ASUS ROG Maximus X Formula Motherboard

Asus ROG Maximus X Formula Motherboard

Features

Intel Z370 ATX gaming motherboard with water-cooling features, Aura Sync RGB LEDs, DDR4 4133MHz, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, dual M.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 2

• LGA1151 socket for 8th Gen Intel® Coreâ„¢ desktop processors.
• CrossChill EK II and Water Cooling Zone: Keep your system cool when the action heats up.
• Leading personalization: Onboard LiveDash OLED and ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including headers for both standard and addressable RGB strips.
• Gaming Audio: SupremeFX and Sonic Studio III – High fidelity audio that draws you deeper into the action.
• 5-Way Optimization: ASUS 5-Way Optimization handles all the complex settings to drive performance further.
• All the connectivity you need: Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 2x2 802.11ac MU-MIMO Wi-Fi, front-panel USB 3.1 and dual M.2.
• Best gaming durability: ROG RGB Armor, pre-mounted I/O shield and premium components throughout.

Overview

Drawing from a heritage that spans more than a decade, the latest incarnation of the Maximus series augments Intel's Z370 chipset with all the enhancements that enthusiasts crave. Each model sports a unique blend of features to cater to a distinct audience, yet the core ROG DNA ripples through the entire lineup. From overclocking and cooling options to satiate die-hard fanatics, to clean, refined aesthetics that are tastefully accented by RGB lighting, Maximus X-series motherboards bring the octane to your build.

THE EVOLUTIONARY FORMULA

Generation after generation, ROG takes the Maximus Formula to new heights. Follow its evolution, from inception, all the way to the latest incarnation.

ROG MAXIMUS FORMULA

The first Maximus Formula motherboard was launched in 2008. In its first guise, the Formula followed the footsteps of the ubiquitous Maximus Extreme. Armed with robust heatsinks, essential overclocking features, and a dedicated soundcard, the Formula targeted gamers who wanted a performance edge.

ROG MAXIMUS II FORMULA

Aesthetics were refined for the second iteration. Grey and black anodized heatsinks replaced the copper colored arrays of the first Formula, while red accents added a dash of personality. The classic ROG logo also made its first showing.

ROG MAXIMUS III FORMULA

In 2010, the Formula made its third outing. A backlit ROG logo was added at mid-board, and the blue and the white slots of previous models were ditched in favor of a black and red pairing a color theme that became iconic in the industry. Audio trends were also changing. Online play demanded focused audio, so gamers replaced their cluttered multi-channel speaker setups with headsets. The bundled SupremeFX IV soundcard evolved to follow suit, featuring a dedicated amp capable of driving a wide range of cans.

ROG MAXIMUS V FORMULA

With Intel releasing chipsets back to back, development timeframes were too short for an IV Formula. However, the path was clear for a dramatic comeback in 2012. Water cooling was growing in popularity, and enthusiasts were starting to favor clean looking builds. The Maximus V Formula was equipped with a hybrid design VRM heatsink cooled with air or water. And to save slot space, the dedicated soundcard of previous models was replaced with a radically redesigned onboard audio solution that set new performance standards.

ROG MAXIMUS VI FORMULA

Six generations in, the Formula raised the bar on multiple fronts. ROG armor was added to elevate builds to showcase standards, while the rear of the board was structurally reinforced by a steel backplate. CrossChill hybrid cooling adopted G1/4 threads to accommodate the latest water-cooling fittings. And onboard audio took another leap forwards by utilizing a dedicated DAC and a more robust headphone amplifier to deliver crystal-clear sound to hi-fidelity headphones.

ROG MAXIMUS VII FORMULA

Number VII continued the process of refinement. The CrossChill hybrid VRM heatsink was upgraded with a copper water channel to improve thermal transfer. Slots and ports received a simple cosmetic overhaul, utilizing color-matched levers as opposed to the white latches of previous models.

ROG MAXIMUS VIII FORMULA

RGB lighting and a monochromatic theme made its way to the Maximus VIII Formula, allowing enthusiasts to tastefully accent their build with color. For the first time, we teamed up with water cooling specialists at EK, who helped enhance the Formula's hybrid water block to offer even better performance.

