ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero (AMD AM5)

To wrap this review up, is the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E right for you? Echoing the same viewpoint in each and every AM5 review so far, AMD is betting that PCIe Gen 5 devices will become an integral part of computers in the next few years. The B650E and X670E motherboards fundamentally have the advantage of built in support today, designed to stay relevant for the entire life cycle of the AM5 platform.

Today we’ll be taking a look at one of Asus’s flagship AM5 motherboard – the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero. It utilizes AMD’s high-end X670E chipset and supports all the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series of processors on the new AM5 socket (LGA1718).

One area AMD have always managed to get right, even in their darkest hours, is their commitment to a particular socket. AM3 was around for years, and whilst AM4 wasn't around for quite as long as that venerable socket, it was largely killed off because of the rapid evolution of the technologies around which it was based. If you think how long DDR3 was around, the lifespan of DDR4 seemed relatively brief. PCI Express 4.0 was like a Mayfly compared to PCIe 3.0, and yet we're already at PCIe 5.0 on the major models. Naturally if you want to employ all the high end technologies you need to revise your platform, which is why AM5 is here. Thankfully though all of those aforementioned technologies are relatively new and thus should be with us, maturing, for a while. With AMDs track record for sticking with a socket, and the newness of the "5" technologies then any purchase today should be about as futureproof as you can reasonably get.

It's not that we don't like this HERO, it's just that it's too expensive. Combine that with the Ryzen 7000 heat levels and we doubt that this is an attractive platform to now? Hardware wise this puppy is excellent, we had no stability issues, WIFI6 is blazing fast, the 2.5 GigE LAN jack performs well, it has a strong VRM design with 105 A Power Stages and loads of connectivity in the form of M2, SATA and USB. It easily is one of my favorite motherboards if it weren't 809 EUR. With 18+2 power phases for the CPU there are no issues with processor support either, including the power subsystem's temperature. Whilst DDR4 memory is currently substantially less expensive than DDR5 memory; with a frequency of 5200 and timings of CL40 or lower you'll be there 99% also (compared over premium 6000 MHz kits). Let me also add that this motherboard comes with WIFI 6E compatibility (6 GHz band), so you're future-proof until WIFI7 arrives also. ASUS did not provide pricing information in advance of the release, the German press release revealed the 800 EUR price, while price watch engines are already listing this product at 700 EUR. of course there will be cheaper alternatives that share many of the X670E HERO features. It is safe to say that this is not a product for the casual gamer or user, it is targeted squarely at well-heeled computer hobbyists. Conservative spenders should dismiss this as a viable option. The cheapest solution in the X670 range will be the PRIME X670-P, but even the cheapest one would cost well over 325 EUR (!). ASUS has packed the Crosshair HERO full of high-speed connectivity, with a massive VRM that is just overengineered in every way. In that regard the motherboard is ahead of its competitors. This is the perfect prospect for those who already know they like ASUS ROG motherboards to treat themselves without feeling bad about it, however at a very ... VERY steep price premium.

The thing with the Ryzen series 7000 is simple, they perform well, really well even. This is among the best 8-core processors that we have had our hands on in a while. However complete _not_ in line with what we expect from AMD; they run very hot. While AMD guarantees this is all absolutely fine, we do think that end-users will simply not be comfortable with such values. AMD is creating an option to lower TDP and thus heat with a BIOS option, but obviously, that'll hurt performance. And that's not why you are spending top dollar.

If it's features you want when you start looking at your options for the new AM5 motherboards, the ROG Crosshair X670E Hero doesn’t lack them that is for sure. Just with its USB options alone, you will be set. The rear I/O has 8 Type-A connections and four Type-C including two USB4. Not to mention three USB 2 headers, two 3.2 headers, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 for internal headers that can give you 11 more front panel USB connections. Then you add in the 4 M.2 slots on the board (two of which are PCIe 5.0) and the included add-in card as well which is also PCIe 5.0 as well. It isn’t to the level of the ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme, but it isn’t too far off. You even get the convenient push button release for the top PCIe bracket for easier removal of your GPU in a tight space.