ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
AMD X570 ATX gaming motherboard with PCIe 4.0, 16 power stages, OptiMem III, on-board Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, USB 3.2, SATA, M.2 and Aura Sync RGB lighting
- AMD AM4 socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series/ 3000 G-Series/ 2000 Series/ 2000 G-Series desktop processors; also supports up to two M.2 drives and features USB 3.2 Gen 2 and AMD StoreMI to maximize connectivity and speed
- Comprehensive thermal design: Passive chipset heatsink, M.2 aluminum heatsinks and ROG Water Cooling Zone.
- Robust power delivery: Designed power solution 14+2 TI power stages rated for 90A, ProCool II power connectors, microfine alloy chokes and 10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors
- High-performance networking: On-board Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO support, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, both with ASUS LANGuard protection, and support for GameFirst VI software.
- 5-Way Optimization: Automated system-wide tuning, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailor made for your rig.
- DIY Friendly Design: Pre-mounted I/O shield, ASUS SafeSlot, BIOS flashback and premium components for maximum endurance.
- Unmatched personalization: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including RGB headers and addressable Gen 2 RGB headers
- Industry-leading ROG audio: ROG SupremeFX S1220 is combined with the venerable ESS® ES9023P to deliver high-fidelity audio to headsets and exotic cans.
ROG CROSSHAIR VIII
DARK HERO
Upgraded power delivery, passive chipset cooling, and stealthy aesthetics allow the Crosshair VIII Dark Hero to strike from the shadows and form a menacing duo with AMD Zen 3.
Republic of Gamers (ROG), part of the ASUS family, is dedicated to creating innovative hardcore gaming hardware for gamers. ROG is committed to providing the absolute best performance and quality from its complete line of products. ROG is for those keen on the finest gaming hardware and software, it enables the ultimate computing experience for gamers and enthusiasts worldwide. All the while incorporating a stylish gamer-focused design merging the excitement of gaming with a unique premium style
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
AMD X570 ATX gaming motherboard with PCIe 4.0, 16 power stages, OptiMem III, on-board Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, USB 3.2, SATA, M.2, and Aura Sync RGB lighting
- AMD AM4 socket: Ready for AMD Ryzen 5000 Series/ 4000 GSeries/ 3000 Series/ 3000 G-Series/ 2000 Series/ 2000 G-Series desktop processors
- Comprehensive thermal design: Passive chipset heatsink, M.2 aluminum heatsinks and ROG Water Cooling Zone.
- Robust power delivery: Designed power solution 14+2 TI power stages rated for 90A, ProCool II power connectors, microfine alloy chokes and 10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors
- High-performance networking: On-board Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO support, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, both with ASUS LANGuard protection, and support for GameFirst VI software.
- 5-Way Optimization: Automated system-wide tuning, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailor made for your rig.
- DIY Friendly Design: Pre-mounted I/O shield, ASUS SafeSlot, BIOS flashback and premium components for maximum endurance.
- Unmatched personalization: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including RGB headers and addressable Gen 2 RGB headers
- Industry-leading ROG audio: ROG SupremeFX S1220 is combined with the venerable ESS ES9023P to deliver high-fidelity audio to headsets and exotic cans.
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Teamed Power ArchitectureModern CPU architectures up the ante for motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power-saving modes to full load almost instantaneously. Our latest VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.
| Cooling Heatsinks
| ASUS Optimem IIIInfused with proprietary memory trace layout tweaks that improve signal integrity and mitigate noise, Optimem III allows memory kits to run at lower latencies, reduced voltages, and operate at higher frequencies. Stack the Dark Hero with your favorite modules and maximize Zen 3 processors throughput for applications that demand massive bandwidth, or balance infinity fabric and memory performance for a diverse range of workloads. |
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NetworkingWiFi 6 (AX200)
REALTEK 2.5G LAN
Intel 1Gbps Ethernet
| StorageUNTHROTTLED TRANSFER SPEED
AMD STOREMI
| AudioSupremeFX
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Upgraded power delivery, passive chipset cooling, and stealthy aesthetics allow the Crosshair VIII Dark Hero to strike from the shadows and form a menacing duo with AMD Zen 3.