ROG MAXIMUS IX FORMULA

The ninth incarnation focused on attention to detail. We pioneered the integrated I/O shield to make DIY more convenient and to ensure a snug fit for all chassis. Unlike iteration VIII, the Maximus IX Formula featured extra RGB lighting zones for the onboard power buttons and the PCIe slot latches, adding a sense of balance to the aesthetics.

ROG MAXIMUS X FORMULA

A decade of refinement brings us to the Maximus X Formula. Painstakingly crafted for showcase builds, and carefully enhanced to deliver optimal performance, the latest incarnation strikes the perfect balance between function and form.

OPTIMAL COOLING

EXPERTLY TOOLED TOTALLY COOLED

CROSSCHILL EK II

CrossChill EK II lets you cool with air or water, no fan required! Redesigned cooling fins deliver up to 35C-lower MOSFET temperatures on water, and the standard G1/4" threaded fittings mean CrossChill EK II easily fits existing setups so you you'll benefit from efficient, quiet cooling with the minimum of effort!

• G1/4" threaded design

• Watertight rubber gasket
• Copper water channel
• Multitude of radiating Fin

M.2 HEATSINK

ROG Maximus X Formula is equipped with an M.2 heatsink integrated into the PCH heatsink. With a huge cooling surface, the heatsink perfectly chills an inserted M.2 SSD for maximum performance and reliability. Featuring a stylish angular design replete with an awesome glowing ROG eye logo, the heatsink adds a beautiful touch to the build, while the T-sensor allows you to connect a thermal probe and monitor M.2 drive temperatures in real time.

COOLER BY DESIGN

ROG Maximus X Formula features the most comprehensive cooling controls ever, configurable via Fan Xpert 4 or the UEFI BIOS:

Multiple temperature sources

Each header can be set to monitor and react to three user-configurable thermal sensors, for workload based cooling. All easily managed by Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI.

Water pump

A dedicated header that can supply over 3A to high-performance PWM or DC water pumps.

4-pin PWM/DC fan

Every onboard header supports auto-detection of PWM or DC fans.

*W_PUMP+ and AIO PUMP are also PWM/DC controllable.

Fan Extension Header

Allows expansion of three additional DC or PWM fan headers, plus three thermal-probe headers.

Smart protection

A dedicated integrated circuit that protects each fan header from over-temperature and over-current.

Water in/out

Allows for monitoring of temperature at the input/out of any component.

Water flow

Allows for constant monitoring of the flow rate of entire loop

AIO pump

A dedicated PWM/DC header for self-contained water-cooling setups.

CUSTOMIZATION

LiveDash OLED

Maximus X Formula is equipped with LiveDash, a built-in 1.3" OLED panel that displays useful information and customizable graphics. During the power-on, self-test (POST) phase, LiveDash shows key progress stats in simple language and via traditional POST codes. Then, during normal operation, the panel shows a choice of CPU frequency, device temperatures, fan speeds or information from the Water Cooling Zone. You're even able to customize the default LiveDash GIF, so that it'll display your own image or animation.

AURA SYNC

ASUS Aura offers full RGB lighting control with a variety of functional presets for the built-in RGB LEDs as well as strips connected to the onboard RGB headers. And it can all be synced with an ever-growing portfolio of Aura-capable ASUS hardware.

• Static Always on
• Breathing Fades in and out
• Strobing Flashes on and off
• Color cycle Fades between the colors of the rain- bow
• Music effect Pulses to the beat of your music
• Smart Changes color with CPU load
• Rainbow A rolling multi-color glow
• Comet A stream of light with a tail
• Flash & dash Single-color stepped flashes
• Wave An undulating display in single or multi-color
• Glowing Yo Yo A rebounding elastic beam
• Starry night A display that mimics the nighttime sky

RGB LIGHTING PERFECTED

Maximus X Formula features a pair of onboard 5050 RGB headers and a pair of addressable headers that can be connected to compatible lighting strips, fans, coolers, and PC cases, creating a new world of illumination possibilities.

*The addressable RGB header supports WS2812B addressable RGB LED strips (5V/Data/Ground), with a max power rating of 3A (5V) and a max of 60 LEDs.
*The Aura RGB-strip header supports 5050 RGB LED strips with a max power rating of 3A (12V). For maximum brightness, strip length should not exceed 3m.
*RGB and addressable RGB LED extension cables are included. LED strips and Aura Sync-compatible devices are sold separately.

AURA LIGHTING CONTROL

ASUS Aura has evolved and is friendlier than ever.

