Asus rog mb

[MegaManDave]

Hi All,

Any advice I'm looking at two motherboards for a new rig and wanted to know which one is best:ASUS Z370 Maximus X Hero or the Apex?

I understand the the Apex is more for a tweaker, but that's it!

Thanks in advance.

 

[tannji]

The Apex allows for 4 M.2 NVME drives mounted on 2 daughter cards next to the Ram DIMM slots. 2 use PCH and 2 connect thru the CPU. PCIe lanes and this DIMM.2 tech is why I went Apex. If you don't need the extra PCIe lanes, and do not anticipate needing more robust options for your NVMe drives, the Hero is a more accessible option.

 

[tinytomlogan]

The hero is more mainstream.

The Apex has the funky look with cut outs and less memory slots to make more overclocking / benchmark focused.

 

[MegaManDave]

Ok... This is my new system options for my new rig:

Intel i7 8700k
G.Skill Trident Z 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-28800C17 3600MHz Dual Channel Kit
Corsair CW-9060027-WW Hydro Series H115i 280 mm Extreme Performance
Samsung 960 PRO M.2-2280 512GB PCI Express 3.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drive
EVGA GTX 1080 TI FTW3

So my question now is: Will the Apex be overkill or should I stick with the Hero X?

One last thing I currently have 3 SSDs and 2 mechanic drives in my existing rig.

Thanks again in advance.

 

[AlienALX]

I would wait. Not to go AMD (because it seems you are set on Intel) but more for the price drop it will bring from Intel.

Depends if you don't mind spending a little bit more.

 

[MegaManDave]

I will wait and that is a good point you have made. I just don't believe the Ryzen 2 clocks speeds will be able to match the 8700k - but hey... I maybe wrong!

 

[AlienALX]

I will wait and that is a good point you have made. I just don't believe the Ryzen 2 clocks speeds will be able to match the 8700k - but hey... I maybe wrong!

Oh they won't for sure but Intel are going to have to do something with their prices.

 

[MegaManDave]

Oh they won't for sure but Intel are going to have to do something with their prices.

That I didn't think of, but I will wait for sure.

But back to the MB... Your thoughts based on my specs?

 

[tannji]

I must be confused. I was unaware of an Apex board for Z370, Lol. Was trying to figure out how the 8700K related to the Rampage VI Apex.

 

[tannji]

Ok... This is my new system options for my new rig:

Intel i7 8700k
G.Skill Trident Z 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-28800C17 3600MHz Dual Channel Kit
Corsair CW-9060027-WW Hydro Series H115i 280 mm Extreme Performance
Samsung 960 PRO M.2-2280 512GB PCI Express 3.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drive
EVGA GTX 1080 TI FTW3

So my question now is: Will the Apex be overkill or should I stick with the Hero X?

One last thing I currently have 3 SSDs and 2 mechanic drives in my existing rig.

Thanks again in advance.

The only questions I would have is hiw many ssds are going in the build in addition to the NVMe drive (PCIe lane utilization) and perhaps going with TridentZ kit at 3200 and better timings over that 3600.

 

[MegaManDave]

The only questions I would have is hiw many ssds are going in the build in addition to the NVMe drive (PCIe lane utilization) and perhaps going with TridentZ kit at 3200 and better timings over that 3600.

3 sata SSDs. I'll take a look at the 3200 memory kit too.

 

[dugdiamond]

unless you are going to do alot of benchmarking do not get the apex.

also, take a look at asus's memory vendor list. you'll find that the apex has not got the variety like the hero has.

if the main purpose of your build is gaming and the occasional rendering (etc...) then the hero wins.

 

[MegaManDave]

Well guyz, I'd like to say a big 'Thanks' all that have helped and responded. I have today ordered the Hero X & 8700K with 16GB of GSkill 3200C14D