ASUS Z370 Maximus X Apex Review

ASUS Z370 Maximus X Apex Review

Introduction

The Z370 has really emphasised the consistency of recent Intel chipsets. So much connectivity is now included in the chipset that the differences between basic motherboards and high end ones are, to some degree, lessening. Sure some of the more affordable options might have fewer M.2 slots, or USB 3.1, but the days when the hardware itself was the major determining factor in a purchase are pretty much behind us.

Instead we have to look for quality of life features to really separate the chaff from the wheat, and when it comes to providing the end user with everything they could possibly hope to find, there is no question that the boffins in the ASUS ROG R&D department go all out. Their skills and capabilities are perhaps most visible on their range-topping models, the Extreme for the Rampage and nowadays the Apex on the LGA1151.

Which leads us neatly into today’s review, the ASUS Z370 Maximus X Apex, a motherboard with enough bells and whistles to start its own railroad.

Technical Specifications

As you would expect from a motherboard that both comes as part of the ASUS ROG range and also has the somewhat expectation-heavy title of the Apex, the Maximus X Apex has everything and the kitchen sink included. Reinforced slots, DIMM.2 socket, USB 3.1 sockets around the back, both HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, PS2 ports for keyboard and mouse should you still be living with 2001-era peripherals, dual LAN including the AQC108 5G LAN for those seriously bandwidth heavy needs and all the usual ASUS accoutrements such as RGB LED strip headers, dedicated water pump headers and even flow monitoring points. Within reason if you can think of it then ASUS have included it. On paper at least the Apex is well named.

ASUS Z370 Maximus X Apex Review Â