ASUS is set to introduce its flagship AM5 motherboard—the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme, further expanding its X870E series lineup. Previously, ASUS demonstrated its technological prowess in the APEX and HERO series, but the Extreme version is designed to push the limits with even stronger performance and a more high-end design. Tailored for tech enthusiasts and overclockers who seek ultimate performance, this motherboard integrates cutting-edge features and hardware configurations to fully unleash the potential of the AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors.
Design & Power Delivery #
The ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme adopts an E-ATX form factor, featuring a black-dominated color scheme with silver accents, showcasing a subtle yet premium aesthetic. One of its core highlights is its power delivery system, which includes a robust multi-phase VRM powered by dual 8-pin EPS connectors. This ensures stable operation even under high loads or extreme overclocking scenarios.
To tackle heat dissipation, the VRM section is covered with a large heatsink with heat pipes, potentially incorporating active cooling solutions to further enhance thermal efficiency. The backplate covers the entire rear of the motherboard, improving structural strength while providing additional passive cooling.
Memory & Expansion #
For memory, this motherboard comes equipped with four DDR5 DIMM slots, supporting up to 256GB and ultra-high memory frequencies—perfect for overclocking enthusiasts aiming for extreme speeds. Additionally, ASUS includes a unique DIMM.2 slot, allowing users to expand storage with dual M.2 drives via an add-in card, providing greater flexibility for high-speed storage solutions.
In terms of expansion slots, the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme features two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, supporting the latest generation of GPUs. These slots can operate in an x8/x8 configuration for dual-GPU setups. The motherboard also boasts at least 3-4 M.2 slots, with the primary slot featuring a large heatsink with heat pipes and an EZ release mechanism for easy installation and maintenance. Other M.2 slots are integrated under an extended PCH heatsink cover, ensuring sustained high-performance operation.
I/O & Connectivity #
Another major highlight of the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is its comprehensive I/O connectivity. The rear panel includes:
- 7.1-channel HD audio
- WiFi 7 wireless networking
- Dual wired network ports (10GbE + 5GbE)
- Four USB Type-C ports (two supporting 10Gbps, the other two up to 40Gbps)
- Multiple USB Type-A ports
- HDMI output
- BIOS Flashback & Clear CMOS buttons for quick troubleshooting
The front panel connectivity is equally impressive, offering 20Gbps, 10Gbps, and dual 5Gbps USB ports, catering to diverse peripheral connectivity needs. Additionally, the motherboard features an LCD display on the I/O cover, which can be customized via software to show system status or personalized graphics, enhancing the user experience.
Overclocking & Performance #
Overclocking capabilities are a key focus of this motherboard. It includes various tools tailored for tuning and overclocking, such as:
- DEBUG LED display
- FlexKey button
- Onboard power/reset switches
- A range of right-angle connectors and toggle switches for better accessibility
During testing with the Ryzen 9 9950X processor, the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero achieved a CPU frequency of 7.54GHz, delivering outstanding benchmark results. The Extreme version is expected to push this performance even further.
Additionally, ASUS recently released BETA BIOS 1202, which optimizes AM5 motherboards for Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D and introduces AI Cache Enhancement, boosting AI-related tasks by up to 12.75%. This technology is likely to be incorporated into the Extreme version as well.
Storage & Networking #
From storage to networking, the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme offers top-tier configurations:
WiFi 7support, delivering speeds up to 6.5Gbps, 320MHz bandwidth, and 4K QAM technology, a significant improvement over WiFi 6E10GbE + 5GbE dual Ethernet ports, ensuring high-speed wired connectivity with redundancy for gaming, content creation, or data transfersHigh-performance M.2 slots, includingPCIe 5.0x4 support, allowing users to pair the latest NVMe SSDs for faster load times and improved system responsiveness
Pricing & Availability #
While official pricing has not yet been announced, given the current X870E series pricing trends, the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is expected to cost well over $1,000. For reference:
- X870E Hero is priced at $699
- APEX version has been listed at $749 in certain markets
- The previous-gen X670E Extreme launched at $999
With its premium components and advanced features, the Extreme version may approach or even exceed this pricing. Considering its target audience consists of hardcore enthusiasts who demand uncompromising performance, this price point seems justified.
Final Thoughts #
The ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme is a powerhouse motherboard that blends cutting-edge technology with extreme performance. Not only does it push the boundaries of hardware specifications, but it also provides user-friendly design elements and extensive expansion options, offering unparalleled flexibility and control.
Whether you’re building the ultimate gaming rig or chasing overclocking world records, this motherboard stands as a formidable force in the AMD Ryzen ecosystem. As its launch date approaches, tech enthusiasts have every reason to be excited about its official debut.