Asus ROG Maximus IX Extreme Motherboard Comes With Preinstalled Monoblock Cooler

Asus announced the immediate availability of the ROG Maximus IX Extreme motherboard. In addition to features found on high-performance Z270 gaming motherboards such as support for 6th and 7th generation Intel Core desktop processors, DDR4 support up to 4,133MHz, dual PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for SLI and CrossFireX, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Type-A/C, and an Intel Optane-ready M.2 socket, this motherboard also includes an integrated monoblock developed in conjunction with Bitspower.

Unlike the EK monoblocks unveiled last week that are designed specifically for Asus' ROG motherboards, this integrated monoblock is engineered to not only cool both the processor and VRM circuitry, but the integrated M.2 heatsink, as well. This is important because these components are traditionally cooled by utilizing the excess airflow provided by your CPU air cooler. Lack of airflow to these components can lead to overheating and system instability. The Bitspower monoblock remedies that problem by placing active cooling directly on these components.   

On the inside of the water block, you’ll find embedded temperature and flow-rate sensors as well as a built-in leak detector. These are designed to monitor your system in real time to automatically shut the system down in the event of a leak.

The Bitspower monoblock, IO cover, logo, and RGB headers are able to display a range of RGB lighting effects such as breathing, strobing, pulsing, music effect, rainbow, and more. The RGB lighting can even be set to change color to reflect CPU temperature and load. The Maximus IX Extreme even has color-coded and LED-illuminated 3.5mm audio connectors.  

The Asus ROG Maximus IX Extreme also boasts a number of exclusive features, including a pre-mounted I/O shield, strengthened SafeSlot PCI Express slots, SafeDIMM memory slots, and a copper-plated PCB edge. Asus’ Extreme Engine Digi+ is composed of NexFET MOSFETs, MicroFine alloy chokes, Digi+ PWM controller, and 10K black metallic capacitors.

Finally, there are a total of 12 fan connectors on this motherboard that are strategically placed for use with water cooling components such as fans and water pumps. There are also headers on the motherboard for additional flow rate and temperature sensors for end users who want to run a secondary water cooling loop.

The motherboard is available now at “leading resellers” in North America with an MSRP of $629.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CPU SupportIntel Socket 1151 for 6th and 7th Gen Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, Celeron CPUs
ChipsetZ270
Memory 4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 4,133, 4,000, 3,866, 3,800, 3,733, 3,600, 3,500, 3,466, 3,400, 2,666, 2,400MHz memory
Multi-GPUSupportNvidia 2-Way SLI Technology AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology
Expansion Slots 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (Single at x16, dual at x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4
Storage1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)*2Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10Supports Intel® Smart Response TechnologyIntel Rapid Storage Technology supportsIntel Optane Memory Ready
LAN / WiFiIntel I219VAnti-surge LANGuardROG GameFirst IVWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acSupports MU-MIMOBluetooth V4.1*5
AudioROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking- High quality 113 dB SNR stereo playback output and 110 dB SNR recording input- SupremeFX Shielding Technology- ESS® ES9023P- Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback
USB PortsASMedia USB 3.1 controller: 1 x USB 3.1 front panel connector port(s) Intel USB 3.1 controller: 2 x USB 3.1 port(s) (2 at back panel, )Intel Z270 Chipset: 6 x USB port(s) (4 at back panel, )ASMedia USB 3.0 controller: 2 x USB port(s) (2 at back panel, )Intel Z270 Chipset:4 x USB 2.0 port(s)
ROG Exclusive FeaturesClear CMOS buttonROG RAMCache IIROG CPU-ZROG CloneDrivePre-mounted I/O ShieldMemOK! ButtonSlow ModeReTry ButtonSafe Boot ButtonStart ButtonReset ButtonLN2 ModeGameFirst IVROG AuraExtreme Engine Digi+Mem TweakItKeyBot IIUEFI BIOS features:- O.C. Profile- Tweakers' Paradise- ROG SSD Secure Erase- Graphic Card Information PreviewROG RAMDiskExtreme TweakerUSB BIOS Flashback
Special FeaturesAsus Dual Intelligent Processors 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5:- 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ VRM, Fan Expert 4, and Turbo AppSafeDIMM slotAsus Exclusive Features:- MemOK!- AI Suite 3- Ai Charger Asus Q-Design:- Asus Q-Code- Asus Q-LED ()- Asus Q-DIMM - Asus Q-ConnectorGaming Aesthetics:- 3D printing friendlyOverclocking Protection :- Asus C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Rear I/O1 x DisplayPort1 x HDMI1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)2 x USB 3.1 ()Type-A + Type-C6 x USB 3.0 (blue) 1 x Optical S/PDIF out1 x Clear CMOS button(s)1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)5 x LED-illuminated audio jacks
Internal I/O1 x AAFP connector2 x Aura RGB Strip Headers1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)1 x TPM connector(s) 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 2 x W_PUMP+ connector 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)1 x 4-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector(s)1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)1 x Slow Mode switch(es)1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)1 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector)1 x Power-on button(s)1 x Reset button(s)1 x BIOS Switch button(s)1 x Clear CMOS button(s)1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)1 x LN2 Mode jumper(s)1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s)1 x Safe Boot button1 x ReTry button1 x T_Sensor Connector2 x W_Pump+ Header1 x EXT_Fan header1 x W_IN header1 x W_OUT header1 x W_FLOW header1 x USB 3.1 front panel connector1 x MemOK! Button1 x RSVD Switch1 x 9 pin Monoblock sensor8 x Radiator Fan Headers
BIOS2 x 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, F9 Quick Note, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut functions and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.
OSWindows 10 64-bitWindows 8.1 64-bitWindows 7 32-bitWindows 7 64-bit
Form FactorExtended ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 10.7 inch ( 30.5 cm x 27.2 cm )
Price$629
  • Glock24
    Given the recent trends, I'll consider no (decorative) LEDs a feature in anything I buy.
    Reply
  • Clamyboy74
    $629? What is this, a server board?
    Reply
  • Jokerfish
    Considering Asus quality control lately, the idea of dropping $700 (after tax and shipping) on a board and fully installing it in my loop before finding out it's DOA is asking a lot. I just went through 2 Maximus IX Formulas with the blocks preinstalled on them and was at least able to put them on test setups first. Both had to go back.
    Reply
  • daglesj
    Mmm yeah stick a Celeron in that baby!
    Reply
  • Scionero
    I'm glad they listed support for Pentium and Celeron processors, since that would be all I could afford after dropping $700 on the board.
    Reply
  • Amdlova
    that motherboard is waterproof =)
    Reply
  • caustin582
    There's really nothing "preinstalled" about this. It's a motherboard that comes with its own custom monoblock, but these two parts are separate in the box. This makes sense, since you would just have to remove it anyway in order to install your CPU.
    Reply
  • Fiqar_
    The aesthetics on this bad boy are amazing. I specially like the red tone that comes with it. So enticing!
    Reply