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ASUS announced its X870E and X870 motherboard families at Gamescom on August 20, 2024, for AMD Ryzen 9000 Series processors on the AM5 platform. The launch covered five product families, from enthusiast and creator boards to gaming, compact, and general-purpose options. ASUS positioned X870E as the higher-end tier, but features such as Wi-Fi, M.2 slots, and networking vary by model.
What ASUS announced at Gamescom 2024
The launch lineup included models from ASUS’s ROG, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, Prime, and ProArt families. ASUS’s current X870E/X870 overview includes products added after that announcement, so the list below is the original launch roster—not a complete catalog of what ASUS lists today.
| Family and model | Position in the launch lineup |
|---|---|
| ROG Crosshair X870E Hero | Premium enthusiast model |
| ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi; X870-F Gaming WiFi; X870-A Gaming WiFi | Gaming-focused options |
| ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi | Mini-ITX option for compact builds |
| TUF Gaming X870-Plus WiFi | Gaming-focused option |
| Prime X870-P WiFi | General-purpose option |
| ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi | Creator-focused option |
These are ASUS’s own product-family distinctions, not independent rankings of performance or value. The launch announcement did not establish model-by-model pricing, region-specific release dates, or present retail availability.
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How X870E and X870 differ
ASUS described X870E as the feature-rich, high-end chipset tier. Its launch announcement says X870E uses two chipsets and therefore has more PCIe lanes to work with. ASUS also highlighted DDR5, PCIe 5.0 connectivity for graphics and SSDs, two onboard USB4 ports, and CPU and memory overclocking refinements as platform features.
#1 Best Overall
- Ready for Advanced AI PC: Designed for the future of AI computing, with the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications.
- AMD AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 series desktop processors.
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking and AEMP to simplify setup and improve performance.
- ROG Strix Overclocking technologies: Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, Asynchronous Clock and PBO Enhancement.
- Robust Power Solution: 18 plus 2 plus 2 power solution rated for 110A per stage with dual ProCool II power connectors, high-quality alloy chokes and durable capacitors to support multi-core processors.
Those platform-level descriptions do not tell you how many slots or ports a particular motherboard provides. Check the exact board’s specifications for its PCIe slot wiring, M.2 configuration, rear and front I/O, and other connectivity before choosing between models.
Features vary by motherboard
Wi-Fi and networking
ASUS said the launch X870E/X870 boards offered Wi-Fi 7 except for the Prime X870-P, which has no onboard wireless module. The Prime X870-P WiFi is a separate model name and does include wireless. ASUS also noted that using Wi-Fi 7 requires a Wi-Fi 7 router as well as a compatible motherboard. ASUS’s claim that Wi-Fi 7 can be “up to 4.8 times faster” than Wi-Fi 6 is a vendor-stated comparison, not a guarantee of real-world throughput; results depend on compatible equipment and network conditions.
Rank #2
- Ready for Advanced AI PC: Designed for the future of AI computing, with the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications
- AMD AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen 9000 & 8000 & 7000 Series Desktop Processors
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking, and AEMP to simplify setup and improve performance
- ROG Overclocking Technologies: Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, Asynchronous Clock and PBO Enhancement
- Robust Power Solution: 18(110A)+2(110A)+2 power stages with ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors
Overclocking and installation aids
The announcement highlighted AI Overclocking, Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, AI Cooling II, AI Networking II, and AEMP memory profiles. ASUS placed AI Overclocking, Dynamic OC Switcher, and Core Flex on ROG, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, and ProArt models, while advising readers to check the individual specifications for exceptions.
ASUS also promoted Q-Design installation aids, including PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim, M.2 Q-Latch, M.2 Q-Release, M.2 Q-Slide, Q-Antenna, BIOS Q-Dashboard, Q-Code, and Q-LED. Their presence and implementation are model-specific; consult each product page rather than assuming every board includes every feature.
