ASUS is getting ready to expand its premium AM5 lineup with two new flagship motherboards built for AMD Ryzen processors: the ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial and the Crosshair X870E DARK NEO. Both boards are based on AMD’s X870E chipset and are positioned as top-tier options for enthusiasts who want cutting-edge performance, next-gen connectivity, and refined build features.
The spotlight model appears to be the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial, an E-ATX motherboard designed with a heavy-duty power delivery setup rated at roughly 26–28 VRM phases. ASUS is also refreshing the VRM heatsink layout, and the most eye-catching upgrade is a massive 5-inch LCD integrated into the rear I/O shroud. That built-in screen is intended for real-time monitoring and customization, turning system stats into part of the overall build aesthetic.
Memory support stays firmly in enthusiast territory. The board is expected to handle DDR5 speeds up to 8000 MT/s and support up to 256GB capacity. ASUS is also bringing back its DIMM.2 solution, a signature feature that helps expand M.2 storage options without cluttering the main board layout.
For builders who care about clean cable management and easier assembly, the Glacial includes a large onboard panel area with dedicated Start and FlexKey buttons. ASUS is also using right-angled connectors in key areas, including the main 24-pin power connection and an additional 6-pin power connector intended to provide extra power support for demanding configurations.
Storage and cooling are clearly a major focus. The board uses a large cover/tray design to conceal PCIe and M.2 areas for a cleaner look, while also incorporating substantial heatsinking across the M.2 slots with dedicated thermal pads. The primary M.2 slot goes a step further with a 3D vapor chamber heatsink and an embedded heatpipe—an approach aimed at keeping temperatures under control when running high-performance PCIe Gen5 SSDs. Traditional storage isn’t ignored either, with four SATA III ports included.
Aesthetically, the “Glacial” theme leans hard into a bright, premium white finish meant for showcase builds. ASUS positions it as a top-end choice for Ryzen 9000 series systems, pairing the platform with high-bandwidth standards like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. Connectivity is also expected to be forward-looking, including USB4 support, while the onboard 5-inch LCD adds both function and personality. ASUS also hints that the board’s high-performance design is meant to complement emerging AI-focused workloads, appealing to power users who want a system that can handle more than gaming.
The second teased board is the ROG Crosshair X870E DARK NEO (also referenced as the DARK HERO in the early details), which shifts to a darker, stealthier aesthetic. ASUS indicates it will feature an upgraded VRM design and will use the same 3D vapor chamber M.2 cooling concept for next-gen SSD thermals. It’s also expected to incorporate more of ASUS’s EZ DIY features—quality-of-life improvements that make building and upgrading faster and less frustrating.
ASUS plans to showcase these new ROG Crosshair X870E motherboards at CES, alongside fresh “NEO” additions in the ProArt and TUF Gaming families. If you’re planning a high-end AM5 build—especially around the latest Ryzen CPUs—these two boards look set to become headline options for performance, connectivity, and premium design.
