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The refreshed boards for AMD’s AM5 socket continue to roll out, and the latest of these to land on our test bench is Asus’ ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero ($699.99). The updated board offers an improved aesthetic over the previous Crosshair X870E Hero we covered way back in 2024. As its name suggests, the Dark Hero forgoes any silver or chrome accents and paints the entire board black (save for the RGB feature). There are some specification changes to USB connectivity on the rear IO, along with other iterative hardware changes. Still, for all intents and purposes, this board exists for its looks, and of course, native support for the latest processors, like the Ryzen 7 9850X3D. Still, this is a high-end motherboard, both in terms of its specs and appearance.
The X870E Dark Hero is packed with hardware features. You get five M.2 sockets (two PCIe 5.0), fast networking with 10 GbE and 5 GbE ports and Wi-Fi 7, a robust power delivery solution with 24 total phases, five USB Type-C ports on the rear IO (including two USB4/40 Gbps), and a flagship-class audio solution. Asus crams in several soft features too, like its AI (Overclocking, Cooling II, Networking II, Cacheboost, Advisor), EZ PC DIY features, and an updated BIOS skin, molding the Dark Hero into a well-rounded premium mid-range solution.
Below, we’ll examine the Dark Hero’s performance and other features to determine whether it deserves a spot on our list of the best motherboards. But before we share test results and discuss details, here are the specifications from Asus’ website:
Specifications of the Crosshair X870E Dark Hero
|
Socket |
AM5 (LGA 1718) |
|
Chipset |
X870E |
|
Form Factor |
ATX |
|
Voltage Regulator |
24 Phase (20x 110A SPS MOSFETs for Vcore) |
|
Video Ports |
(2) USB4 Type-C DisplayPort |
|
USB Ports |
(2) USB 4 (40 Gbps) Type-C (6) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) |
|
Network Jacks |
(1) 10 GbE |
|
Audio Jacks |
(2) Analog + SPDIF |
|
Legacy Ports/Jacks |
✗ |
|
Other Ports/Jack |
✗ |
|
PCIe x16 |
(1) v5.0 (x16, x8/x8) |
|
PCIe x8 |
✗ |
|
PCIe x4 |
✗ |
|
PCIe x1 |
✗ |
|
CrossFire/SLI |
✗ |
|
DIMM Slots |
(4) DDR5-9600(OC), 256GB Capacity 9600+MT/s(OC)**/9200+MT/s(OC)*** with Ryzen™ 8000 Series 8000+MT/s(OC)**/8000+MT/s(OC)*** with Ryzen™ 7000 Series |
|
M.2 Sockets |
(2) PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) / PCIe (up to 110/80mm) |
|
SATA Ports |
(2) SATA3 6 Gbps |
|
USB Headers |
(1) USB v3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) Type-C (up to 60W PD/QC4+) |
|
Fan/Pump Headers |
(7) 4-Pin (Accepts PWM and DC) |
|
RGB Headers |
(1) 6-pin ARGB Gen2 header supports 2x ARGB Gen2 headers |
|
Diagnostics Panel |
(1) EZ Debug LED |
|
Internal Button/Switch |
BCLK/Flexkey/Retry buttons |
|
SATA Controllers |
ASMedia ASM1162 |
|
Ethernet Controller(s) |
(1) Realtek 8127 (10 GbE) |
|
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth |
Mediatek MT7927 Wi-Fi 7 – 320 MHz, 6 GHz, 5.8 GHz, BT 5.4 |
|
USB Controllers |
Asmedia ASM4242, Realtek RTS5411S |
|
HD Audio Codec |
ROG Supreme FX (ALC4082) + ESS9219 Quad DAC, LED illuminated audio jacks |
|
DDL/DTS |
✗ / ✗ |
|
Warranty |
3 Years |
Inside the Box
Inside the retail packaging, the Dark Hero comes with quite a few accessories (though not as many as the X870E Glacial). You get the typical collection of cables, antennas, and guides, but Asus also includes the ROG Assistant fan (60mm) for cooling the memory. We’ve listed everything the box includes, and a picture of the unique items below.
- (4) SATA 6Gb/s cables
- DDR5 fan holder
- ROG assistant fan (60mm)
- Screw package for cooling kit
- Thermal pad for M.2 22110
- ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna
- Q-connector
- (3) M.2 Q-Slide package
- (5)5 x M.2 backplate rubber packages
- ROG stickers
- ROG VIP card
- ROG Bottle Opener
- Quick start guide
Design of the X870E Dark Hero
Image 1 of 6
Asus describes the X870E Dark Hero as a “…sleek, understated black design…with a clean, premium aesthetic,” and the company hit the nail on the head. The ‘murdered out’ look and matte finish on all heatsinks give way to Polymo Lighting II RGBs with ROG branding on the oversized, heatpipe-connected VRM heatsinks. The top M.2 socket sports the large 3D VC M.2 heatsink, with “Dark Hero” carved into the metal, to keep the hot-running PCIe 5.0-based modules running in spec. The large plate-style heatsink below cools the other four M.2 sockets while the dual PROM21 chips dissipate their heat through a separate block of metal underneath. There’s also a black polished ROG symbol that looks really cool.
As Asus states, it’s a sleek, understated, and clean, premium appearance that is sure to look good in any dark/black build.
Starting in the top-left corner, we get a better look at the large heatsink for power delivery and the Polymo II Lighting area, which shows off Asus ROG branding. It’s not my favorite RGB implementation, but it is still attractive and adds some light to a dark chassis. Control over the RGB feature and any attached lighting is through Aura Sync software integrated into Armoury Crate. Crosshair is also written on top of the VRM heatsinks, showing off the board’s ilk. Above that are two 8-pin EPS power connectors (one required) for powering the processor.
