ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Support Intel 15th Gen CPU, ATX Motherboard

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX Support Intel 15 Gen CPU, ATX Motherboard

ROG Maximus Z890 APEX
The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex fully supports Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2). Precision-engineered for supreme overclocking, it carries the legacy of the series forward into a new generation. With exceptional power delivery and a two-slot DDR5 memory layout, overclockers can meet and exceed their ambitions for record-breaking CPU and memory performance. For those who favor lighter colors for the aesthetics of their build, the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex features a cobble-gray surface, polished metallic accents, sleek contours and a predominantly silver palette.


Performance


Cooling


Gaming Immersion


Connectivity


AI NETWORKING II
AI Networking II combines intelligent technologies to continuously optimize network performance, provide trustworthy and seamless connectivity, and unleash the full speed of WiFi 7*.
*Features may vary by model.


AI OVERCLOCKING
Tuning is now faster and smarter than ever before.


AI COOLING II
Balance the thermals and acoustics of any build with a single click.


ASUS AI ADVISOR
Using AI technology to understand natural-language questions or scenario descriptions, ASUS AI Advisor allows users to explore the functionality and advanced features of ASUS motherboards in a simple and straightforward way.
* Availability of ASUS AI Advisor may vary by region.


NPU BOOST
The integrated NPU in Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) efficiently accelerates AI workflows — and NPU Boost lets you do more with it. This BIOS feature overclocks the NPU with just one click, increasing performance by up to 24%.
* The overclocking performance may vary depending on the CPU series and motherboard used.
** Testing was conducted with an Intel Arrow Lake QS Q2HA Ultra 9 285K processor, ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme motherboard, GeForce RTX™ 4090 24GB graphics card, and XPG Lancer DDR5 memory modules (model AX5U6000C4016G).
OVERCLOCKER’S TOOLKIT
The ROG Overclocker’s Tooklit is a powerful set of hardware-level controls to enhance your overclocking experience. Some are quick and easy time savers, while others offer masterful functionality to help you smash benchmarks and break records.
SAFE BOOT BUTTON
Instantly reset the PC and boot directly into Safe mode.
BCLK BUTTONS
Adjust the BCLK frequency to improve system performance.
PROBEIT
Includes eighteen integrated measurement points for advanced tuning.
RETRY BUTTON
Instantly initiates a hard reset with just a press.
SLOW MODE SWITCH
Reduces the CPU ratio to 8X to keep the system stable during setup for extreme overclocking.
RSVD SWITCH
Helps the system boot under extreme temperatures (= -120°C)
LN2 MODE
Jumper to enable special options and functions for liquid-nitrogen (LN2) overclocking.
BIOS SWITCH
Switches between BIOS 1 and 2.


DIFFERENTIAL SENSING
Conventional motherboards use single-ended sensing tapped from a location that isn't ideal, leading to a large disparity between the actual voltage fed to the CPU and the value reported to software. The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex features a differential-sensing circuit and delicate IC that simplify overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately.


CONDENSATION DETECTION
Specialized circuitry allows ROG Maximus Z890 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 slot


DDR5 DOMINATION
Thanks to improved signal routing, now enthusiast-grade kits can be driven beyond the 9 GT/s mark on the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex*.
*Memory overclocking may vary between CPU series. Please refer to the spec table for detailed information.


DIMM FIT
DIMM Fit is an ASUS-exclusive BIOS feature that precisely analyzes individual memory modules to optimize performance and pinpoint potential issues.


AEMP III
ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile III (AEMP III) is an advanced firmware feature that empowers users to achieve unparalleled memory performance with cutting-edge CUDIMM memory.
DIMM FLEX
DIMM Flex employs specialized circuitry that can boost performance or address potential stability issues, depending on temperature readings.
* Results may vary according to the capabilities of your CPU, graphic card, motherboard, and memory modules.
** The comparison chart is based on a test with an Intel Core i9-14900K processor, ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II motherboard, ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 OC Edition 24GB graphics card, and G.SKILL DDR5 memory modules (model F5-7200J3646F24GX2-TZ5RK).


