ASUS X870E DARK HERO Overview
Achieve extreme performance with the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870-E Dark Hero AM5 ATX Motherboard as the foundation of your custom build. Supporting AMD 7000, 8000, and 9000 series processors and fast connectivity, this premium socket AM5 motherboard is ready for everything from intense gaming experiences to demanding AI workloads.
Four DDR5 DIMM slots are available, supporting up to 256GB of 8600 MT/s overclocked speed memory for smooth multitasking, large projects, and demanding applications. For storage, you can install up to two M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSDs alongside three PCIe 4.0 drives to store your games library and important files. There are also four SATA III ports for compatible storage drives. With two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, you can install powerful graphics cards and other compatible expansions.
The two USB4 ports on the rear panel allow you to connect 40 Gb/s compatible devices or a USB-C compatible 8K display. They are complemented by six USB-A and three USB-C ports that can transfer up to 10 Gb/s with compatible devices. The front port connectors include support for two 20 Gb/s USB-C ports, one of which can provide up to 60W power delivery. Built-in Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) support, along with 10 and 5 Gb/s Ethernet ports, provide you with fast connections to compatible network devices. Windows 11 64-bit is required to take advantage of all the motherboard's features.
Boost your large language model (LLM) workflows with AI Cache Boost. Enabling this feature in the BIOS settings optimizes the CPU cache and memory pathways to deliver fast local LLM performance.
AI-powered technology allows you to ask natural language questions to explore the functionality and advanced features of your motherboard.
Maximize CPU performance with predictions for ideal CPU and cooling settings, pushing your system to its limits.
Maintain optimal thermals and reduced noise with dynamic fan speed adjustments based on CPU temperatures.
AI Networking II combines intelligent technologies to continuously optimize network performance, providing trustworthy and seamless connectivity while unleashing Wi-Fi 7 speeds.
The Dynamic OC Switcher maximizes CPU performance by letting you set current and temperature thresholds to automatically switch between a manual overlock for heavy multithreaded workloads and Precision Boost Overdrive for single-threaded tasks. The Overclocking Load Guard has an enhanced current protection mechanism to help prevent users from experiencing system crashes during overclocking.
Core Flex empowers you to smash limits further than ever before by letting you control power and thermals in creative new ways. In its simplest form, you can set breakpoints to gradually reduce CPU core frequency as temperature or current increases. But the system is extremely adaptable, supporting multiple user-controlled functions that can manipulate power, current, and temperature limits independently so that you can bend CPU performance to your will.
The ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero features a built-in clock generator that isolates CPU base clock from memory, PCIe, and the Infinity Fabric speed to drive peak CPU performance while maintaining the stability of related clock domains.
Precision Boost Overdrive Enhancement
AMD Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) pushes the CPU current and voltage budget to opportunistically increase performance. By aggressively tuning the PBO parameters, AMD's algorithm can leverage the motherboard's robust power solution to ramp up performance even higher.
The DIMM Fit BIOS feature analyzes individual memory modules to optimize their performance and pinpoint potential issues. DIMM Fit Pro is an advanced option with more extensive customization for memory optimization.
NitroPath DRAM Technology
NitroPath DRAM Technology provides enhanced DDR5 memory performance. Shorter gold finger pins and optimized signal pathways ensure faster data transfers between your DRAM and CPU, allowing for greater memory overclocking headroom and stability. These reinformed DRAM slots are also better prepared to withstand the wear and tear of the RAM installation process than traditional slot designs, perfect for enthusiasts who keep their system upgraded with the fastest kits available.
ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile (AEMP) is an exclusive firmware feature for PMIC-restricted memory modules.
Sporting 20(110A)+2(110A)+2(80A) power stages with two 8-pin ProCool II power connectors, the Crosshair X870E Dark Hero delivers reliable and stable performance with high-core count CPUs, graphics cards, and other power-intensive components. MicroFine alloy chokes and 10K black metallic capacitors quickly dissipate heat around voltage regulators and offer greater overclocking headroom.
Designed for overclocking, this motherboard features a 3D vapor chamber M.2 heatsink, which offers a large heat dissipation area and is connected to extended heat pipes through a temperature equalization plate to form a vacuum chamber. This design significantly improves cooling for PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSDs. Other M.2 slots include a large aluminum heatsink and a dedicated backplate. There are also dedicated heatsinks for the VRM and chipset, in addition to highly conductive thermal pads.
Wi-Fi 7 supports 320 MHz bandwidth on the 6 GHz band and 4096 QAM. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) ensures stable connections and low latency, supporting 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands for enhanced coverage and throughput.
Onboard 10G and 5G Ethernet ports provide fast and stable connectivity to compatible wired devices.
Transfer massive project files with 40 Gb/s compatible storage drives. The USB4 ports also allow you to connect either one 8K monitor or two 4K displays for enhanced multitasking.
