{"id":72993,"date":"2024-10-10T23:00:14","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T15:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tech-critter.com\/?p=72993"},"modified":"2024-10-11T08:17:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T00:17:33","slug":"asus-rog-maximus-z890-apex-first-look-unbox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tech-critter.com\/asus-rog-maximus-z890-apex-first-look-unbox\/","title":{"rendered":"ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Unboxing & First Look"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, Intel officially unveiled its new desktop CPUs, the Core Ultra 200S series<\/a>. These processors require the new LGA1851 socket, meaning that compatible motherboards must use Intel’s 800-series chipset. As one of Intel’s key partners, ASUS has also released a new lineup of Z890 chipset motherboards.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll take a first look at one of ASUS’s standout Z890 motherboards, the Maximus Z890 Apex, which also happens to be a personal favorite. The Apex is designed specifically for enthusiasts and overclockers who love tweaking and optimizing their systems. As a longtime user of the Apex series, I\u2019m excited to see what the Maximus Z890 Apex brings to the table this time and what improvements it offers over its predecessor.<\/p>\n

Unboxing<\/h2>\n

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The Maximus Z890 Apex comes in a sleek white box, a departure from the black packaging of its predecessor, the Z790 Apex. I believe this design choice complements the white color of the Z890 Apex perfectly. On the back of the box, you’ll find a detailed overview of the motherboard’s specifications, rear I\/O ports, and key features.<\/p>\n

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The accessory bundle that comes with the Z890 Apex includes the usual items: M.2 screws, standoffs, a user manual, a USB drive with drivers and utilities, and a WiFi antenna. However, it also features some unique accessories not typically bundled with motherboards. Notably, ASUS has included the signature DIMM.2 card and memory fan kit, both in white this time, to match the motherboard’s color scheme.<\/p>\n

ASUS\u2019s attention to detail with these white-colored accessories shows a clear effort to align with the Z890 Apex’s aesthetic, an improvement over the Z790 Apex, which also had a white theme but lacked this level of coordination. It would be even better if ASUS considered using a white PCB for the DIMM.2 card to further enhance the design consistency.<\/p>\n

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Now, let’s take a closer look at the Z890 Apex. Aside from the white color theme, its overall design and layout are quite similar to the Z790 Apex Encore. However, the back of the motherboard features an interesting design that I personally find appealing, even though it\u2019s typically hidden once installed on a test bench or inside a system.<\/p>\n

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The Z890 Apex features a robust 22+1+2+2 power stage design, offering a slight upgrade from the Z790 Apex Encore in terms of power delivery and efficiency. Here’s a quick breakdown of the phases:<\/p>\n