ASUS ROG Maximus X Apex Gaming Motherboard

Asus ROG Maximus X Apex Gaming Motherboard

Features

• Intel LGA1151 socket: Ready for 8th Gen Intel® Coreâ„¢ processors.
• Engineered for performance: Optimized 2-DIMM memory trace layout for superior stability and performance, supporting DDR4 overclocking to 4500MHz+ and beyond.
• Overclocker’s toolkit: hardware-level controls and onboard condensation detection circuits to aid with subzero overclocking.
• ROG DIMM.2: vertically-installed dual M.2 expansion card with a bundled fan bracket for maximum cooling and performance.
• 5-Way Optimization: Automated system-wide tuning, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailor made for your rig.
• Cutting-edge connectivity: Onboard 5G Ethernet and Intel Gigabit Ethernet for data transfers at lightning speeds.
• Your board, your insignia: Aura Sync RGB lighting, four 4-pin RGB headers and illuminated customizable nameplate featured on a distinct X-shaped PCB.
• Immersive audio: SupremeFX high fidelity audio that draws you deeper into the action.
• Best protection: patent-pending SafeSlot, SafeDIMM and premium components for maximum durability.

Overview

THE BOARD FOR EXTREME PERFORMANCE

Every aspect of the ROG Maximus X Apex purposefully defies convention to break performance boundaries and set new standards. Its feature set is carefully selected to optimize component layout and trace pathways for maximum signal integrity. That foundation is backed by all the tools and tweaking options you need to push the platform to the limit, and cooling options to keep everything under control. With a distinct X-shaped PCB that's accented by RGB lighting, and performance-first engineering, the Maximus X Apex is suitable for elevating builds to showcase status, or satisfying overclocking addicts that thrive on the edge.

BUILT TO BREAK LIMITS

RECORDS SMASHED

ROG Maximus X Apex is built to break records and it's already done just that. With its optimized layout and ability to withstand cryogenic temperatures, Apex has already scored 9 global first-places and set a CPU frequency world record* of 7.3GHz on all six cores of the Intel Core i7-8700K. That's a staggering 97.3% overclock of the chips default 3.7GHz frequency!

OVERCLOCKER'S TOOLKIT

HARDWARE-LEVEL CONTROLS

ROG Maximus X Apex includes an overclocker's toolkit with hardware-level controls to aid your overclocking experience. The motherboard's Dual BIOS allows you to experiment with different firmware versions and provides a path for recovery in case one becomes corrupt, and the onboard switch allows you to easily change between the first and second BIOS. The overclocker's toolkit also includes a Pause switch to halt the system, and four PCIe switches for quick slot toggling. Other tools include Safe Boot and ReTry buttons, a LN2 mode jumper to aid POST at sub-zero temperatures, and a Slow mode switch. Combined, they're quick and easy time-savers designed to help you break more records.

• QLED - Four LEDs to show the current boot status.
• SLOW MODE SWITCH* - Instantly reduces the CPU ratio to 8X to bypass finicky benchmark passages.
• PAUSE SWITCH* - Activate to pause the system and fine-tune OC parameters mid-benchmark.
• PCIE SWITCHES - Four switches to independently enable or disable any of the four x16-length PCIe slots, for easy debugging.
• LN2 MODE JUMPER - Jumper to enable special options and functions for liquid-nitrogen (LN2) overclocking.
• PROBEIT - Check the voltage via integrated measurement points.
• RETRY BUTTON - One press instantly initiates a hard reset.
• SAFE BOOT BUTTON - Instantly reset the PC and boot directly into a safe mode.
• MEMOK! - Instantly retune memory settings for a guaranteed boot.
• BIOS SWITCH (FOR DUAL BIOS) - Switch quickly and easily between BIOS one and two.

CONDENSATION DETECTION

Specialized circuitry allows Maximus X Apex to detect when condensation occurs on the back of the board. Divided into three distinct sections CPU, DRAM and PCIe the feature provides a useful warning when an area may be at risk of short-circuiting.

