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ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Review | 107 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£680
  • Avg. price in US: ~$650
  • CPU socket: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Intel Z790
  • Form factor: ATX

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

7.7

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

7.9

Technical Score

10.0%

6.4

User score

Very good
7.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

5.7

Memory

16.0%

8.7

Platform & Features

16.0%

7.5

Storage

15.0%

9.5

Network

13.0%

7.9

Ports & USB

8.0%

6.5

Expansion

8.0%

9.2

Power & Cooling

5.0%

9.7

Audio

Very good
6.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

2.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(10)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(11)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Good
  • 9.8
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    9.3

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    10

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    10

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    10

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    10

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

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Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex is an enthusiast-grade ATX motherboard built for extreme overclocking, featuring a robust 24+0 power stage VRM rated for 105A and a specialized two-slot DDR5 memory layout supporting speeds over 8000 MT/s. It offers advanced connectivity including two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, five M.2 sockets (one PCIe 5.0), Wi-Fi 6E, and dual USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C ports with 60W Quick Charge 4+. Main pros include its record-breaking overclocking toolkit with dedicated buttons (Safe Boot, BCLK, ReTry), superior memory frequency potential due to the 1-DIMM-per-channel design, and comprehensive liquid cooling zones. However, notable cons include the lack of onboard display outputs, a limit of only two RAM slots which restricts total capacity to 96GB (or 64GB depending on module density), and the high premium price specifically targeted at a niche competitive audience.

Technical Specifications of ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

5.7

Memory

16.0%

8.7

Platform & Features

16.0%

7.5

Storage

15.0%

9.5

Network

13.0%

7.9

Ports & USB

8.0%

6.5

Expansion

8.0%

9.2

Power & Cooling

5.0%

9.7

Audio

7.9
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a technical score of 7.89 points, which is higher than that of 79.3% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

2.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(10)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(11)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

6.4
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a user score of 6.37 points, which is lower than that of 89.7% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
2.1
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a popularity of 2.1 points, which is lower than 68.7% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

7.7

Overall score

40.0%

6.9

Price

7.5
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.5 points, which is higher than 54% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The brand that makes the motherboard.
When it matters: When you have a brand preference for support, BIOS, or build quality.

Importance: MEDIUM

Asus
CPU socket
What it is: The socket type the motherboard is built to support.
When it matters: When you need the motherboard to match a specific CPU.

Importance: HIGH

LGA 1700
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex uses the LGA 1700 CPU socket, which is more advanced than that of 55% of motherboards and equal to that of 22.7% of motherboards.
CPU platform

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Chipset
What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

Importance: HIGH

Intel Z790
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex uses the Intel Z790 chipset, which is more advanced than that of 77.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.5% of motherboards.
Form factor
What it is: The physical size standard of the motherboard, such as ATX or Micro-ATX.
When it matters: When you need the board to fit a specific case size.

Importance: HIGH

ATX
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has the ATX form factor, which is more versatile than that of 47.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 52.2% of motherboards.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the board to match a certain memory platform.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: DDR5

DDR5
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex uses DDR5 memory, which is newer than that of 64.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 35.3% of motherboards.
Memory slots
What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4

2
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 2 Memory slots, which is fewer than 78.6% of motherboards and equal to 21.4% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

96 GB
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports up to 96 GB of memory, which is less than 59.6% of motherboards and equal to 2.9% of motherboards.
requires BIOS update for full capacity
Memory channels
What it is: The memory channel configuration supported by the motherboard platform.
When it matters: When memory bandwidth matters for your build.

Importance: MEDIUM

2
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports 2 memory channels, which is more than 0.2% of motherboards and equal to 92.5% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
What it is: The highest officially supported memory speed for the motherboard.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=6400 MT/s

8,000 MT/s
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports memory speeds up to 8000 MT/s, which is higher than that of 85% of motherboards and equal to that of 5.6% of motherboards.
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N. of M.2 sockets
What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=3

5
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 5 M.2 sockets, which is more than 94.7% of motherboards and equal to 4.3% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

Importance: HIGH

?
N. of SATA 3 connectors
What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

6
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 52.6% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
What it is: The RAID modes officially supported by the motherboard storage platform.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple drives in a RAID setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

0/1/5/10
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 31.8% of motherboards and equal to 68.2% of motherboards.
JBOD excluded from RAID-level set
NVMe RAID support
What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

Importance: LOW

yes
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
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N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 5.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want the newest high-bandwidth expansion slots.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

2
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 2 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is more than 95.2% of motherboards and equal to 4.3% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 4.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for modern expansion cards.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is equal to 55.6% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 3.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need more full-length expansion slots.

