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ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero

I've gotten incredibly lucky over the last couple of days and managed to get a 5900x at launch from Microcenter, then also finally was able to order an RTX 3080 last night. The only part I still need for the build I am working on is the ASUS ROG Crosshair Dark Hero motherboard. I really wish we could get some concrete availability information for this motherboard. Because currently my 5900x is basically just a very rare and expensive paperweight on my desk. I'm also interested in seeing what the memory OC'ing performance is like on this motherboard with a Ryzen 5000 CPU.
 
SMH777 said:
I've gotten incredibly lucky over the last couple of days and managed to get a 5900x at launch from Microcenter, then also finally was able to order an RTX 3080 last night. The only part I still need for the build I am working on is the ASUS ROG Crosshair Dark Hero motherboard. I really wish we could get some concrete availability information for this motherboard. Because currently my 5900x is basically just a very rare and expensive paperweight on my desk. I'm also interested in seeing what the memory OC'ing performance is like on this motherboard with a Ryzen 5000 CPU.
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I think the mem controller in that CPU is gonna hit you first before the board does, I am not sure how big the penealty with 2:1 ratio on ZEN3 will be doe.

You properly have to wait until the 17th of November this is the only date I could find but that's for Denmark not sure if that's the US doe.

I was heavly thinking about the Ryzen 9 5900X myself but thinking it over ZEN3 is the last CPU launch for the socket am4 B550/X570 this is why we didn't see the X670 chipset or what AMD would call it so I will properly just stick to my AMD Ryzen 9 3900X since it's only a year old and I only need a graphics card and not sure if it's the Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT Nitro or a Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT but I am a sucker the Sapphire looks when going AMD because I still got my Sapphire RX 590 Nitro+ Special Edition in it's box I love the light blue colour of it wish Sapphire would bring it back.
 
puma99dk| said:
I think the mem controller in that CPU is gonna hit you first before the board does, I am not sure how big the penealty with 2:1 ratio on ZEN3 will be doe.

You properly have to wait until the 17th of November this is the only date I could find but that's for Denmark not sure if that's the US doe.

I was heavly thinking about the Ryzen 9 5900X myself but thinking it over ZEN3 is the last CPU launch for the socket am4 B550/X570 this is why we didn't see the X670 chipset or what AMD would call it so I will properly just stick to my AMD Ryzen 9 3900X since it's only a year old and I only need a graphics card and not sure if it's the Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT Nitro or a Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT but I am a sucker the Sapphire looks when going AMD because I still got my Sapphire RX 590 Nitro+ Special Edition in it's box I love the light blue colour of it wish Sapphire would bring it back.
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Gotcha. Yeah, I have no desktop computer at the moment. I just got back into PC gaming a couple years ago and I've been using a gaming laptop. But I finally decided to get a proper gaming PC. So basically I will have to upgrade the CPU and motherboard next time I upgrade regardless of whether I went AMD or Intel anyways. I figure a 5900x should last me at least 3 years though. I'll be fine with the RAM performance I get from the 5900x/Dark Hero as long as the RAM I bought performs at it's stated speeds and timings (3600mhz CL16). Still, for a motherboard that has already been announced and is supposed to be coming out in less than a week in the US according to ASUS, there sure is quite an absence of information on it (other than the basics specs). If it just randomly appears in stock at some point next week, sells out in a few minutes and I miss it. I will probably just get a Gigabyte AOROUS X570 Master and be done.
 
I hope we see some more overclocking results with this board. It appears o/c option ability will be unique to this board and it could end up deciding which processor I buy.

Kind of strange the most important new feature was barely mentioned in what is basically an exclusive review (so far).
 
