Maximus VIII Hero Alpha is the latest ROG’s gamer-delighting Maximus VIII Hero motherboard, upping the game with the two new four-pin headers for RGB strips, 2x2 (2T2R) 802.11ac Wi-Fi with Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), USB 3.1 Type-A and Type-C powered by an Intel USB 3.1 controller for super-speed data transfers of up to 10Gbit/s, and dual NVM Express (NVMe) U.2 sockets and M.2 for extreme 32Gbit/s transfers and up to three-way RAID setups.

Based on the latest Intel Z170 Express chipset, Maximus VIII Hero Alpha is engineered with multiple exclusive technologies for the best gaming performance and epic overclocking experiences with Intel 6th-generation processors and DDR4 memory. These advanced features include 5-Way Optimization auto-tuning for instant performance boosts, second-generation T-Topology for next-level DDR4 memory overclocking, and Pro Clock technology for turbo-charged base-clock (BCLK) frequencies.

Maximus VIII Hero Alpha also includes the best gaming audio with SupremeFX 2015 with Sonic Studio II, the best gaming networking with the latest Intel Gigabit Ethernet, LANGuard and GameFirst IVBeta technologies.

Maximus VIII Hero Alpha builds on the success and popularity of Maximus VIII Hero by adding loads of great new connectivity options, plus an exciting new instant-illumination RGB pathway. With two patented four-pin Aura RGB-Strip headers and included extension cables, it’s quick and easy for users to cast brilliant colors across their gaming rigs and room. It takes just a moment to slide a standard 12V RGB strip onto the Aura RGB-strip header, then the user is able to weave their lighting any way they like.

Maximus VIII Hero Alpha also has the Aura lighting-control utility to command the motherboard’s powerful built-in RGB LEDs or attached RGB strips, or both — and in perfect synchronization. With Aura, users enjoy the creative freedom of six different lighting schemes, including controls for customized static, strobing and pulsating effects. Tempo-tracking and CPU-temperature-indication modes are also available.

Maximus VIII Hero Alpha has next-level 802.11ac Wi-Fi built in, with 2x2 (2T2R) dual-band 2.4/5GHz antennas for up to 867Mbit/s transfer speeds — and the very latest Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology to ensure that every connected user experiences the best wireless and online speeds.

To unlock the full potential the latest solid-state drives (SSDs), Maximus VIII Hero Alpha has dual NVMe U.2 connectors. This revolutionary specification enables SSDs to scream at top speed, while offering plug-and-play ease for users to experience data-transfer speeds of up to 32Gbit/s.

Maximus VIII Hero Alpha also has an M.2 connector with x4 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 bandwidth, enabling up to three-way RAID setups for stupendous speed or data redundancy.

In internal labs tests, Maximus VIII Hero Alpha has achieved write speeds of 3386MB/s and read operations of an incredible 3575MB/s — exploiting its optimized layout to deliver the best storage performance on Intel’s 6th-generation platform (‘Skylake’).

Maximus VIII Hero Alpha also has the newest USB 3.1 built in, including both USB 3.1 Type-A ports and reversible USB 3.1 Type-C sockets for superb convenience and data-transfer speeds of up to 10Gbit/s — or twice (2X) as fast USB 3.0. USB 3.1 is completely backward-compatible with existing USB devices, and ASUS-exclusive USB 3.1 Boost technology automatically accelerates USB 3.1 performance even further.