ROG Ultimate Power Solution
22(110A)+1(90A)+2(90A)+2(80A) Power Stages


THERMAL MANAGEMENT
An extensive array of headers allows for precise cooling control and monitoring.
Multiple temperature sources
Each header can be set to monitor and react to user-configurable thermal sensors for workload-based cooling, and all settings can be easily managed by Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.
4-pin fan headers
Every onboard header supports auto-detection of DC or PWM fans.
AIO pump header
A dedicated PWM/DC header for self-contained water-cooling setup.


COOLER COMPATIBILITY
ASUS AIO coolers offer robust performance, high overclocking potential, bold aesthetics and customizable functionality for new Z890 motherboards, empowering you to build your dream gaming rig.


M.2 SLOTS WITH ROG M.2 POWERBOOST
The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex features three PCIe® 5.0 M.2 slots and one PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot onboard, all of which support ROG M.2 PowerBoost to help ensure that every onboard M.2 device can operate simultaneously at optimal performance.


PCIE 5.0 EXPANSION SLOTS
Both PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots with PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim fully support next-gen graphics cards.


USB Ports
TWO THUNDERBOLT™ 4 TYPE-C® PORTS


ONE USB 20Gbps & ONE USB 10Gbps Type-C® front panel connectors


WIFI7
- 320 MHz
- 6GHz band
- 4096 QAM
- up to 4.8X ultra-fast WiFi speeds
- 5Gb ETHERNET


Gaming Audio


PCIE® SLOT Q-RELEASE
With PCIe® Slot Q-Release Slim, simply tilt the card toward the latching mechanism to automatically unlock it from the PCIe slot. This makes upgrades and maintenance easier than ever before. Users will no longer need to fiddle with a tricky latch or even press a button to release their graphics card from the slot.


M.2 Q-Release
The M.2 heatsink features a convenient switch* to quickly remove it, eliminating the need for tiny screws during SSD installation. Its strong locking mechanism also provides a snug contact surface, helping to ensure reliable heat dissipation for your SSD.
*Switch may be a lever or button, depending on motherboard model.


M.2 Q-Slide
This new sliding M.2 latch design supports sizes 2242, 2260 and 2280 for easy device installation.


NEW M.2 Q-LATCH
The new Q-Latch design allows for tool-free installation or removal of M.2 SSDs with just one press.


Q-ANTENNA
With Q-Antenna, attaching a WiFi antenna to your PC is now easy and fast. Instead of slowly rotating two fasteners until they finally lock in, they just snap into place. Less hassle, and more consistent performance.


Q-CODE
The on-board LED panel shows 2-digit diagnostic codes, providing a valuable reference for troubleshooting common boot problems and hardware issues.


START BUTTON
This convenient button removes the need to manually jump hard-to-reach pins during testing and troubleshooting.


Q-LED
Q-LED is a set of troubleshooting lights to give PC builders quick indicators to confirm that key components ? CPU, RAM, graphics card, storage devices ? are functioning normally during startup. Q-LED can also alert them when memory modules have not been properly installed--even before attempting to boot a newly built PC.


BIOS FLASHBACK™
BIOS FlashBack™ is a safe and simple way to update BIOS. Just drop the (UEFI) BIOS file onto a FAT32-formatted USB stick, plug it into the USB BIOS FlashBack port, and press the button. Updates can even be performed without having memory or a CPU installed.
CLEAR CMOS
The Clear CMOS button quickly resets BIOS settings to factory default. It can also be used to reboot the PC if incorrect BIOS settings have been selected.


UEFI BIOS
The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as more comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.
BIOS Q-DASHBOARD
Simplify your motherboard configuration with BIOS Q-Dashboard. Its intuitive visual representation of hardware connections and corresponding BIOS settings takes the complexity out of setting up your system. Upgrade now, and discover the power of BIOS Q-Dashboard to easily and efficiently enhance your computing setup.


