Does it fit Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs?

Yes. It uses the LGA 1851 socket and is built for Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2).

How many M.2 drives can it take?

Six in total: three PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0 on the board, plus two PCIe 4.0 slots on the included ROG DIMM.2 card.

Why only two memory slots?

The two-DIMM layout shortens signal paths for higher overclocked speeds. The trade-off is a lower maximum capacity than four-slot boards.

Do I need the memory fan kit?

No. It is for pushing memory overclocks toward 9000+ MT/s; at stock or moderate speeds the board runs fine without it.

Is Thunderbolt 4 included?

Yes. Two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports are on the rear I/O, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gb Ethernet.

Is it worth it over a cheaper Z890 board?

Only if you plan to overclock memory and use several PCIe 5.0 drives. For standard builds, mainstream Z890 boards cover the same CPU and GPU support.

Where is the Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Motherboard cheapest?

At ASUS Store US, for $449.99, 22% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Motherboard?

15 stores we checked sell it, including Tormino, ASUS Store US, Amazon, Grooves-Inc.com, SHI International.

Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Motherboard

Best price now

$449.99at ASUS Store USChecked 1 h ago

22% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 15 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit ASUS Store US

What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treat the Apex as a specialist overclocking board: they praise its memory stability at high speeds, cooling and storage count, and note that its two-DIMM design and price make it a poor fit for general builds.

What people mention

Memory overclockingPraisedOwners report reaching very high DDR5 speeds with the two-slot layout and bundled fan kit.
DIMM slot countCriticisedReviewers note that two slots cap capacity and rule it out for memory-heavy workloads.
ThermalsPraisedThe large heatsinks and heatpipe keep the power stages cool under overclocked loads.
StoragePraisedThree PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots plus the DIMM.2 card give unusually broad fast-storage options.
PriceCriticisedCommenters say the board costs far more than mainstream Z890 models with similar connectivity.
Setup complexityMixedThe memory fan and DIMM.2 card help performance but add steps some builders find fiddly.

About the Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Apex Motherboard

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex is a motherboard with an Intel LGA 1851 socket for Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2). It is built for AI-focused PCs and includes ASUS AI Advisor, AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II and AI Networking II to simplify setup and improve performance. Overclocking and memory features include NPU Boost, DIMM Fit, DIMM Flex and AEMP III.

The power design uses 22(110A)+1(90A)+2(90A)+2(80A) power stages with ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors. Large heatsinks with an integrated I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pads and a heatpipe handle cooling. The ROG Memory Fan Kit supports memory overclocking up to 9000+ MT/s.

Tool-free and diagnostic features include PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim, M.2 Q-Latch, M.2 Q-Release, M.2 Q-Slide, Q-Antenna, BIOS Q-Dashboard, Q-Code and Q-LED. The board also has a FlexKey button, Start button, BIOS FlashBack button and Clear CMOS button, plus a pre-mounted I/O shield.

Socket

Intel LGA 1851

Processor support

Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2)

Power stages

22(110A)+1(90A)+2(90A)+2(80A)

Onboard M.2

3 x PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, 1 x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot, with ROG M.2 Power Boost

ROG DIMM.2 card

2 x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots

Expansion slots

2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots