Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero

Name: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero
Brand: Asus
SKU: 92087

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is an ATX form factor motherboard designed for the AM5 platform, pairing the X870 chipset with a broad set of connectivity and expansion options suited to high-end desktop builds. It supports overclocking out of the box and includes dual BIOS functionality alongside onboard RGB lighting, making it a feature-rich option within its category. A three-year warranty is included, and the board measures 305 mm by 244 mm.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 192 GB of DDR5 RAM across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with overclocked speeds reaching 8600 MHz. Expansion is handled by two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, while storage connectivity includes five M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. The rear I/O provides two USB 4 40Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and dual RJ45 LAN connections, complemented by integrated Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Audio output is handled by a 7.1-channel solution rated at 120 dB SNR, with an S/PDIF output also present.

Pros

Five M.2 sockets provide substantial high-speed storage expansion without relying on slower interfaces
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports offer fast and versatile high-bandwidth connectivity at the rear
Wi-Fi 7 support alongside Bluetooth 5.4 ensures up-to-date wireless capability without needing add-in cards
Dual BIOS reduces the risk of a failed firmware update rendering the board unusable
DDR5 memory support with overclocked speeds up to 8600 MHz across four slots allows for high-capacity and fast memory configurations
RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support gives meaningful flexibility for storage redundancy and performance setups

Cons

No USB 2.0 rear ports may cause compatibility issues with older peripherals that rely on that standard
Only a single HDMI output with no DisplayPort limits multi-monitor display options directly from the board
ECC memory is not supported, which rules out use cases requiring error-correcting RAM
No TPM connector is present, which may affect certain security or enterprise configurations
The absence of any PCIe x1 or legacy expansion slots limits compatibility with older or lower-bandwidth add-in cards

Who is this for?

This board is well suited to enthusiast desktop builders and power users who want to leverage the full potential of the AM5 platform, particularly those pairing it with high-end DDR5 memory kits given the support for up to 192 GB at overclocked speeds reaching 8600 MHz. Users who rely on fast peripheral and storage throughput will benefit from the five M.2 sockets and the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, while content creators or professionals managing multiple drives will find the broad RAID support — covering RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 — genuinely useful. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 also makes it a practical fit for users who prefer a cable-free desk setup without sacrificing wireless performance.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not a good fit for users who need ECC memory support, such as those running workstations that require error-correcting RAM for data integrity in professional or server-adjacent tasks. Similarly, users working with a range of legacy peripherals may find the complete absence of USB 2.0 rear ports and PS/2 connectors limiting. Those looking to drive multiple monitors directly from the motherboard will also find the single HDMI output restrictive, as there are no DisplayPort or additional video outputs available.

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 Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is built around the AM5 socket and is compatible with the X870 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 305 mm by 244 mm. It accommodates a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or integrated graphics. The board supports overclocking and offers a straightforward BIOS reset mechanism, along with dual BIOS for added firmware resilience. Onboard RGB lighting is present, and the board carries a three-year warranty. Wireless connectivity covers a wide range of standards, from Wi-Fi 4 through to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is also built in, though aptX audio is not supported. Video output is available via an HDMI 2.1 port, while there is no VGA or integrated display solution on the board itself.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	192GB
overclocked RAM speed	8600 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum supported capacity of 192 GB. Overclocked RAM speeds can reach up to 8600 MHz, offering headroom for enthusiast memory kits. ECC memory is not supported.

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)	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 offers a well-stocked USB lineup, led by two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports, alongside six USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. There are no USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, or USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports present. Network connectivity is covered by dual RJ45 ports, and display output is available through a single HDMI connection; DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA outputs are absent. There are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on the board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	6
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 well covered, with five M.2 sockets available for high-speed storage alongside four SATA 3 connectors; there are no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA connectors present. USB expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports, all routed through internal connectors. Six fan headers are provided for cooling management. The board does not include a TPM connector.

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

Expansion is handled exclusively by two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, with no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots present. There are likewise no PCIe x8, x4, or x1 slots, and no legacy PCI slots are available.

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, indicating a clean audio signal. Two analog audio connectors are available on the board, and a S/PDIF Out port is also present 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 a wide range of RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 (1+0), covering options for performance, redundancy, and combined setups. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is a well-specified ATX motherboard that makes a strong case for enthusiast AM5 builds, particularly for those who demand serious storage and connectivity depth. With five M.2 sockets, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Wi-Fi 7 alongside DDR5 support up to 8600 MHz, it covers the needs of power users who push their systems hard. Its limitations — notably the lack of ECC support, a single video output, and no legacy USB rear ports — mean it is clearly aimed at a specific audience rather than a broad one. For that audience, however, it delivers a cohesive and capable feature set that holds up well across storage, connectivity, and wireless fronts, making it a solid choice for enthusiast desktop builds centered on the AM5 platform.