ADVANCED MODE
When you’re ready for a deeper dive, delve into the UEFI’s Advanced mode and take complete control. Advanced mode enables full control over every aspect of the motherboard, and a built-in search function helps you quickly find the setting you need.
My Favorites
Quickly locate tuning options and add preferred tools to your favorites list.
EZ Flash
Flash the latest BIOS via the internet from within the BIOS.
S.M.A.R.T.
Check your storage device Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) logs to gauge reliability or to identify potential failures.
GPU POST
Automatically detect selected ASUS graphics cards to view detailed information.
Secure Erase
Restore your SSDs and NVMe storage to factory settings.
Last Modified Log
Track the last change and save preferred profiles to a USB drive.
SATA Port Renaming
Rename SATA ports for easy identification.
ASUS User Profile
Port configuration settings between different BIOS versions or share them with friends.
Q-Fan Control
Configure the fan's operating speed manually or use pre-configured Standard, Silent, Turbo, or Full Speed modes. By default, system fans will automatically switch to full speed if the temperature reaches 75° C.
Aura On/Off mode (Stealth)
Easily enable or disable Aura RGB lighting or every onboard LED, for a more subdued aesthetic.


ASUS DriverHub
ASUS DriverHub streamlines the installation and management of ASUS drivers and utilities to keep your hardware up-to-date and performing optimally. This standalone application automatically detects current driver versions and presents available updates in a list view. By default, it supports ASUS motherboards, and users are invited to install ASUS DriverHub after OS installation. Additionally, ASUS DriverHub offers one-click installation and update checks, making it easier for users to keep their systems running smoothly and efficiently.


TURBOV CORE
Accessed via ASUS DriverHub, TurboV Core delivers intuitive CPU tuning that can unleash performance for overclocking enthusiasts. No need to enter the BIOS – you can seamlessly modify settings directly from within Windows and apply them right away, without needing to reboot. TurboV Core is engineered to elevate system capabilities, with unprecedented simplicity.


Seamless Dual-PC Sharing with Thunderbolt™ Share
Experience a revolutionary way to interact with two PCs using Thunderbolt™ Share—the ultrafast connectivity solution that transforms your dual-PC setup. Seamlessly share screens, keyboards, mice, storage and files between two computers, with the unparalleled speed of Thunderbolt™ technology.
*A certified Thunderbolt™ or USB4® cable is required to meet minimum bandwidth requirements. Cable not included.
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos expands on traditional surround sound systems by adding height channels, allowing sounds to be interpreted as three-dimensional objects. This creates an immersive audio experience, giving the sensation of sound coming from above, below, and around the listener.


ASUS GlideX
ASUS GlideX is a cross-device, cross-platform screen-sharing, screen-control and operation solution for enhanced productivity across PCs, tablets, and smartphones via USB or WiFi. Features include screen mirroring, screen extension, unified control with one keyboard and mouse, easy file transfers, and using mobile cameras as PC webcams. It's compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.


HWiNFO
HWiNFO and ROG have collaborated on this comprehensive system information and diagnostic tool that provides detailed information about hardware components and real-time monitoring of system performance in ROG style. It supports a wide range of hardware devices, and it is regularly updated to include the latest technologies.


AIDA64 Extreme
The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex includes a one-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription, a tool that provides detailed information about hardware and software, as well as benchmarks to measure the performance of the entire system or individual components. AIDA64 Extreme includes a monitoring and diagnostics feature to detect and prevent hardware issues. All vital system sensors can be tracked in real time, allowing voltage readings, fan speeds, and temperature information to be displayed on the desktop or sent to dedicated displays or to the LCD panels of ROG AIO liquid coolers*.
*Support available for ROG Ryujin III and later models.


Armoury Crate
Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to give you centralized control of supported gaming products, making it easy to tune the look and feel of your system. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate helps you customize RGB lighting and effects for compatible devices and synchronize them with Aura Sync to create a unified lighting scheme across your system. In addition, Armoury Crate’s Fan Xpert4 tool provides comprehensive control over fans, water pumps, and all-in-one (AIO) coolers.


Glow your gaming world with aura sync
Up your game with complementary Aura Sync enhanced aesthetics, featuring preset lighting effects that can be easily synchronized across compatible ROG graphics cards, monitors, keyboards, and mice to give your setup a unified look.

CPU

Support Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors(Series 2) , LGA1851
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0**
* Refer to https://www.asus.com/support/download-center/ for CPU support list.
** Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on the CPU types.

Chipset

Intel® Z890 Chipset

Memory

2 x DIMM slots, max. 96GB, DDR5
Supports up to 9000+ MT/s (OC), Non-ECC, Un-buffered ,Clocked Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM)*
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
DIMM Fit
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory module
Supports DIMM Flex
ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile III (AEMP III)
* Supported memory types, data rate (speed), and number of DRAM modules vary depending on the CPU and memory configuration, for more information please refer to CPU/Memory Support list under the Support tab of product information site or visit https://www.asus.com/support/download-center/.
* Non-ECC, un-buffered DDR5 memory supports On-Die ECC function.

