ASUS
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
LGA1700 · Z790
90
/ 100
From $629
VS
MSI
MSI MPG X870E Carbon
AM5 · X870E
90
/ 100
From $499
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero lands at 90 and MSI MPG X870E Carbon at 90. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero if…
- ✓PCIe 5.0 support
- ✓Current-gen networking
- ✓Modern I/O
Pick MSI MPG X870E Carbon if…
- ✓PCIe 5.0 support
- ✓Current-gen networking
- ✓Modern I/O
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero 90
vs 90 MSI MPG X870E Carbon
Score breakdown
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
90 vrm 90
features 88
bios 86
value 84
MSI MPG X870E Carbon
90 vrm 90
features 88
bios 86
value 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero | MSI MPG X870E Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM5 |
| Chipset | Z790 | X870E |
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
Pros
- +PCIe 5.0 support
- +Current-gen networking
- +Modern I/O
Cons
- −Firmware updates on launch
- −DDR5 required
- −Pricing varies week to week
MSI MPG X870E Carbon
Pros
- +PCIe 5.0 support
- +Current-gen networking
- +Modern I/O
Cons
- −Firmware updates on launch
- −DDR5 required
- −Pricing varies week to week
FAQ: ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero vs MSI MPG X870E Carbon
Which is better, ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero or MSI MPG X870E Carbon? +
Both score 90 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero worth the price? +
At $629, ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in vrm.
Is MSI MPG X870E Carbon worth the price? +
At $499, MSI MPG X870E Carbon delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in vrm.
Does ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero or MSI MPG X870E Carbon last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.