Asus ROG Maximus XII Extreme Z490 E-ATX - motherboard

ROG Maximus XII Extreme

• LGA 1200 socket for 10th-gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors
• AI Enhancements: AI Overclocking, AI Cooling and AI Networking (from Game First VI)
• Robust power delivery: Optimized power solution with 16 power stages, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine Alloy chokes and 10K capacitors
• Improved Cooling: dedicated water cooling zones, M.2 heatsink and various fan controls
• Next-gen Connectivity: Marvell® AQtion 10Gb, Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet , LANGaurd, Quad M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and Intel® Wi-Fi
• Leading Customization Options: 2" LiveDash OLED, 2X addressable header + 2X 4-pin RGB header

Modern CPU architectures up the ante for motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power saving modes to full load almost instantaneously. Our latest VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current, while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.

1. 16-pin ProCool II power connector: Ensures a snug and reliable connection to the EPS 12V power lines.
2. 90A power stage: The VRM features 16 infineon TDA21490 power stages, each rated to handle 90 amps.
3. MicroFine alloy chokes: Each Power stage is accompanied by a high-permeability alloy-core choke rated to handle 45 amps.
4. 10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors: Input and output filtering is provided by solid-polymer capacitors rated to last thousands of hours at high operating temperatures.

Boasting proprietary memory trace layout tweaks that improve signal integrity and mitigate noise, ASUS OptiMem III is more compatible with 3600 MHz+ memory kits, allowing them to run at higher frequencies. You can opt to optimize memory for high frequency settings, or low latency settings. With higher capacity memory kits, OptiMem III enables you to run at maximum frequency, whereas other motherboards will trade off frequency for capacity. Stack Maximus XII Extreme with your favorite modules and maximize throughput of the new 10th Generation Intel® Core™ Comet Lake-S processor for applications that demand massive bandwidth.

1. USB 3.2 Gen 2 front-panel connectors: Two front-panel USB 3.2 connectors area ready to accommodate a wide variety of devices.
2. Bundled Thunderbolt™ 3 Expansion Card: At a breathtaking 40Gbps you'll experience faster transfers, with four times (4X) the data speeds of any other cable and twice (2X) the video bandwidth.
3. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: Reversible USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C™ ports provide ultimate flexibility and blazing data-transfer speeds.

Maximus XII Extreme supports up to four onboard M.2 drives to maximize storage. Two can be found on the ROG DIMM.2 module, next to the memory slots, and supports drives as long as 110 mm. The other two can be found under the aluminum heatsink cover. PCIe support ensures compatibility with the very latest NVMe SSDs for ultrafast transfer speeds.

Our ROG engineers developed and extensively-tested intelligent software solutions to ensure your system stays in optimal condition.

1. AI Overclocking: Tuning is now faster and smarter than ever before. AI Overclocking profiles the CPU and cooling to predict the optimal configuration for each system.
2. AI Cooling: AI Cooling automatically manages and controls motherboard-connected fans, ensuring the most efficient settings depending on the current system load and temperature.
3. AI Networking: GameFirst VI optimizes and organizes network bandwidth, effectively reducing jitter and eliminating spike lag to ensure smooth online gameplay.

The beefed-up bandwidth doesn't stop with the Z490 platform. We also equipped Maximus XII Extreme with multiple networking technologies, so you can push throughput to the limits.

1. Wi-Fi 6 (AX201): Onboard Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) supports ultrafast network speeds, improved capacity and better performance in dense Wi-Fi environments, providing exceptional online gaming experiences.
2. 10 Gbps onboard Ethernet: Designed to meet the demanding requirements of power users and content creators, 10 Gbps onboard Ethernet provides a new level of home networking. With up to 10X the bandwidth of standard gigabit Ethernet, you'll enjoy streaming uncompressed 4K UHD videos, and backups and file transfers that are faster than ever before.
3. Intel 2.5G Ethernet: Onboard Intel 2.5G Ethernet gives your wired connection a boost, with up to a 2.5X improvement over standard Ethernet connections for faster file transfers, smoother lag-free gaming and high-res video streaming.

ROG Maximus XII Extreme features the most comprehensive cooling options ever. Enjoy comprehensive control over fans and water pumps, via either Fan Expert 4 or our UEFI. Whether you're cooling with air or water, Auto-Tuning mode intelligently configures all parameters with a single click. There's also an Extreme Quiet mode, which reduces all fan speeds to below the default minimum — keeping your system whisper-quiet when performing light tasks.

1. VRM heatsink: A VRM heatsink is placed on the MOSFETs and chokes, and the embedded heatpipe connects to the aluminum I/O cover.
2. Aluminum I/O cover: TAn aluminum I/O cover is connected to the primary heatsink via an embedded heatpipe, increasing mass and surface area for dissipation.
3. Extended VRM Heatsink: Helps cool vital motherboard power delivery areas to enhance the overclocking potential of future processors.
4. Aluminum heatsink cover: The heatsink cover is crafted from pure aluminum to efficiently cool the two onboard M.2 drives.
5. High-conductivity thermal pad: The high-quality thermal pad improves overall heat transfer from the system by bridging the heat generated by the power stages to the heatsink.
6. Solid steel backplate: A steel, cold-rolled coil construction backplate strengthens the motherboard to prevent bending, and adds additional mass to siphon heat from the VRM.
7. Chipset heatsink: A chipset heatsink blends seamlessly with the aluminum heatsink cover and prominently features the ROG logo.

Conventional motherboards use single-ended sensing tapped from a location that isn't ideal, leading to a large disparity between the actual voltage fed to the CPU and the value reported to software. Maximus XII Extreme features a differential-sensing circuit that simplifies overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately.

ROG Maximus XII Extreme’s SupremeFX audio features a dedicated card to limit signal interference, and packs the SupremeFX S1220 codec, ESS® ES9023P DAC and premium capacitors for enthusiast-grade audio performance.

1. ESS®ESS® ES9023P: creates a perfect balance for top-tier audio clarity capable of 112db DNR /-94dB THD+N for superior front-panel output.
2. S1220 Codec: 10 DAC channels provide simultaneous 7.1-channel playback, independent 2.0-channel, multiple-stream stereo to front-panel outputs.
3. Switching MOSFETS: Unique design allows the codec's impedance-sensing function to be ported with either the front or rear headphone outputs.
4. Nichicon® CAPS: Fine-quality Japanese-made components that produce a warmer, natural sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity.

Sonic Studio supports HRTF-based (head-related transfer function*) virtual surround for VR headsets, casting an immersive aural landscape that draws you deeper into the action. The intuitive Sonic Studio interface also offers a range of EQ options and one-click presets, allowing you to tailor acoustics to suit personal preferences or the characteristics of your headset.

ROG Maximus XII Extreme includes a pre-loaded DTS Sound Unbound app that envelops you in audio as never before, conjuring whole new levels of immersion for extraordinary gaming and entertainment experiences. By exploiting Windows Sonic spatial technology, DTS Sound Unbound delivers audio in a virtual 3D space — putting you right in the middle of the soundscape, where you can sense the location and direction of every gunshot, footstep or other sound in your virtual environment.