• CPU LED - Flashes when condensation is detected near the CPU.
• DRAM LED - Flashes when condensation is detected near the DRAM.
• PCIE LED - Flashes when condensation is detected near the PCIe.

DDR4 OVERCLOCKING

ROG engineers adopted a two-slot memory design, enabling a shorter trace layout for tighter control over impedance and reduced signal interference. And it's teamed with ASUS OptiMem to preserve memory signal integrity by routing traces and vias to the optimal PCB layer. Together, the enhancements provide more headroom for overclocking and improved stability, allowing Apex to achieve memory speeds of DDR4-4500MHz and beyond.

ASUS PRO CLOCK TECHNOLOGY WITH EXTREME ENGINE DIGI+

The dedicated base-clock (BCLK) generator designed for 8th Generation Core processors is what allowed Apex to set an overclocked BCLK frequency record of 584MHz*. This custom solution works in tandem with the ASUS TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) to enhance voltage and base-clock overclocking control providing an exciting new way to boost performance to extreme heights. And, of course, Maximus X Apex includes Extreme Engine Digi+ ROG's revered digital power controller. With a Digi+ PWM controller, Texas Instruments NexFET MOSFETs, MicroFine alloy chokes, and 10K black metallic capacitors, Extreme Engine Digi+ technology delivers consistently stable power.

Advantages of ASUS Pro Clock:

• Reduced boot time
• Lower jitter under extreme conditions for higher overclocks
• Increased stability under heavy overclocking

MICROFINE ALLOY CHOKES

More stable and greater efficiency at high currents

• 3x finer than standard
• 31% cooler than large granules
• 75% hysteresis reduction

10KJAPANESE-MADE BLACK METALLIC CAPACITORS

• 5x longer lifespan
• 20% greater extreme temperature enduance

50% SMALLER NEXFE MOSFETS

• Over 90% more efficient

MEDIA-ACCLAIMED UEFI BIOS

The smoothest, slickest mouse-controlled graphical BIOS has been improved to make it even more gorgeous. Whether you're a PC novice or a seasoned overclocker, the EZ and Advanced modes help you find your way, quickly and easily.

EZ MODE

• EZ Tuning Wizard - OC and RAID. Select your hardware and apply different scenarios to tune system performance, or streamline your RAID configuration for faster data retrieval and backups.
• Intuitive graphical fan control - Fine-tune individual fans simply by dragging a curve with the mouse.
• EZ XMP - Improve your DRAM performance with a click.
• SATA Information - View SATA port details for easy device recognition.
• Fast Clock Adjustment - Use mouse controls to change the time and date.

ADVANCED MODE

• EZ Flash 3 - Flash the latest BIOS via the internet, and from within the BIOS.
• SMART - Check up your storages devices' Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology logs to gauge reliability and to identify potential failures.
• My Favorites - Quickly find tuning options and add preferred tools to the list.
• Secure Erase - Restore your SSDs to factory-fresh condition.
• Last Modified Log - Track last changes and save preferred profiles onto a USB drive.
• SATA Port Renaming - Rename SATA ports for easy identification.

OPTIMAL COOLING

ROG DIMM.2

The innovative ROG DIMM.2 module is a vertically-installed expansion card that allows two M.2 drives to be connected via a DDR4 interface. You can then add a memory cooler, or a fan via the bundled mounting bracket to direct cool air over the M.2 drives, helping to control thermals and ensure maximum performance.

ROG DIMM.2 includes a pair of onboard thermal-probe- headers that allow control over the speed and acoustics of mounted fans via Fan Xpert 4 software or our award-winning UEFI.

1. Screw holes for a fan holder (bundled)
2. Two thermal probe headers
3. Holes for better airflow
4. Aura-controllable RGB LEDs

5-WAY OPTIMIZATION

One click takes care of all that complex tuning. ASUS 5-Way Optimization makes your PC smart. It dynamically optimizes essential aspects of the system, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailored for your rig.

