Asus Crosshair VIII Hero WIFI (X570) Motherboard & AMD Ryzen 9 3900X - Killer Combo!

[MacClipper]

Yes, PCI-e 4.0 is finally here!

Haha, the world's very first PCI-e 4.0 chipset makes it to the consumer desktop, well beating once mighty Intel to the punch. Complacency and bullying tactics can only get you that far... many kudos to AMD again!



PCIe 4.0: Everything you need to know...
Asus X570 motherboard guide



More Web Previews
https://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/asus_rog_crosshair_viii_hero_preview/1
https://pokde.net/blog/rog-crosshair-viii-hero-wifi-preview-taking-a-peek-at-the-vrms/

Video Previews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN3uigEgYzM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CimAU9GMu7Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAtOdolabdE




Asus Official Webpage
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-Crosshair-VIII-Hero/

Packaging
Sturdy large box in ROG colours.The accessories bundle is adequate but could have been more forward looking by including a drivers USB flashdrive instead of a DVD.

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To be continued...

 

[MacClipper]

Motherboard
Generous heatsinks for the VRM (with heatpipe) and Southbridge with integrated active cooling, cleverly catering for the M.2 SSDs too. Protective Asus mobo armour and just as generous blessing of 14+2 onboard power phases (IR3555) too.

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Motherboard Layout
Busy layout with lots of features and connectors, reinforced RAM and PCI-e slot.

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[MacClipper]

Back I/O & Beyond
This is the WIFI enabled model with the gold plated DIN connectors. Dual LAN ports - Intel GLAN and Realtek 2.5GLAN plus a forward looking USB-C port.

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8+4 ATX12V connectors for the crazy overclockers, note the broad silvery heatpipe peeking out between the heatsinks.

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All the clockers' dream bits and pieces are seen here - onboard debug display, plentiful PWM fan headers, power/reset buttons. Also shown are the voltage measuring points in front of the main ATX power connector.

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[MacClipper]

Plentiful SATA ports, flat lying USB3 headers - yay!

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Even more PWM fan and RGB headers in this corner, the M2 heatsink is also seen.

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Isolated S1220 audio subsystem, more RGB headers and clockers' buttons.

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Long gone are the AM3 mounting holes of earlier models, by now you had better be well prepared cos AM4 has been around for more than 2 years already.

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[Rashkae]

ASUS still not using the newer IR rectifiers. MSI, Gigabyte, all already upgraded.

 

[MacClipper]

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/amd-ryzen-9-3900x

Monster juggernaut of a desktop processor comprising 12 cores and 24 threads modern 7nm process yet at a price similar to the 8 cores 16 threads ancient 14nm process Core i7-9900K. And it is yet bundled with a quality heatpipe Wraith Prism with RGB fan heatsink.

Comparing the 2 CPU, side by side based on similar pricing but is this anywhere going to be a level ground competition in the first place? Already on paper, AMD with its modern design and process seems to hold all the aces in its hands.

Test Setup
Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero WIFI | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Corsair DDR4-3466XMP@3600 16GB Kit | WD Black nvme 500GB SSD | Scythe Kabuto3 | Win 10 x64 1903

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12 cores and 24 threads of Ryzen2 goodness, take that all you current Intel mainstream 4 core wimps!

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[MacClipper]

CPU-Z Bench
Stomped all over the similarly priced Core i7-9900K in multithread (39.4% faster) and slightly edged out in the single thread bench (7.5% slower).

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7-Zip Bench
Nice big numbers!

Cinebench R20
Killing even its own big brother, its dual channel 12C24T is faster than the quad channel 16C32T Threadripper 1950X, plenty of ouch!

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[MacClipper]

Geekbench4
https://browser.geekbench.com/v4/cpu/13869108

hwinfo64 Monitoring
As expected, its 12C24T run on the hotter side of things but it still runs stable in our local ambient air.

Running cool and fuss free in the background is the Asus Crosshair VIII Hero motherboard (see hwinfo64 mobo readings), it has been rock solid and dependable so far. Its industry leading UEFI BIOS is easy to configure, feature filled and consistent.


