Description
ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Intel LGA1851 ATX Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Intel LGA1851 ATX Motherboard Overview The ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex is precision-engineered for supreme overclocking on the Intel Z890 platform, carrying the legendary Apex legacy forward into the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. Its two-slot DDR5 memory layout — rather than the standard four — is specifically optimised for extreme memory overclocking, allowing overclockers to push DDR5 frequencies to record-breaking levels. A cobble-gray surface, polished metallic accents, sleek contours, and a predominantly silver palette give it a distinctive aesthetic that stands apart from the typical black ROG aesthetic. Apex Overclocking Philosophy The two-DIMM slot design is a deliberate overclocking choice: fewer slots means shorter trace lengths, lower signal interference, and greater electrical stability at extreme frequencies. This makes the Z890 Apex the definitive platform for DDR5 memory overclocking records and extreme CPU frequency pushing. The dual 512Mbit BIOS ROM provides redundancy and safe BIOS FlashBack capability for recovery from failed overclocking BIOS updates. Dual PCIe 5.0 x16 Slots Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots provide full bandwidth for the latest discrete graphics cards and future multi-GPU or accelerator configurations. Two additional PCIe 4.0 x4 slots offer further expansion. This is the maximum PCIe 5.0 lane allocation available on the Z890 platform, ensuring no bandwidth bottlenecks for current or future hardware. Six M.2 Slots Six M.2 slots provide extraordinary NVMe storage expansion for the most demanding builds. Combined with four SATA III ports and RAID 0/1/5/10 support, the Z890 Apex can accommodate up to 10 storage drives simultaneously — ideal for content creation workstations requiring large, fast scratch storage. Dual Thunderbolt 4 & Connectivity Two rear Thunderbolt 4 ports deliver 40Gbps bi-directional bandwidth with full TB4 certification, supporting daisy-chaining, dual 4K display output, and the full Thunderbolt peripheral ecosystem. An internal Thunderbolt header provides additional TB4 connectivity. 5 Gigabit Ethernet provides high-speed wired networking, while Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 deliver the latest wireless standard. Audio Realtek ALC4080 delivers 7.1-channel HD audio with S/PDIF optical output at the rear and a front panel audio header. The ALC4080 is one of Realtek's premium consumer audio codecs, providing exceptional signal-to-noise ratio for both gaming and audiophile listening. Design The cobble-gray surface with polished metallic accents and silver palette is a deliberate departure from the typical black ROG aesthetic, making the Z890 Apex ideal for light-themed builds. RGB LED headers and Aura Sync support enable full lighting customisation to complement the board's distinctive look. What's Included ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard, Wi-Fi antenna, SATA cables, M.2 screws, quick start guide, ROG accessories. Processor & Chipset Socket Intel LGA1851 (Socket V1) Chipset Intel Z890 Compatible CPUs Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Form Factor ATX (305 x 244mm) Colour Aluminium / Silver Memory Type DDR5-SDRAM (Non-ECC Unbuffered) Slots 2x DIMM (Dual-channel, OC optimised) Max Capacity 96GB Storage M.2 Slots 6x M.2 (M-key) SATA III 4 ports (6Gb/s) Max Storage Drives 10 (6x M.2 + 4x SATA) RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 Expansion Slots PCIe x16 (Gen 5) 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 PCIe x4 (Gen 4) 2x PCIe 4.0 x4 Networking LAN 5 Gigabit Ethernet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), tri-band Bluetooth 5.4 Rear I/O Thunderbolt 4 2x (40Gbps, TB4 certified) USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C 1x (20Gbps) USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A 4x (10Gbps) USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 4x (5Gbps) LAN 1x RJ-45 (5GbE) PS/2 1x Audio 7.1ch Realtek ALC4080, S/PDIF out, Mic in Internal I/O USB 2.0 Headers 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Header 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header 1x Thunderbolt Header 1x (internal TB4) SATA III Connectors 4x CPU Fan Header Yes Chassis Fan Headers 2x (PWM/DC) RGB LED Header Yes (Aura Sync) Front Panel Audio Yes ATX 24-pin Power Yes 12V Power Connector Yes BIOS & OS BIOS 512Mbit UEFI AMI (Dual ROM) Features Clear CMOS button, BIOS FlashBack, Aura Sync, AI OC OS Support Windows 11