Board Features

The ASUS ROG Maximus Apex motherboard started out with a keen focus on overclocking since it started and not much has changed since. ASUS includes the Overclockers' toolkit consisting of hardware-level controls and integrated condensation detection useful in subzero overclocking. The board features an optimized 2-DIMM memory trace layout ASUS says aids in stability and performance allowing for DDR4 support up to DDR4-4500+. Outside of the overclocking features, the board uses the latest Realtek ALC1220 codec that was tweaked specifically for ASUS and also includes 5G Ethernet in case Gigabit just isn't enough. The Apex is a well-rounded board fit for all types of users and uses without forgetting about the overclocking crowd. 

ASUS ROG Maximus X Apex
Warranty Period 3 Years
Product Page LINK
Price $395 (Amazon) 
Size E-ATX
CPU Interface LGA1151
Chipset Intel Z370
Memory Slots (DDR4) Two DDR4
Dual Channel
Supporting 32GB
Up to DDR4 4500
Network Connectivity / Wi-Fi 1 x Intel I219V GbE
1 x Aquantia AQC108 5 Gbit
Onboard Audio Realtek ALC1220 7.1ch surround
Video Outputs 1 x HDMI (2.0)
1 x DisplayPort (1.2)
PCIe Slots for Graphics (from CPU)  3 x PCIe 3.0 (x16, x8/-/x8, x8/x4/x4)
PCIe Slots for Other (from PCH) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4
2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x1
Onboard SATA 4 x RAID 0/1/5/10
Onboard SATA Express None
Onboard M.2 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes
1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 
Onboard U.2 None
USB 3.1 ASMedia ASM3142
1 x Type-A
1 x Type-C
USB 3.0 Chipset
6 x back panel
2 x onboard headers
USB 2.0 Chipset
6 x onboard headers
Power Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX
1 x 8-pin CPU
1 x 8-pin CPU (Optional)
Fan Headers 1 x 4-pin CPU
1 x 4-pin CPU OPT
3 x Chassis Fan
1 x AIO Pump
1 x Water Pump (3A/36W)
3 x Full Speed Fan headers
IO Panel 1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI (2.0)
1 x Wi-Fi
1 x LAN (RJ45 port)
1 x Optical SPDIF Out port
1 x Clear CMOS Button
1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button
1 x 7.1-ch Audio jacks
6 x USB 3.0
2 x USB 3.1
1 x 5G LAN (RJ45)

Test Bed

As per our testing policy, we take a high-end CPU suitable for the motherboard that was released during the socket’s initial launch and equip the system with a suitable amount of memory running at the processor maximum supported frequency. This is also typically run at JEDEC sub timings where possible. It is noted that some users are not keen on this policy, stating that sometimes the maximum supported frequency is quite low, or faster memory is available at a similar price, or that the JEDEC speeds can be prohibitive for performance. While these comments make sense, ultimately very few users apply memory profiles (either XMP or other) as they require interaction with the BIOS, and most users will fall back on JEDEC supported speeds - this includes home users as well as industry who might want to shave off a cent or two from the cost or stay within the margins set by the manufacturer. Where possible, we will extend our testing to include faster memory modules either at the same time as the review or a later date.

Readers of our motherboard review section will have noted the trend in modern motherboards to implement a form of MultiCore Enhancement / Acceleration / Turbo (read our report here) on their motherboards. This does several things, including better benchmark results at stock settings (not entirely needed if overclocking is an end-user goal) at the expense of heat and temperature. It also gives, in essence, an automatic overclock which may be against what the user wants. Our testing methodology is ‘out-of-the-box’, with the latest public BIOS installed and XMP enabled, and thus subject to the whims of this feature. It is ultimately up to the motherboard manufacturer to take this risk – and manufacturers taking risks in the setup is something they do on every product (think C-state settings, USB priority, DPC Latency/monitoring priority, overriding memory sub-timings at JEDEC). Processor speed change is part of that risk, and ultimately if no overclocking is planned, some motherboards will affect how fast that shiny new processor goes and can be an important factor in the system build.