Initial Impressions
This is one of the rare OMG moment in consumer desktop computing - AMD has thrown down the gauntlet and solidly empowered the rest of us with incredible yet affordable processing beyond the wildest imagination of everybody especially the complacent sleeping giant called Intel.

Things are not quite perfect yet with the early BIOS and driver issues but... please wake up to reality, was anyone ever perfect especially Intel with its countless CPU bugfixes steadily eating into its so called performance lead which has by now almost vaporised into thin air?

Run or better fly, just don't walk or dawdle... quickly grab this amazing Ryzen2 bundle cos they are flying off the shelves as we (and Intel) sleep. One also can't help but wonder how the incoming 16C/32T R9 3950 may upset the equilibrium again in short time.

Overall - a must buy for all cost performance fans and AMD enthusiasts too!

Let's encourage both Asus and AMD to keep on creating great stuff for the rest of us.



Bonus Screenshot
For those of you who read all the way to the end... yes, it is indeed possible to do so.

Enjoy.

 

[MacClipper]

ASUS still not using the newer IR rectifiers. MSI, Gigabyte, all already upgraded.

Some hardworking guy/s did this up-to-date comparison list, maybe you can check it out too.
VRM Tier List v1.1 (2019-07-02)

The 60A IR3555 used here is more than adequate for overclocking the highest end Ryzen chip. Even the oldest Crosshair VI is rated capable of doing so, check out in this summarised capture I have made it for easier comparison.

Anyway, it is good to see the overall picture for a motherboard.

An example, the MSI x370 Titanium in your rig list... is this actually true? The X370 Crosshair VI just got another new Matisse BIOS today. MSI Betrays AMD's Socket AM4 Longevity Promise: No Zen2 for 300-series?

 

[Rashkae]

Some hardworking guy/s did this up-to-date comparison list, maybe you can check it out too.
VRM Tier List v1.1 (2019-07-02)

The 60A IR3555 used here is more than adequate for overclocking the highest end Ryzen chip. Even the oldest Crosshair VI is rated capable of doing so, check out in this summarised capture I have made it for easier comparison.

Anyway, it is good to see the overall picture for a motherboard.

An example, the MSI x370 Titanium in your rig list... is this actually true? The X370 Crosshair VI just got another new Matisse BIOS today. MSI Betrays AMD's Socket AM4 Longevity Promise: No Zen2 for 300-series?

1. The IR3555 is fairly old tech. The others are on newer ones. Look at the Buildzoid breakdowns
2. Oh, that was ages ago
3. You're posting old rumor articles that were already debunked a month ago and MSI has released updated BIOS

 

[MacClipper]

1. The IR3555 is fairly old tech. The others are on newer ones. Look at the Buildzoid breakdowns
2. Oh, that was ages ago
3. You're posting old rumor articles that were already debunked a month ago and MSI has released updated BIOS

I would still give Asus designers the benefit of doubt why they continue to go along with IR3555 when newer models are out especially if the IR3555 is still way more than adequate in real life overclocking.

TPU is usually quite trustworthy but you are probably right since you probably follow MSI news more closely than me. It's just strange that MSI official support page shows only older BIOS from Jan 2019 which is older than the TPU report - https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/X370-XPOWER-GAMING-TITANIUM

So are you considering upgrading your CPU/rig or considering switching to Intel?

 

[Rashkae]

That TPU article was from mid April. The clarification came out a few days later.

I'm currently on a 2700x on a Gigabyte Aorus 7 - will wait until September for the 3950x and the RAM, MB, and PCIE4 prices to drop/stabilize

You? Going for 3700x or 3800x? The Asus and Corsair PCIE4 SSDs are same price right now

 

[Phen8210]

Are those board really necessary if one just want to overclock on 3600 and 3700x? It won't improve the performance or overclock at all right? These boards made for LN2 OC or something?

