Intel® Z690 ATX motherboard with 24+0 power stages, DDR5, Five M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ Support, PCIe® 5.0, Onboard Wi-Fi 6E and Aura Sync RGB lighting Socket LGA1700 for 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive tools including AI Overclocking, AI Cooling, AI Networking and Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelation for easy configuration Robust Power Solution: 24+0 teamed power stages rated for 105 A, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors Optimized Thermal Design: Enlarged VRM heatsinks plus integrated aluminum I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pad, dual M.2 heatsinks with embedded backplates and ROG Water-Cooling Zone High Performance Networking: Onboard Wi-Fi 6E, Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet, and ASUS LANGuard. Fastest Gaming Connectivity: PCIe® 5.0, PCIE 5.0 M.2 card with Gen 5 M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 front-panel connector Industry Leading Audio: ROG SupremeFX ALC4080 codec with Savitech SV3H712 amplifier for high-fidelity audio Unmatched Personalization: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including one RGB header and three addressable Gen 2 RGB headers DIY Friendly Design: Pre-mounted I/O shield, PCIe Slot Q-Release, V-Latch switch, BIOS FlashBack™, Q-Code, FlexKey, Q-Connector, SafeSlot and ROG graphics card holder Renowned Software: Bundled 1-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription and intuitive UEFI BIOS dashboard with integrated MemTest86 ROG Maximus Z690 Apex ROG Maximus Z690 Apex is the premiere choice for those who seek a combination of raw speed and cutting-edge tech like DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and truckloads of power delivery for the most performant 12th Gen Intel Core processors available. Its streamlined layout is engineered for ultra-low latency and maximal bandwidth, to empower users to discover the limits of performance and define new world records. AUTO-EXTREME TECHNOLOGY Auto-Extreme Technology is an automated manufacturing process that sets new standards in the industry by allowing soldering to be completed in a single pass. This reduces thermal strain on components and avoids the use of harsh cleaning chemicals, resulting in less environmental impact, lower manufacturing power consumption, and a more reliable product overall. OVERCLOCKING ROG Maximus Z690 Apex makes overclocking accessible to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Its beef-up power solution caters to the demands of 12th Gen Intel processors, while ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile technology makes it easy to ramp up DDR5 performance. COOLING A comprehensive cooling solution is vital to a pursuit of performance. ROG Maximus Z690 Apex includes robust heatsinks and the ROG Water-Cooling Zone, a set of fan and sensor headers that help keep temperatures in check. CONNECTIVITY Maximus Z690 Apex delivers supersmooth WiFi 6E connectivity, extensive M.2 slots, and high-end audio - the essentials for any setup. OPTIMIZATION ROG Maximus Z690 Apex is packed with intuitive and flexible tools like 5-Way Optimization and a UEFI BIOS interface, giving users next-level control of system performance.