hello. I have a Z790 Dark Hero with a 13900K. Currently, I am on BIOS version 1102, and at least in my case, with this BIOS I do not have any stability problems. The games run perfectly well, the equipment works with excellent temperatures (Thanks to the brutal cooling of the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360) despite all the news that is circulating out there, regarding the Intel problem that is occurring in the processors from 13th and 14th gen. I have not wanted to update BIOS to a more recent version, since I am afraid that due to the problem I mentioned above, Intel intends to reduce the performance of the processors, limiting energy consumption. My cooling is good and effective enough to deal with higher consumption than Intel apparently intends to set as a maximum.
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So I have an update for you guys. I flashed the latest bios 1402 on my Dark Hero with a 14900K processor. On first boot I went to the bios screen and set XMP Tweaked 7000 since that's the best my processor can do since purchase and then I clicked Intel Extreme profile and left SVID Behavior on Auto and CPU Loadline on Auto. I also enabled all the other stuff Intel recommends like enhanced thermal velocity etc. Now I booted to Windows and ran the Cinebench 2024 multi core 10 minute test and my result was 1748 points. I then went back to the bios screen and selected Intel Failsafe Svid behavior and left cpu loadline on auto again. I booted into Windows and ran the Cinebench 2024 10 minute multicore test one more time and my result this time was 2063 points.
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › gaming-motherboards › installed-latest-dark-hero-bios-on-my-hero-z790 › td-p › 1051491
Installed latest Dark Hero BIOS on my Hero Z790 - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1051491
November 1, 2024 - Based on your description, it appears ... updating the BIOS again using the USB BIOS FlashBack method, ensuring you’re applying version 2703 for the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asusrog › bios version for z790 dark hero?
r/ASUSROG on Reddit: BIOS version for Z790 Dark Hero?
February 25, 2024 -

Just getting ready to power on a build for the first time. I got my windows drive, the drive that came with the MOBO, and a third one with all my programs/utilities and additional drivers.

I'm currently sitting at release firmware (unless it's a newer one, and they updated at factory), and I'm about to flash update and get windows installed. Is there any specific BIOS versions that are known to be shitty or a specific one that's most desired? I was just gonna do the most recent, unless there is some issue with it.

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Asus
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 6E, AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking, ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asusrog › updating bios for maximus z790 dark hero intel 14th gen
r/ASUSROG on Reddit: Updating BIOS for Maximus z790 Dark Hero intel 14th Gen
November 22, 2024 -

Hi everyone! I'm extremely new to updating BIOS, never done it before in my life so please try to be patient with me if the question seems dumb. A few days ago I finally got to the issue with intel's 13 and 14 gen processors crashing (I have 14900K). One of the advices on the internet was to update BIOS to the latest version. I've decided to read a bit more on this. First of all - this is my current BIOS version:

It is 1801 12/08/23 and from what I understood my BIOS might have been incorrectly installed as this version is supposed to be for some other board? Because maximus dark hero doesn't even have this version listed.

Having said that, I want to have a backup BIOS file in case something goes wrong and I need to rollback.

How should I go about this whole procedure?

Should I be updating to 1704 (I've also heard that 1503 is more stable?)?

Which backup version should I prepare?

Is the EZ installer the most straightforward option?

Which potential issues might I encounter with this whole procedure? And lastly, how might it impact my system booting?

Thanks

Find elsewhere
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › intel-700-600-series › need-guidance-with-maximus-z790-dark-hero-bios-update › td-p › 1057871
Need guidance with MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO BIOS upd... - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1057871
November 22, 2024 - It is 1801 and from what I understood my BIOS might have been incorrectly installed as this version is supposed to be for some other board? Because maximus dark hero doesn't even have this version listed.
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Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › app › 2420110 › discussions › 0 › 4362374970373340036
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO BIOS 1202 - 2024/04/19 :: Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition General Discussions
April 22, 2024 - Please note after you update this BIOS, the ME version remains the updated one even if you roll back to an older BIOS later." https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-dark-hero/helpdesk_bios/ Hopefully that helps with stability issues on 13 and 14th gen CPUs.
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Gzhls
gzhls.at › blob › ldb › e › a › f › 9 › 08443cd2c016e83f850f0bf09ebd4225b70a.pdf pdf
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO - Geizhals Static Content
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode · - ASUS MyHotkey · MemTest86 · (continued on the next page) xiii · ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO · specifications summary · BIOS · 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS · BIOS CAP Filename · ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO: A5469.cap · Manageability ·
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › intel-700-600-series › z790-dark-hero-1703-1704-bios › td-p › 1051044
Z790 Dark Hero 1703/1704 BIOS - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1051044
November 24, 2024 - Updated to 1704, the backlight returned to its previous form. Everything is fine now! ... I hope all is well. I have updated my ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO to the Version 1704 BIOS (was version 1503).
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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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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › gaming-motherboards › asus-z790-dark-hero-14900k-newest-bios-1801 › td-p › 1066024
ASUS Z790 Dark Hero + 14900K Newest Bios 1801 - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1066024
January 23, 2025 - Motherboard: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO, Socket LGA1700 (Bios 1801) CPU Cooler: Lian Li Galahad II LCD SL-INF 360, Black · Processor: Intel Core i9-14900KS, Raptor Lake Refresh, 3.2GHz · RAM: Kingston FURY Beast RGB 64GB DDR5 6400MHz, ...
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › intel-700-600-series › maximus-z790-dark-hero-default-intel-bios-settings › td-p › 1019754
Maximus Z790 dark hero default intel bios settings - Republic of Gamers Forum - 1019754
May 27, 2024 - So, I was one of the lucky ones that has been getting the blue screen of death and app crashes, most likely due to the default bios setting - 1019754
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Scribd
scribd.com › document › 794618482 › Z790-Dark-Hero-User-Manual
Z790 Dark Hero User Manual | PDF | Usb | Bios
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO ... - VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY - BIOS FlashBack™ button - Clear CMOS button - CPU Socket lever protector - ProCool II - Pre-mounted I/O shield - SafeSlot - SafeDIMM ... ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO specifications summary AURA Sync ...
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Asus
rog-forum.asus.com › t5 › gaming-motherboards › do-you-guys-want-the-latest-bios-for-you-z790-dark-hero › td-p › 996623
Do you guys want the latest Bios for you Z790 Dark Hero?!
February 21, 2024 - Bios versions 0904 and 1001 (Beta) are showing at the ASUS Support Center. Click "Show all" in red. ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO | Gaming motherboards|ROG - Republic of Gamers|ROG Global (asus.com)
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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?