ASUS ROG Maximus IX Apex Motherboard Review

Test Setup

ASUS ROG Maximus IX Apex
Intel i7-7700K
Corsair LPX 3200MHz (stock XMP tests)
Corsair LPX 4266MHz
Corsair MP500 M.2
Samsung 960 Evo M.2
Corsair HX1000i
Corsair H110i GT
Corsair ML Fans

Overclocking

For a motherboard that is so obviously targeted at the hardcore overclockers it is reassuring to see such monster results, even on our off-the-shelf cooling. 5.2 GHz is beastly, not just a screenshot either, this was bench stable but a CPU only clock. Perhaps the most impressive element is how we had a 100% stable 5.16 GHz overclock with 4266 MHz DDR4. Some motherboards can do one or the other of these parts, but this is the first we’ve tested that is capable of having both memory and CPU overclocked so heavily. Even more impressive is this managed it all with subsidiary memory volts at the same kind of levels that other boards needed for 3866MHz, its also worth bringing attention to the fact the memory needs the BCLK to run at 103.2 to tie into the lofty 4266MHz running speed. If you have ever spent any time overclocking you’ll know how even the slightest BCLK change can unseat a hefty overclock. To say this board makes your life easy is an understatement.

We are now off to thank Corsair for sending us the 4266MHz memory kit last year and rejoice in the fact our CPU can actually go that high!