This motherboard features a USB-C front panel connector for speedy data transfers with up to 20 Gb/s devices. Quick Charge 4+ technology provides up to 60W charging with compatible tablets and mobile gaming devices.
ROG SupremeFX blends hardware and software technologies to provide superior audio. The Crosshair X870E Dark Hero features the ALC4082 codec for high-resolution playback at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz across all channels with a 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio. An integrated ESS ES9219 Quad DAC, capable of reaching-114dB THD+N, provides superior front-panel output.
Dolby Atmos expands on traditional surround sound systems by adding height channels, which enables immersive three-dimensional audio to be perceived from above, below and around the listener.
With the Bluetooth LC3 codec and LE Audio, latency is reduced by up to 70% versus previous standards. Gamers can enjoy near real-time sound effects, footsteps, and voice cues, plus clearer, more stable in-game communication.
Immersive Bluetooth Spatial Surround Sound
SMONO (Spatial Mono) is a 3D spatial audio technology that works over Bluetooth LE Audio. By dynamically tracking the position of sounds in-game, it provides realistic directional cues to help gamers locate enemies, footsteps, or environmental sounds more accurately.
The ASUS AIO Q-Connector features a cable-less link between the motherboard and compatible AIO cooler, which enables smoother installation by eliminating the need for pump, fan, and LCD cables.
With PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim, simply tilt the card toward the latching mechanism to automatically unlock it from the PCIe slot. Users no longer need to fiddle with a tricky latch or even press a button to release their graphics card from the slot.
ASUS M.2 Q-Release, Q-Slide, and Q-Latch technologies allow you to quickly install or remove M.2 SSDs without the need for tools or screws.
With Q-Antenna, attaching a Wi-Fi antenna to your PC is a snap. Instead of slowly rotating two fasteners until they finally lock in, they just snap into place.
The on-board LED troubleshooting lights give PC builders a quick indicator to confirm that key components are functioning normally during startup. It can also alert them when memory modules have not been properly installed.
A built-in start button and Q-Code LEDs help you quickly identify problems.
Clear CMOS and BIOS FlashBack
Clear the CMOS at the touch of a button to help remove data corruption from the chip. BIOS FlashBack makes BIOS updates easy. Just load the BIOS file onto a FAT32 USB stick, insert it into the BIOS FlashBack port, and press a button. No CPU or memory needed.
Simplify driver management with automatic detection, one-click installation and update for smooth, efficient system performance.
Using this app enables smooth screen sharing and control across PCs, tablets, and smartphones via wired or wireless connections, across multiple platforms.
This comprehensive diagnostic tool provides detailed information about hardware components and real-time system monitoring.
The AIDA64 Extreme tool provides detailed information about the hardware components and software, performs benchmark tests, and helps prevent possible hardware issues. A 1-year trial subscription is included.
Use the ASUS MB Manager for fast, intuitive control over key system settings.
Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to give you centralized control of supported gaming products, making it easy to tune the look and feel of your system. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate helps you customize RGB lighting and effects for compatible devices and synchronize them with Aura Sync to create a unified lighting scheme across your system. In addition, Armoury Crate's Fan Xpert4 tool provides comprehensive control over fans, water pumps, and all-in-one (AIO) coolers.
Enhance your immersion with RGB lighting effects, including modes that adapt to the on-screen action. Then synchronize them with Aura Sync compatible peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and monitors.
I/O Zone Polymo Lighting II
The Polymo Lighting II LED panel, located next to the rear I/O area, may be customized with animations and effects.
Addressable Gen 2 RGB headers
The three addressable Gen 2 headers automatically optimize lighting effects for the number of LEDs present on compatible ARGB gear.
Items Included
- ASUS Republic of Gamers Crosshair X870E Dark Hero AM5 ATX Motherboard
- 4 x SATA III Cable
- DDR5 Fan Holder
- ROG Assistant Fan (60mm)
- Cooling Kit Screw Pack
- Thermal Pad for M.2 22110
- ASUS Wi-Fi Q-Antenna
- Q-Connector
- 3 x M.2 Q-Slide Package
- 5 x M.2 Backplate Rubber Package
- ROG Stickers
- ROG VIP Card
- ROG Bottle Opener
- Limited 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Additional Resources
ASUS X870E DARK HERO Specs
Key Specs
| Chipset |
AMD X870E
|
| CPU Socket |
AM5
|
| Memory Slots |
4x 288-Pin
|
| Memory Type Support |
DDR5, 9600 MT/s Maximum Supported Speed
|
| M.2 Slots |
22110 / 2280 / 2230
|
| Expansion Slots |
2x PCIe 5.0 x16
|
| Wi-Fi |
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
|
| Form Factor |
ATX
|
CPU
| Chipset |
AMD X870E
|
| CPU Socket |
AM5
|
Back Panel I/O
| USB |
2x USB-C (USB4) 3x USB-C (USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2) 6x USB-A (USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2)
|
| Thunderbolt |
No
|
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