ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO Motherboard Review

In our latest review, we take a look at the flagship motherboard ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO. We will study its main characteristics and functionality in detail, and test it in conjunction with the processor. Ryzen 9 9950X and RAM Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5-8000 48 GB Limited Edition.

In this part of our review, we will focus on the key elements of the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO, including its design and hardware specifications.

Part of the premium Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineup, the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard is one of the most advanced solutions on the market for gamers and professionals looking to build a powerful system with the latest generation of AMD Ryzen processors. It features premium build quality, a rich set of overclocking and cooling features, and the stylish and aggressive design that is typical of the ROG series.

Packaging equipment

The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO's packaging immediately conveys a premium feel. The box is made in the signature black and red color scheme with the ROG logo on the front, which emphasizes the board's belonging to the enthusiast segment. The familiar ASUS packaging style immediately makes it clear that there is a high-end device inside. The box features key board specifications such as support for PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7, and DDR5 RAM, which immediately attracts the attention of tech enthusiasts.

When opening the box, the user is faced with a variety of additional accessories that simplify the installation and configuration of the system. The kit includes:

1. ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO Motherboard — the central element of the set.
2. Four SATA cables for connecting hard drives and solid state drives. This is a standard but necessary item for users who use multiple drives.
3. Proprietary Wi-Fi antenna Wi-Fi 7 standard. The antenna has an improved design to improve signal quality and convenient placement near the system unit.
4. M.2 SSD Installation Kit, including screws and rubber pads. This is an important element of the kit, as modern motherboards actively use the M.2 form factor to install high-speed NVMe drives.
5. Q connector — a small adapter for convenient connection of the front panel of the case. It significantly simplifies the process of installation and connection of the case to the motherboard, which is especially important for users who assemble a PC with their own hands.
6. RGB and ARGB cables for connecting LED strips and accessories. Support for RGB and ARGB backlighting is an important aspect for gamers and modders who want to create a unique visual style for their system.
7. ROG branded stickers, which can be glued to the case or other system components. This is a small but pleasant bonus that emphasizes the premium status of the device.
8. Metal Bottle Opener Keychain with the ROG logo. This is not the first time that ASUS includes interesting souvenirs in the kit, and this keychain will be a nice addition for owners of the motherboard.
9. Quick Installation Guide и user manual, which will help with quick installation and setup.
10. Usb drive with drivers and utilities. This is a modern alternative to traditional disks, which is convenient for users who do not have optical drives in the system.

This rich set of accessories shows that ASUS cares about its users and tries to provide everything necessary for convenient installation and configuration of the system.

Appearance and design

The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard is made in the traditional ROG color scheme - black with metallic accents. The design of the board can be described as aggressive, but restrained, which fits perfectly with the modern trends of the gaming industry. The front side of the board is dominated by massive heatsinks that cover the power areas and slots for M.2 drives, providing effective cooling of key elements.

The design is not only characterized by the use of high-quality materials, but also by attention to detail. For example, the radiators are equipped with decorative elements with the ROG logo, which adds style to the overall appearance of the board. In addition, the board has a backlight system Polymo Lighting II, which allows you to customize unique lighting effects through the utility Armory Crate. This lighting system is capable of creating dynamic and multi-color effects, which is especially valuable for those who want to give their PC an individual look.

In addition, the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO supports technology Aura sync, which allows you to synchronize the backlight with other system components, such as video cards, RAM and peripherals. This creates a single lighting ensemble that can be customized to suit any preferences.

Connectors and interfaces

One of the main features of the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard is a rich set of interfaces for connecting peripheral devices and expanding the system. The rear panel contains:

• Two USB4 ports (40 Gbps) with support for USB Type-C display output. These ports not only provide high-speed data transfer but also the ability to connect external displays, making them versatile.
• Eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (10 Gbps), six of which are Type-A and two are USB Type-C, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of peripherals.
• HDMI port for connecting external monitors and displays. Resolutions up to 4K at 60 Hz are supported, which is especially important for users working with video or graphics.
• Two Ethernet ports - one Intel 2.5Gb and one Realtek 5Gb. This provides a high-speed network connection, which is especially important for professionals working with large amounts of data or using the system for gaming.
• Optical S/PDIF audio connector, which allows you to connect the system to high-quality external audio devices.
• Two gold-plated audio jacks for connecting headphones and microphones.

