ASUS Rampage VI Apex Overclocking Motherboard Review

Earlier this year I got the opportunity to review the Maximus IX Apex and recognized it as one of the premiere motherboards when it comes to overclocking with Kaby Lake.  Not only did the motherboard support some of the fastest DDR RAM you could buy but offered excellent RGB lighting, a custom cut motherboard and personalization options making the board excellent for both extreme overclocking and mainstream use.

In this review I’ll be looking at a new version of the Apex that is not only designed for overclocking but also raw, in your face, performance.  The ASUS ROG Rampage Vi Apex comes from a long line of overclocking motherboards that symbolize the epitome of what a high-end motherboard should be.  Of course, these days, the lines between high-end, gaming, overclocking and mainstream all tend to blur.  For instance you can game on any motherboard and high-end hardware can apply to both gaming and overclocking.  However, there is one major difference that makes an overclocking motherboard stand out.  Lots and Lots of onboard controls, voltage test points, disable switches and even thermal probes.  These are the things overclockers use during a bench session and just make the whole process much more enjoyable.

The ROG Rampage VI Apex is a very unique motherboard both in its dedication to overclocking and overall design.  You will find that many common items have been moved from their traditional location while others have been added like a dedicated fan header for AIO pumps and plenty of hardware switches used for different types of overclocking situations.

In fact, that is one thing that has always impressed me with ASUS hardware.  There is an actual attempt to pack every motherboard with more features than normally get with the competition and they actually work properly.  Some good examples would be PWM fan headers, RGB lighting software that works and is compatable with other components, Memory compatibility and some rather impressive tools for overclocking including remote control software. 

CPU
Intel Socket 2066 Core X-Series Processors
Chipset
Intel X299
Memory
Intel Core X-series Processors (6-core above)
4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 4133(O.C.)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Intel Core X-series Processors (4-core)
2 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR4 4500(O.C)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Multi-GPU Support
Supports NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI Technology / Supports NVIDIA 4-Way SLI Technology / Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology / Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology
Expansion Slots
Intel Core X-Series Processors Family
4 x PCIe 3.0 x16 *
Intel X299 Chipset
1 x PCIe 3.0 x4
Storage
Supports Intel Smart Response Technology
Intel Optane Memory Ready
LAN
Intel I219V / Anti-surge LANGuard
Wireless Data Network
Dual Band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
Bluetooth V4.2
Audio
ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220A
USB Ports
Intel X299 Chipset :
6 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s)
5 x USB 2.0 port(s)
ASMedia USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller :
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s)
ASMedia USB 3.1 Gen 1 controller :
4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s)
BIOS
2 x 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 6.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.
Operating System
Windows 10 64-bit
Form Factor
Extended ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 10.7 inch ( 30.5 cm x 20.7 cm ) X-SHAPED PCB

• Clear CMOS button
• ROG RAMCache II
• ROG CPU-Z
• ROG CloneDrive
• MemOK! Button
• Slow Mode
• Overwolf
• ReTry Button
• Safe Boot Button
• Start Button
• Reset Button
• LN2 Mode
• ROG Aura: Aura Lighting Control / Aura RGB Strip Headers
• Extreme Engine Digi+ : IR3555 PoweIRstage / MicroFine Alloy Chokes / 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
• Mem TweakIt
• ROG Extreme OC kit : PCIe x16 Lane Switch
• Double Power : Dual 8 -pin CPU
• OC Design - ASUS PRO Clock II Technology
• 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5