ROG-ZENITH-II-EXTREME | ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Motherboard

Asus ROG Zenith II Extreme Motherboard

Overview

AMD TRX40 E-ATX motherboard sTRX4 for 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper, with 16 power stages, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 10 Gbps Ethernet, USB3.2 Gen2x2, dual USB 3.2 front panel connector, five M.2, SATA and Aura Sync RGB

• Ready for AMD 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper Processors: Maximize connectivity and speed with up to five M.2 drives, USB3.2 Gen2x2 and AMD StoreMI
• Robust power delivery: Optimized power solution with 16 Infineon TDA21472 power stages, ProCool II power connectors, microfine alloy chokes and 10K capacitors
• Comprehensive thermal design: Active-cooling VRM heatsink, PCIe-zone M.2 aluminum heatsink, backplate, Fan Extension Card II and water-cooling zone
• High-performance networking: Onboard Aquantia 10 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO support, and GameFirst V technology
• Unmatched personalization: Color OLED display and ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including two additional RGB headers and two addressable headers
• Industry-leading ROG audio: SupremeFX S1220 and ESS SABRE9018Q2C for enthusiast-grade audio performance, featuring Japanese capacitors
• DIY-friendly design: Pre-mounted I/O shield, ASUS SafeSlot, BIOS FlashBack and FlexKey

ROG Zenith II Extreme

Expertly engineered for those who demand full control, ROG Zenith II Extreme is future-proofed, ready for anything in the pipeline. It's primed to unleash the full force of the latest 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper processors, while keeping thermals in check with a comprehensive cooling solution. Maximized lane bandwidth lets you connect up to 33 devices simultaneously, while every single PCIe x16 and M.2 slot is wired with PCIe 4.0 so you're free to equip next-gen graphics cards or NVMe drives without fear of bottlenecks. Massive power, massive bandwidth.

Teamed Power Architecture

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.

We became the first manufacturer to implement phase-doublers when we shipped our A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard, back in 2005. The board's VRM was lauded for elegantly overcoming the power handling capabilities of components that were available at the time and also reducing voltage ripple. Those benefits led to phase-doublers becoming universally accepted in the industry, and they are still used for similar purposes today.

While doublers help extend the number of effective phases, they do so at the cost of a processing delay.

However, the current crop of CPUs pack more cores than their predecessors, and the latest instruction sets allow them to crunch computationally-dense workloads at an incredible pace. As an added bonus, they also consume less power at idle and can transition between loads states much more quickly. These improvements necessitate a re-evaluation of power-design priorities because phase-doublers add a propagation delay that hampers transient response.

Fortunately, the latest integrated power components can handle higher currents than the devices of yesteryear, making it possible to implement a simple circuit topology that isn't hamstrung by the processing lag of phase-doublers. That's why ROG Zenith II Extreme utilizes teamed power stages to deliver higher burst current per phase, while maintaining the thermal performance of phase-doubled designs.

Each VRM component serves a specific purpose. PWM controllers and phase-doublers control the circuit, and the power stages do the heavy lifting from an electrical and thermal standpoint. That's why ROG Zenith II Extreme utilizes 16 Infineon TDA21472 power stages. The TDA21472 sits at the top of Infineon's lineup and features a low RDSON to reduce switching and conduction losses, helping to improve overall thermal headroom.

• Dual 8-pin & one 6-pin ProCool II power connectors
• Three ProCool II connectors ensure a snug and reliable connection to the EPS 12V power lines.
• Infineon TDA21472 power stage
• 16 Infineon TDA21472 power stages comprise the Zenith II Extreme VRM, each rated to handle 70 amps.
• MicroFine alloy chokes
• Each Power stage is accompanied by a high-permeability alloy-core choke rated to handle 45 amps.
• 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.

OPTIMEM III

Infused with proprietary memory trace layout tweaks that improve signal integrity and mitigate noise, OptiMem III allows memory kits to run at lower latencies and reduced voltages while operating at higher frequencies. Stack the Zenith II Extreme with your favorite modules and maximize latest Threadripper CPU throughput for applications that demand massive bandwidth, or balance Infinity Fabric and memory performance for a diverse range of workloads.

UEFI BIOS

The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.

5-Way Optimization

The dashboard-style control panel of AI Suite 3 lets you fine-tune almost every aspect of your ROG Zenith II Extreme system with ease. Get the best balance between performance, cooling, stability, and efficiency via one simple and intuitive interface.