SMH777 said:
Gotcha. Yeah, I have no desktop computer at the moment. I just got back into PC gaming a couple years ago and I've been using a gaming laptop. But I finally decided to get a proper gaming PC. So basically I will have to upgrade the CPU and motherboard next time I upgrade regardless of whether I went AMD or Intel anyways. I figure a 5900x should last me at least 3 years though. I'll be fine with the RAM performance I get from the 5900x/Dark Hero as long as the RAM I bought performs at it's stated speeds and timings (3600mhz CL16). Still, for a motherboard that has already been announced and is supposed to be coming out in less than a week in the US according to ASUS, there sure is quite an absence of information on it (other than the basics specs). If it just randomly appears in stock at some point next week, sells out in a few minutes and I miss it. I will probably just get a Gigabyte AOROUS X570 Master and be done.
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My only problem with Asus is their way they use features vs the prices because I cannot justify the £500 of this board when a MSI MAG X570 Tomahawk is only £200 and can do Ryzen 9's with no issues and yes I know it's not a Asus board, not as many USB ports, black, or a Intel NIC but for the price difference my money is on the MSI because of their VRM solution with 60A using ISL99390 with ISL6617 doubles for the 12phases that this board have and Asus says doubles makes the transit response time worse but that's up to how it's implemented if you as Buildzoid from Actually Hardcore Overclocking.

Here is the video of VRM Analysis: MSI's X570 Tomahawk May Become Go-To OC Board and if you believe what he says that the EVGA Z390 Dark has the best transit response time then any other board so maybe Asus just cannot implement doublers properly :roll:
 
This motherboard is very good with great features.

However the price the non dark version is already $500 CAD. If I'm going to spend that much on the board I may as well move up to Threadripper and quad channel memory. Plus I never see the point of WiFi on a desktop motherboard. I don't know a single person that is good with computers that will use a desktop on WiFi.

Other than those things great board for the top of the Asus AM4 stack.
 
Makaveli said:
This motherboard is very good with great features.

However the price the non dark version is already $500 CAD. If I'm going to spend that much on the board I may as well move up to Threadripper and quad channel memory. Plus I never see the point of WiFi on a desktop motherboard. I don't know a single person that is good with computers that will use a desktop on WiFi.

Other than those things great board for the top of the Asus AM4 stack.
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Well the only point of WiFi for me on desktop is to use it after years when my main PC serves somewhere else in the house where no LAN is available.....other than that.......useless.
 
I'm interested in buying this board but I won't be buying the components for my build for a few months, ideally including this. Based on previous generations of ROG boards or high end motherboards in general, do you think this one will still be in stock by then? I know there is limited supply due to limited demand. However the regular Crosshair VIII Hero is still in stock on Best Buy and Newegg over a year later (though eBay says they have 5-6 units each).
 
apav said:
I'm interested in buying this board but I won't be buying the components for my build for a few months, ideally including this. Based on previous generations of ROG boards or high end motherboards in general, do you think this one will still be in stock by then? I know there is limited supply due to limited demand. However the regular Crosshair VIII Hero is still in stock on Best Buy and Newegg over a year later (though eBay says they have 5-6 units each).
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It's hard to say for sure, but for reference, Newegg still offers X470 boards like the Crosshair VII. So I think you will still find the VIII a few months down the line.
 
Board is still unavailable to purchase anywhere. WHat I gathered in the last 2 days of manically trying to buy it is that it will come to stores before the end of November

Have 5950x and all the other parts sitting at home except mbo
 
LorDClockaN said:
Board is still unavailable to purchase anywhere. WHat I gathered in the last 2 days of manically trying to buy it is that it will come to stores before the end of November

Have 5950x and all the other parts sitting at home except mbo
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They are apparently already on sale in FINLAND lol. Some guy there said he got one from the store yesterday, I'd imagine they will start being in stock in the US within the next week or two at the latest.
 
SMH777 said:
They are apparently already on sale in FINLAND lol. Some guy there said he got one from the store yesterday, I'd imagine they will start being in stock in the US within the next week or two at the latest.
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I am from Europe

Can you ask the guy from what store please?

SMH777 said:
They are apparently already on sale in FINLAND lol. Some guy there said he got one from the store yesterday, I'd imagine they will start being in stock in the US within the next week or two at the latest.
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Found this Finland store
Currently unavailable, but arriving 11.11., so tomorrow 25 pieces

 
how does this compare to the msi x570 unify? I'm about to do a new build with the 5950x, but I don't really want to keep delaying. Board seems overkill, are the new features worth waiting for?
 