Aura now supports RGB color codes, for easier setup

You can also customize temperature thresholds to choose how CPU and GPU temps are expressed via RGB lighting

INFINITE LIGHTING POSSIBILITIES

ASUS Aura SDK allows developers to take full advantage of the vast eco-system of Aura Sync-capable PC gear. From in-system illumination to peripherals and beyond, the SDK provides an evolving toolkit of options to enhance games and software with RGB lighting. Game effects, alerts, and audio can all be portrayed via Aura-compatible hardware, creating subtle or dazzling visual cues to augment the action. There's also scope to map system parameters such as temperatures to lighting, giving enthusiasts new ways to monitor vital information.

CONNECTIVITY YOU NEED

2X2 802.11 AC WIFI WITH MU-MIMO

ROG Maximus X Formula is engineered with 2x2 dual-band 2.4/5GHz antennas for up to 867Mbps* transfer speeds and the very latest Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology** to ensure that every connected user experiences the best wireless and online speeds!

* Actual speed varies, and Wi-Fi hotspot feature operates at 802.11a/b/g/n Windows 10 does not currently support Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
** Requires MU-MIMO-ready client.

INTEL ETHERNET

Featuring the latest IntelEthernet(I219-V) for faster, smoother gaming. Intel Ethernet controllers have a natural synergy with their CPUs and chipstes, reducing processor overhead and offering exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput, so there's more power for games and other tasks.

PUMPED-UP THROUGHPUT. BEST SURGE PROTECTION

LANGUARD

LANGuard means safer, more reliable connections for your battles! Advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounting processes join forces to protect your ROG Maximus X Formula motherboard's connection, plus electrostatically guarded and surge-protected components (ESD Guards) for 1.9x greater tolerance to static electricity and 2.5x greater protection (up to 15kV) against surges!

TEAM UP TO BANISH LAG

GAMEFIRST IV

GameFirst IV optimizes network traffic for faster, lag-free online gaming and now we've added Multi-Gate Teaming to team all your networks for gargantuan bandwidth and the smoothest-ever gameplay. You'll also enjoy all-new Intelligent mode, which automatically compiles a database by parsing new app data to ensure that every game is optimized for the best performance.

DUAL PCIE GEN3 M.2

ROG Maximus X Formula supports two M.2 drives, delivering lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 32Gbps. The first slot sits neatly below the PCH heatsink, and accommodates M.2 drives of up to 110mm in length (type 22110). The second slot is placed at the lower edge of the board and is oriented for vertical mounting, taking advantage of chassis airflow to help keep your high-performance M.2 drive cool.

SPEED UP WITH 2 ONBOARD M.2 UP TO 32GBIT/S

PERFORMANCE

DDR4 OC 4133MHZ+

ASUS OptiMem preserves memory signal integrity by routing memory traces and vias to the optimal PCB layer, and our T-Topology layout ensures time-aligned signaling by balancing trace lengths between memory slots. These enhancements lead to more headroom for overclocking and improved stability, allowing memory speeds of DDR4-4133 and beyond with all slots populated.

OC DESIGN- ASUS PRO CLOCK II TECHNOLOGY

A dedicated base-clock (BCLK) generator that extends CPU and memory overclocking margins. This custom solution works in tandem with the TPU to enhance voltage and base-clock overclocking control, providing the flexibility to extract every ounce of performance from 8th Generation Intel processors.

5-WAY OPTIMIZATION

ONE-CLICK OVERCLOCK AND COOLING, DONE!

One click is all you need to take care of all that complex tuning. ASUS 5-Way Optimization makes your PC smart. It dynamically optimizes essential aspects of the system, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailored for your rig.

• An automated tuning utility that optimizes overclocking and cooling profiles for your unique system configuration.
• Fans stay whisper-quiet for everyday computing, and deliver optimal airflow when the system is crunching through CPU or GPU-intensive tasks.
• All-new stress test that allows users to optimize and overclock for CPU or memory-centric workloads.

CPU PERFORMANCE BOOST

Unleash your PC's full performance with the ASUS AI Suite 3 utility. The TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) is the intelligence behind our automated system-tuning utility, offering the ability to fine-tune voltages, monitor system stats, and adjust overclock parameters for optimal performance.