 

[Rashkae]

Are those board really necessary if one just want to overclock on 3600 and 3700x? It won't improve the performance or overclock at all right? These boards made for LN2 OC or something?

The high end boards are mainly focused at LN2 yup. But you'll want a board with good phases for overclocks.

 

[MacClipper]

Thread updated again.

You? Going for 3700x or 3800x? The Asus and Corsair PCIE4 SSDs are same price right now

See what the next few days brings, hoping to get hold of at least 1 new Ryzen 3000 processor no matter which model cos I am starting off this preview with just a Ryzen 2600 meanwhile.

Are those board really necessary if one just want to overclock on 3600 and 3700x? It won't improve the performance or overclock at all right? These boards made for LN2 OC or something?

My 2c.

Think those who had invested in a well equipped AM4 motherboard like the Asus Crosshair VI Hero right from the start (~2.5 year ago) are having a good chuckle now. Their beloved mobos are rated still capable of overclocking the latest Ryzen 9 models.

imo, well built mobos are first and foremost meant for the majority doing dependable 24/7 operations and some overclocking airheads, not just for the minute LN2 afflicted minority.

 

[KWSW]

My 2c.

Think those who had invested in a well equipped AM4 motherboard like the Asus Crosshair VI Hero right from the start (~2.5 year ago) are having a good chuckle now. Their beloved mobos are rated still capable of overclocking the latest Ryzen 9 models.

imo, well built mobos are first and foremost meant for the majority doing dependable 24/7 operations and some overclocking airheads, not just for the minute LN2 afflicted minority.

Guess after all these years the decision to bite the bullet and get the C6H was a good "investment" after all... lol

Now waiting for the 1.0.0.3AB bios to unlock the full features for Zen2.

 

[MacClipper]

Guess after all these years the decision to bite the bullet and get the C6H was a good "investment" after all... lol

Now waiting for the 1.0.0.3AB bios to unlock the full features for Zen2.

Guess many owners are waiting anxiously to see how far their old faithfuls can push the new Ryzens too. imo, for now PCI-e 4.0 is more a want rather than a need unless one has a good sized wallet and needs faster storage.


Hmm, someone actually did an article on this particular enthusiast mobo topic last year.
Are More Expensive Motherboards Better Motherboards?

Enjoy your weekend.

 

[KWSW]

Guess many owners are waiting anxiously to see how far their old faithfuls can push the new Ryzens too. imo, for now PCI-e 4.0 is more a want rather than a need unless one has a good sized wallet and needs faster storage.


Hmm, someone actually did an article on this particular enthusiast mobo topic last year.
Are More Expensive Motherboards Better Motherboards?

Enjoy your weekend.

I am looking at the 3800x upgrade from my 1800x so i think my C6H should be fine as I am the type to just install and use. Doubt I am going to OC but from the looks of it, I think my C6H can OC abit.

Now to wait for NDA to be lifted tonight

 

[MacClipper]

I am looking at the 3800x upgrade from my 1800x so i think my C6H should be fine as I am the type to just install and use. Doubt I am going to OC but from the looks of it, I think my C6H can OC abit.

Now to wait for NDA to be lifted tonight

It's very early days but the picture quickly forming from web indepth reports is showing that it may not be worthwhile manually o'cing the new chips as AMD itself has tuned them almost to the max.




Click on the quotes to read more

The overclocking capabilities

Essentially, if we're talking about the higher-end SKUs, there is basically none.

AMD appears to have done its best to get the most out of the Ryzen 3000 CPUs: at least there is not a lot of headroom for overclocking with our samples.

 

[KWSW]

It's very early days but the picture quickly forming from web indepth reports is showing that it may not be worthwhile manually o'cing the new chips as AMD itself has tuned them almost to the max.

Click on the quotes to read more

https://www.overclock.net/forum/10-amd-cpus/1728758-strictly-technical-matisse-not-really.html


https://nl.hardware.info/reviews/93...ij-overkloktest-ryzen-9-3900x-klokt-het-verst

Lol which is good for me, I'm aiming the 3800x to just use at auto.