• An automated tuning utility that optimizes overclocking and cooling profiles for your unique system configuration.
• Fans stay whisper-quiet for everyday computing, and deliver optimal airflow when the system is crunching through CPU or GPU-intensive tasks.
• All-new stress test that allows users to optimize and overclock for CPU or memory-centric workloads.

FAN XPERT 4

FLEXIBLE COOLING CONTROLS FOR AIR OR LIQUID

With ROG Maximus X Apex, you have comprehensive control over fans, water pumps and even all-in-one (AIO) coolers, via either Fan Xpert 4 or our award-wining UEFI. Whether you're cooling with air or water, Auto-Tuning mode intelligently configures all parameters with a single click. There's also an Extreme Quiet mode, which reduces all fan speeds to below the default minimum keeping your system whisper-quiet when performing light tasks.

DIGI+ POWER CONTROL

PRECISE DIGITAL POWER CONTROL

Digi+ delivers real-time control over voltage droop, switching frequency and power-efficiency settings, allowing you to fine-tune CPU voltage regulation for ultimate stability and performance.

TURBO CORE APP

OPTIMIZE PER-CORE PERFORMANCE FOR EVERY APP

Intel's latest processors feature per-core tuning, and the ASUS Turbo Core app makes use of this feature by enabling you to assign applications to specific processor cores, allowing you to prioritize compute power where it's needed most.

TPU

CPU PERFORMANCE BOOST

Unleash your PC's full performance with the ASUS AI Suite 3 utility. A TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) is the intelligence behind our automated system-tuning utility, offering the ability to fine-tune voltages, monitor system stats, and adjust overclock parameters for optimal performance.

EPU

ALL-ROUND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With the Energy Processing Unit (EPU) you'll enjoy system-wide power savings. The EPU automatically optimizes power consumption and maximizes savings with Away mode a smart setting that creates an extreme energy-saving scenario by shutting down unused I/O controllers.

COOLER BY DESIGN

ROG Maximus X Apex features the most comprehensive cooling controls ever, configurable via Fan Xpert 4 or the UEFI BIOS.

ONBOARD SENSORS AND HEADERS

• Multiple temperature sources - Each header can be set to monitor and react to three user-configurable thermal sensors, for workload based cooling. All easily managed by Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.
• 4-pin PWM/DC fan - Every onboard header supports auto-detection of PWM or DC fans for easy setup and control via Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.
• Water pump+ - A dedicated header that can supply up to 3A to high-performance PWM or DC water pumps.
• AIO pump - A dedicated PWM/DC header for self-contained water-cooling setups.
• Full speed - Three full speed fan headers for targeted airflow during extreme overclocking.
• Smart protection - A dedicated integrated circuit that protects each fan header from over-temperature and over-current.
• Water flow - Allows for constant monitoring of the flow rate of the entire loop.
• Water in/out - Allows for monitoring of temperature at the input/out of any component.

OC FAN BRACKET

ROG Maximus X Apex comes with a versatile OC fan bracket to aid your overclocking and cooling endeavors. Attach the bracket to dedicated mounting holes and then install a fan* to direct airflow away from the motherboard during extreme overclocking. Or, when you're not looking to break the limits, tilt the bracket 90 degrees and accelerate airflow across the board.

CUTTING-EDGE CONNECTIVITY

ONBOARD 5G ETHERNET

Designed for the demanding requirements of power users and content creators who push the envelope, onboard 5Gbps Ethernet plugs you into a new era of home networking. With up to 5X the bandwidth of standard gigabit Ethernet, you'll enjoy streaming uncompressed 4K UHD videos and backups and file transfers that are faster than ever before. And there's also support for intermediate 2.5Gbps connectivity, allowing you to step up to faster networks for maximum flexibility. Choose the bandwidth that meets your needs and enjoy ultra-low latency at any speed.

LEADING CUSTOMIZATION

OUTSHINE THE COMPETITION

A well-tuned enthusiast system deserves a matching aesthetic. ASUS Aura offers full RGB lighting control with a variety of functional presets for the built-in RGB LEDs, as well as strips connected to the four onboard 4-pin RGB headers.* And it can all be synced with an ever-growing portfolio of Aura Sync-enabled ASUS hardware.

