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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For most builders choosing among these three X870E boards, the deciding factor should be features and expansion needs—not an expected stock-CPU speed boost. In HotHardware’s December 23, 2024 review, the ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi was the value pick, the MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi offered a connectivity-focused step up, and the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero stood out for specialist tuning controls. Those are review-era conclusions, not a current price or availability check.
What the review compared
Zak Killian’s HotHardware conclusion compared three premium Socket AM5 motherboards built around AMD’s X870E chipset. Its recommendation was conditional: choose based on the features your build will use, rather than paying more in expectation of a meaningful stock-performance gain. The review also cautioned that very inexpensive boards with weak voltage-regulation hardware may be a concern with 12- and 16-core processors.
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The review’s prices are historical context from December 2024, not current offers. HotHardware disclosed that ASUS, MSI, and ASRock supplied the evaluated hardware; that disclosure does not establish any current sponsorship or retailer terms.
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How the three boards differ
| Board | Review-era price and positioning | Features highlighted in the review | Best fit based on the review |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi | About $350 at publication; the review’s value choice among these three | Two USB4 ports, PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot, 5-Gigabit Ethernet, ALC4082 audio, POST-code LEDs, BIOS Flashback, and an eight-layer PCB | Builders seeking a premium feature set at the lower review-era price point, provided its particular feature mix suits the build. HotHardware’s ASRock assessment |
| MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi | $499 at publication; a connectivity-rich step up | Many high-speed USB ports, convenient M.2 access, RGB accents, and Wi-Fi 7 with 320-MHz channel support | Builders who will use its added I/O, storage convenience, or networking features. HotHardware’s MSI assessment |
| ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero | $699 at publication; the review also mentioned a temporary $669 sale | Extensive tuning control, ECLK support, dynamic switching between manual all-core overclocking and AMD PBO, and three PCIe 5.0 M.2 sockets | Extreme overclockers or users with a concrete need for its specialist controls. HotHardware’s ASUS assessment |
These amounts describe the review’s December 2024 price context. The review does not establish present-day prices, stock, or retailer availability.
#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.
Why paying more is not a stock-speed upgrade
A motherboard’s price is not, by itself, evidence that a processor will run faster at stock settings. In this comparison, the practical reasons to move up the range are the board-specific connectivity, storage access, diagnostics, networking, or tuning features. The review treats the Nova as the value choice among these particular boards, not as a universal winner: the Carbon’s I/O and storage conveniences or the Hero’s overclocking controls can justify choosing them when those features matter to the build.
Check lane sharing before installing drives and cards
USB4 support and other high-speed connections can shape how a board maker allocates PCIe lanes. The review discusses possible lane-sharing trade-offs, including cases where populating multiple M.2 or PCIe devices may affect the primary slot. The exact behavior depends on the board and installed-device configuration; it should not be assumed to be identical across all X870E boards.
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
- Open the manual for the exact motherboard model and revision you plan to buy.
- Find its PCIe and M.2 lane-allocation or sharing table.
- Map your intended graphics card, M.2 drives, and add-in cards to the listed configurations.
- Confirm that the resulting slot widths and shared connections meet your needs before purchase.
HotHardware’s discussion of the MSI board’s lane allocation appears in its comparison conclusion. Use the chosen board’s own manual to verify the configuration you intend to populate.
What to verify before buying now
The comparison was published on December 23, 2024, and is not current comparative testing. Before choosing a board, check current retailer listings and the manufacturer’s support page for the exact model and revision. Verify the latest applicable BIOS, memory compatibility information, and lane-sharing details for your planned configuration; the review does not establish current status for those items. HotHardware’s testing setup page provides context for the original evaluation, but does not substitute for checking current firmware or compatibility information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Supports AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Desktop Processors
- Premium Thermal Design: Heavy plated MOSFET heatsink with heat-pipe / high quality 7W/mK MOSFET thermal pads / extra choke thermal pads / onboard M.2 Shield Frozr
- EZ PCIe Release: A simple press of a button to effortlessly lock or unlock the PCIe slot
- Lightning Gen 5: The latest PCIe 5.0 solution with up to 128GB/s bandwidth for maximum transfer speed
- Dual LAN: Dual premium network solution for both Intranet and Internet
Rank #4
- AMD Socket AM5: Supports AMD Ryzen 9000 / Ryzen 8000 / Ryzen 7000 Series Processors
- DDR5 Compatible: 4*DIMMs with AMD EXPO Support
- Power Design: 16+2+2
- Thermals: VRM and M.2 Thermal Guard
- Connectivity: PCIe 5.0, 4x M.2 Slots, Dual USB4, Front and Rear USB-C, Sensor Panel Link
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
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.
