Introduction

In today's review, we will be looking at the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO, aimed at PC gamers and enthusiasts alike. The Crosshair family serves as ASUS's premium line for AMD motherboards, typically comprising a number of different models. Currently, ASUS has only three in production: Hero, Gene and Extreme, with more on the way. The aforementioned ROG Crosshair X670E Hero sits in the middle of the pack while still offering the newest technologies available and the build quality ASUS is known for.

AMD's AM5 platform and Ryzen 7000 processors launched in late 2022, bringing PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 support. Waiting that additional year after Intel improved the availability and cost of DDR5 for AMD. With these new Ryzen processors come two big changes. AMD has made the transition to LGA (Land Grid Array) for the AM5 (LGA 1718) socket. All previous desktop Ryzen processors (minus Threadripper) used the AM4 PGA (Pin Grid Array) socket. What this means for consumers is that there is no Zen 4 CPU upgrade path for AM4 based platforms. If you want these new processors, they require a brand new motherboard. The platform change also requires new memory, since the AM5 socket exclusively uses DDR5 for its system memory.

This new AM5 socket carries a host of options for connecting high speed devices that weren't previously available to AMD customers. As mentioned, going forward, AMD Ryzen CPUs on this new platform will now support DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5.0 and M.2 Gen 5. With 24 PCIe Gen 5.0 lanes from the CPU available, motherboard manufacturers now have an opportunity to innovate and create products catered towards users with high bandwidth needs. Along with more PCIe lanes provided by the processors, are four different chipset configurations; B650, B650E, X670 and X670E. The "E" stands for Extreme, and any motherboard carrying this title will have PCIe Gen 5 support. The ones without will forgo PCIe Gen 5 support in favor of the current PCIe Gen 4 standard. Moreover, the B series, like the previous AM4 iterations, feature fewer connections for USB, M.2 and PCIe lanes, designed to be more budget friendly. The X670 and X670E use the same chipset, with two X670 chips daisy-chained together in the E variant, sharing a PCIe 4.0 x4 link to the CPU. X670E will offer the most high bandwidth lanes, storage options and external connections out of the available AM5 platform chipsets. With that, make sure to read TechPowerUp's AMD Ryzen 7600X, 7700X, 7900X and 7950X reviews, for more in depth coverage.


The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO features robust VRM cooling with an 18+2+2 phase VRM solution using 110 A power stages for a stress-free CPU overclocking experience. BIOS flashback has also been included, as well as ASUS's CPU overclocking tools with AI Optimized. The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO also offers great connectivity with the newest WiFi 6E technology, USB4, and four onboard M.2 slots, two of which are Gen 5 compliant! There is a lot to cover in this review, so let's take a closer look at the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO.

Specifications

Packaging and Contents

The front of the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO box has a matte black finish with red accents in traditional ROG fashion. The product name is in embossed foil to give it that extra premium look. If you are unsure which chipset this AMD motherboard deploys, in the bottom right corner is AMD branding that clearly says X670E, with smaller text below that stating the chipset supports overclocking, PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5.

On the back of the box, a few features are highlighted, such as the included PCIe 5.0 M.2 add-on card, Polymo Lighting and USB-C with 60 Watt power delivery. To the left is a depiction of the motherboard with a list of specifications. Overall, ASUS has done a great job here with valuable information if you didn't have access to the internet while making an on the spot purchasing decision. The only thing missing is what accessories are included and motherboard PCIe slot configurations.


The accessories are on point here. Once you have removed the motherboard from the box, two sections are presented. The left holds all the screws, WiFi antenna, SATA cables, and other goodies. The right has the M.2 Gen 5 PCIe add-on card and a USB flash drive that is used for driver and software installation. Physical manuals are far less common going into 2023. ASUS is one of many brands who have removed the paper manual. The USB flash drive does include a quick start guide for installation, but the full manual will have to be downloaded from ASUS website.

The full list of accessories includes:

• 1x ARGB RGB extension cable (5 V)
• 1x RGB extension cable (12 V)
• 4x SATA 6 Gb/s cables
• 1x Thermal pad for M.2
• 1x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas
• 3x Rubber packages for M.2 backplate
• 1x Rubber package for M.2
• 1x M.2 Q-Latch package
• 1x Q-connector
• 3x M.2 Q-Latch packages for M.2 backplate
• 1x ROG graphics card holder
• 1x ROG key chain
• 1x ROG stickers
• 1x ROG thank you card
• 1x USB Drive (Software and Drivers)

Board Layout

ASUS keeps true to the ROG theme the brand is known for. A black PCB, matte black heatsinks and a piano black finish over the chipset area. This motherboard is also smaller compared to other brands X670E models. This ROG Crosshair X670E HERO still keeps the ATX form factor instead of the more common E-ATX size for the X670 (E) versions. Most vendors have chosen to go with the larger size to accommodate AMD's X670E dual chipset design. Somehow ASUS has still managed to cram everything in.


AMD's change to the socket type also comes with some compatibility challenges as well. Many brands currently selling AM4 CPU coolers already have forwards compatibility, but not all will work without an adapter from the manufacturer. ASUS has tall heatsinks surrounding the AM5 socket, which may interfere with larger air coolers and conflict depending on the orientation. More compact sized units such as the AMD Wraith Prism will not have any problem.