Performance
Extreme Power & Performance
- PROCOOL II POWER CONNECTOR
- 14+2 POWER STAGE
- MULTI-GPU SLI®/ CFX SUPPORT*
- 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Safeslots (x16, x8/x8) [CPU]
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (x4)
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x1 slot
- AMD AM4 Socket
for AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series/ 3000 G-Series/ 2000 Series/ 2000 G-Series desktop processors - DDR4, 4 X DIMM
- OptiMem III
- Dual channel
- 2 x M.2 Socket 3 Type M*
- 2242~2280 (PCIe 4.0 x 4 + SATA)
- 2242~22110 (PCIe 4.0 x 4 + SATA)
Comprehensive Cooling
- VRM HEATSINK DESIGN
- DUAL M.2 HEATSINKS
- MULTIPLE 4-PIN PWM FAN HEADERS
- PASSIVE CHIPSET HEATSINK DESIGN
- ROG WATER-COOLING ZONE
- W_FLOW tachometer
- W_IN/OUT T-sensor
Total Gaming Immersion
- I/O & ARMOR ZONE AURA LIGHTING
- SupremeFX S1220 CODEC
ESS® ES9023P High Definition DAC
120 dB SNR stereo playback output
113 dB SNR recording input
Gold-plated Audio Jacks
SONIC STUDIO III
Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer
SONIC RADAR III
DTS® SOUND UNBOUND
- 2 X 4-PIN AURA RGB HEADERS
- 2 X 3-PIN ADDRESSABLE GEN 2 RGB HEADERS
- PCH ZONE AURA LIGHTING
Full Connectivity
- BIOS FlashBack™ button
- CLEAR CMOS button
- Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX200
- 8 x USB 3.2 Gen 2*
- 7 x Type-A
- 1 x USB Type-C®
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
- 4 x Type-A
- 2.5G Ethernet
Intel® I211-AT Gb LAN
ROG GameFirst VI
ASUS LANGuard - OPTICAL S/PDIF OUT
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
Front Panel Connector - 8 x SATA 6 Gb/s
- ASUS NODE Connector
- ROG PATENTED PRE-MOUNTED I/O SHIELD
- ESD GUARDS
Provides greater electrostatic protection than the industry standard. ESD Guards cover the USB, audio and LAN ports. - TRUEVOLT USB
Supplies stable 5-volt power delivery to all USB ports, with minimal power fluctuations to minimize data loss. - 2 x SAFESLOT
Provides stronger PCIe device retention and greater shearing resistance. - Q-Code
LED panel shows a 2-digit code to reflect system status.
- 4 x Q-DIMM
One sided clips for super-simple, super-secure handling of memory modules. - FLEXKEY
At its default, the FlexKey functions as a system reset button, but it can also be easily set to quickly turn Aura lighting on or off, activate Safe Boot or enter the BIOS. - Q-CONNECTOR
Simple adapter that helps arrange front-panel cables in an orderly manner.
PERFORMANCE
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero boasts an optimized power design layout and all the cooling headers you need to handle the prodigious power of the latest AMD Ryzen processors.
Teamed Power Architecture
Modern CPU architectures up the ante for motherboard power design by transitioning from deep power-saving modes to full load almost instantaneously. Our latest VRM architecture rises to the challenge by utilizing teamed power stages to rapidly swing current, while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.
We became the first manufacturer to implement phase-doublers when we shipped our A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard, back in 2005. The board’s VRM was lauded for elegantly overcoming the power handling capabilities of components that were available at the time and also reducing voltage ripple. Those benefits led to phase-doublers becoming universally accepted in the industry, and they are still used for similar purposes today.
Teamed Power Stage Design
Conventional Phase-doubled Design
However, today’s CPUs now pack more cores than their predecessors, and the latest instruction sets allow them to crunch computationally dense workloads at an incredible pace. In addition, they consume less power at idle and can transition between load states much more quickly. These improvements necessitate a re-evaluation of power-design priorities because phase-doublers add a propagation delay that hampers transient response.
While doublers help extend the number of effective phases, they do so at the cost of a processing delay.
Teamed Power Stage Design
Conventional Phase-doubled Design
Fortunately, the latest integrated power components can handle higher currents than the devices of yesteryear, making it possible to implement a simple circuit topology that isn’t hamstrung by the processing lag of phase-doublers. That’s why ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero utilizes teamed power stages to deliver higher burst current per phase, while maintaining the thermal performance of phase-doubled designs.
