ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) recently announced that its ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard has set new benchmarks in overclocking with Intel‘s latest Core Ultra Series 2 processors. With overclocking experts Elmor, BenchMarc, OGS, and CENS at the helm, the motherboard secured five world records, 19 global first-place records, and 31 first-place records in various performance benchmarks. Key innovations from ASUS, like NitroPath DRAM technology and AEMP III, were instrumental in reaching these exceptional achievements.
Record-breaking performance with ROG Maximus Z890 Apex
Designed for peak overclocking performance, the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex includes a robust 22+1+2+2 power solution that supports Intel’s Arrow Lake processors. The motherboard’s two DIMM slots—chosen instead of four—are specifically engineered to improve copper trace pathways, enhancing speed and efficiency by prioritising performance over memory capacity.
One of the most significant achievements came from BenchMarc, who set a new memory frequency world record of 12,066 MT/s with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor and the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex. Elmor, another celebrated overclocker, took the CPU clock speed to an impressive 7,488.8 MHz using liquid helium cooling and a specially designed AI LN2 pot. This innovative cooling setup, developed with Diabatix, 3D Systems, and ElmorLabs, allowed Elmor to reach previously unattainable speeds.
Some key records achieved with the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex include:
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor
- CPU-Z Frequency (LHE): 7,488.8 MHz (Elmor) – First Place
- Memory Frequency: 12,066 MT/s (BenchMarc) – World Record
- 3DMARK CPU Profile 1T: 1,793 (Elmor) – World Record
- Geekbench 3 Multi: 179,845 (CENS) – First Place
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor - Y-Cruncher Pi 1B: 12.718 s (OGS) – First Place
- Geekbench 5 Multi: 34,087 (OGS) – Global First Place
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K processor - Cinebench R20: 14,249 pts (OGS) – First Place
- 7-Zip: 170,571 MIPS (OGS) – First Place
These records underline the power and capabilities of the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard in pushing the limits of performance with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors.
Enhanced memory performance with Gear 2 mode
While most users may not use extreme cooling methods, ASUS’s innovations can still benefit PC enthusiasts. The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex uses Gear 2 mode, which enables the processor’s memory controller to operate at half the memory speed. This setup enhances compatibility and allows higher data rates. ASUS has made Gear 2 the default mode on its Z890 motherboards, balancing high performance and stability, especially within the 6400-9000 MHz frequency range.
In gaming tests, Gear 2 mode has shown frame rate increases of up to 8.9% at 1080p in games such as Far Cry 6 and Cyberpunk 2077. This default setting ensures low latency and optimised performance without the need for specialised hardware.
High-performance memory options for all users
The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard isn’t the only high-performance choice in ASUS’s lineup. Other Z890 models, including the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme, Hero, and Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi, feature ASUS’s NitroPath DRAM technology, which improves DRAM overclocking performance by up to 400 MT/s. These motherboards also include ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile III (AEMP III), which optimises memory performance with cutting-edge CUDIMM memory kits.
ASUS’s AEMP III feature enhances memory speed through a two-phase tuning process that focuses on clock driver adjustments and memory frequency. This technology allows users to achieve excellent stability and performance, even with high DDR5-8000 speeds, making it ideal for gaming, creative work, and general computing.
ASUS Z890 series: A range for all needs
ASUS’s Z890 series caters to a broad audience, offering models across the ROG, TUF Gaming, ProArt, and Prime motherboard families. With options that fit different performance needs and budgets, the Z890 lineup provides various features for gamers, overclockers, and creative professionals alike. ASUS’s commitment to innovation is clear with the Z890 series, as they bring high-end overclocking capabilities and robust features to a range of users.
The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex achievements highlight ASUS’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of motherboard performance. Through advanced design and innovative features, ASUS has created a motherboard that not only meets the demands of professional overclockers but also offers outstanding performance to enthusiasts.
