With the release of the X870E and X870, you want to find the best motherboard choice from the range to best suit your needs. If it’s a new AM5 build, or even upgrading one there’s certainly a range to choose from. As the new chipset selection has a few tiers and models to pick from that will have a variety of features you may consider.
With this X870 release coming surprisingly in between new AMD CPUs, it was a month or so before these mobos that the 9000 series came out that would benefit from these. But it does introduce some more specs and features to enjoy for your build. With the likes of more PCIe Gen 5 lanes, faster memory, and connectivity in general. You can also find the difference between an X870E vs X870, but here’s our top selection.
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ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870E
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: Gen 5 NVMe & Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000+MT/s (OC)
- Memory Capacity: 192GB DDR5
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ASUS PRIME X870-P WiFi
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: PCIe Gen 5 Storage – PCIe Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000+MT/s (OC)
- Memory Capacity: 192GB DDR5
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ASRock X870 Pro RS
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: Gen 5 NVMe & Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000MT/s+(OC)
- Memory Capacity: 256GB DDR5
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GIGABYTE X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870E
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: PCIe Gen 5 Storage – PCIe Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000MT/s(OC)
- Memory Capacity: 256GB (64GB DIMM)
How we picked
When picking out the choice of best X870 motherboards we search through the market and pick through the range of options available. With a variety of brands to pick from we rely on our expertise in the area and other reviews on the products to evaluate their worth. Along with getting hands-on with some of them when possible to put them through our testing lab, we then rank and compare the options available to recommend the best choices for you.
With a load of factors determining their value, it helps decide our choices. As we weigh up the worth of the likes of the compatibility, performance, design, features, connectivity, speeds, and all. That allows us to give you a good recommendation. With that in mind, here are the in-depth looks into our picks.
Top Black Friday Motherboard deals
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- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870E
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: Gen 5 NVMe & Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000+MT/s (OC)
- Memory Capacity: 192GB DDR5
Our top selection choice for the best X870E motherboard is the ROG Strix Gaming WiFi choice. As we found in our review of the mobo it was a strong performer in our test lab, with the 9950X socketed inside of it. Running rather cool throughout our testing and having a performance higher than the others we tested. That makes it a great choice for getting the most out of your hardware if you have the budget for it.
In general, the look of the Strix motherboard is sleek and dark. It has plenty of heatsinks covering the majority of its PCB and components. They are a lot softer on the edges this time around and do a great job of cooling their parts. It doesn’t even go overboard with the lights with just an RGB logo on the IO heatsink.
But the design also comes with handy features on it. Such as the quick disconnect NVMe heatsink and PCIe lane. With a quick button push, the heatsink pops off so you can install your storage without a need for screwing too. As for your graphics card, you can just pull it to one side and it comes out easily without the need to access the push tab buried by the board, giving you a lot easier function and usability from the board.
As for the compatibility and specs of the board, it has a load of fast connectivity on it. It is capable of supporting PCIe Gen 5 NVMes and GPUs with three M.2 slots supporting the speed, and an x16 for it. Giving you some of the latest and fastest tech onboard for future or current usage. That comes to networking too with the 5Gbps ethernet, and WiFi 7 for wireless, giving you fast connections to whatever you need.
That also goes for the DDR5 memory support. Capable of fitting nearly 200GB of capacity, it can run these at over 8000MT/s with the overclock. Gives you a lot of speed from the hardware and quite the boost over the previous generations’ support.
Then there are plenty of other nice-to-have features with a broad range of USB connections on the back and just a good amount to utilize. Along with the integrated IO that makes it easier to use, along with BIOS and CMOS clear buttons to make things easier. The same for the error display on the front, giving you a much easier time troubleshooting and fixing things.
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: PCIe Gen 5 Storage – PCIe Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000+MT/s (OC)
- Memory Capacity: 192GB DDR5
Now for an X870 motherboard, the ASUS Prime X870-P is our choice of model. Testing out and reviewing the board it got a good 4/5 score, as it just falls behind on some of the features found on the E chipset. But still, it offers plenty of fast and capable performance that doesn’t impact it enough to warrant the extra that the X870E does.
It does cut back on the design, certainly, a lot fewer heatsinks and coverings onboard, as the bottom two M.2s lack heatsinks. It does not need them as the VRMs are rated lower at 80A, meaning there is less heat to deal with. But still, the performance is up there, with support for the same 8000+MT/s for the DDR5 memory. It does have both PCIe Gen 5 for your GPU and M.2 as well but just one of each this time, which is still plenty for most users.
It also has WiFi 7 for fast connectivity but knocks down the ethernet to 2.5Gbps, which is also still plenty of speed to keep up with most ISP offerings. It further cuts things down with fewer IO ports only offering a BIOS flash button and no longer having a clear CMOS option. It also lacks an error code display making it that much more difficult to see what is happening and the status of the board.