The board also contains Clear CMOS and BIOS FlashBack buttons, which makes it easier to restore the system in case of unsuccessful overclocking or other technical problems. These elements make the board convenient not only for advanced users, but also for beginners who may encounter difficulties when setting up BIOS.

Support for RAM and NitroPath DRAM Technology

The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard supports up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM, making it ideal for the most demanding tasks, whether it's gaming or professional tasks like video editing or working with large amounts of data. The board supports memory frequencies up to 8600 MHz in overclocking mode for Ryzen 9000 processors and 8200 MHz for Ryzen 8000 processors, which opens up wide possibilities for increasing system performance.

The board's special feature is its support for technologies NitroPath DRAM Technology и amd expo (Extended Profiles for Overclocking). These technologies allow users to easily configure and overclock the memory, ensuring stable operation even under high loads. ASUS has also implemented Enhanced Memory Profile (AEMP), which allows you to optimize memory performance depending on the installed processor and memory modules.

It is important to note that the board supports both ECC and Non-ECC memory, making it a versatile solution for both gaming and professional systems. ECC memory is especially important for workstations, as it allows for data error correction, providing increased reliability when performing mission-critical tasks.

Graphics capabilities and expansion slots

ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO has two slots PCIe 5.0 x16, which support operation in modes x16, x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4 depending on the installed processor and system configuration. These slots allow you to install modern video cards with PCIe 5.0 support, which provides maximum bandwidth for graphics applications and games.

The special feature of these slots is the system Q-Release Slim, which makes it easy to install and remove video cards, which is especially useful for users who frequently upgrade system components.

System Q-Release Slim, installed in PCIe 5.0 slots, is unique to the ASUS ROG series motherboards. This solution greatly simplifies the process of installing and removing video cards: just press a special lever to release the card without resorting to excessive force. This feature is especially useful for users who often update their system or test various components. Together with the technology Safe Slots, providing enhanced protection for PCIe slots from mechanical damage, this motherboard demonstrates the perfect combination of convenience and reliability.

Support for graphic solutions

Plateau ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO supports all modern processors series Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000, which ensures compatibility with the latest and most powerful hardware from AMD. Depending on the installed processor, different modes of operation of PCIe slots are supported. Thus, for processors Ryzen 9000 и 7000 two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots are provided, which can operate both in x16 mode for one video card, and in x8/x8 mode when installing two video cards. For processors Ryzen 8000 the board offers two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, however the second slot only supports x8, while for the series processors 8500 and below the second slot will be completely disabled, which must be taken into account when assembling the system.

Additionally, the board offers HDMI port version 2.1, supporting 4K image output at 60 Hz, which makes it possible to use the integrated graphics of AMD processors for office or multimedia tasks. However, for maximum performance scenarios, such as 4K gaming or working with 3D graphics, it is recommended to install a discrete video card via the PCIe 5.0 slot.

Cooling system and overclocking capabilities

One of the key features of the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO is a powerful cooling system that is designed to effectively dissipate heat, even under high loads. The board is equipped with massive heatsinks that cover key components: power zones (VRM), M.2 slots for drives and the chipset. These heatsinks are made of high-quality aluminum, which provides effective heat dissipation, preventing overheating during prolonged operation of the system at the limit of its capabilities.

An important part of the cooling system is support for installing liquid cooling systems. The board has several connectors for connecting water pumps and fans, which allows you to organize a custom liquid cooling system. The board has both standard 4-pin fan connectors and special connectors for connecting water pumps (W_PUMP+). This makes the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO an ideal choice for overclocking enthusiasts looking to get the most performance from their system.

Technologies Extreme Engine Digi+ и AI Overclocking Guide allow users to optimize system settings for the best overclocking results. ASUS offers an intuitive interface for configuring settings via UEFI BIOS, as well as built-in profiles for automatic overclocking, which are selected based on the installed components. This means that even users with minimal knowledge of overclocking can easily increase the performance of their system.

Support for storage devices and RAID configurations

ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO has impressive storage capabilities. The board supports up to five M.2 slots for solid state drives and four SATA ports for traditional hard drives or SSDs. M.2 slots support both the interface PCIe 5.0, as well as PCIe 4.0 depending on the processor, making this board one of the most versatile on the market in terms of expansion options.