Moving past the socket and before the DRAM slots is the new Asus Q-Connect feature. The proprietary 11-pad hub transfers power and control signals (think pump, ARGB, fans, and, on some models, the display) directly through the motherboard, eliminating the need for traditional, visible, individual cables that detract from a clean aesthetic. At the time of this writing, only the CES 2026-announced ROG Strix LC and SLC IV 360 AIOs work with the connector. It’s a useful feature if you plan to use compatible Asus AIOs. But I would like Asus to include a simple rubber cover to match the board’s appearance, so it doesn’t stick out if you’re not using it.
Next, the four DRAM slots (with Nitropath technology) are to the right, with locking mechanisms to secure the RAM on the top and bottom. Asus lists support for 256GB of RAM and speeds up to DDR5-8600 for 9000 series desktop processors, and even higher (DDR5-9200) for APUs. Though, unless you’re benching for Hwbot, I can’t see many using an APU on a $700 motherboard. Still, that’s plenty fast and way past AMD’s sweetspot.
Above the DRAM slots (still under the shroud) are the first three (of eight) standard 4-pin fan headers. Per usual, each supports PWM and DC-controlled devices. Power output varies from 1A/12W on most headers (CPU, Chassis, AIO, and the AIO_POGO), while the single W_Pump+ header allows 3A/36W. The Asus BIOS or Armory Crate software controls these attached devices.
In the upper-right corner are the two-character Q-Code LED and Q-LEDs that help troubleshoot POST issues. The Q-LEDs light up during the POST process and remain lit to give you a general idea of where the problem is (CPU, VGA, DRAM, Boot), while the Q-Code LED provides two-digit codes to indicate more specific issues.
Looking down the right edge, we see the Start and Flexkey buttons, along with a small Retry button. Below that are another 4-pin fan header, the 24-pin ATX power connector, an 8-pin PCIe connector for supplemental board power (to support 60W charging), and a single front-panel USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps) Type-C connector.
Power delivery on the X870E Dark Hero is one of the most capable we’ve seen. With a total of 24 phases (20 for Vcore), there are only a handful of boards with more capable power delivery. Power heads from the 8-pin EPS connectors and onto the Digi+ EPU (ASP2205) voltage regulator. From there, it moves to the Infineon PMC41420 110A SPS MOSFETs. The 2,220 Amps available will handle any CPU you throw at it, regardless of cooling method. Your CPU cooling will limit you before the board gets in the way.
At the bottom of the board, on the left and hidden under a black metal shroud, are the flagship Realtek ALC4082 codec and an ESS 9219Q DAC/HPA. This is the platform’s premiere setup. If you want something better, you’ll have to buy a dedicated sound card.
Next are the two PCIe slots in the middle. Both of these reinforced slots connect through the CPU, offering PCIe 5.0 bandwidth. The top slot is for primary graphics and runs at x16 speeds, while the bottom slot is limited to x8. Note that this applies to 7000 and 9000 series desktop processors; APUs are different (see the specifications on Asus’ website for details). Thankfully, Asus moved away from its controversial PCIe latching mechanism and now uses a more traditional button to lock and unlock the top slot, reducing the risk of scratching the PCIe connection on your video card. Be aware that when PCIEX16_1 runs at x16, the second slot runs at PCIe 3.0 x4.
Above the top PCIe slot is the first of five M.2 sockets. M.2_1, the top socket under the huge individual heatsink, connects through the CPU and is your first 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) socket (*holds up to 110mm devices). Under the plate heatsink are three other M.2 sockets. M.2_2 is your other 5.0 x4 socket and holds up to 80mm modules. M.2_3/4/5 all connect through the chipset with 3/4 PCIe 4.0 x4 capable, and the bottom slot, M.2_5, PCIe 4.0 x2. That last slot is also limited to small, 30mm devices. M.2_2 shares bandwidth with the USB4 ports and both run at PCIe 5.0 x2 when a device is installed in the M.2_2 socket. You can switch to 5.0 x4 in the BIOS, but this disables the USB4 Type-C ports altogether.Along the right edge is another USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps) front-panel connector, followed by a 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) connector. Below that are four SATA ports, with two using native chipset connectivity and two using an ASMedia controller that does not support RAID.
We’ve also included many images of the active IC’s for the board. The X870E Dark Hero uses several different brands, including ASMedia (USB), Infineon (VRMs), and Realtek (audio, network, VRM controller).
Image 1 of 8
At the bottom are several headers, including front-panel audio and USB ports. A complete list of connectivity is listed below (from L to R):
- Front panel audio
- (2) 3-pin ARGB headers
- (2) 4-pin fan headers
- PCIe mode switch
- 2-pin thermistor header
- 4-pin fan header
- (3) USB 2.0 headers
- 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen1 connector
- Front panel
- Battery
- LN2 mode
The rear IO on the X870E Dark Hero is chock-full of buttons and ports, including 11 USB ports. On the left are two buttons, one for BIOS Flashback and the other for Clear CMOS. Below those, to the right, are three Type-C ports (10 Gbps). Continuing right, we run into an HDMI port for iGPU output, and then the two USB4 (40 Gbps Type-C) ports. Above that, in red, are six USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps) ports. Above those are the two Realtek-based Ethernet (5 and 10 GbE) ports, the quick-connect Wi-Fi 7 antenna connector, and the audio stack (2x 3.5mm for line out/mic in, and optical SPDIF out). Six Type-A ports could be limiting if you’re not already using multiple Type-C devices, but that’s the only potential problems I see.
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