• TPU
• EPU
• Fan Xpert 4
• Digital+ Power Controls
• Turbo Core APP

Accurate Voltage Monitoring

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. Zenith II Extreme features a differential-sensing circuit that simplifies overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately

CONNECTIVITY

Having the bandwidth to fuel multiple PCIe SSDs and graphics cards is part of the allure of high-end desktop platforms. ROG Zenith II Extreme fully exploits Threadripper's 64-lane capability, empowering you to connect up to 20 PCIe devices simultaneously. Every single PCIe x16 and M.2 is wired with PCIe 4.0, and the board also accelerates both wired and wireless networking with both Aquantia 10 Gbps Ethernet and the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) onboard.

Storage

ROG Zenith II Extreme supports up to five M.2 drives for maxed-out storage. Two ride the ROG DIMM.2 module, next to the memory slots, and support drives up to 110m. There are another two slots under the aluminum heatsink cover, with a fifth one at the rear of the board. Every one of these slots is wired to support full PCIe 4.0 bandwidth, so they're compatible with the very latest NVMe SSDs laying the foundation for the ultrafast transfer speeds needed to support machine-learning algorithms and drive higher-resolution game textures.

USB

The TRX40 platform is aimed at the most discerning content creators, so Zenith II Extreme implements the latest USB standards. Ready-to-use ports are located on the rear I/O panel, and there are front-panel connectors on the motherboard to let you put USB right where you need it.

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

The ROG Zenith II Extreme is compatible with the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. This newest USB standard doubles the transfer bandwidth by opening another USB 3.2 Gen 2 lane to achieve its maximum throughput of up to 20 Gbps.

USB 3.2 Gen 2 front-panel connectors

Two front-panel USB 3.2 connectors offer the ability to put USB ports at the front of the latest PC chassis, putting fast, convenient connectivity right at your fingertips.

NETWORKING

The beefed-up bandwidth doesn't stop with the TRX40 platform. We also equipped Zenith II Extreme with multiple networking technologies, so you can push throughput to the limits.

Wi-Fi 6 (AX200)

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.

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.

Intel Ethernet

ROG Zenith II Extreme features the latest Intel Ethernet (I211-AT) for faster, smoother gaming. This Intel controller has a natural synergy with Intel processors and chipsets, reducing CPU overhead and offering exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput so there's more power for games and other tasks.

COOLING

Great power requires great cooling, so ROG Zenith II Extreme employs large VRM heatsinks that strike the right balance between surface area and mass. The chipset heatsink integrates an active-cooling solution, helping to keep the underlying silicon stay cool under pressure, and also employs the same airflow to chill the SoC VRM. The extra-large heatsinks also cover multiple M.2 slots, meaning Zenith II Extreme is fully armed to provide the best foundation for extreme PC systems enabling higher performance at lower temperatures

Cooling Heatsinks

• VRM heatsink
• A VRM heatsink is placed on the MOSFETs and chokes, and the embedded heatpipe connects to the aluminum I/O cover.
• Aluminum I/O cover
• An aluminum I/O cover is connected to the primary heatsink via an embedded heatpipe, increasing mass and surface area.
• Aluminum heatsink cover
• The heatsink cover is crafted from pure aluminum to efficiently cool the two onboard M.2 drives.
• DIMM.2 heatsinks
• The ROG DIMM.2 module now passively cools M.2 drives with metal heatsinks that also keep your build looking clean.
• 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.
• SoC VRM Heatsink
• Designed to cool the vital motherboard chipset area.
• Chipset heatsink
• A chipset heatsink blends seamlessly with the aluminum heatsink cover and prominently features the ROG logo.

Active cooling VRM heatsink

Dual custom Delta Superflo fans located within the heatsink kick on after 60 C and allow the ROG Zenith II Extreme to handle sustained power draw of over 500 watts.

Active-cooling chipset heatsink

Under the chipset's aluminum heatsink is a fan that turns on above 60C. The SoC VRM is also positioned in the pathway of this fan's airflow, keeping it cooler during memory overclocking.

Active cooling chipset heatsink

1. CUSTOM DELTA SUPERFLO FANS

The custom low-noise fans features high-durability bearings with a 60,000-hour L10* lifespan.

* L10 bearing lifespan specifies the minimum number of hours that 90% of the bearings are expected to last.

2. FINNED HEATSINK

The heatsink fin density is optimized to maximize surface area while maintaining a low-resistance exhaust path.

3. AIR DUCT

A specially-designed air duct helps the fan generate static pressure and concentrates air flow over the fins.

Cooler by Design

ROG Zenith II Extreme features the most comprehensive cooling options ever.

• Multiple temperature sources
• 4-pin PWM/DC fan
• Heatsink Fan
• Bundled Fan Extension Card II

ROG Water-Cooling Zone

Dual water-temperature headers and a flow-rate header feed information straight into the AI Suite utility, allowing you to track coolant temperatures and the flow rate of the entire loop.