Each of the M.2 slots is equipped with a special mounting system Q-Latch, which allows you to easily install or replace drives without the need for screwdrivers and bolts. This innovative solution greatly simplifies the process of assembling the system and upgrading components.

The board supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 for both PCIe and SATA drives. Particular attention is paid to the processors of the series Ryzen 9000, which support the technology RAIDXpert2, providing advanced RAID capabilities. This makes ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO an ideal choice for users working with large amounts of data who require high read and write speeds and reliable storage.

Networking opportunities

The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO's networking capabilities are impressive. The board is equipped with two Ethernet ports: one Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet and one Realtek 5Gb Ethernet, which provides users with high-speed network connectivity. This is especially useful for professionals working with large amounts of data and gamers who value minimal latency in online games.

However, the main focus is on the built-in support Wi-Fi 7, making this board one of the first on the market with this level of wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) supports 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands and throughputs up to 6.5 Gbps. This provides a stable and fast wireless connection that is comparable to wired solutions.

The technology is also supported Bluetooth 5.4, which allows you to connect wireless devices such as headphones, mice or keyboards to the system. This version of Bluetooth provides increased data transfer speeds and improved connection quality compared to previous versions.

Audio capabilities

For users who value high-quality audio and multimedia capabilities, the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO offers one of the best audio codecs on the market - ROG SupremeFX 7.1, chip based ALC4082. This audio codec supports up to 32-bit/384 kHz on the front panel and offers improved playback quality thanks to technology ESS® ES9219 QUAD DAC. This makes this board a great choice for both gamers and those who work with multimedia content, be it music, video, or sound for games.

An important element is support 7.1 channel audio, allowing users to connect the system to high-quality speakers and get rich, deep sound. This requires a case with an HD audio module on the front panel, but with the right equipment, the board will provide impeccable sound quality.

In addition, the rear panel of the board contains optical S/PDIF output, which allows you to connect the system to external high-end audio devices such as amplifiers or receivers. The board also features gold-plated audio connectors to minimize signal loss and improve sound quality.

Special features for enthusiasts

The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard comes with a host of additional features that make it attractive to power users and overclockers. These include:

• FlexKey — a multifunctional button that can be configured to perform various tasks, such as rebooting the system or entering the BIOS.
• ReTry Button — a special button to reboot the system in case of unsuccessful overclocking attempts.
• Start Button - a power button that is convenient for testing the system outside the case.
• Q-Code - a display that shows error codes when the system boots, making it easier to diagnose problems.

These features make the process of setting up and operating the system more convenient and intuitive.

In the process of testing the system based on the processor AMD Ryzen 9 9950X i operative memory Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5-8000 We paid special attention to overclocking RAM, since overclocking the processor in modern conditions brings minimal performance gains. In this context, optimizing RAM turned out to be a more effective way to increase overall system performance, especially in tasks associated with intensive multithreading and high memory bandwidth requirements.

We ran several series of tests on different memory configurations, and the most significant results were obtained when the memory operated in two modes: 6000 MHz with low timings and 8200 MHz at higher timings. These configurations allowed us to test both the stability of the system and its performance in various applications, such as rendering, working with big data, and multi-threaded tasks.

Configuration 1: DDR5 6000 MHz with timings 30-35-35-75 CR1

For the first test, we settled on a RAM configuration running at 6000 MHz with low timings 30-35-35-75 CR1. These timings ensure fast data processing and minimal delays when interacting with memory, which is especially important for applications that require high data access speeds, such as games and high-performance workstations.

The advantages of this configuration are its stability and excellent balance between frequency and latency. Timings 30-35-35-75 CR1 allowed to achieve low latency and high throughput at a relatively low bus frequency. At the same time, the processor bus frequency was set to 3000 MHz, which gave the system the ability to efficiently process data streams and maintain high performance in both games and work tasks.

The test results in this configuration showed the following values:

1. Cinebench R24:

   • Multithreaded performance: 2262 points.
   • Single-threaded performance: 136 points.
   • MP Ratio: 16.62x.

2. CPU-Z:

   • Multithreaded performance: 16520.8 points.
   • Single-threaded performance: 896.8 points.

3. AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark:

   • Reading speed: 76274 MB / s.
   • Recording speed: 75799 MB / s.
   • Copy: 69478 MB / s.
   • Memory Latency: 75.1 ns.

This configuration is 6000 MHz with low timings. 30-35-35-75 CR1 proved to be an excellent choice for applications where stability and minimal delays in accessing RAM are important. Thanks to the high frequency of the processor bus (3000 MHz) the system showed good results in tasks related to intensive multithreading and working with large amounts of data. This configuration is also ideal for games, as low timings ensure fast interaction between the processor and RAM.

Configuration 2: DDR5 8200 MHz with timings 39-48-48-127 CR1

In the second scenario, we tested the configuration with the RAM frequency 8200 MHz and higher timings 39-48-48-127 CR1. This overclocking mode allowed to significantly increase the memory bandwidth, but at the same time affected the processor bus frequency, which decreased to 2050 MHzThis frequency and timing ratio presented a challenge for the system, but the final results showed that the 8200 MHz configuration remains quite productive in a number of tasks, especially those where it is important to increase the overall data processing speed.

Timings 39-48-48-127 CR1 at 8200 MHz are less aggressive than the 6000 MHz configuration, resulting in slightly higher latencies, but the significantly increased throughput compensates for this in memory-intensive tasks. The increased RAM frequency brings significant performance gains in rendering, big data processing, and multi-threaded scenarios.

The test results in this configuration showed the following values:

1. Cinebench R24:

   • Multithreaded performance: 2287 points.
   • Single-threaded performance: 138 points.
   • MP Ratio: 16.62x.

2. CPU-Z:

   • Multithreaded performance: 17724.9 points.
   • Single-threaded performance: 900 points.

3. AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark:

   • Reading speed: 81673 MB / s.
   • Recording speed: 83624 MB / s.
   • Copy: 74118 MB / s.
   • Memory Latency: 70.1 ns.

In this scenario, acceleration is up to 8200 MHz demonstrated outstanding throughput, which particularly impacted performance in applications involving the processing of large amounts of data. However, reducing the processor bus frequency to 2050 MHz resulted in minor losses in tasks where the frequency of interactions between the processor and memory is important, such as games or applications with a high degree of single-threaded dependency.

Comparison and conclusions

Both configurations demonstrated high results depending on the selected tasks and performance requirements. Configuration with memory frequency 6000 MHz and timings 30-35-35-75 CR1 proved to be optimal for gaming scenarios and applications where minimal latency and high system response speed are important. Thanks to the high frequency of the processor bus (3000 MHz) This configuration provided balanced performance in both multi-threaded tasks and games.

On the other hand, the configuration with memory operating at a frequency 8200 MHz and timings 39-48-48-127 CR1, demonstrated high throughput, which was an advantage in memory-intensive scenarios such as rendering and working with large amounts of data. However, reducing the processor bus frequency to 2050 MHz Somewhat limited performance in single-threaded tasks and games.

The choice between the two configurations therefore depends on the specific tasks. For gaming and multitasking scenarios where response speed and minimal latency are important, the 6000 MHz configuration with low timings is preferable. For more specialized tasks such as rendering or working with large data sets, the 8200 MHz configuration is better, as it provides maximum memory bandwidth.

In the upcoming benchmark, we plan to evaluate the performance of modern processors based on various configurations by testing them in a number of popular games. The main focus will be on such metrics as frame rate (FPS), smoothness of the gameplay (minimum and maximum FPS), system stability, and the impact of RAM configurations on gaming performance. All systems will be tested under the same conditions with similar video cards and graphics settings to ensure a fair comparison.

We will look at the performance of processors Ryzen 9 7950X with DDR5-6000 memory, Ryzen 7 7800X3D with the same memory configuration, Core i9 14900K, using DDR5-7200, and two modes Ryzen 9 9950X — one with DDR5-6000 memory, and the other with overclocked DDR5-8200. This testing will allow us to assess how much the difference in memory frequencies and processor architecture affect the system's performance in modern games.

Cyberpunk 2077

  

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

В Cyberpunk 2077, where the system must handle intensive graphics effects such as ray tracing and high textures, Core i9 14900K shows the best results, demonstrating 130 FPS on average and 110 FPS minimum with DDR5-7200 (36-38-38-90 CR1) memory. This configuration provides the highest performance due to the high clock speed of the memory and processor.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D, with its 3D V-Cache, ensures stable 127 FPS average и 107 FPS minimum, which is close to the results of the Core i9, but slightly inferior in extreme loads.

