Monday, January 6th 2025
ASUS Shows Off ROG Crosshair X870E Apex Motherboard
The ASUS ROG Apex brand extension is reserved for motherboards with the best CPU and memory overclocking capabilities. Since Intel processors tended to overclock better than AMD, Apex remained confined to the Intel platform, until now. ASUS at CES showed off the ROG Crosshair X870E Apex, the first AMD platform motherboard to feature this brand extension. The board features a powerful CPU VRM solution meant for sub-zero overclocking of Ryzen 9000X3D processors that are fully capable of overclocking. It also comes with a 1 DIMM-per-channel memory topology, with just two DDR5 DIMM slots. 1DPC is the most optimal dual-channel topology for memory overclocking.
The topmost M.2 Gen 5 NVMe slot features an elaborate fan-heatsink solution. Right next to the two DDR5 DIMM slots, is a breakout DIMM.2 module that provides additional M.2 NVMe slots. There are a couple of more Gen 4 NVMe slots scattered across the board. The board features an I/O feature-set that's at least as good as the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero. The board draws power from two 8-pin EPS, a 24-pin ATX, and an additional 8-pin PCIe power input. The board is packed to the gills with features professional overclockers would look for, including onboard buttons, diagnostic readouts, a hydrophobic PCB surface treatment, dual-BIOS, and clearly labelled voltage domains.
Source:
HXL (Twitter)
The topmost M.2 Gen 5 NVMe slot features an elaborate fan-heatsink solution. Right next to the two DDR5 DIMM slots, is a breakout DIMM.2 module that provides additional M.2 NVMe slots. There are a couple of more Gen 4 NVMe slots scattered across the board. The board features an I/O feature-set that's at least as good as the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero. The board draws power from two 8-pin EPS, a 24-pin ATX, and an additional 8-pin PCIe power input. The board is packed to the gills with features professional overclockers would look for, including onboard buttons, diagnostic readouts, a hydrophobic PCB surface treatment, dual-BIOS, and clearly labelled voltage domains.
26 Comments on ASUS Shows Off ROG Crosshair X870E Apex Motherboard
forums.guru3d.com/threads/the-amd-ryzen-all-in-one-thread-overclocking-memory-speeds-timings-tweaking-cooling-part-2.423134/page-193#post-6294793
But dont expect this to come cheap as Z890 Apex costs 755€+
I kinda wish they had also rotated the socket 90 degrees and placed the 24pin etc edge connectors at 90 degree angle like EVGA used to do.
However it's still better than those silly Extreme and Godlike boards costing 1000+ for zero unique features.
Too bad they're blocked by the factory M.2 'sinks, and this'll be nowhere near affordable.
Why can't we get this kind of expansion on normal X870 and X870E boards? I shouldn't have to seek out a $500+ board, for 5+ years ago's capabilities.
I'm guessing GB will also release the Tachyon soon. Fingers crossed.
'Would rather the slots, especially when they're so easy and affordable to passively convert to M.2.
All I want is an ATX X870(E) board with a M.2 gen5 (cpu) a x16 (cpu) a 3-slot spacing for GPU (or 2x PCH M.2 under GPU), and the rest x8 or x4, and x1 gen4 slots.
M-atx is useless while itx exists.
I don't mind either ATX or MATX, both work the same but MATX is usually cheaper for the same performance. ITX is more expensive.
I would start an only fans with it.