• Water pump+
• Water in/out
• Water flow
• Water-block header

Fan Extension Card II

ROG Zenith II Extreme includes our popular Fan Extension Card II, which adds six headers that are controllable via FanXpert 4. The card features three temperature-sensor headers to complement the one available onboard, and also comes with three thermistors that can be affixed to different components. In addition to supplying extra headers for cooling, it provides three RGB headers to provide illuminated effects for your RGB fan.

AUDIO

Sound is an integral part of gaming immersion. ROG Zenith II Extreme's onboard audio joins the latest SupremeFX S1220 codec with a high-end ESS Sabre DAC. Power users in particular pipe content through multiple devices, so our Sonic Studio III software has an intuitive management interface that lets you route sound from applications to specific outputs. The board even supports DTS Sound Unbound technology, to create three-dimensional audio soundscapes that draw you further into virtual worlds.

SUPREMEFX

ROG is renowned for superior onboard audio, and ROG Zenith II Extreme is no exception. The front-panel headphone output features a SABRE9018Q2C integrated DAC/amp capable of reaching -108dB THD+N to provide playback that conveys all the subtlety and nuances of even the highest-quality audio track. The improved resolution derived from the ESS Hyperstream DAC architecture expands the soundstage to give a better sense of positioning. Beyond resolution, the 120dB DNR provides an extremely low noise-floor, further accentuating dynamics and punch. And, when you want to shift priority to musicality, our Sonic Studio software provides an array of EQ options, allowing the sound signature to be tweaked to suit your cans.

• Makes it easy to find audio jacks even in the dark.
• High resolution audio that delivers punch without sacrificing nuance.
• 10 DAC channels provide simultaneous 7.1-channel playback, independent 2.0-channel, multiple-stream stereo to front-panel outputs
• Fine-quality Japanese-made components that produce a warmer, natural sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
• 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 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.

DTS : Sound Unbound

ROG Zenith II 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.

* DTS Sound Unbound requires in-game support. Check with developers for titles that offer support.

PERSONALIZE

In addition to extraordinary performance, ROG Zenith II Extreme provides extensive styling and customization options to let you build a system that truly stands apart.

Aura Sync

Grow Your Gaming World

Gear up with ROG components, from graphics and monitors to mice and keyboards. And up your game with complementary aesthetics, control and compatibility. The ROG ecosystem is more extensive than any competing brand, so enjoy greater choice as your system expands.

Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header

The Addressable Gen 2 headers are now capable of detecting the number of LEDs on second-gen addressable RGB devices, allowing the software to automatically tailor lighting effects to specific devices. The new headers also offer backward-compatibility with existing Aura RGB gear.

Gamefirst V Network Control

GameFirst V is an ROG-exclusive tool that lets you use a ROG router to build a ROG-networking ecosystem. Select the best Wi-Fi channel for maximum stability and minimum interference, optimize network traffic and your connection for lag-free online gaming, team your gateways and keep tabs on bandwidth-hogging apps all from an intuitive interface that enables easy, on-the-fly adjustments.

• Channel Switch
• Extreme Mode
• Prioritization
• Status Overlay

Ramcache III

RAMCache lll turns milliseconds into microseconds to boost game-load times. Fully compatible with the latest NVM Express storage options, its uniquely intelligent technology effectively caches a storage device so that favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds.

OLED

The ROG Zenith II Extreme is equipped with LiveDash, a built-in color OLED panel that displays useful information and customizable graphics. During the power-on, self-test (POST) phase, OLED shows key progress stats in simple language, using 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 also able to customize the default OLED GIF, so it'll display your own image or animation.

Armoury Crate

Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to provide centralized control of supported ROG gaming products. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate lets you easily customize RGB lighting and effects for every compatible device in your arsenal and synchronize them with Aura Sync for unied system lighting effects. The software also provides control of settings for a growing number of ROG products, making it easier to tune the look and feel of your system. Armoury Crate even offers dedicated product registration and ROG news feeds to help you stay in touch with the ROG gaming community.

THE POWER OF AMD

AMD TRX40 Chipset

The AMD TRX40 chipset delivers outstanding overclocking capabilities for the latest AMD Socket sTRX4 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper series processors. It provides PCIe 4.0 support, 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and eight SATA 6 Gbps ports for faster data retrieval.

Ready for AMD Socket sTRX4 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper

ROG Zenith II Extreme motherboard supports the latest 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Threadripper series processors that boast up to 32 cores. It features quad-channel DDR4 memory, 64 lanes of PCI Express 4.0, 16 GT/s transfer speed for Gen 4 M.2 SSDs, and built-in native USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) for superior performance.

Specifications