ASUS' ROG Maximus IX Code, the company's step-down product from the already detailed Maximus IX Formula, has also been leaked. Like the Formula, it's in the ATX form factor with the red and black colors of the ROG line; the difference between thie Maximus IX Hero and the Code stands in that the Hero is absent from the Code's PCB front shielding, the 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11 AC WI-FI capabilities, as well as the and USB 2.0 (2+4) front panel connectors, putting it in an even lower tier in product placement, and, we expect, pricing (though, being part of the ROG line, that doesn't mean it will be cheap).The Maximus IX Hero employs the company's new Aura RGB lightning, which offers 3+2 independent on-board LED areas that can be customized by user and an 8+2+2 Phase Digital power design that features 10K black metallic capacitors, MicroFine Alloy Chokes, NexFET PW (Power) block MOSFET and DIGI+ Power Control Utility for real-time adjustments. All of these components are part of the new ASUS Extreme Engine Digi+ technology that improves CPU stability and overclocking, with power being fed through a single 8-Pin connector.

The motherboard features four DDR4 DIMM slots that can support up to 64 GB of memory with speeds of up to 4133 MHZ (O.C+). Expansion slots on the Code include three PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16/x8/x4 electrical), three PCIe 3.0 x1 and dual M.2 Socket 3 Type M (PCIe 3.0 x4 + SATA). It also comes with armored expansion slots which means that they are shielded by a metallic cover that fortifies the slot with extra strength and durability.

Storage options include six SATA III 6 GB/s ports. There's also a USB 3.1 front header along with USB 3.0. For audio, the motherboard comes with the latest SupremeFX S1220 CODEC that comes with a new ALC S1220 CODEC, De-pop MOSFET, ESS Hi-Fi Sabre DAC, Premium Nichicon capacitors, all topped with SupremeFX shielding. As to I/O options, which are really pretty expansive, the Maximus IX hero features 2 USB 3.1 (Type-A, Type-C) ports, 4 USB 3.0, 4 USB 2.0, Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN, HDMI 1.4, DP 1.2, Clr CMOS / BIOS Flashback buttons and a 7.1 Channel Audio Jack.