Test Setup
Processor Intel i7 8700K (6C/12T, 3.7G, 95W)
Motherboard ASUS ROG Maximus X Apex (BIOS 1003)
Cooling Corsair H115i
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Memory Corsair Vengeance LPX 4x8GB DDR4 2666 CL16
Corsair Vengeance 4x4GB DDR4 3200 CL16

(used in 2x 4/8GB capacity on dual Channel Platform
Memory Settings DDR4 2666 CL16-18-18-35 2T
Video Cards ASUS Strix GTX 980
Hard Drive Crucial MX300 1TB
Optical Drive TSST TS-H653G
Case Open Test Bed
Operating System Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

Many thanks to...

We must thank the following companies for kindly providing hardware for our multiple test beds. Some of this hardware is not in this testbed specifically but is used in other testing.

Thank you to ASUS for providing us with GTX 980 Strix GPUs. At the time of release, the STRIX brand from ASUS was aimed at silent running, or to use the marketing term: '0dB Silent Gaming'. This enables the card to disable the fans when the GPU is dealing with low loads well within temperature specifications. These cards equip the GTX 980 silicon with ASUS' Direct CU II cooler and 10-phase digital VRMs, aimed at high-efficiency conversion. Along with the card, ASUS bundles GPU Tweak software for overclocking and streaming assistance.

The GTX 980 uses NVIDIA's GM204 silicon die, built upon their Maxwell architecture. This die is 5.2 billion transistors for a die size of 298 mm2, built on TMSC's 28nm process. A GTX 980 uses the full GM204 core, with 2048 CUDA Cores and 64 ROPs with a 256-bit memory bus to GDDR5. The official power rating for the GTX 980 is 165W.

The ASUS GTX 980 Strix 4GB (or the full name of STRIX-GTX980-DC2OC-4GD5) runs a reasonable overclock over a reference GTX 980 card, with frequencies in the range of 1178-1279 MHz. The memory runs at stock, in this case, 7010 MHz. Video outputs include three DisplayPort connectors, one HDMI 2.0 connector, and a DVI-I.

Further Reading: AnandTech's NVIDIA GTX 980 Review

 

Thank you to Crucial for providing us with MX300 SSDs. Crucial stepped up to the plate as our benchmark list grows larger with newer benchmarks and titles, and the 1TB MX300 units are strong performers. Based on Marvell's 88SS1074 controller and using Micron's 384Gbit 32-layer 3D TLC NAND, these are 7mm high, 2.5-inch drives rated for 92K random read IOPS and 530/510 MB/s sequential read and write speeds.

The 1TB models we are using here support TCG Opal 2.0 and IEEE-1667 (eDrive) encryption and have a 360TB rated endurance with a three-year warranty.

Further Reading: AnandTech's Crucial MX300 (750 GB) Review

 

Thank you to Corsair for providing us with Vengeance LPX DDR4 Memory, HX750 Power Supply, and H115i CPU Cooler

Corsair kindly sent a 4x8GB DDR4 2666 set of their Vengeance LPX low profile, high-performance memory for our stock testing. The heatsink is made of pure aluminum to help remove heat from the sticks and has an eight-layer PCB. The heatsink is a low profile design to help fit in spaces where there may not be room for a tall heat spreader; think a SFF case or using a large heatsink. Timings on this specific set come in at 16-18-18-35. The Vengeance LPX line supports XMP 2.0 profiles for easily setting the speed and timings. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty. 

Powering the test system is Corsair's HX750 Power Supply. This HX750 is a dual mode unit able to switch from a single 12V rail (62.5A/750W) to a five rail CPU (40A max ea.) and is also fully modular. It has a typical selection of connectors, including dual EPS 4+4 pin four PCIe connectors and a whopping 16 SATA power leads, as well as four 4-pin Molex connectors.

The 135mm fluid dynamic bearing fan remains off until it is 40% loaded offering complete silence in light workloads. The HX750 comes with a ten-year warranty. 

In order to cool these high-TDP HEDT CPUs, Corsair sent over its latest and largest AIO in the H115i. This closed-loop system uses a 280mm radiator with 2x140mm SP140L PWM controlled fans. The pump/block combination mounts to all modern CPU sockets. Users are also able to integrate this cooler into the Corsair link software via USB for more control and options. 