*The Aura RGB-strip header supports standard 5050 RGB LED strips with a maximum power rating of 3A (12V). For maximum brightness, strip length should not exceed 3m.

**One extension cable is included. LED Strips and Aura Compatible devices are sold separately.

INFINITE LIGHTING POSSIBILITIES

ASUS Aura SDK allows developers to take full advantage of the vast eco-system of Aura Sync-capable PC gear. From in-system illumination to peripherals and beyond, the SDK provides an evolving toolkit of options to enhance games and software with RGB lighting. Game effects, alerts, and audio can all be portrayed via Aura-compatible hardware, creating subtle or dazzling visual cues to augment the action. There's also scope to map system parameters such as temperatures to lighting, giving enthusiasts new ways to monitor vital information.

ILLUMINATED CUSTOMIZABLE NAMEPLATE

Use the bundled DIY kit to customize your nameplate, then see your personal mark illuminated with Aura Sync lighting!

*The pre-cut ROG logo is shown here as an example, but the content is easily customized.

**The LEDs for the customized nameplate are disabled by default by the LIGHT_BAR_2 jumper. Switch the jumper position in order to enable the LEDs.

DIY KIT

Black Mylar X3

 Nameplate with protective film

CUT

Cut the black Mylar using a box cutter

TAPE

Remove the protective film from the custom name plate, and adhere the modified black sticker.

MOUNT

Mount the new nameplate onto the board with the provided screws.

X-SHAPED PCB

ROG Maximus X Apex has an asymmetrical X-shaped circuit board with a radical lighting scheme that utilizes cutouts to create an impressive backlighting effect.

3D PRINTING FRIENDLY

ASUS is the first motherboard manufacturer to support 3D printing, making it easy to customize your motherboard's appearance and improve system performance with a range of printable parts.

EXCLUSIVE 3D MOUNT FOR EASY INSTALLATION

Dedicated 3D mounts on the motherboard makes fitting 3D-printed parts easy. Using the same screws as M.2 drives and standard motherboard mounting holes, you can easily add nameplates and cable covers.

• CABLE COVER - Cover your cables for a tidier PC.
• CUSTOM NAMEPLATE - Personalize your build with a custom logo making it unique to you.

3D-PRINTABLE ACCESSORIES

Make your custom PC components stand out from the competition with 3D-printed accessories.

2-WAY SLI HB BRIDGE COVER

Clip the cover onto the PCB SLI HB bridge to add style to your build. Multiple form factors EATX, ATX and mATX are available.

FAN GRILL

Add some style to your build.

CABLE COMBS

Keep cables organized with the multi-connector design. 3D design files are available for 24-pin, 8-pin, 8 + 6-pin, 6-pin and 4-pin PSU connectors.

ROG FONTS

Use ROG font files to print letters then fully customize your build by adding your name or any other word or phrase.

ROG KEYCHAIN

Print a 3D keychain and show your ROG passion to the world.

GUIDE TO 3D PRINTING

Follow these steps to start printing your own 3D parts, and integrate them seamlessly into your PC build in no time!

• DOWNLOAD - Select the 3D data-source files you want to download.
• PERSONALIZE - Adjust size or shape, add text or change otherattributes.
• PRINT - Use your own printer, or visit a local vendor or ASUS store with Shapeways.
• SETUP - Easily assemble and fit your 3D-printed parts.

BEST GAMING AUDIO

SUPREMEFX

SHIELDED AUDIO, SUPERIOR SOUND

ROG Maximus X Apex's awesome SupremeFX audio technology delivers an exceptional 113 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection for best-ever ROG recording quality! We've also added a low-dropout regulator for cleaner power delivery to the SupremeFX S1220A codec. It all adds up to audio that envelops you as never before!

• PREMIUM NICHICONâ„¢ CAPACITORS - Fine-quality Japanese-made components that produce a warmer, natural sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity.
• Audio line shielding - Blocks electromagnetic interference from the motherboard or add-ons to provide cleaner audio.