Graphics

2 x Intel® Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (USB Type-C®) support DisplayPort and Thunderbolt™ video outputs****
* Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types. Please refer to www.intel.com for any updates.
**In Thunderbolt4TM mode, supports up to 8K @ 60Hz x1 with DSC or 4K @ 60Hz x 2, maximum total bandwidth up to 23.8Gbps or 16Gbps/16Gbps, for resolution support please check DisplayPort 2.1 specs.
***In DP alt mode, Only one USB Type-C® port supports up to UHBR20 at a time.
**** VGA resolution support depends on processors' or graphic cards' resolution.

Expansion Slots

Support Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors(Series 2) *
2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots (supports x16 or x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4 modes)**
Intel® Z890 Chipset
2 x PCIe 4.0 x4 slots
* Please check the PCIe bifurcation table on the support site (https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1037507/).
** M.2_3 & M.2_4 share bandwidth with PCIEX16(G5)_2. When M.2_3 is enabled, PCIEX16(G5)_1 will run x8 & PCIEX16(G5)_2 will run x4. When M.2_3 & M.2_4 are enabled, PCIEX16(G5)_1 will run x8 & PCIEX16(G5)_2 will disabled.
- To ensure compatibility of the device installed, please refer to https://www.asus.com/support/download-center/ for the list of supported peripherals.

Storage

Total supports 6 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
Support Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors(Series 2) *
M.2_1 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 5.0 x4 mode)
M.2_2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode)
M.2_3 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 5.0 x4 modes)**
M.2_4 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 5.0 x4 modes)**
Intel® Z890 Chipset
DIMM.2_1 slot (Key M) via ROG DIMM.2, type 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode)
DIMM.2_2 slot (Key M) via ROG DIMM.2, type 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
* Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports PCIe RAID 0/1/5/10, SATA RAID 0/1/5/10, M.2 slot from CPU only supports RAID 0/1/5.
**M.2_3 & M.2_4 share bandwidth with PCIEX16(G5)_2. When M.2_3 is enabled, PCIEX16(G5)_1 will run x8 & PCIEX16(G5)_2 will run x4. When M.2_3 & M.2_4 are enabled, PCIEX16(G5)_1 will run x8 & PCIEX16(G5)_2 will disabled.

Ethernet

1 x Realtek 5Gb Ethernet
ASUS LANGuard

Wireless & Bluetooth

Wi-Fi 7*
2x2 Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency band**
Supports Wi-Fi 7 320MHz bandwidth, up to 5.8Gbps transfer rate.
Bluetooth® v5.4***

*Wi-Fi features may vary depending on the operating system
For Windows 11, Wi-Fi 7 will require 24H2 or later version for full functions, Windows 11 21H2/22H2/23H2 only supports Wi-Fi 6E.
For Windows 10, only Wi-Fi 6 is supported.
** Wi-Fi 6GHz frequency band and bandwidth regulatory may vary between countries.
*** The Bluetooth® version may vary, please refer to the Wi-Fi module manufacturer's website for the latest specifications.

USB

Rear USB (Total 11 ports)
2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C®)
4 x USB 10Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
Front USB (Total 10 ports)
1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C® with up to 60W PD/QC4+)*
1 x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®)
2 x USB 5Gbps headers support 4 additional USB 5Gbps ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
USB Type-C® power delivery output: max. 5V/3A
*USB Type-C® power delivery output: 5/9/15/20V max. 3A, PPS:3.3-21V max. 3A

Audio

"ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080*
- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
- Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking
- High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 110 dB SNR recording input
- Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback on front panel"
Audio Features
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- Savitech SV3H712 AMP
- Gold-plated audio jacks
- Rear optical S/PDIF out port
- Premium audio capacitors
- Audio cover
* A chassis with an HD audio module in the front panel is required to support 7.1 Surround Sound audio output.
** The LINE OUT port on the rear panel does not support spatial audio. If you wish to use spatial audio, make sure to connect your audio output device to the audio jack on the front panel of your chassis or use a USB interface audio device.