BIOS and Software Benchmark Overview
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  • PhrogChief - Saturday, May 12, 2018 - link

    LOL...
  • Dragonstongue - Saturday, May 12, 2018 - link

    IMO they really should have similar spec non LED/RGB bs motherboards for AMD as well as Intel because there are many (such as myself) that have ZERO need or want for RGB anything taking up the BOM for things that are far more useful.

    such as put the $ towards giving the best most stable VRM or ensuring the m.2 slots have the best cooling possible without having to resort to liquid (would not hurt them to move them away from right underneath the hottest parts in most computers such as graphics cards/cpu)

    why can they not maybe figure out a way to place them right behind the sata/motherboard mains power where there tends to be a nice "hole" that is very rarely occupied with anything)

    X shaped LMAO, I was expecting a significant X, but it barely cut the motherboard to give a very slight impression of this (and only if you look really closely)

    I very much feel the same though, when you call everything X this or X that, Gaming this or Gaming that, Ultra this or Ultra that, the words lose all meaning, because "everyone is doing it"

    ROG is a fine branding, and Hero or Formula or Maximus is also fine, they really do not need to add an even longer name on top of this to try to draw extra attention to it IMO ^.^
  • mapesdhs - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link

    Years ago, the ASUS Sriker II Extreme turned heads, as did the Maximus IV Extreme, and definitely the Rampage IV Extreme. These days, the whole notion of such boards has been rather diluted. Fun stuff like PLX chips has largely gone, while the oc headroom of the latest mainstream Intel chip is garbage (why anyone cares about a 6% bump over the official max turbo is beyond me; at least with SB one could easily reach a 28% bump over the official max turbo, and without the need for Iceland airflow to keep it cool). Oc'ing back in the days of S775, X58, P55 and SB was fun, one could relaly push the hw and see some great gains (sooo many delighted 2500K users out there), but now it's just a giant yawn fest. The CPUs are doing a lot of the oc work automatically, and they're getting good at it.
  • mapesdhs - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link

    I meant to add, even outside the ROG line ASUS was doing funky things, eg. the P7P55 WS Supercomputer, x8/x8/x8/x8 on a P55 board! :D I hold most of the P55 3DMark records by plonking three 980s on that whacko board. The P9X79-E WS was similarly and usefully OTT, great for compute yet it has most of the same oc potential of the equiavent ROG board (R4E). Modern mbds have gone RGB bling mad because that's all they have left to tout.
  • Dug - Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - link

    I agree with the VRM and m.2 slots.
    I would really like to know why m.2 slots are in such a hot location.
    I'd also like to know why Intel won't increase the lanes needed for more bandwidth to devices.
  • PhrogChief - Saturday, May 12, 2018 - link

    COMING SOON: Asus Republic of Maximus GamerX Type R Ultra Rev 2.0 Extreme X599 MASTER EDITION w-Aura Link LightFlow by Strix
  • m16 - Sunday, May 13, 2018 - link

    Interesting, I don't know why this high density RAM was not more of a thing back in the DDR3 days, although I could understand the desire to Overclock and those 16GB DIMMs don't allow that in DDR3 (not to mention that most were also ECC applications).

    I hope the prices go down, because a 16GB DIMM although not a hard thing to find now, it is still very expensive.

    Otherwise, this is an amazing board indeed.
  • Aikouka - Monday, May 14, 2018 - link

    Seems a bit odd to go with a 5Gbps port on an expensive motherboard when ASRock is offering a 10Gbps port on their higher-end board (Z370 Professional Gaming i7). Heck, ASUS even releases stand-alone cards with the same chip that ASRock uses, which is the same company that makes the chip for this board.
  • nimi - Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - link

    ASUS be like:
    A: Guys, slapping on RGB just isn't cutting it anymore, we need something new to stand out.
    B: *looks up from his fruit X phone* Notches are all the rage these days, what if we added a NOTCH to our board?
    A: I think you're on to something! Hey, why not go one step further, let's do FOUR notches!!! I'll bet it'll sell 4 times as fast!
    B: Yes! And add "X" to the name for good measure.
    A: BRILLIANT

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