Note: AMD recommends 240-280 mm AIO (or better) for the Ryzen R9 7950X/7900X to keep the turbo frequency on target. Thermal observations from using the AMD Ryzen 7950X during this review place the CPU at 95°C, which is perfectly normal. The AIO solution isn't a requirement if heavy multi-threaded application performance is not a priority, though it will provide the highest boost clocks overall. Undervolting and using PBO is also an option, to circumvent CPU cooler thermal limitations. For more information regarding Ryzen 7000 cooling requirements, TechPowerUp has a great article covering this specific topic. Article Link.


The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO offers two PCI Express x16 slots, which are both reinforced for extra stress support. Both PCIe slots are also Gen 5 certified with a total of x16 lanes coming from the CPU. This means that slot one can either operate at x16 or x8. Slot 2 is wired for PCIe Gen 5 x8 and will split the available lanes with the first slot when populated. At the very bottom is a nearly invisible PCIe Gen 4 x1 slot, easy to miss if you aren't looking for it.


ASUS has added a PCIe release button for the first slot. This first showed up with ASUS Intel Z690 motherboards in late 2021. With a larger upper M.2 heatsink and everything in such close proximity, just swapping out a video card would be tricky. With this release button, that has all been solved and removal of anything in the first PCIe slot becomes straightforward.


ASUS deploys four M.2 sockets on the motherboard itself. Two of which are M.2 Gen 5 x4 compliant sockets. One is located above the first PCIE x16 slot, while the other is right above the second PCIe slot. These are both connected directly to the CPU. The remaining two M.2 sockets are Gen 4 x4 and routed through the X670 chipset.

Note: USB4 shares bandwidth with M.2 Socket_1 (top).




Included with the motherboard is a Gen 5 M.2 PCIe card. When placed in the second PCIe slot, it will support a single Gen 5 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD. The heatsink is a large piece of aluminium that should be adequate to passively cool any SSD for an extended period of time.


The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO includes startup LEDs for easier troubleshooting. It also has a debugger that will show different codes depending what the motherboard is stuck on or where in the boot sequence it is. This makes standard troubleshooting and overclocking much easier to solve if an issue arises.


On the motherboard itself is a Power, Flex Key and Retry button for use on a test-bench or basic troubleshooting. The Flex Key functions as a system reset button (default), but it can be reassigned in the BIOS to Aura lighting and safe boot. While safe boot is great on Intel platforms, it usually doesn't on AMD work once you're really stuck. This isn't just an ASUS problem, so far safe boot has been hit or miss on every vendors motherboards tested so far.


ASUS is using a Intel JHL8540 PCIe x4 Gen 3 Thunderbolt 4 chip for the USB4 ports. The total bandwidth will be constrained as both USB4 ports share the same TB4 controller.


After removing the heatsink, we can get a closer look at the X670E chipsets in tandem (PCH).


The biggest difference between X670 and B650 chipsets is the amount of PCIe lanes available to be allocated towards SATA ports, USB and PCIe slots. Of course motherboard vendors can rework the allocation to a certain degree. Here, ASUS is using the X670E chipset(s) with this motherboard and we can find three USB 2.0, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) and a single USB-C (20 Gbps) header on the motherboard.


The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO uses a two 8-Pin EPS connector for higher power management. Next to the 24-Pin is an extra 6-Pin PEG to supply additional power to USB peripherals, M.2 sockets and PCIe slots.


The motherboard has four RGB headers for fans, coolers and whatever else needs the RGB treatment. Next to the onboard start button section is a a single 12 V (4-pins) and one ARGB 5 V (3-pins). Right in the middle at the bottom of the motherboard are two more ARGB 5 V (3-pins) headers.

Information provided by ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO manual


Each X670 chipset in the X670E pair can supply up to four 6 Gb/s SATA ports natively. ASUS has six total, with the remaining bandwidth used elsewhere.


ASUS has used the Realtek ALC4082 Codec for the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO along with a ESS ES9218 QUAD DAC chip for the on-board audio solution.


Removing the WiFi card, we can see its an Intel AX210. This supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.X


Getting a closer look at the Rear IO panel, we can see ASUS put emphasis on providing the users with a lot of high speed USB ports. The highlight of course is the USB4 that offers up to 40 Gb/s per connection and can used with NAS externals or USB hubs. Since the AMD Ryzen 7000 series has onboard graphics, HDMI 2.1 and USB-C (DisplayPort 1.4) are provided for video output from the CPU. On-board video output is a nice fallback for troubleshooting purposes.

This motherboard also has a clear CMOS button for when the system gets stuck from a failed overclock and the settings just need to be cleared out. Below that is a BIOS Flashback button. This button allows the motherboard BIOS to be flashed without a processor present. This feature is built into the AM5 platform, so there's no reason for manufacturers not to take advantage of it.

• 2x USB4 (40 Gbps)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (Type-C - 20 Gbps)
• 8x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A - 10 Gbps)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C - 20 Gbps)
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x WiFi 6E
• 1x Intel 2.5 Gb LAN
• 5x Gold-plated audio jacks
• 1x Optical SPDIF Out
• 1x BIOS Flashback button
• 1x Clear CMOS button