ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi

Name: ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 4636

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi is an ATX-form-factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and X870 chipset, designed for current-generation AMD processor platforms. It includes Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) connectivity alongside Bluetooth 5.4, and the board also features RGB lighting and overclocking support baked into its core feature set. A three-year warranty comes standard, and the 305 x 244 mm footprint fits standard ATX cases without issue.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with standard speeds reaching 7200 MHz and overclocked profiles pushing to 8000 MHz. Expansion options include one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, complemented by three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with RAID 0, 1, and 10 support. The rear I/O panel provides two USB 4 40Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 Type-A connectors, along with an HDMI 2.1 output and a single RJ45 Ethernet port. Audio is handled by a 7.1-channel solution rated at 130 dB signal-to-noise ratio, with S/PDIF output also available.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) along with all previous Wi-Fi generations, covering a wide range of wireless connectivity needs
Two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports provide high-bandwidth connectivity options on the rear I/O
DDR5 memory support with overclocked speeds up to 8000 MHz and a maximum capacity of 256GB across four slots
The 130 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the DAC and 7.1-channel audio output make for a capable onboard audio solution
PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots together with three M.2 sockets offer solid storage and expansion flexibility
Three-year warranty provides extended coverage for a motherboard at this platform level

Cons

No clear CMOS button makes BIOS recovery less straightforward in case of a failed overclock
Dual BIOS is absent, leaving no automatic fallback if the firmware becomes corrupted
No USB-C ports at the USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 1 speed tier on the rear panel, limiting Type-C versatility
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use cases that require error-correcting RAM
RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 configurations are not available, restricting multi-drive redundancy options
No TPM connector is present, which may complicate certain security or enterprise-oriented setups

Who is this for?

This motherboard is well suited to users building a high-end AMD AM5 desktop system who want to take full advantage of DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 without compromising on connectivity. The combination of Thunderbolt 4, USB 4 40Gbps ports, and Wi-Fi 7 makes it a strong fit for creative professionals or power users who regularly transfer large files or connect high-speed peripherals. The six fan headers and overclocking support also make it a practical choice for enthusiasts who want precise thermal management and memory tuning within a standard ATX chassis.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require ECC memory support for workstation-grade reliability or data-sensitive tasks will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. It is equally a poor fit for anyone who needs a dual BIOS safety net or a dedicated clear CMOS button, since neither feature is present — making recovery from a bad overclock or firmware issue more involved. Additionally, those looking to build a compact system will be constrained by the full ATX form factor, and anyone needing RAID 5 for multi-drive parity-based redundancy will need to look elsewhere.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	X870
form factor	ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✕
Has dual BIOS	✕
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	244 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi uses the AM5 socket paired with the X870 chipset and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 305 x 244 mm. It supports a single CPU and has no integrated processor or onboard graphics. Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is also built in, though aptX audio codec support is not included. The board features RGB lighting and is designed to facilitate overclocking, while BIOS reset via a dedicated clear CMOS button and a dual BIOS setup are both absent. Video output is available through an HDMI 2.1 port, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	7200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

This motherboard supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256GB. Standard RAM speeds top out at 7200 MHz, while overclocked profiles can reach 8000 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	2
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	2
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O panel offers a varied USB lineup, including two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, both available as USB Type-C, alongside two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, or Thunderbolt 3 ports present, and no USB-C connections at the USB 3.2 Gen 1 or Gen 2 speed tiers. For display output, an HDMI port is included, while DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA outputs are absent. Networking is handled by a single RJ45 Ethernet port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	3
Has TPM connector	✕
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

For storage, the board provides three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA connections available. Internal expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four additional USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports, all routed through front-panel or expansion connections. Cooling is supported by six fan headers. There is no TPM connector present on this board.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board's expansion slot configuration consists of one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, covering the two primary full-length positions. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x8, PCIe x4, or PCIe x1 slots, and no legacy PCI slots are present.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	130 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The onboard audio solution supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB, indicating a clean analog output stage. Two audio connectors are available on the rear panel, and an S/PDIF Out port is included for digital audio passthrough.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✓
Supports RAID 5	✕
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 (1+0) configurations for storage array setup, offering options for performance striping, mirroring, and a combination of both. RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi is a well-specified ATX motherboard that positions itself firmly in the enthusiast segment of the AM5 platform, offering a feature set that covers most bases for a demanding desktop build. Its Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, Thunderbolt 4 support, and PCIe 5.0 expansion make it a capable choice for users who need both cutting-edge peripheral bandwidth and fast wireless networking in a single board. Certain omissions — notably the lack of ECC support, dual BIOS, and a clear CMOS button — mean it is better suited to performance-focused home and creative workstation builds than to environments requiring enterprise-grade reliability. Overall, it delivers a strong and well-rounded feature set for builders who want a modern AM5 foundation with broad connectivity and meaningful overclocking headroom.