ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Sets New Overclocking Records

The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard, designed by ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), has taken the overclocking community by storm, achieving several world and first-place records. Equipped with cutting-edge NitroPath DRAM technology and AEMP III, the Z890 Apex has been tested by top-tier overclockers to deliver remarkable performance gains with Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors. This new generation of ROG Apex boards highlights the ongoing innovation in high-speed performance, memory design, and benchmarking.

Breaking Records with Intel Core Ultra

In partnership with overclockers Elmor, BenchMarc, OGS, and CENS, the Z890 Apex managed to set five world records, including a 12,066MT/s memory frequency record achieved by BenchMarc using an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. The motherboard’s unique two-slot DIMM configuration was instrumental in maximizing copper trace pathways and pushing memory frequencies to record-breaking speeds. Another milestone was reached when Elmor pushed the CPU to 7488.8MHz using liquid helium cooling and a custom LN2 pot designed with AI-driven technology, allowing for extreme cooling efficiency. These benchmarks show the potential of ASUS’s engineering when paired with Intel’s new Series 2 processors.

Innovations in Memory Configuration

The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex adopts a strategic two-DIMM slot layout over the traditional four-slot design, enhancing memory speed at the cost of capacity. This layout, alongside ASUS’s NitroPath DRAM technology, creates shorter pathways to the integrated memory controller, allowing for higher frequencies and improved signal integrity. This setup has paved the way for overclockers to reach unprecedented speeds without requiring the memory to run at full capacity. For instance, the motherboard delivered an impressive DDR5-10266 with a CAS latency of 46, a milestone for DDR5 memory performance.

Benefits of ASUS’s Gear 2 Memory Mode

ASUS’s Z890 motherboards now offer users access to the new Gear 2 memory mode, a setting that provides better memory latency and improved compatibility for DDR5 modules. Unlike the traditional 1:1 Gear 1, which is unsuited to today’s high-frequency DDR5 speeds, Gear 2 operates the CPU memory controller at half the memory speed, enabling smoother performance across the board. This option, available as a default setting on the Z890 Apex, minimizes the need for users to manually adjust memory settings to optimize performance. Benchmark results have shown Gear 2 reduces latency by 18.8% at DDR5-8000, a significant improvement that extends to gaming performance in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6, where frame rates increase up to 8.9%.

Advancements for Enthusiasts and Pros Alike

The Maximus Z890 Apex isn’t just for hardcore overclockers. This board also supports the latest clock-unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM) memory modules, offering stability and speed for everyday users looking to maximize DDR5 performance without needing extreme cooling methods. Additionally, ASUS’s Enhanced Memory Profile III (AEMP III) technology helps users fine-tune memory settings to achieve high speeds and low latency, balancing performance with stability. With a wide variety of models in the ASUS Z890 lineup, including the Maximus Z890 Extreme and ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi, users can find options tailored to different performance levels and design preferences.

In conclusion, the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard is a standout in overclocking capabilities, setting multiple records and innovating memory configuration to bring professional-grade performance to enthusiasts and power users alike. With features designed to improve speed, stability, and compatibility, ASUS’s Z890 series offers options for those looking to push boundaries or simply enhance system performance. Pricing and availability vary across models within the ASUS Z890 lineup, allowing for accessible high-performance options for users at every level.