ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero: AM5 motherboard features and who it suits

The ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is an ATX motherboard for AMD's AM5 socket. It is the central board for a high-end desktop PC: it holds the processor, memory, graphics card and storage, and it decides how fast they can talk to each other. ASUS builds it around DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7 and USB4. Here is what that means.

AM5 and processor support

The AM5 socket supports AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 series desktop processors, according to ASUS. That means you can choose from several Ryzen generations. Check ASUS's compatibility list for your exact CPU, since a BIOS update may be needed to recognize newer processors.

Power delivery

ASUS lists 18(110A)+2(110A)+2 power stages. The power stages convert the PC's power supply voltage into the lower, stable voltage the processor needs. More stages, each rated for a given current, spread the load and tend to help the board stay cool when the processor draws high power. ASUS adds ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy coils and premium metal capacitors. These are the parts that matter most for overclocking and heavy workloads.

DDR5 and PCIe 5.0

The board supports DDR5 memory, which offers higher speeds and bandwidth than DDR4 (the two are not interchangeable). ASUS says it has comprehensive PCIe 5.0 support, including for next-generation graphics cards. PCIe 5.0 doubles the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, and the benefit shows mostly with the newest graphics cards and fast SSDs. ASUS lists five M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, which is generous for storage-heavy builds.

Connectivity

The board lists Wi-Fi 7 and USB4. Wi-Fi 7 is the newest wireless standard, which needs a compatible router to show its full benefit. USB4 offers fast data transfer and display connections over USB-C. Check the manual for the full port layout.

AI and overclocking features

ASUS highlights AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking II and AEMP, which are meant to simplify setup and tune performance automatically. The ROG Strix Overclocking Technologies include Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, Asynchronous Clock and PBO Enhancement. These are features for people who want to tune their systems, but they are optional. You can run the board at default settings.

Looks

The design uses dark hues, nickel-plated surfaces and metallic textures, with a stereoscopic effect on the large M.2 and chipset heatsink. The I/O shroud has Polymo Lighting II, an RGB lighting module around the ROG logo.

Who it suits

It suits enthusiasts building a high-end Ryzen desktop who want strong power delivery, many storage slots and the latest connectivity. If you build a modest PC, a less feature-rich board will do.

What to check before you buy

• Processor: confirm your Ryzen chip works with this board, and whether a BIOS update is needed.
• Memory: you need DDR5 modules, and the manual lists supported speeds.
• Case: ATX boards measure about 9.6 x 12 inches, so make sure your case takes the ATX size.
• Cooler and power supply: check socket compatibility and the connectors your power supply provides.
• Storage and network needs: confirm the M.2 slots, USB4 and Wi-Fi 7 match what you plan to use.

The short version

• ATX board for the AMD AM5 socket and Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 series processors.
• 18(110A)+2(110A)+2 power stages.
• DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 support.
• Five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and USB4.
• AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II and Polymo Lighting II.

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