ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero ATX Gaming Motherboard

The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR VIII DARK HERO is an ATX motherboard that forms a strong foundation for a high performance gaming or content creation PC. Built on the AMD X570 chipset and equipped with an AM4 socket, it accepts Ryzen 5000, 4000 G-series, 3000, and 2000 processors, giving builders the freedom to choose the right CPU for their workload and budget.

Four DDR4 DIMM slots sit next to the socket and handle up to 128 GB of memory at speeds that reach 5100 MT/s when overclocked. Whether you are chasing higher frame rates or running multiple virtual machines, the board supplies ample bandwidth and capacity.

For storage, two M.2 slots connect directly to the CPU. One operates on PCIe 4.0 for the latest NVMe drives, while the other uses PCIe 3.0 for an additional high speed SSD. Eight SATA III ports are also available for large game libraries, media archives, or RAID arrays.

Three full length PCIe 4.0 x16 slots allow builders to install a powerful graphics card along with capture cards, high speed storage add-ins, or other expansion hardware. A PCIe 4.0 x1 slot provides a home for smaller accessories.

Integrated connectivity covers both wired and wireless needs. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 handle modern wireless peripherals and routers, while dual Ethernet ports, one at 2.5 Gb and another at 1 Gb, supply stable, low latency links for competitive online play or small office networks.

The 14+2 power stage design, each rated for 90 amperes, works with ProCool II connectors to feed clean, consistent power to the CPU. This headroom encourages overclocking and ensures reliability under sustained loads.

Thermal management is handled by large heatsinks on the VRM and chipset, an array of fan headers, and the ROG Water-Cooling Zone that simplifies pump and flow sensor integration. These features help maintain safe temperatures in both air cooled mid towers and custom liquid loop builds.

Audio immersion comes from SupremeFX 7.1-channel circuitry paired with an ESS ES9023P DAC, delivering clear positional cues and rich music playback through gaming headsets or external speakers.

Quality of life touches include a rear I/O shield that arrives already mounted, a Q-code diagnostic panel for faster troubleshooting, and plentiful USB 3.2 ports—including Type-C—for external drives, VR headsets, and streaming gear. Aura Sync RGB headers and Armoury Crate software make it easy to coordinate lighting with other ROG components.

• AMD AM4 socket on an X570 chipset platform
• PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and dual M.2 NVMe connectors
• Supports up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory at 5100 MT/s
• On-board Wi-Fi 6 and dual Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gb and 1 Gb
• 14+2 power stages rated for 90 A with ProCool II connectors
• SupremeFX 7.1 audio featuring an ESS ES9023P DAC
• Fan headers plus ROG Water-Cooling Zone for advanced thermal control
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C alongside Gen 1 and Gen 2 Type-A ports
• Aura Sync RGB headers with Armoury Crate support
• Rear I/O shield pre installed and a diagnostic Q-code panel