ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero AMD AM4 X570S Zen 3 Ryzen

The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is an AMD AM4 motherboard designed to support second- and third-generation AMD Ryzen processors. It caters to builders who need strong power delivery, silent thermal solutions, and modern connectivity for demanding PC builds.

Power handling relies on a 14+2 power stage design rated for 90A, backed by ProCool II connectors, microfine alloy chokes, and 10K Japanese black metallic capacitors. Cooling is handled without an active chipset fan, utilizing a passive chipset heatsink, aluminum M.2 heatsinks, and a dedicated ROG Water Cooling Zone for custom liquid loops.

For networking and peripherals, the board includes on-board Wi-Fi 6 with MU-MIMO support, Bluetooth 5.1, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, a standard Gigabit Ethernet port, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connectivity. Building is simplified through integrated features such as a pre-mounted I/O shield, ASUS SafeSlot reinforcement for expansion slots, and BIOS flashback support.

Because this board uses the AMD AM4 socket, it is strictly compatible with 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors and cannot accommodate newer non-AM4 platforms. Buyers should also note that its feature set is heavily oriented toward high-demand setups and liquid cooling.

Verdict: The ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is a well-equipped AM4 motherboard ideal for PC enthusiasts building with AMD Ryzen processors. It delivers strong power management, quiet passive cooling, and high-speed networking for demanding desktop systems.

• Socket: AMD AM4
• Processor Compatibility: 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen
• Power Delivery: 14+2 TI power stages rated for 90A
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO, Bluetooth v5.1
• Wired Networking: 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
• USB: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C

A great fit if you:

• Plan to build a system around a 2nd or 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processor.
• Want silent motherboard cooling without a dedicated chipset fan.
• Need fast wireless connectivity via built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
• Plan to use custom liquid cooling with dedicated zones.

Consider something else if you:

• Are building with a processor that uses a socket other than AMD AM4.
• Need only basic office connectivity without high-speed 2.5 Gbps networking.

Which processors work with this motherboard?
The board features an AMD AM4 socket and supports 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors.

Does this board feature built-in wireless connectivity?
Yes, it includes on-board Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO support and Bluetooth 5.1.

How is the chipset cooled?
It utilizes a passive chipset heatsink along with aluminum M.2 heatsinks and support for an ROG Water Cooling Zone.