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urawzrd said:
how does this compare to the msi x570 unify? I'm about to do a new build with the 5950x, but I don't really want to keep delaying. Board seems overkill, are the new features worth waiting for?
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If you are gonna properly overclock and watercool and don't want to lose performance while overclocking Ryzen, then Asus dynamic oc is definitely worth it
 
LorDClockaN said:
If you are gonna properly overclock and watercool and don't want to lose performance while overclocking Ryzen, then Asus dynamic oc is definitely worth it
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Prob not too applicable to me. Just running a 360mm aio on my end. Utilizing dynamic oc to go to 4.5+ all cores would probably put me at 80/90+ on high load right? What about when comparing the other features of the boards
 
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urawzrd said:
Prob not too applicable to me. Just running a 360mm aio and utilizing dynamic oc to go to 4.5+ all cores would probably put me at 80/90+ on high load right? What about when comparing the other features of the boards
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Don't know. It has 2 M2 slots, some want 3. Rest is excellent. From network to audio afaik

The board can be purchased here if you are from EU:

it's expected to ship in 8 days

I got me one
 
Just got it in the mail today, ordered it Oct. 20. at Proshop.dk. Now it says availability expected on Nov. 24 on their hp.
 
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LorDClockaN said:
Don't know. It has 2 M2 slots, some want 3. Rest is excellent. From network to audio afaik

The board can be purchased here if you are from EU:

it's expected to ship in 8 days

I got me one
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Nice! Still nothing in the US and Microcenter finally responded to me. But all they said is that they will be stocking it, but they haven't received any yet, so I should "check their website regularly". At least my RTX 3080 should arrive today!
 
SMH777 said:
Yeah, it's been that way for about a week at this point. But you still have to fill in the price yourself
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Really? I could never get it to come up at all.
 
Dammeron said:
So x570 can be passively cooled and it doesn't need a big radiator on top...
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I believe after a bios update, x570 runs pretty cool. And for me, I would never buy a motherboard that needed a running fan.
 
@Black Haru, @W1zzard - Wondering when/if you're going to change to the latest USB naming conventions in your reviews. The newest ones have been out for nearly two years (announced for over 3).
  • USB 3.2 Gen 1: 5Gbps
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2: 10Gbps
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: 20Gbps
the USB 3.2 specification is absorbing all prior USB 3.x specifications
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www.pcgamer.com

USB is doubling in speed, but the naming conventions are getting ridiculous

Make way for several USB 3.2 standards.
www.pcgamer.com www.pcgamer.com

EDIT:
  • USB 1.1 ---> still USB 1.1 (Full Speed)
  • USB 2.0 ---> still USB 2.0 (High Speed)
  • USB 3.0 ---> USB 3.1 Gen 1 ---> USB 3.2 Gen 1 (SuperSpeed)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 ---> USB 3.2 Gen 2 (SuperSpeed 10Gbps)
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (SuperSpeed 20Gbps)

EDIT2: I also think its a great idea to test these new boards with the new flagship chip (and even some old boards with the new chip). I've found that some inexpensive boards could handle a 3900x, but not a 5950x without some throttling. Some that could overclock a 3900x couldn't handle 5950x PBO, for example. Clearly this is only with cheap boards (or Biostar that seems to have a hard current limit), but surely you understand the point.

EDIT3: Sorry... the specs table is borked with this board, yes? The expansion slots show 3x PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and 3x PCie 4.0 x1 slots. In looking at the board, there is only one x1 slot. The full-size slots are 2x @ PCIe 4.0 and 1x at PCIe 3.0 (at x8 speeds) and sourced from the chipset, right? Your table doesn't reflect that?

Asus' specs page is hella confusing to me... :(
 
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@Black Haru @W1zzard - BUMP for the existing questions above and a new question (I can't edit the above post so I have to double post).

One other thing, for power delivery, you mention 1080A... these are 90A parts, so that means 12 phases for Vcore? The site says 16 in 14+2. Did I miss something?


Above I meant......
EDIT3: Sorry... the specs table is borked with this board, yes? The expansion slots show 3x PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and 3x PCie 4.0 x1 slots. In looking at the board, there is only one x1 slot. The full-size slots are correct.
 
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