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Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero specifications and in-depth review

Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero is a high-end ATX motherboard designed to deliver reliable performance and modern connectivity options. Featuring Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, it ensures seamless wireless communication for demanding users.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with a maximum RAM speed of 9600 MHz, providing excellent capacity for intensive tasks. Additionally, it includes multiple expansion options with PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and supports several RAID configurations for versatile storage setups.

Pros
  • Supports a wide range of wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless connections.
  • Equipped with multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 4 ports, offering excellent data transfer speeds and modern expansion options.
  • Includes 5 M.2 sockets and 4 SATA 3 connectors, allowing for versatile and flexible storage configuration.
  • Has dual BIOS for added reliability and easy recovery in case of system issues.
  • Supports RAID configurations such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for efficient data management and redundancy.
Cons
  • Lacks support for integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for video output.
  • Does not include support for TPM, U.2, or mSATA connectors, limiting certain enterprise or specialized configurations.
  • Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some specific RAID options for redundancy and performance balancing.
Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users looking to build a high-performance system with a focus on advanced connectivity and storage flexibility. With support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a range of high-speed USB and Thunderbolt ports, it excels in modern networking and expansion. The inclusion of multiple M.2 sockets and RAID configurations makes it suitable for those who need robust storage solutions, whether for gaming, video editing, or other data-intensive tasks.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be suitable for users who require integrated graphics or a more traditional setup without a discrete GPU, as it lacks integrated graphics support. Additionally, the absence of TPM and U.2 connectors may limit its use in enterprise or certain professional environments where these features are needed for security and specialized storage configurations.

General info:

CPU socket AM5
chipset X870
form factor ATX
release date January 2026
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 Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is compatible with the X870 chipset. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi 7 support, offering a broad range of wireless capabilities including Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7. Bluetooth 5.4 is also integrated for seamless device connections. This motherboard supports easy overclocking and includes RGB lighting for customization, along with dual BIOS for added reliability. Additionally, it has an HDMI 2.1 output but lacks integrated graphics, and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 256GB
overclocked RAM speed 9600 MHz
memory slots 4
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory ✕

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, offering ample space for demanding workloads. It features 4 memory slots and operates with a dual-channel memory configuration for improved performance. The motherboard supports overclocked RAM speeds of up to 9600 MHz, but it does not support ECC memory.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 6
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 3
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 2
Has USB Type-C ✓
eSATA ports 0
DVI outputs 0
has a VGA connector ✕
PS/2 ports 0

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard offers a wide range of connectivity options, including 6 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports and 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C ports. It also features 2 USB 4 40Gbps ports and 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer. Additionally, it includes HDMI output, two RJ45 ports for network connections, and USB Type-C support, while lacking DVI, VGA, and PS/2 ports.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion) 2
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion) 0
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 6
SATA 3 connectors 4
fan headers 6
M.2 sockets 5
Has TPM connector ✕
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard offers a variety of connectors, including 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports through expansion and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports for high-speed data transfer. It also features 5 M.2 sockets and 4 SATA 3 connectors for flexible storage options, along with 6 fan headers for enhanced cooling management. This motherboard does not support TPM, mSATA, or U.2 connectors.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 2
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 Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard includes 2 PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for high-speed expansion options. It does not have any PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, or PCIe x1 slots, providing a focused set of modern PCIe x16 slots for demanding peripherals and GPUs.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC) 120 dB
audio channels 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port ✓
audio connectors 2

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard delivers 7.1 audio channels with a high 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio for clear and immersive sound. It also includes an S/PDIF Out port and two audio connectors for flexible audio output options.

Storage:

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

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard supports a variety of RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), RAID 5, and RAID 0 for flexible storage management. However, it does not support RAID 0+1.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero motherboard stands out with its exceptional connectivity options, including support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and multiple high-speed USB and Thunderbolt ports, making it ideal for users seeking cutting-edge networking and expansion capabilities. Its versatile storage support through multiple M.2 slots and RAID configurations further enhances its appeal for performance-focused builds. While it lacks integrated graphics and TPM support, making it less suited for specific professional environments, it is a strong choice for gamers and high-performance users looking to build a powerful, future-proof system.