Question High-end 870 or 890 for a unique system

Dec 14, 2024
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Okay MB experts… Big Golf Simulator…

Talking about 890 or 870. With at least

1. 10 USB ports on rear, ideally 14 (I need at least 12, but can use internal connectors to add a 4-port extension.)
2. Two PCIe 5.0 slots that will run 8x8 (will run a 4080 Super on top, a 4070ti on bottom.)
3. Another PCIe 4.0 slot for a POE card running two high-speed swing cameras.

Ideally, the lower GPU will not crowd out the bottom PCIe 4 slot (I’m looking at you, ProArt 870?) But if it does, I need to find a way to mount everything.

I would go Intel 890, and the ROG Maximus z890 Apex looks really good, meeting all my criteria (the 4.0 slots being wisely placed above the 5.0 slots). My only concern: it is Intel, which brings two issues—one, the company is in serious trouble, and two, the new chips underwhelm. Still, I like the lower power, and arguably for GSPro, which is GPU driven, so maybe I don’t need a “gaming” monster…

Thoughts?