ALL-ROUND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With the Energy Processing Unit (EPU) you'll enjoy system-wide power savings. The EPU automatically optimizes power consumption and maximizes savings with Away mode a smart setting that creates an extreme energy-saving scenario by shutting down unused I/O controllers.

FLEXIBLE COOLING CONTROLS FOR AIR OR LIQUID

With Maximus X Formula you have comprehensive control over fans, water pumps and even all-in-one (AIO) coolers, via either Fan Expert 4 or our award-winning 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.

PRECISE DIGITAL POWER CONTROL

ROG's Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) delivers real-time control over voltage droop, switching frequency and power -efficiency settings, allowing you to fine-tune CPU voltage regulation for ultimate stability and performance.

OPTIMIZE PER-CORE PERFORMANCE FOR EVERY APP

Intel's latest processors feature per-core tuning, and the ASUS Turbo Core app makes use of this feature by enabling you to assign applications to specific processor cores, allowing you to prioritize compute power where it's needed most.

MEDIA-ACCLAIMED UEFI BIOS

The smoothest, slickest mouse-controlled graphical BIOS has been improved to make it even more gorgeous. Whether you're a PC novice or a seasoned overclocker, the EZ and Advanced Modes help you find your way, quickly and easily.

EZ MODE

EZ Tuning Wizard

OC and RAID. Select your hardware and apply different scenarios to tune system performance, or streamline your RAID configuration for faster data retrieval and backups.

Intuitive graphical fan control

Fine-tune individual fans simply by dragging a curve with the mouse.

SATA Information

View SATA port details for easy device recognition.

Fast Clock Adjustment

Use mouse controls to change the time and date.

ADVANCED MODE

My Favorites

Quickly find tuning options and add preferred tools to the list.

EZ Flash 3

Flash the latest BIOS via the internet from within the BIOS.

SMART

Check up your storages devices' Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology logs to gauge reliability and to identify potential failures.

GPU POST

Automatically detect selected ASUS graphics cards to view detailed information.

Secure Erase

Restore your SSDs to factory-fresh condition.

Last Modified Log

Track the latest changes and save preferred profiles onto a USB drive.

SATA Port Renaming

Rename SATA ports for easy identification.

BEST GAMING AUDIO

SupremeFX

ROG's awesome SupremeFX audio technology has levelled up, delivering an exceptional 113dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection and that means our best-ever recording quality. We've also added a low-dropout regulator for cleaner power delivery to the SupremeFX S1220 codec, an ESSSabre Hi-Fi ES9023P digital-to-analog converter for superior front-panel output, and a Texas InstrumentsRC4580 op-amp for high gain with low distortion which all adds up to audio that envelops you as never before.

S1220 CODEC

10 DAC channels, simultaneous 7.1 channel playback, independent 2.0-channel, multiple-stream stereo to front panel outputs

ESS® SABRE9023P DAC

Creates a perfect balance for top-tier audio clarity capable of -112dB THD

NICHICON CAPS

Fine-quality Japanese-made components that produce a warmer, natural sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity. GOLD-PLATED AUDIO JACKS Prevents oxidization to ensure a reliable connection

GOLD-PLATED AUDIO JACKS

Prevents oxidization to ensure a reliable connection

SWITCHING MOSFETS

Unique design allows the codec's impedance-sensing function to be ported with either the front or rear headphone outputs

SONIC STUDIO III

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, allowing you to tailor acoustics to suit personal preferences or the characteristics of your headset.

APP-SPECIFIC PROFILES

Apply customized audio settings to different applications, so everything you do is perfectly tuned to the way you want to listen

SURROUND SOUND

Surround sound for a truly immersive audio experience

SONIC STUDIO LINK

New Sonic Studio Link VR functionality extends its HRTF effects to headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

SCAN AND DETECT TO DOMINATE!

SONIC RADAR III

Sonic Radar III features an evolved audio engine that processes sounds more accurately than ever, ensuring you're always aware of what's going on around you. A new on-screen arrow has also been added to help you pinpoint the enemy position instantly!

IMPROVED AUDIO ALGORITHM

The new Sonic Radar audio algorithm is now even more accurate to allow enemies to be pinpointed with even more accuracy.

3D ENGINE

Sonic Radar III is built around it's all new HUD with an in-game 3 dimensional arrow for a more intuitive experience.

AUDIO BOOST

The new audio boost feature now allows the boosted audio to be heard directly.