Ryzen 9 9950X in two variants shows slightly lower results: on DDR5-8200 (39-48-48-127 CR1) — 115 FPS average и 96 FPS minimum, And DDR5-6000 (30-35-35-75 CR1) — 116 FPS average и 93 FPS minimum. The lower frequency memory shows similar results to the overclocked version, indicating that the performance is limited by the processor.

Counter-Strike 2

 

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

В Counter-Strike 2, where not only processor performance is important, but also fast system response, Ryzen 7 7800X3D shows the best results with 375 FPS average и 247 FPS minimum on DDR5-6000 (30-35-35-75 CR1) This processor is ideal for games that require stability and maximum responsiveness.

Core i9 14900K lags behind 328 FPS average и 211 FPS minimum when working with DDR5-7200 memory, which is slightly worse compared to the 3D V-Cache of the Ryzen processor.

Ryzen 9 9950X demonstrates good results with 366 FPS average и 211 FPS minimum on DDR5-6000, whereas on DDR5-8200 the average is 342 FPS.

Dragon's Dogma 2

  

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

В Dragon's Dogma 2 configuration with Ryzen 7 7800X3D is back in the lead, delivering 123 FPS average и 89 FPS minimum, making it the best choice for open world games with high levels of detail.

Core i9 14900K a little behind 119 FPS average и 83 FPS minimum, Ryzen 9 9950X on DDR5-8200 и DDR5-6000 provides accordingly 108 FPS and 104 FPS on average, showing the difference depending on the RAM frequency.

God of war ragnarok

 

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

God of war ragnarok is another example of a game where Core i9 14900K shows the best results, achieving 208 FPS average и 176 FPS minimum. This processor provides smooth gaming even under heavy loads.

Ryzen 9 9950X с DDR5-6000 shows slightly better results than its overclocked version on DDR5-8200 (209 FPS versus 197 FPS on average), which again confirms that memory overclocking does not always provide a noticeable boost in games.

Greedfall 2: The Dying World

 

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

В Greedfall 2, as in most other games, Core i9 14900K occupies a leading position with 126 FPS average и 89 FPS minimum, making it a great choice for RPGs with intense combat scenes.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D with DDR5-6000 memory provides 137 FPS average, demonstrating excellent multitasking. Ryzen 9 9950X on DDR5-6000 shows a slightly worse result with 115 FPS average compared to the overclocked DDR5-8200 version, which delivers 120 FPS.

Horizon Forbidden West

 

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

In Game Horizon Forbidden West, which requires high processor power to handle open worlds, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is back in the lead with 154 FPS average. Core i9 14900K shows 151 FPS, practically not lagging behind its competitor.

Ryzen 9 9950X on DDR5-8200 issues 133 FPS, And DDR5-6000 — 145 FPS, demonstrating that higher memory clock speeds do not always result in significant FPS gains.

Star Citizen

  

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

Star Citizen — one of the most demanding games for system resources. Here Core i9 14900K и Ryzen 9 9950X show similar results - about 69 FPS averageWhereas Ryzen 7 7800X3D slightly inferior to 67 FPS.

Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut

 

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

В Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut Core i9 14900K shows the best results, giving out 157 FPS average, making it the best choice for high FPS. Ryzen 7 7800X3D again confidently takes the second position with 148 FPS, Ryzen 9 9950X on DDR5-8200 и DDR5-6000 demonstrates results in the area 140-142 FPS.

Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties

 

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties shows superiority Core i9 14900K, which gives out 130 FPS average. Ryzen 9 9950X on DDR5-6000 и DDR5-8200 Provides 99-103 FPS, which is not too far behind its competitors.

Warhammer 40000: Space Marines 2

  

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

 

 

В Warhammer 40000: Space Marines 2, a game with intensive multithreading, Ryzen 7 7800X3D demonstrates 128 FPS average, making it the best choice for strategy. Core i9 14900K shows 113 FPS, Ryzen 9 9950X on DDR5-6000 и DDR5-8200 shows similar results - 113-116 FPS.