Asus ROG Maximus XI Apex - Overview / Review

[chispy]

Asus ROG Maximus XI Apex Overview / Review
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Introduction:
ROG MAXIMUS XI APEX
Overview/Specifications
ROG MAXIMUS XI APEX
Intel Z390 ATX overclocking motherboard with extreme performance, DDR4 4800MHz, ROG DIMM.2 (dual M.2) with M.2 heatsink, double-capacity DIMM support, Aura Sync RGB LED, SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.1 Gen 2
LGA1151 socket: Ready for 9th/8th Generation Intel? Core? desktop processors
Engineered for performance: Enhanced Extreme Engine Digi+, dual ProCool 8-pin power connectors and optimized 2-DIMM memory-trace layout for DDR4 4800MHz+ overclocking support
Overclockers Toolkit: hardware-level controls and onboard condensation detection circuits to aid with subzero overclocking.
Double-capacity DIMM: Optimized memory-trace layout for dual 32GB DIMM support
ROG DIMM.2: Vertically-installed dual-M.2 expansion card with heatsink for maximum cooling and performance
5-way Optimization: Automated system-wide tuning, providing AI Overclocking and cooling profiles tailor-made for your rig
Cutting-edge connectivity: Intel Gigabit Ethernet, two M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2, Wi-Fi (802.11ac) with MU-MIMO for lightning-fast data transfers
Immersive audio: High-fidelity sonics that draw you deeper into the action, with SupremeFX
ROG Eco-System: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including headers for both standard and addressable RGB strips
Gaming durability: ASUS SafeSlot, ROG patented pre-mounted I/O shield and premium components for maximum endurance

Unboxing and accessories included:
1 x Supporting DVD
1 x ROG addressable LED strip (30cm)
1 x SLI HB BRIDGE(2-WAY-M)
1 x ROG big sticker
1 x Q-Connector
2 x M.2 screw kit (short screw and mount)
1 x Wi-Fi Antenna(s)
1 x Extension Cable for RGB strips (80 cm)
User manual
1 x ROG coaster(s)
1 x Customizable Name Plate Accessory Pack
1 x ROG Thank you card
1 x ROG DIMM.2 with heatsink
1 x M.2 Pad for ROG DIMM.2





















Thank You Asus for providing me with this sample motherboard for this review.
Kind Regards: " Chispy "

[chispy]

Testing Methodology:

Hardware used and settings.

Motherboard: ROG Asus Maximus XI Apex Z390.
CPU: Intel Core i9 9900k.
Ram: G.Skill Flare X 2x8GB DDR4-3200Mhz Cas14.
Graphics cards: Nvidia RTX 2080Ti FE Shunt Mod / RX 580 Bios Mod / Asus Matrix Platinum HD7970 x2 CrossfireX
OS Drive: Adata SU655 120GB SSD Sata 3 x2. Windows 10 x64bit Pro build 1809 updated / Windows 7 x64bit Ultimate latest with all service packs updated.
Power Supply: eVGA Supernova G2 1600w + eVGA Supernova P2 1200w


Cooling: #1. Custom Made Water Cooling Loop at 23c ambient , #2. Mod Water Chiller 1HP at -21c and #3. Liquid Nitrogen at -196c on a kingpin Venom cpu ln2 pot and Tek 9 Fat gpu ln2 pot.

Test #1 on cpu using Custom Made Water Cooling and Stock Air Cooling For The 2x Asus Matrix Platinum HD7970 video cards at Ambient Controlled Environment Temperatures at 23c.

Test #2 on cpu and video card Subsero at -21c on a 1HP Mod Water Chiller cpu 9900k and video card RX 580.

Test #3 on cpu 9900k Subsero at -196c Liquid Nitrogen and video card RTX 2080Ti also on Liquid Nitrogen.


Water Cooling Loop For Ambient Temperatures 23c Testing - XSPC RayStorm Pro cpu water block , XSPC Laing D5 Vario water pump at full speed , Black Ice GTX Extreme 360 Radiator , XSPC 3x 120cm 2000rpm fans , Swiftech MCRES Micro Reservoir , Primochill Clear 3/8 by 5/8 tubing , Swifteck Lok-Seal Compression fittings , Barrow quick disconnects.

Water Chiller Loop 1 HP Highly Modified and Tuned at -21c.

Liquid Nitrogen set up using Kinpin Venom LN2 pot for CPU and Kingpin Tek 9 Fat for GPU , temperatures -196c.

[chispy]

Test #1 Ambient temperatures 22c 3D:

3dmark firestrike = 19256

cpu at 5300Mhz , Ram at ddr4 4080Mhz cas 12-11-11-28-1T

video cards at 1300/1825

[chispy]

Test #1 Ambient temperatures 22c 2D. ( work in progress )**

[chispy]

Test #2 Subsero temperatures -21c 3D. ( work in progress )**

[chispy]

Test #2 Subsero temperatures -21c 2D.

[chispy]

Test #3 Subsero temperatures -196c 3D. ( work in progress ) **

[chispy]

Test #3 Subsero temperatures -196c 2D. ( work in progress ) **

[chispy]

Naked PCB:









Exclusive LN2 Overclocking Features:


8 Full Fat Phases With Doublers For VRM ( arranged as 16 phase vrm via doublers ) , ( no igp vrm phases since the board does not support igp ).





RSVD switch ( Helps for cold boot bug as it implement some key higher voltages ) , Slow Mode switch ( Helps during boot and inside OS dropping down the cpu multiplier to a minimum ) , Pause switch ( Just at it says it will pause the system at hardware level ).





Start Button ( Start the system using this Power On button ), Reset Button ( Will reset the system ), Safe Boot Button ( Will boot with safe settings into the bios ) , Retry Button ( Will retry last settings input in Bios ) , Mem Ok Switch ( Helps training DDR4 ) , Voltage read out points ( Real time voltage reading points ) , Q-Code Leds ( Post code diagnostic leads ) , LN2 Mode Jumper ( Will lifts all the voltage limits and set some key higher voltages for LN2 overclocking ).





Dual Bios.





Molex Connector. ( To be used when using multiple Graphics cards )





Dual 8 pin 12v Power From CPU.

[chispy]

res9. ( work in progress)**

[chispy]

Conclusion and Reviewers Opinion: ( Work in progress )**

[swiftex]

Hmmm.... Any updates?

[Dumo]

Awesome review Chispy..

Boot up with an old TT water3.0 AIO

[FlanK3r]

golden one! I can not My retail can hit max around 5170 MHz CinebenchR15, 5600 MHz boot is impossible