Rank #3
- Ready for Advanced AI PC: Designed for the future of AI computing, with the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications
- AMD AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD Socket AM5 for AMD Ryzen 9000 & 8000 & 7000 Series Desktop Processors
- Enhanced Power Solution: 16+2+1 80A power stages, 8-layer PCB, 8+8 pin ProCool power connectors, alloy chokes and durable capacitors for stable power delivery
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking II, and AEMP to simplify setup and improve performance
- Latest M.2 Support: Two onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots and two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
NitroPath DRAM and memory figures
ASUS specified NitroPath DRAM Technology on the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero and ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi—not across the entire launch lineup. ASUS’s release described official JEDEC memory support as DDR5-5600 versus DDR5-5200 for the platform. Those figures refer to stated JEDEC support, not overclocked memory profiles or a guarantee for every CPU-and-memory-kit combination.
What the Crosshair X870E Hero offers
The ROG Crosshair X870E Hero shows the feature set ASUS targeted at the premium end. According to ASUS’s published specifications, it has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, five M.2 sockets (three PCIe 5.0 and two PCIe 4.0), Wi-Fi 7, and dual Ethernet at 2.5Gb and 5Gb. It also lists two rear USB4 ports rated at 40Gbps and a front-panel USB-C connector supporting Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent performance findings.
Rank #4
- Ready for Advanced AI PCs: Designed for the future of AI computing, with the power and connectivity needed for demanding AI applications
- AMD AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 series desktop processors
- Exclusive AI Technologies: AI Cache Boost, ASUS AI Advisor, ASUS-exclusive AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking II
- Exclusive Memory Technologies: NitroPath DRAM Technology, DIMM Fit Pro/DIMM Fit and AEMP to simplify setup and improve performance
- ROG Strix Overclocking technologies: Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, Asynchronous Clock and PBO Enhancement
Do Ryzen 9000 owners need a new motherboard?
No—not automatically. ASUS said Ryzen 9000 Series processors use AM5 and that owners of an X670E motherboard could upgrade their current systems with little more than a BIOS update. That statement is specific to the compatibility guidance in ASUS’s August 20, 2024 launch materials; check the CPU support list and required BIOS version for your exact motherboard before upgrading.
A new X870E or X870 board may be appropriate if you need a particular model’s connectivity, storage layout, wireless capability, form factor, or other features. The announcement does not establish a universal reason for Ryzen 9000 buyers to replace an existing compatible AM5 board.
How to compare the launch models
- Chipset and connectivity: Decide whether the X870E tier’s positioning and lane availability match your expansion needs; verify the exact board’s implementation.
- Storage and expansion: Compare the number and generation of M.2 sockets and the PCIe slot configuration on the product specification page.
- Wireless and networking: Confirm whether the specific board includes Wi-Fi and which Ethernet connections it provides. The Prime X870-P and Prime X870-P WiFi are distinct models.
- Build size: Consider the mini-ITX ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi if you are planning a compact build; verify case compatibility and the board’s specific I/O.
- Use case: ASUS positioned Crosshair for enthusiasts, ProArt for creators, and Strix/TUF for gaming. Treat those labels as product-family positioning, not proof of comparative results.
- Compatibility: Check the exact board’s CPU support information and current memory support list before purchase.
What ASUS claimed about Ryzen 9000
ASUS’s August 2024 press release said Ryzen 9000 processors delivered a “16% improvement in instructions-per-cycle (IPC) over its last-gen CPUs.” That is ASUS’s manufacturer-reported claim, not an independent benchmark. The motherboard announcement itself is not a comparative board test, so it does not establish that one X870E/X870 model performs better than another.
Quick Recap
Sources and product details
- ASUS Pressroom: “ASUS Unveils ROG, TUF Gaming, Prime, ProArt X870E / X870 Motherboards during Gamescom 2024”, August 20, 2024.
- ASUS Republic of Gamers: “Get ahead of the game with the latest ROG gaming tech from Gamescom 2024”, August 20, 2024.
- ASUS X870E / X870 / B850 / B840 motherboard overview, consulted October 4, 2026. The current overview may include models added after Gamescom 2024.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
