Choose between the Asus ROG Strix x570-E and the ROG Crosshair Dark Hero.
Choose between the Asus ROG Strix x570-E and the ROG Crosshair Dark Hero.
I currently own a rather flawed motherboard. It's the AsRock Steel Legend B450M, which functions but has several drawbacks—power problems like unstable USB connections and resetting of devices when the mouse is unplugged. Although it wasn't bought for everyday use, it became my go-to after I found a good deal on it. With this context, I'm ready to upgrade to a reliable daily driver board that offers stronger memory support and possibly a future upgrade path to a 5900X (though a 5950X remains uncertain). After evaluating options, I’m leaning toward either the Asus Strix X570-E or the ROG Crosshair Viii Hero (or the newer Dark Hero due to its fanless design). My priorities include Wi-Fi 6, PCI-E 4.0 with ample lanes, and the convenience of built-in Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth. I plan to pair it with an Asus ROG Strix RTX 3070/3080, Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2, and two NVMe drives. I already own a Sabrent 4.0 1TB and intend to add a 2TB drive later for secondary games or content. I don’t want to miss out on choices, especially since many PCIe 4.0 drives are nearing the $3 price mark. While I don’t require maximum speed constantly, I’m open to getting it if it fits my needs. This decision hinges on whether I can confirm that the Dark Hero will meet my expectations without missing key features. I’m particularly curious about the Crosshair’s reliability—does its reputation for stability match what I remember from my previous experience with the Maximus Hero? I also want to verify that the Strix and Crosshair both support BIOS Flashback and the Q-Code, which would ease troubleshooting. My concern is whether the fanless design of the Dark Hero would be worth the extra $20 compared to the Strix, especially if active cooling isn’t essential for me. Overall, I’m weighing practicality against brand loyalty and long-term value.
It seems like you're struggling to find a clear answer. I'm still inclined toward the Strix. I still value having the Crosshair for better confidence on the board, even though there are rumors about AMD possibly moving away from AM4 with future processors. Maybe I'll hold off until then before committing to an upgrade. Upgrading after something like a 5900x and RTX 3080 doesn't seem very likely.