When building a new PC, it can be difficult to determine which motherboard is best for the job, but one that stands out, even among a slew of options, is the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero. With its sleek design, robust feature set, and cutting-edge technologies, it caters to enthusiasts looking to build a top-tier system, particularly for AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series processors. Priced at $699 USD, this motherboard falls on the premium end of the spectrum, but it offers a comprehensive slate of features that justify its cost for those who demand the best.
We have reviewed a fair share of ROG Crosshair motherboards over the years, but they never fail to impress, and the Crosshair X870E Hero continues that tradition. Its design is subtle yet premium, with metallic finishes and sleek contours that exude quality, along with small touches that make it stand out from other boards on the market. The Polymo Lighting 2.0 atop the rear I/O area adds a touch of elegance without being overly flashy. Unlike many motherboards that go overboard with RGB lighting, the X870E Hero strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality. The lighting can be customized via ASUS’s Aura Sync software, allowing users to match their build’s colour scheme.
While I do love well-designed lighting and flashy add-ons, it is the core feature set of the Crosshair X870E Hero that makes it such a solid choice for a new gaming or creative build. ASUS has taken the time to plan out the board to make it easy to work with while delivering solid performance. The inclusion of features like the M.2 Q-Release and Q-Latch mechanisms simplifies the installation and removal of SSDs, addressing one of the more frustrating aspects of building a PC.
The Q-Release Slim feature for the PCIe slots makes removing graphics cards easier than ever, eliminating the need to press awkwardly placed buttons or levers. These quality-of-life improvements reflect ASUS’s commitment to making the building process as user-friendly as possible.
“While I do love well-designed lighting and flashy add-ons, it is the core feature set of the Crosshair X870E Hero that makes it such a solid choice for a new gaming or creative build.”
The Crosshair X870E Hero is meticulously designed to maximize the performance potential of AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series processors. The motherboard features an 18+2+2 phase power delivery system with 110A stages, ensuring stable power even under extreme overclocking conditions. This robust VRM design makes it ideal for enthusiasts who want to push their systems to the limit. When paired with a modern PSU, this helps ensure your system is not only ready to take on any task you throw at it but is also built to last and withstand years of use.
The board also supports DDR5 memory with speeds up to DDR5-8600+ for Ryzen 8000 series processors and DDR5-8200+ for Ryzen 9000 series chips. While most users will be satisfied with more modest memory speeds, those looking to break records will appreciate the motherboard’s ability to handle extreme overclocking scenarios.
Additionally, ASUS’s NitroPath DRAM technology improves signal quality, helping users achieve higher memory frequencies with greater stability. ASUS has even delivered a special firmware feature called ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile (AEMP), specifically designed for PMIC-restricted memory modules—something great to see as the board is ready for new components, even if they are not yet commonplace or reasonably priced.
For cooling, ASUS has equipped the X870E Hero with large heat sinks connected by heat pipes that effectively manage VRM temperatures. During stress testing while benchmarking with high-end components like the Ryzen 9 9800X3D, temperatures remained well within acceptable limits. This is crucial for maintaining performance during extended gaming or rendering sessions.
“The Crosshair X870E Hero is meticulously designed to maximize the performance potential of AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series processors.”
The ROG Crosshair X870E Hero also steps things up with flexibility in storage, an aspect that many less expensive boards cannot compare to. The motherboard includes five M.2 slots, three of which support PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds. While plenty of boards offer a single PCIe 5.0 port, few offer a full five slots ready to be used for your next build. This makes it an excellent choice for users who need fast storage solutions, whether for gaming or professional workloads like video editing or 3D rendering.
In addition to its M.2 slots, the board offers two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots that can operate in x8/x8 mode when both are populated. This provides ample bandwidth for high-performance GPUs or other expansion cards, such as capture cards or additional storage controllers. While most people will not max out their system when they first assemble their new rig, the level of flexibility makes the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero an excellent choice for expandability and future-proofing for years to come.
On the networking front, ASUS has included both 5G and 2.5G LAN ports, catering to users who require high-speed wired connections for tasks such as streaming or large file transfers. Wi-Fi 7 support is also included, offering wireless speeds of up to 6.5 Gbps. While Wi-Fi 7 routers are still relatively rare on the market, this feature ensures you are ready for the latest standards, even if you personally don’t have it in place at your home, office or dorm yet.
Perhaps the biggest indication that you are using a high-end motherboard is the connectivity it offers. The rear I/O panel is well-equipped with ten USB ports, including dual USB4 Type-C ports capable of delivering up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds. There are also two additional USB-C ports rated at 10 Gbps and six USB Type-A ports rated at 10 Gbps each. This wealth of connectivity options ensures that users will have no trouble connecting all their peripherals, external storage devices, and other accessories.
I have always loved the way the ASUS ROG BIOS makes the process of configuration and tweaking intuitive, and the X870E Hero continues this tradition. The BIOS is packed with features aimed at both novice builders and seasoned overclockers. For beginners, EZ Mode provides an intuitive interface that simplifies tasks such as setting fan curves or enabling XMP profiles for memory overclocking. Advanced users can dive into more granular settings, such as voltage adjustments and memory timings. Additionally, you can use the Armory Crate software suite to make many changes, including updating the BIOS and adjusting settings and RGB lighting configurations.
I must say ASUS delivered a robust audio solution with the Crosshair X870E Hero. The audio system on the board is powered by a Realtek ALC4082 codec coupled with an ESS Sabre9219 Quad DAC, and it sounds impressive, especially for onboard audio. This combination delivers high-quality audio output suitable for both gamers and audiophiles. Features like auto-impedance sensing ensure that headphones are driven optimally regardless of their impedance rating. Do I think an external DAC will still deliver a more high-fidelity sound? Sure, but for an onboard audio offering, it delivers 99 per cent of what most people would need.
Despite how much I enjoyed testing this board, it all comes at a cost—at $699 USD, it is one of the most expensive AM5 motherboards on the market, and the most expensive one we have reviewed this year. While it offers a wealth of features that justify this price tag for enthusiasts and professionals, the average PC builder can find most of what they need in a more affordable offering. Even a board from ASUS TUF or the MSI MAG range could provide most of what you need, leaving you with some extra budget for more RAM or a nicer case.
I will also note that this year’s board does not come with the PCIe M.2 expansion card in the box—a feature included with previous models but omitted here due to the increased number of onboard M.2 slots. While not a dealbreaker, it would have been a nice inclusion given the board’s premium price point. It was also a feature I particularly liked, making the top-end board feel a bit more justified.
Despite that, the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is an exceptional motherboard that delivers top-tier performance across all fronts—whether you are gaming at high frame rates or pushing your system to new heights with overclocking experiments. Its robust power delivery system ensures stability even under extreme loads, while its extensive connectivity options make it future-proof for years to come. For those willing to invest in one of the best motherboards available today—and who need all the advanced features it offers—the Crosshair X870E Hero is difficult to beat.
- Ready for Advanced AI PC: Designed for the future of AI computing, with the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications
- AMD AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen 9000 & 8000 & 7000 Series Desktop Processors
