Asus ROG MAXIMUS XII FORMULA ATX LGA1200 Motherboard
Asus
Motherboard

Asus ROG MAXIMUS XII FORMULA ATX LGA1200 Motherboard

Key Features

Wi-Fi 6 PCIe 3.0 RAID Support 2.5GbE and 10GbE Ethernet CrossFire and SLI support
MSRP: $499
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Technical Specifications

MSRP
$499
Manufacturer
Asus
Socket
LGA1200
Chipset
Intel Z490
Form Factor
ATX
Memory
4 slots • max 128GB • DDR4 • speeds: DDR4-2133 to DDR4-4800 • No ECC
Expansion Slots
3x PCIe x16 • 1x PCIe x1 • 3x M.2 slots
Storage
6 SATA ports • SATA 6.0 Gb/s • RAID supported
Connectivity
Ethernet: ['2.5 Gb/s', '10 Gb/s'] • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 • Bluetooth 5.1
USB Ports
1x USB 3 2 GEN 2 • 2x USB 3 2 GEN 1
Headers
2x USB 2 0 • 2x USB 3 2 GEN 1 • 1x USB 3 2 GEN 2
Video
Onboard: No
Back Connect
No
VRM Phases
16

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Generous memory capacity support enables heavy multitasking and professional use
  • Robust VRM design with excellent power delivery for stable overclocking
  • Multiple M.2 slots provide excellent storage expansion options
  • Multiple PCIe x16 slots enable multi-GPU setups and professional expansion cards
  • Generous SATA port count supports large storage arrays and legacy drives
  • Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth eliminate need for separate wireless adapters
  • Full ATX form factor maximizes expansion slots and connectivity options
  • ASUS reputation for quality components and comprehensive BIOS features

Cons

  • End-of-life socket offers no future CPU upgrade options
  • DDR4 limitation disappointing at premium price point
  • SATA port count modest for premium full-size motherboard
  • No USB-C disappointing for current motherboard pricing

Community Insights

  • A frequent discussion point among users is the board’s exceptional build quality, featuring reinforced armor, high-end components, and robust VRMs. Many overclockers praise the Formula’s stability and reliability when pushing Intel 10th Gen CPUs to their limits, making it a favorite for enthusiasts seeking both performance and aesthetics.
  • Another popular topic is the integrated CrossChill EK III VRM water block, which allows for direct integration into custom water-cooling loops. Users often discuss the benefits of this feature for keeping VRM temperatures low during extreme overclocking, while some note that it adds extra value for high-end custom PC builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Maximus XII Formula support PCIe 4.0?
No, the Maximus XII Formula is based on Intel’s Z490 chipset and LGA1200 socket, which only supports PCIe 3.0. It does not natively support PCIe 4.0, even with 11th Gen CPUs.
Is WiFi and Bluetooth included on the Maximus XII Formula?
Yes, this motherboard comes with built-in WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1, providing high-speed wireless networking and connectivity out of the box.

Performance Guide & Use Cases

Best For
Cost-effective gaming builds
Professional video editing and 3D rendering
Small business servers and NAS builds
Extreme overclocking and benchmarking
Potential Bottlenecks
End-of-life platform offers no future CPU upgrade options
Overkill Scenarios
Basic builds not utilizing performance potential
Value-focused builds on older platforms
Modern single-GPU gaming where multi-GPU adds no benefit
Avoid For
Future-proofing builds requiring latest CPU architectures
New builds wanting long-term CPU upgrade paths
Cost-conscious builds prioritizing performance per dollar
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