A relentless focus on overclocking makes the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex a dream for upper-echelon enthusiasts. Bountiful power delivery and similarly capable cooling stack the odds in your favour for reaching 6 GHz and higher with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core Processors. PCB trace optimisations allow DDR5 memory to strut timings and frequencies far beyond the capabilities of 4-DIMM-slot designs. A plethora of quality-of-life features and controls afforded by onboard components and software utilities make it all readily accessible for users of all stripes. Get ready for the highest performance numbers… ever.
Specifications
- Chipset: Intel Z790
- CPU Socket: LGA1700
- Supported CPU: Intel 12th & 13th Gen
- Memory Slots: 2
- PCIe Gen 5 X16 Slots: 2
- Form Factor: ATX
- AI Overclocking
- AI Cooling II
- PCIe 5.0 M.2
- WIFI 6E
- 24 + 0 Teamed Power Solution
- 2.5Gb Ethernet
Intel Z790
Chipset
LGA1700
Socket
Gen 5.0
PCIe
ATX
Form Factor
About the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Motherboard
Teamed Power Architecture
Today’s CPU architectures place incredible demands on motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power-saving modes, going from lower-power mode to full load in an instant. The latest ROG VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current, while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.
DDR5 Domination
ROG has a long legacy of flexing the fastest memory performance, and DDR5 is no outlier. Thanks to improved signal routing, now enthusiast-grade kits have been driven as far as 8 GT/s on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex, and who knows how far future DIMMs can go? Seasoned veterans can test their mettle by tinkering with the extensive array of tuning options in the UEFI.
PCIE 5.0
Fully embracing the new standard, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex offers abundant Gen 5 support to give unfettered bandwidth to the fastest SSDs and graphics cards available. Both of the x16 expansion slots have the PCIe 5.0 treatment to offer incredible speeds up to 64 GB/s for compatible devices. To bear the brunt of massive graphics cards, they are also protected with SafeSlot retention brackets, and the top slot can be released easily thanks to the Q-Release button.
Onboard M.2 Slots
Two onboard PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots with heatsinks keep high-performance storage cool. The bundled ROG PCIe 5.0 M.2 Card offers access to a Gen 5-ready slot and robust heatsink coverage.
M.2 heatsinks
Both onboard M.2 slots are thoroughly cooled with heatsinks and backplates for maximum cooling performance.
VRM heatsink
VRM heatsinks on the MOSFETs and chokes are connected by an embedded heatpipe to increase mass and surface area for dissipation.
PCIe 5.0 M.2 card heatsink
The bundled PCIe 5.0 M.2 card wraps its slot in a massive heatsink to ensure adequate cooling for the most performant drives.
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex comes loaded with two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C connectors for speedy data transfers up to 20 Gbps. One is a port on the rear I/O; the other can be attached to the chassis front panel and it also features Quick Charge 4+ technology to quickly charge devices at up to 60W.
WiFi 6E
Onboard WiFi 6E technology takes advantage of newly available spectrum in the 6 GHz band to provide up to seven 160 MHz channels for ultrafast throughput and better performance in dense wireless environments.
2.5G Ethernet
Low-latency gaming, speedy file transfers, and high-resolution video streaming are among the many perks of onboard Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet.
ROG SupremeFX
ROG SupremeFX is a unique blend of hardware and software that provides superior audio. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex’s SupremeFX implementation features the ALC4080 codec with up to 32-bit/384 kHz playback.
Aura Sync
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboards feature ASUS Aura technology, enabling full lighting control and a variety of presets for both onboard RGB LEDs and third-party accessories. Effects can be easily synced across compatible ROG graphics cards, monitors, keyboards, and mice to give your setup a unified look.