Back Panel I/O Ports

2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C®)
4 x USB 10Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A)
1 x Wi-Fi Module
1 x Realtek 5Gb Ethernet port
2 x Gold-plated audio jacks
1 x Optical S/PDIF out port
1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port

Internal I/O Connectors

Fan and Cooling related
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header
1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header
1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header
2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers
2 x 4-pin Full Speed Fan headers
1 x W_PUMP+ header
1 x Extra Flow Fan header
Power related
1 x 24-pin Main Power connector
2 x 8-pin +12V Power connector
1 x 8-pin PCIe Power connector
Storage related
4 x M.2 slots (Key M)
1 x DIMM.2 slot supports 2 x M.2 slots (Key M)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
USB
1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®)
2 x USB 5Gbps headers support 4 additional USB 5Gbps ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
Miscellaneous
1 x 80 Light Bar jumper
3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers
1 x Alteration PCIe mode switch
4 x BCLK button
1 x BIOS Switch button
1 x FlexKey button
1 x Front Panel Audio header (F_AUDIO)
1 x LN2 Mode jumper
1 x Pause switch
18 x ProbeIt Measurement Points
1 x ReTry button
2 x RSVD switches
1 x RSVD header
1 x Safe Boot button
1 x Slow Mode switch
1 x Start button
1 x 10-1 pin System Panel header
1 x Thermal Sensor header
1 x Thunderbolt™ (USB4®) header

Special Features

Extreme OC Kit
- FlexKey button
- LN2 Mode
- ProbeIt
- ReTry button
- Safe boot button
- Start button
- Slow Mode
Extreme Engine Digi+
- SMD Capacitor
- MicroFine Alloy Choke
ASUS Q-Design
- M.2 Q-Latch
- M.2 Q-Release
- M.2 Q-Slide
- PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim (with PCIe SafeSlot)
- Q-Antenna
- Q-Code
- Q-Dashboard
- Q-Connector
- Q-DIMM
- Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green])
- Q-Slot
ASUS Thermal Solution
- M.2 heatsink backplate
- M.2 heatsink
- VRM heatsink design
ASUS EZ DIY
- BIOS FlashBack™ button
- Clear CMOS button
- CPU Socket lever protector
- ProCool II
- Pre-mounted I/O shield
- SafeSlot
- SafeDIMM
Aura Sync
- Addressable Gen 2 headers
Dual BIOS
Front Panel USB 20Gbps with Quick Charge 4+ Support
- Support: up to 60W fast charging and USB Wattage Watcher*
- Output: 5/9/15/20V max. 3A, PPS:3.3-21V max. 3A
- Compatible with PD3.0 and PPS
* To support 60W, please install the power cable to the 8-pin PCIe power connector or else only 27W will be supported.

Software Features

ROG Exclusive Software
- ROG CPU-Z
- Dolby Atmos
- Internet Security (1-year full version)
ASUS Exclusive Software
Armoury Crate
- AIDA64 Extreme (1 year full version)
- Aura Creator
- Aura Sync
- Fan Xpert 4 (with AI Cooling II)
- GameFirst
- Power Saving
- HWiNFO
ASUS AI Advisor
ASUS Driver Hub
ASUS GlideX
Turbo Vcore
Adobe Creative Cloud (Free Trial)
Thunderbolt™ Share
USB Wattage Watcher
WinRAR (40 Days Free Trial)
UEFI BIOS
AI Overclocking Guide
ASUS EZ DIY
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
- ASUS MyHotkey
NPU Boost

BIOS

2 x 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS

Manageability

WOL by PME

Accessories

ROG DIMM.2 with Heatsink
1 x ROG DIMM.2 with heatsink
1 x M.2 pad for ROG DIMM.2
2 x M.2 screw package for ROG DIMM.2
Additional Cooling Kit
1 x Thermal pad for M.2 22110
1 x ROG Memory Fan Kit
Miscellaneous
1 x ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna
1 x Q-connector
1 x ROG VIP card
3 x M.2 Q-Slide package
5 x M.2 backplate rubber packages
1 x ROG Bottle Opener
Installation Media
1 x USB drive with utilities and drivers
Documentation
1 x Quick start guide

Operating System

Windows 11 (22H2 & later)

Form Factor

ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )