Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Apex

Name: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Apex
Brand: Asus
SKU: 2457

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Apex is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and X870 chipset, targeting users who prioritize overclocking flexibility and connectivity. It ships with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4 built in, and includes dual BIOS support along with a clear CMOS feature to simplify BIOS recovery during overclocking sessions. RGB lighting is present, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

Memory support is limited to two DDR5 slots across two channels, with a maximum capacity of 128 GB and an overclocked speed ceiling of 9600 MHz. Storage connectivity is handled through five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations supported. The rear I/O includes two USB 4 40Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and a single RJ45 ethernet jack, while the expansion slots offer two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots. Audio is routed through a 7.1-channel solution with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio and an S/PDIF output.

Pros

Dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots provide the latest expansion bandwidth for discrete cards
Five M.2 sockets alongside four SATA 3 connectors offer extensive storage layout flexibility
Wi-Fi 7 support covers the full range of current wireless standards including 802.11be
Two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear I/O enable very fast external device connectivity
Dual BIOS and easy CMOS reset simplify recovery during overclocking, reducing the risk of a failed session leaving the board unusable
DDR5 memory with overclocked speeds up to 9600 MHz leaves substantial headroom for memory tuning

Cons

Only two memory slots mean there is no room to add more DIMMs later — maximum capacity is fixed at 128 GB across just two sticks
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use in workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No video outputs of any kind are present, so a discrete GPU is mandatory at all times
The absence of a TPM connector limits options for hardware-based security module integration
Only two analog audio connectors on the rear panel may feel restrictive for users with multi-output analog audio setups

Who is this for?

This board is well-suited to enthusiast builders and overclockers who want to push an AM5 platform to its limits, given the support for DDR5 memory at speeds up to 9600 MHz, dual BIOS, and easy CMOS reset functionality. The dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and five M.2 sockets make it a strong fit for users who intend to run high-bandwidth storage arrays or multiple discrete cards, while RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support adds utility for those managing redundant or performance-oriented storage setups. The breadth of rear I/O — including two USB 4 40Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Wi-Fi 7 — also suits content creators and power users who regularly connect fast external devices or require cutting-edge wireless connectivity.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need ECC memory support for error-sensitive workloads such as scientific computing or data integrity-critical applications will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. With only two memory slots, the platform offers no upgrade path beyond the initial DIMM configuration, making it a poor match for anyone anticipating incremental memory expansion over time. Additionally, the complete lack of video outputs means this board cannot function in any capacity without a discrete GPU, so it is not appropriate for builds relying on integrated graphics for display output or lightweight desktop use.

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
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 Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Apex is built around the AM5 socket and is compatible with the X870 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 305 mm wide and 244 mm tall. It supports a single CPU and carries no integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is built in, though aptX is not supported. The board includes several overclocking-friendly features, among them easy overclock support, a clear CMOS function for straightforward BIOS resets, and dual BIOS for added resilience. RGB lighting is present, and the board is backed by a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	128GB
overclocked RAM speed	9600 MHz
memory slots	2
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

This board uses DDR5 memory across two slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum supported capacity of 128 GB. Overclocked RAM speeds can reach up to 9600 MHz, giving enthusiasts considerable headroom for memory tuning. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	5
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	0
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	1

The rear I/O offers a well-stocked USB lineup, including five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. Two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports are also present, while USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, Thunderbolt 3, and USB 2.0 ports are absent. Networking is handled by a single RJ45 port, and a PS/2 port is included for legacy peripheral support. There are no video outputs of any kind — no HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connector — which is consistent with a board that lacks integrated graphics.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	7
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	5
Has TPM connector	✕
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is extensive, with five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage, while SATA 2, U.2, and mSATA connections are not present. USB expansion headers cover a broad range of standards: four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and four USB 2.0 ports can all be added through case or expansion connections. Seven fan headers provide ample cooling control options across the board. A TPM connector is not included.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	2
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	1
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The expansion slot configuration centers on two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots as the primary option for discrete cards, with no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, or legacy PCI x16 slots present. Rounding out the layout are one PCIe x4 slot and one PCIe x1 slot, while PCIe x8 slots are absent entirely.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 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 120 dB. Two analog audio connectors are available on the rear panel, and an S/PDIF Out port is included for digital audio passthrough to compatible receivers or DACs.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 (1+0) configurations, covering a practical range of performance and redundancy setups. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Apex is a purpose-built platform for AM5 overclockers and enthusiast builders who demand the highest available bandwidth and connectivity in an ATX package. Its combination of dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, five M.2 sockets, and DDR5 support up to 9600 MHz positions it firmly at the upper end of what the X870 chipset can offer, and the rear I/O — anchored by USB 4 40Gbps, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 7 — reflects the same uncompromising approach to external connectivity. The two-slot memory configuration and absence of ECC support do narrow its appeal away from certain workstation use cases, but for users whose priority is raw overclocking headroom and storage flexibility on the AM5 platform, this board covers that ground thoroughly and without obvious gaps.