DIY FRIENDLY DESIGN

SAFESLOT

SafeSlot* is the PCIe slot reinvented by ASUS and engineered to provide superior retention and shearing resistance. Manufactured in a single step using a new insert-molding process, SafeSlot integrates the slot with fortifying metal for an inherently stronger slot, which is then firmly anchored to the PCB through additional solder points.

SAFEDIMM

SafeDIMM slots feature a metal key-pin that increases durability, versus traditional DIMM slots.

ESD GUARDS

2X greater electrostatic protection than standard. ESD Guards cover the PS2, USB, audio and LAN ports

RUEVOLT USB

2 dedicated USB power supplies rock-steady 5V to all USB ports, minimizing power fluctuations for minimal data loss

CPU INSTALLATION TOOL

1 layer protection from socket-pin damage

Q-CONNECTOR

1 piece sorts all front-panel cables

Q-SLOT

1 clip to swap or secure your graphics card

Q-DIMM

1 sided clips for super-simple, super-secure handling of memory modules

DRAM OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION

1 additional resettable fuse protects connection ports and DRAM against overcurrent and short-circuit damage

BLACK NICKEL-COATED Q-SHIELD

0 pain! Protect your hands from nicks and cuts

ROG GIVES YOU MORE

OVERWOLF

STAY IN THE GAME

A clever, unobtrusive overlay keeps you in the game and allows you to browse the Web, email, IM, stream or record while you play. The overlay is dressed in color-matched ROG skins to show you're part of an elite pack. Grab it now from Overwolf's app store.

• In-game dock - 5 customizable apps
• In-game calling - 0 missed calls during gaming
• Multi-IM support - 5+ clients in a single interface

ROG CLONE DRIVE

IMAGE YOUR DRIVES, THE SMART WAY

ROG Clone Drive is the smart, convenient cloning solution that quickly and efficiently replicates hard drives or SSDs. Clone Drive is so smart that it can clone one drive to two target drives at the same time, or image any file from your disk at breakneck speeds.

RAMCACHE II

SPEED YOUR GAME LOADS

ROG's uniquely intelligent technology effectively caches an entire storage device so that favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds, getting to work the moment it's activated. RAMCache II turns milliseconds into microseconds to boost game-load times to stratospheric levels.

Automatically caches all your storage devices at the same time for optimal use of your systems caching resources.

AND MORE

• AI Suite 3 - One-stop control panel
• ROG CPU-Z - Shows your important system information with pride
• Mem TweakIt - Dynamic timing monitoring, DRAM efficiency gauge
• RAMDisk - Boost your favorite applications up to 20X faster than SSD with the junction function
• KasperskyAnti-Virus (1 year) - The best protection from viruses and spyware
• DAEMON Tools Pro Standard (1 year) - The leading tool for optical and virtual discs
• PC Cleaner - Accelerate your PC by eliminating clogs with simple click

BEYOND VR READY

ROG Maximus X Apex isn't just VR Ready it goes way beyond! The ASUS ROG Beyond VR Ready marque means that Apex has been tested with loads of class-leading components to ensure that your productivity, gaming and entertainment needs are tuned for maximum performance after you've taken off the headset. ASUS ROG Beyond VR Ready opens up a new way to configure and build your dream system with total confidence.

THE POWER OF INTEL

IntelZ370 Chipset

The Intel Z370 chipset supports 8th Generation Intel Core processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. Additionally, the Z370 provides a maximum of 10 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, six SATA 6Gbps ports, and 32Gbps M.2 and PCIe 3.0 lane speed support, for faster data retrieval. Intel Z370 also supports integrated-graphics, so you'll enjoy the very latest in graphics performance.

Ready for 8th Generation Intel LGA1151 Core processors

ROG Maximus X Apex motherboard supports 8th Generation Intel Core processors in the LGA1151 package, with integrated graphics, memory and PCI Express controllers to support onboard graphics output with dedicated chipsets, dual-channel (4-DIMM) DDR4 memory and 16 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 lanes for great performance.

Specifications