Still, it has a good mix of features with HDMI, and audio connections, along with quick antenna connections making it simpler to use. Although the NVMe heatsink doesn’t have a quick release, the GPU offers a lever to the side, that also works for an easier GPU release but makes you do more work than higher-end picks.
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: Gen 5 NVMe & Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000MT/s+(OC)
- Memory Capacity: 256GB DDR5
If you’re looking for a budget choice, then the ASRock X870 Pro RS is a good choice. Surprisingly, another white design hasn’t been as common previously. This one keeps things simple, similar to the Prime motherboard, with just a few heatsinks where they are needed. The IO and VRMs getting a bulky solution, along with the NVMes and chipset getting a simple solution to get the job done.
It all nicely blends into one as the lines of the design run across the whole board. It makes it a nicely integrated choice that also enables the use of DIY-friendly design. The NVMe heatsink features a quick release and latch to hold it in. But does stick to the old PCIe latch, so long as you don’t need the graphics card changing out it will be fine for the most part.
Still, it has fast capabilities as seen by most X870 boards. It can have up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and it can be clocked beyond 8000MT/s when overclocked. There is also plenty of PCIe Gen 5 support as the top x16 and M.2 slots are of the latest generation. Giving them both incredibly fast speeds for when the components come for it.
For the connectivity for the IO, there is a good amount again. This basic version doesn’t include WiFi with the smaller budget even if the IO still has the cutout for it. But it does still have 2.5Gbps ethernet onboard, along with a couple of USB C 40 and lots of fast USB ports to utilize for all your peripherals. It also features SPDIF and audio jacks for whatever audio solutions you might opt for.
It also has a BIOS flash button in case you want to update the software without going through it onboard and if you need support without booting. Otherwise, it keeps things simple and subtle which makes it a good value choice.
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870E
- Form Factor: ATX
- PCIe Version: PCIe Gen 5 Storage – PCIe Gen 5 GPU
- Memory Speed: 8000MT/s(OC)
- Memory Capacity: 256GB (64GB DIMM)
If you’re looking for some more connectivity and features of the X870E then the Gigabyte Aorus Elite has that capability. The design is a simple and dark solution with quite a lot of cooling. As it goes for sharp edges on the massive IO and VRM heatsinks up in the corner. Along with the NVMe and chipset creating a more unison solution. Also reflected in the design across them with the prominent AORUS branding.
It does offer both Ez latch solutions for its M.2 and PCIe components with buttons and latches for easier DIY. These are of course Gen 5 for an x16 and M.2 slots. Providing you with a fast solution for your components for now or later down the line. Which the DDR5 support is also there as it fits 256GB of capacity with a speed of over 8000MT/s in an overclock.
For more DIY support and help, there is an error display on the board for help in troubleshooting, right next to the power and reset buttons on the board. This means you don’t have to look up and play with the pins instead. Which is found with the Q-flash on the IO making things a lot easier, including the video ports.
The rest of the back is quite featureful too. With lots of fast USB with both A and C to get you connected to anything you need with quite some speed too. There is also a 2.5Gbps ethernet port to get you networking support, which the WiFi 7 does as well which also has a quick and easy connector to use.
What to look for in a motherboard
When picking out the right motherboard for you, there are a lot of options to pick from. So we give you some of the key features to compare between them to try and cut down the choices.
Design and cooling
Primarily, you want the motherboard the fit into your build. You don’t want it to stand out too much and suit the aesthetic in combination with the rest of your components. Combining white and black components will be a drastic comparison that might be for you or an unnecessary contrast.
Instead keeping things the same with a good design and look brings it together. That may also affect the design of the cooling, as you want to get the most out of your components. Including being able to cool your NVMes well to keep them running along with the VRMs and providing the power to your motherboard with the best efficiency.
Component speeds and overclocking
The motherboard can also dictate the speeds of other components. Meaning you have to make a good choice to get even more out of the rest. Including what kind of DDR5 memory capacity and speeds they can achieve. That is mostly coming from overclocking and different ones will likely have different levels of support. That way you don’t want to limit your capabilities elsewhere even though they likely will have similar levels of speeds.
The generation of PCIe onboard may also vary. Most so far seem to have at least one x16 and M.2 slot with the generation support. However, they may have a different number of them, so if you’re planning on getting more M.2s or add-in cards for it, you want to be sure to have the ability to utilize all of it so it’s best to check they have enough for your needs.
Features and connectivity
Another set of features that may interest you is the general connectivity and useful features. Such as the generation of WiFi on board if it has it or the ethernet speed can be important when you’re planning on what kind of networking you want to include it in at home. Features like easy plug-ins, latches, and less faff in installation and use might just make it all that easier. Along with the amount of ports on the back, they all stop the frustration down the line, so check those when comparing models.
Final word
If you’re looking at where to buy an X870 or X870E motherboard and can’t decide on which one hopefully we’ve pointed you in the right direction. Giving you an overview of what to look out for, and how they may differ. That way you can find the right model for your next gaming PC and get the most value for it.
