Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme

Name: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme
Brand: Asus
SKU: 2451

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is a full-featured E-ATX motherboard built around the AM5 socket and AMD X870 chipset, designed to accommodate the demands of high-end desktop builds. It supports DDR5 memory across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256GB and standard speeds reaching up to 4100 MHz, while overclocked configurations can push as high as 9000 MHz across two memory channels. The board includes dual BIOS functionality, an easy BIOS reset mechanism, and native overclocking support, making it well suited for users who regularly tune their hardware settings. RGB lighting and a three-year warranty round out its general feature set.

Connectivity on the Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is extensive across both rear I/O and internal headers. The rear panel provides eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and two USB 4 40Gbps ports alongside two Thunderbolt 4 ports, along with dual RJ45 jacks and an HDMI 2.1 output. Internally, five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors handle storage, with full support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. The board also integrates Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity, while the audio subsystem delivers a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio with 7.1-channel output and an S/PDIF port. Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots cover graphics and high-bandwidth expansion needs.

Pros

Five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors provide substantial storage flexibility for multi-drive configurations
Dual BIOS with an easy CMOS reset simplifies recovery from failed updates or misconfigured settings
Wi-Fi 7 support alongside Bluetooth 5.4 covers the latest wireless standards without needing additional adapters
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports offer high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 9000 MHz across four slots, with a maximum supported capacity of 256GB
Full RAID support across modes 0, 1, 5, and 10 gives flexibility for both performance and redundancy storage setups

Cons

E-ATX form factor limits compatibility to larger cases, reducing build flexibility
No USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, or legacy ports on the rear panel may cause issues with older peripherals
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use in workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No DisplayPort output is available, leaving HDMI 2.1 as the only video output option
No TPM connector is present on the board

Who is this for?

This motherboard is well suited to enthusiast desktop builders who want to push their system to its limits, particularly those planning to run heavily overclocked DDR5 memory or take advantage of the dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for multi-GPU or high-bandwidth add-in card configurations. The breadth of USB connectivity — including Thunderbolt 4, USB 4 40Gbps, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports — makes it a strong fit for users who work with high-speed external storage or professional peripherals. The five M.2 sockets combined with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support also make it appealing for anyone building a workstation that demands both fast and redundant local storage, while Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 cater to users who prefer a fully wireless peripheral and networking setup.

Who is this NOT for?

Users working in environments that require ECC memory for error-corrected computing — such as certain scientific, financial, or data-integrity-sensitive workloads — will find this board unsuitable, as ECC is not supported. The E-ATX form factor also makes it impractical for anyone building in a mid-tower or smaller enclosure, since it demands a full-size or extended case. Additionally, those who rely on legacy hardware — such as older USB peripherals requiring USB 2.0 rear ports, or displays that connect via DisplayPort — will encounter limitations, as neither is available on the rear I/O panel.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	X870
form factor	E-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	277 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme uses the AM5 socket and is compatible with the X870 chipset, built in the E-ATX form factor with physical dimensions of 305 mm wide and 277 mm tall. It houses a single CPU socket and does not include an integrated CPU or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity covers a broad range of standards from Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), complemented by Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX is not supported. The board outputs video via HDMI 2.1 and includes RGB lighting for aesthetic customization. Overclocking is straightforward with a dedicated easy-overclock feature, and the dual BIOS with quick CMOS reset simplifies recovery and configuration management. A three-year warranty is included, and the board does not support aptX Bluetooth audio.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	4100 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

This motherboard supports DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum supported capacity of 256GB. Standard RAM speeds top out at 4100 MHz, while overclocking allows memory to run at up to 9000 MHz for users looking to push performance further. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	8
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	2
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 rear I/O panel offers a well-stocked selection of USB ports, led by eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports for high-speed peripheral connectivity. Beyond that, two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports provide additional high-bandwidth options, while older standards such as USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and USB 4 20Gbps are absent. Video output is handled through a single HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors present. Networking is covered by two RJ45 ports, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports included.

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

For internal expansion, the board provides five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage, while SATA 2, mSATA, and U.2 options are not present. USB headers allow for additional ports through case expansion, including four USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers, four USB 3.0 headers, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 header, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 header, and four USB 2.0 headers. Cooling is managed through seven fan headers on the board. There is no TPM connector included.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
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 board's expansion slot configuration is built entirely around two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, providing the latest generation of high-bandwidth connectivity for graphics cards and other full-size expansion cards. No PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, x8, x4, or x1 slots are present, and there are no legacy PCI slots included.

Audio:

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

The onboard audio supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, indicating a clean audio signal with minimal background noise. Two audio connectors are available on the board, and an S/PDIF Out port is included for digital audio passthrough to external 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 a range of RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0), covering common setups for both performance-oriented and redundancy-focused storage arrangements. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is a thoroughly specified E-ATX motherboard that leaves little on the table for users building a high-end AM5 system. Its combination of five M.2 sockets, dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, and DDR5 support with overclocking headroom up to 9000 MHz positions it firmly at the top end of the enthusiast desktop market. Wireless capabilities through Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, along with an exceptionally stocked USB rear panel that includes Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports, reinforce its credentials for users who demand both speed and versatility. Its limitations — namely the E-ATX size constraint, lack of ECC support, and absence of legacy connectivity — are inherent trade-offs of a board designed for maximum capability rather than broad compatibility. For builders who can accommodate its physical footprint and whose workloads align with its feature set, the Crosshair X870E Extreme represents a highly capable and well-rounded platform.