ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme Review
Conclusion
Conclusion
If you’ve read another of our Z890 reviews you can skip this paragraph. It bears repeating though. Like the rest of the Z890 motherboards we’re looking at today, we’re largely considering the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme in a vacuum. We understand that there is a possibility this will be the only use of this particular socket, so the upgrade path might be a dead end. We also know the Z890 isn’t offering loads that isn’t already available on current Z790 platforms. They are, however, the only way you can use a Intel Core Ultra processor. We have to judge them on those merits.
The Intel Core Ultra launch has definitely been a mixed bag. It’s not really bringing performance to the table, but it is much cooler and more energy efficient than the 14th Gen stuff. Similarly getting it working has been a total ball-ache behind the scenes. Even then we’re not utterly convinced it’s been worth the effort. Similarly the motherboards have all been good, albeit with no rhyme nor reason why some scores are much better than others. However, with pricing at a certain point it’s easy to say that you should invest, if you understand this socket might be a one off, and your current rig is nothing like as new as these. Or your rich old Uncle has just snuffed it.
How Much?
Those elements are all easy to leave to the consumer to pick. We just give them the information in which to make an informed decision. With the ASUS ROG Z890 Maximus Extreme we’ve got a 4 figure price tag. And not just scraping into the £1000 bracket either. £1360. That’s too much money. It just is. No amount of glitz from the biblically good screen can distract from the bald fact that is the price tag. When you compare the specifications of the Maximus Z890 Extreme against even the Strix-A or Maximus Hero, we have to say there isn’t much to choose between them. Heck even the expensive power phases are the same. There’s definitely nothing like enough to justify the eye-watering price tag.
You could get the Maximus Hero and the Core Ultra 9 285K for the same price as this Maximus Extreme. We’re not sure you’d notice the difference. Certainly the performance of the Extreme, whilst excellent, isn’t a league apart from the competition.
Ah But
Except for one thing. That screen. It’s gorgeous. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a screen on a motherboard, the MSI Z390 Godlike holds that honour. However, that was a tiny, two colour, gif only, screen. This is a 5 inch, full colour screen that can show gifs, or ASUS stuff, or pictures, or system information. It’s stunning. Jaw-dropping. Utterly bewitching and enough to win the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme our OC3D Innovation Award. Can we have it on a more normally priced motherboard next time please, ASUS.
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