I9-13900KF, which motherboard to chose: ROG Z790 Dark Hero or ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II ?

Question

I'm building a new high-end gaming PC with an Intel Core i9-13900KF processor. I've narrowed my motherboard choice down to two options from ASUS: the ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero or the ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II. Both seem like great boards, but the Dark Hero is quite a bit more expensive.

I plan to overclock the CPU and possibly the RAM. I may add a second GPU for SLI down the road as well. I'm aiming for top performance while keeping temps under control. Which of these two motherboards would you recommend for my use case? Or is there another Z790 board I should consider? Thanks for your input!

James · Accepted Answer

For the i9-13900KF and your stated goals of overclocking the CPU, RAM, and potentially running SLI, I'd definitely recommend spending the extra on the ROG Z790 Dark Hero. It has a significantly better VRM solution for stable overclocked performance compared to the Strix. The Dark Hero also has more robust cooling with its CrossChill EK III and nice extras like an OLED LiveDash display. It's overkill for a standard build, but ideal for an extreme overclocked high-end system.

daxq · Answer

Have you considered the MSI MEG Z790 ACE as well? It's around the same price as the Dark Hero and also optimized for extreme overclocking. Great VRMs, beefy cooling solution, and lots of overclocker-friendly options in the BIOS. Could be worth a look as an alternative to the ASUS Dark Hero in this premium Z790 category. But between your two listed options, I'd agree the Dark Hero is the way to go for your use case.

CornNutCommando · Answer

Just saw this thread and wanted to jump in! For a 13900KF, you really need a board that can handle those massive power draws when overclocked. While ASUS makes solid stuff, I think you should look at these fantastic alternatives:

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master

This board is an absolute unit. It has amazing VRM cooling with actual fins, not just blocks of aluminum, which is huge for keeping temps down during long sessions.

ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara

I love the build quality on this one. It features a 24-phase power delivery system that is incredibly stable for extreme CPU clocks. One thing to keep in mind is that SLI is pretty much dead for gaming now, so I wouldnt worry about dual GPU support too much. Focus on the VRM quality and memory traces instead! Good luck with the build, its gonna be fantastic.