Overview: ROG Maximus IX Code

We're at generation IX (9) of the Maximius series and oooohhh there's a brand-new model from ROG! The Code.

Ready? Prepare yourself.

Now, scroll!

Based on the Intel Z270 chipset, the Maximus IX Code motherboard features an LGA1151 socket for the latest Intel 7th Generation Core processors. ROG is now as much about premium styling as it is cutting-edge enthusiast and gaming features and incredible overclocking. Like a blacksmith creating a new alloy, the new Code is all about forging these elemental properties together.

Like the Formula series, the Code takes the distinctive ROG Armor and brings it to more PC gamers and enthusiasts who are seeking that unique and premium look in their builds. New AURA Sync lighting adds to its aesthetic appeal, allowing you to match onboard RGB LEDS to AURA RGB equipped components like graphics cards, memory and compatible case lighting - driving it together as a single lighting array. Two AURA RGB 4-pin power headers are included for lighting peripherals.

The IX series also boasts a significantly upgraded SupremeFX audio solution on both the back and front panel, using a combination of new ALC S1220 codec, ESS ES9023 Saber DAC, Nichicon Premium, Japan-made audiophile-grade capacitors, SupremeFX Shielding Technology and Left/Right channel isolation. ASUS exclusive Sonic Studio III and Sonic Radar II is also included.

Dual PCI-Express Gen-3 4x NVMe M.2 storage interfaces (look at the bottom right: one pokes out at 90-degrees!) can power some seriously fast RAID-0 M.2 SSD setups, although if you still have a SATA-based M.2 SSD the primary port still supports SATA mode, allowing both PCI-E and SATA M.2 devices together on one board.

Networking is handled by 802.11ac 2T2R Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO, Bluetooth 4.1, and Intel i219-V Gigabit networking with LANGuard port, along with ASUS' latest GameFirst IV software.

There's a metric ton of USB ports to choose from, with USB 3.1 Type-C that can deliver power up to 15W of power, driving a whole new metric of potential peripherals.

Up to 64GB of DDR4 with XMP 2.0 is supported, with overclocked speeds accepted as fast as you can push those DIMMs. The DIMMS plug into a 3rd generation of T-Topology design within the PCB itself. Below, the two armored PCI-Express 16x slots support SLI and CrossFire dual-GPU (in 8x8x configuration), with a third 16x slot (4x bandwidth - 3-way CrossFireX supported), and a few 1x slots for peripherals.

For overclocking, as usual you can expect the best from ROG. The acclaimed Extreme Engine DIGI+ controls 8-phases of digitally powered NexFET MOSFET, microfine alloy chokes and 10K black metallic caps. Meanwhile the processor graphics and DDR4 DRAM receive two phase power each.

Within the ROG UEFI BIOS it continues leading the way with cutting edge options including new 'Pro-Clock' base-clock tweaking for the experienced enthusiast, but also, on the other hand there's also a wizard process for quick and simple OC and RAID setup.

Where ROG was the first to introduce the dedicated water-pump header, water-cooling enthusiasts have got another benefit with the addition of water-cooling temperature and flow sensing headers, two pump power headers and a high-amp fan header. These are in addition to the five other fan headers (that support both PWM and DC modes) and the Fan Extension Card that can add three more fan headers. All this is controlled by ASUS' Fan Xpert 4 software.