Importance: MEDIUM

0
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 0 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 59.5% of motherboards and equal to 40.5% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

Importance: HIGH

?
PCIe bifurcation support
What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports PCIe bifurcation. 39.1% of motherboards support this feature.
x8/x8.
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Total USB ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8

10
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 10 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 75.6% of motherboards and equal to 15.7% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=14

19
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 19 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 87.8% of motherboards and equal to 4.2% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=1

1
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.4% of motherboards and equal to 48.8% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB-C ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C connectivity across the whole build.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=2

2
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.8% of motherboards and equal to 32.8% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want very fast USB-C connectivity on the rear I/O.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

1
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is more than 81.7% of motherboards and equal to 18.1% of motherboards.
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LAN speed
What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.5GbE

2.5 Gbps
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.5% of motherboards.
LAN controller
What it is: The model of onboard Ethernet controller used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you compare networking hardware quality and features.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel I226-V
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex uses the Intel I226-V LAN controller, which is more advanced than that of 92.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.9% of motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
What it is: The number of wired Ethernet ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need one or more wired network connections.

Importance: LOW

1
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 1 RJ45 ports, which is equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes onboard Wi-Fi hardware instead of requiring a separate adapter.
When it matters: When you want wireless networking without adding an extra card.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.9% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: The supported Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7.
When it matters: When you care about wireless speed and router compatibility.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which is newer than that of 72.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 16.6% of motherboards.
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Audio codec
What it is: The onboard audio codec used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When sound quality from the built-in audio matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Realtek ALC4080
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex uses the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 90.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.4% of motherboards.
Audio channels
What it is: The audio channel configuration supported by the onboard sound solution.
When it matters: When you want surround sound from the motherboard audio outputs.

Importance: LOW

Good value: 7.1

7.1
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
What it is: The signal-to-noise ratio of the onboard audio solution.
When it matters: When you care about cleaner onboard audio output.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=120 dB

120 dB
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has an audio SNR of 120 dB, which is higher than that of 55% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.5% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
What it is: Shows whether the onboard audio path includes dedicated headphone amplification for harder-to-drive headsets.
When it matters: When you use harder-to-drive headphones from the onboard audio.

Importance: LOW

yes
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
headphone amp on front panel.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
What it is: The number of rear 3.5mm audio jacks on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more analog audio connection options.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5

5
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 49.8% of motherboards and equal to 36.8% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
What it is: The number of power-delivery phases used by the motherboard VRM.
When it matters: When you care about CPU power delivery and overclocking headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=12

24
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 24 VRM phases, which is more than 97.8% of motherboards and equal to 0.1% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
What it is: The number of CPU power connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you care about power delivery for higher-end CPUs.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=2

2
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.6% of motherboards and equal to 45.3% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
What it is: The number of headers available for case or CPU fans.
When it matters: When your build uses several fans.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

6
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has 6 fan headers, which is more than 50.3% of motherboards and equal to 22.3% of motherboards.
Pump header
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes a dedicated header designed for a liquid-cooling pump.
When it matters: When you build with an AIO or custom liquid cooling loop.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a pump header. 23.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
What it is: The maximum current the dedicated pump header can supply.
When it matters: When you want to make sure the pump header can power your cooling setup.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2 A

3 A
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports up to 3 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 76.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 23.2% of motherboards.
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ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex vs the average motherboard

  • 3 more M.2 sockets
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (5 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=3

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (5 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.5 vs 2
  • 2 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
    What it is: The number of PCIe 5.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want the newest high-bandwidth expansion slots.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.2 vs 0
  • Newer DDR memory generation
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has newer DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
    What it is: The RAM generation the motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
    When it matters: When you need the board to match a certain memory platform.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: DDR5

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has newer DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 4 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (5 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster USB-A ports for storage or accessories.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (5 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.5 vs 1
  • More VRM phases
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (24 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    What it is: The number of power-delivery phases used by the motherboard VRM.
    When it matters: When you care about CPU power delivery and overclocking headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=12

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (24 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.24 vs 10
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want very fast USB-C connectivity on the rear I/O.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.1 vs 0
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=8