AUDIO RADAR

Sonic Radar 3 is effective regardless of surrounding noise and chaos.

DIY FRIENDLY DESIGN

ROG ARMOR

STRONG ABS TOP COVER

A tough, thermoplastic top-plate helps to keep your build neat and tidy, and adds style that's both unique and understated.

SOLID STEEL BACKPLATE

The steel, electro-galvanized, cold-rolled coil construction strengthens Maximus X Formula to prevent bending, and is finished in motherboard-matching black.

PRE-MOUNTED I/O SHIELD

ROG's patent-pending pre-mounted I/O shield offers increased protection against electrostatic discharge of up to 12kV and is pre-fitted to make it even easier to install the motherboard. Its sleek new design that makes it look as good as it performs.

SAFESLOT

2X slots Provides stronger PCIe device retention and greater shearing resistance.

ESD GUARDS

2X greater electrostatic protection than standard. ESD Guards cover the USB, audio and LAN ports.

TRUEVOLT USB

2 dedicated Supplies provide rock-steady 5V to all USB ports, minimizing power fluctuations to ensure a reliable data connection.

Q-CONNECTOR

1 piece sorts all front-panel cables

Q-SLOT

1 clip to swap or secure your graphics card

Q-DIMM

1 sided clips for super-simple, super-secure handling of memory modules

ROG GIVES YOU MORE

OVERWOLF

Overwolf is a clever, unobtrusive overlay that keeps you in the game and allows you to browse the Web, email, IM, stream or record while you play. The overlay features color-matched ROG skins that show you're part of an elite pack. Grab it now from the Overwolf Appstore!

• In-game dock - 5 customizable apps
• In-game calling - 0 missed calls during gaming
• Multi-IM support - 5+ clients in a single interface

CLONE YOUR DRIVE THE SMART WAY

ROG CLONE DRIVE

ROG Clone Drive is the smart, convenient cloning solution that quickly and efficiently replicates hard drives or SSDs. Clone Drive is so smart that it can clone one drive to two target drives at the same time, or image any file from your disk at breakneck speeds.

THE CACHE THAT WORKS IN A FLASH

RAMCACHE

ROG's uniquely intelligent technology effectively caches an entire storage device so that favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds, getting to work the moment it's activated. RAMCache turns milliseconds into microseconds to boost game-load times to stratospheric levels!

Automatically caches all your storage devices at the same time for optimal use of your systems caching resources

THE FREE KEYBOARD UPGRADE—UPGRADED

KEYBOT II

Get a free keyboard upgrade from an exclusive microprocessor and also intuitive user interface. Record macros directly from the keyboard; switch profiles in moments; enable special functions with hotkeys from F1 to F10; or start and even boost your PC from shutdown (S5 mode)!

• AI Suite 3 - One-stop control panel
• ROG theme CPU-Z - Shows your important system information with pride
• Mem TweakIt - Dynamic timing monitoring, DRAM efficiency gauge
• RAMDisk - Boost your favorite applications up to 20X faster than SSD with the junction function
• Kaspersky® Anti-Virus (1 year) -The best protection from viruses and spyware
• DAEMON tools software - The leading tool for optical and virtual discs
• PC Cleaner - Accelerate your PC by eliminating clogs with simple click

BEYOND VR READY

ROG Maximus X Formula isn't just VR ready it goes way beyond! The ASUS ROG Beyond VR Ready marque means that ROG Maximus X Formula has been tested with loads of class-leading components to ensure that your productivity, gaming and entertainment needs are tuned for maximum performance. ASUS ROG Beyond VR Ready opens up a new way to configure and build your dream system with total confidence.

THE POWER OF INTEL

Intel® Z370 chipset

The Intel Z370 chipset supports 8^thGeneration IntelCore processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. Additionally, the Z370 provides a maximum of 10 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, six SATA 6Gbps ports, and 32Gbps M.2 and PCIe 3.0 lane speed support, for faster data retrieval. Intel Z370 also supports integrated-graphics, so you'll enjoy the very latest in graphics performance.

Ready for 8th Generation Intel LGA1151 Core processors

This motherboard supports 8^thGeneration IntelCore processors in the LGA1151 package, with integrated graphics, memory and PCI Express controllers to support onboard graphics output with dedicated chipsets, dual-channel (4-DIMM) DDR4 memory and 16 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 lanes for great performance.

Specifications