ASUS Republic of Gamers today announced the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme and ROG Crosshair X870E Apex, which join the previously-released ROG Crosshair X870E Hero to triple the number of premium ASUS motherboard options for high-end AMD Ryzen systems. Equipped with premium components, heavy-duty power solutions, and offering next-level connectivity options, these motherboards cater to those who dare to build a PC that shatters boundaries. ASUS AI Advisor, available within the ASUS DriverHub app, can help users learn all about this new hardware and get performance tips.
ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme
The ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme carries forward the AMD Ryzen 9000 Series of ROG motherboards with a no-holds-barred feature set and an all-new design that exudes luxury. Its massive power solution unleashes the full potential of new CPUs. 20+2+2 power stages effortlessly slake the thirst of the top-end AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, even when firing on all cylinders. Thick-and-tall VRM heatsinks keep the power circuitry operating comfortably, while 8+8 ProCool II power connectors with solid pins give the CPU a direct line to the power supply.
AMD CPUs offer jaw-dropping performance right out of the box, but the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme’s tuning tools empower users to coax a processor to an even higher level. For example, the Extreme OC kit includes an LN2 mode for exotic cooling enthusiasts. The ReTry button streamlines the process of rebooting during extreme overclocking to achieve a successful POST, while the customizable FlexKey button provides quick access to a variety of functions. And a wealth of Probelt measurement points arms users with the voltage information they need.
A robust suite of BIOS features completes the picture. Easy one-click options, including AI Overclocking and ASUS Enhanced Memory Profiles (AEMP), kick a CPU and DRAM into high gear. And those willing to tinker have an exceptional overclocking suite at their disposal. Dynamic OC Switcher ensures that users do not have to pick between a muscular multi-core overclock and the uplift of Precision Boost Overdrive for lightly-threaded tasks. Plus, Core Flex allows users to smash limits farther than ever before by controlling clock, power, and thermals. And for those running AI workloads, ASUS offers AI Cache Boost, which can accelerate performance by up to 12.75% when working with massive large language models.
In addition, NitroPath DRAM technology can greatly boost memory speeds. It improves signal quality, increasing DRAM overclocking performance by up to 400 MT/s, depending on module performance specs and system configuration.
On the storage front, the ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme arms users with plenty of options for making a fast and spacious storage array. The primary M.2 slot is wired for PCIe 5.0 and supports a range of M.2 sizes including longer M.2 22110 models, and it boasts a thick, dedicated heatsink. For ease of installation, the heatsink features the new tool-free M.2 Q-Release mechanism that pops the heatsink free with the press of a lever. Between M.2 Q-Release and M.2 Q-Latch, users get a totally tool-free way to install a storage drive and secure its heatsink.
The ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme’s networking options are more than ample. For those who prefer the unshakeable reliability of wired networking, there is both a 10 Gb Marvell AQtion Ethernet port and a 5 Gb Realtek Ethernet port. For wireless connections, there is a WiFi 7 2×2 module that hooks into the bundled ASUS Wi-Fi Q-Antenna, offering access to the 6 GHz band and 320 MHz channels for transfer rates up to 6.5 Gbps.
ROG Crosshair X870E Apex
The ROG Crosshair X870E Apex exists to equip enthusiasts for outstanding memory performance. The newest member of ROG’s record-winning Apex family and the first to support AMD processors, the ROG Crosshair X870E Apex has already proven itself on the world’s overclocking battlefields.
Memory layout is a key ingredient of this motherboard’s overclocking recipe. To reduce interference to the integrated memory controller on the CPU, Apex motherboards use two DIMM slots instead of four, trading maximum capacity for ultra-high performance, up to and including an LN2 mode just like the Crosshair X870E Extreme.
An impeccable set of cooling hardware keeps the ROG Crosshair X870E Apex cool under pressure, whether users are chasing a new DRAM frequency world record or climbing the leaderboards in their favorite game. Tall-and-thick heatsinks joined with an L-shaped heat pipe tame the temperature of the motherboard’s robust 18+2+2 power solution, and these sinks are integrated with the I/O cover to increase the surface area for heat dissipation.
A rich selection of fan headers lets users hook up a substantial cooling system. In addition to a standard 4-pin AIO Pump header ready for convenient AIO CPU liquid coolers, there is also a W_PUMP+ header with the extra amperage often necessary for custom liquid cooling loops. Flip the Apex over, and there’s another key weapon in its arsenal of cooling technologies: nearly the entire rear side is sheathed in metal armor, providing structural rigidity and passive cooling.
Last but not least, there is the bundled ROG Memory Fan Kit, an accessory that attaches easily to a convenient mounting point on the motherboard and directs a stream of air that runs parallel to a set of memory modules.
Like the X870E Extreme, the X870E Apex arrives equipped with plenty of PCIe 5.0 power. Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots stand ready for the fastest graphics cards on the market, and three PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots empower users to build a blazing-fast storage array. The M.2 Q-Latch system lets users install drives without requiring screws, and the beefy M.2 heatsink for the primary slot is also designed for tool-free installation. For even more storage options, this motherboard offers two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots on the bundled ROG DIMM.2 Card and four SATA 6 Gbps ports.
The ROG Crosshair X870E Apex offers robust connectivity, including WiFi 7, 5 Gb Ethernet, and a host of lightning-fast USB ports.