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.10 vs 8
  • Newer CPU socket
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.
    What it is: The socket type the motherboard is built to support.
    When it matters: When you need the motherboard to match a specific CPU.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.LGA 1700 vs LGA 1151
  • Newer CPU socket
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.
  • Integrated I/O shield
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.1% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • Includes POST code display
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Includes onboard power button
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has an onboard power button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.7% of motherboards include an onboard power button.
  • Includes onboard reset button
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has an onboard reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.6% of motherboards include an onboard reset button.
  • Newer DDR memory generation
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has newer DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
  • 73.9% higher maximum RAM speed
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a higher maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (8,000 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.
  • 62.2% higher overclocked RAM speed
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a higher overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (8,000 MT/s vs 4,933 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 4,933 MT/s.
  • 3 more M.2 sockets
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (5 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • 2 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
  • 1 more PCIe x4 slots
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more PCIe x4 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe x4 slot/s.
  • 4 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (5 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
  • 4 more total USB connections
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (19 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
  • 1 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 headers
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 header/s.
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does not. 49.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Supports Bluetooth
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 47% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • Better audio codec
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC4,080 vs Realtek ALC898). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC898 audio codec.
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (120 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
  • More VRM phases
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (24 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
  • 1 more ARGB headers
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more ARGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • 1 more fan headers
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more fan headers than the average motherboard (6 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.
  • 1 A higher pump header current limit
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a higher pump header current than the average motherboard (3 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.

Total
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling
  • No integrated graphics support
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.4% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • No TPM connector
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex does not have a TPM connector, while the average motherboard does. 86.7% of motherboards include a TPM connector.
  • 2 fewer memory slots
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer memory slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
  • 25% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (96 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    requires BIOS update for full capacity
  • 1 fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
  • 1 fewer HDMI outputs
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer HDMI outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 HDMI outputs.
  • 2 fewer USB 2.0 ports
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer USB 2.0 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 port/s.
  • 61 mm wider
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex is wider than the average motherboard (305 mm vs 244 mm). The average motherboard width is 244 mm.
  • 2 fewer memory slots
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer memory slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=4

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer memory slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.2 vs 4
  • No integrated graphics support
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.4% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard can output video from CPUs that include integrated graphics.
    When it matters: When you want video output without installing a graphics card.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.4% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • 25% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (96 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    requires BIOS update for full capacity
    What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
    When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=128 GB

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (96 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.96 GB vs 128 GB
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    What it is: The number of DisplayPort video outputs on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to connect compatible displays through the rear I/O.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.0 vs 1
  • 4.25x more expensive
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex is more expensive than the average motherboard (£680 vs £160).
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex is more expensive than the average motherboard (£680 vs £160).£680 vs £160
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
    When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel Z790 vs Intel B860
  • 25.6% lower user score
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a lower user score than the average motherboard (6.37 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex has a lower user score than the average motherboard (6.37 vs 8.000).6.37 vs 8
  • No TPM connector
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex does not have a TPM connector, while the average motherboard does. 86.7% of motherboards include a TPM connector.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard has a header for connecting a separate TPM module.
    When it matters: When you want hardware TPM support through an add-on module.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex does not have a TPM connector, while the average motherboard does. 86.7% of motherboards include a TPM connector.
Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Memory
Expansion
Ports & USB
Power & Cooling

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
10 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
11 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex?

  • Exceptional memory overclocking potential due to the optimized 2-DIMM slot layout
  • Robust 24-phase power delivery (VRM) designed for extreme performance and LN2 cooling
  • Highly reactive engineering team with frequent BIOS updates tailored for enthusiasts
  • Premium aesthetic with a distinctive white PCB design and customizable RGB lighting
  • Includes high-end accessories like the ROG DIMM.2 module for extra M.2 storage and a dedicated RAM fan kit
  • Advanced BIOS features such as 'Memory Controller SP' for assessing CPU quality and integrated Memtest86

What customers dislike about ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex?

  • Limited to only two RAM slots, restricting maximum memory capacity to 128GB (or less with older modules)
  • Extremely high price point that is difficult to justify for users who aren't hardcore overclockers
  • Lack of integrated graphics (iGPU) support, which can make troubleshooting difficult if the dedicated GPU fails
  • Reported stability issues like 'WHEA_Uncorrectable_Error' and SSD detection bugs in some user units
  • Niche target audience; lacks many 'quality of life' features found on standard consumer boards like the ROG Hero

Video reviews

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