The teamed architecture allows two power stages to work in tandem to provide more power to the CPU.
Teamed Power Stage Design
Conventional Phase-doubled Design
Each VRM component serves a specific purpose. PWM controllers and phase-doublers control the circuit, and the power stages do the heavy lifting from an electrical and thermal standpoint. That’s why ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero utilizes 16 power stages. The power stage sits at the top of Infineon’s lineup and features a low RDSON to reduce switching and conduction losses, helping to improve overall thermal headroom.
The MOSFETs within the power stages generate the most heat as they are responsible for voltage conversion and delivery to the CPU from the 12 V EPS connector.
Teamed Power Stage Design
Conventional Phase-doubled Design
10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors
Input and output filtering is provided by solid-polymer capacitors rated to last thousands of hours at high operating temperatures.
Dual 8-pin ProCool II power connector
Two ProCool connectors ensure a snug and reliable connection to the EPS 12 V power lines.
14+2 power stage
The VRM has 14+2 power stages, each rated to handle 90 amps.
MicroFine alloy chokes
Each Power stage is accompanied by a high-permeability alloy-core choke rated to handle 45 amps.
10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors
Input and output filtering is provided by solid-polymer capacitors rated to last thousands of hours at high operating temperatures.
Dual 8-pin ProCool II power connector
Two ProCool connectors ensure a snug and reliable connection to the EPS 12 V power lines.
14+2 power stage
The VRM has 14+2 power stages, each rated to handle 90 amps.
MicroFine alloy chokes
Each Power stage is accompanied by a high-permeability alloy-core choke rated to handle 45 amps.
10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors
Input and output filtering is provided by solid-polymer capacitors rated to last thousands of hours at high operating temperatures.
ASUS OptiMem III
Infused with proprietary memory trace layout tweaks that improve signal integrity and mitigate noise, Optimem III allows memory kits to run at lower latencies, reduced voltages, and operate at higher frequencies. Stack the Dark Hero with your favorite modules and maximize Zen 3 processors throughput for applications that demand massive bandwidth, or balance infinity fabric and memory performance for a diverse range of workloads.
G.Skill Memory 4 x 32 GB CL18 @3600 MHz
CL 16
No OptiMem III CL 18
Lower the data is better
High Frequency
Max Capacity without Compromise
COOLING
Maintaining system stability is paramount under high load, so Crosshair VIII Dark Hero employs passive chipset cooling with large VRM and chipset heatsinks that strike the right balance between surface area and mass. Featuring premium components and multiple fan headers, Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is fully armed to provide the best foundation for gaming systems.
Cooling Heatsinks
- VRM heatsink
The two VRM heatsinks are placed above the MOSFETs and chokes, and are connected by a heat-pipe to further increase surface area for heat dissipation. - M.2 heatsink
Two dedicated heatsinks keep the dual M.2 SSDs at the optimum operating temperature for consistent performance and reliability.
- High-conductivity thermal pad
A high-quality thermal pad improves overall heat transfer from the system by bridging the heat generated by the power stages to the heatsink. - Passive chipset heatsink
A dedicated chipset heatsink draws heat away to maintain optimum operating temperatures.
Cooler by design
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero features the most comprehensive cooling options ever.
4-pin PWM/DC fan
Every onboard header supports auto-detection of PWM or DC fans.
Dual water-temperature headers and a flow-rate header feed information straight into the AI Suite utility, allowing you to track coolant temperatures and the flow rate of the entire loop.
Water pump+
A dedicated header can supply over 3 amps to high-performance PWM or DC water pumps.
OPTIMIZATION
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is packed with intuitive and flexible tools to allow customization across all system parameters to deliver the performance you want.
Performance Level Up
The dashboard-style control panel of AI Suite 3 lets you fine-tune almost every aspect of your ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero system with ease. Get the best balance between performance, cooling, stability, and efficiency via one simple and intuitive interface.
Turbo App
Turbo App
This intuitive tool allows you to define CPU overclocking, apply fan profiles, prioritize network data and optimize audio settings at app level ― so your system is perfectly optimized for whatever you’re doing.
UEFI BIOS
The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.
When you’re ready for a deeper dive, delve into the UEFI’s Advanced mode and take complete control. Advanced mode enables full control over every aspect of the motherboard, and a built-in search function helps you quickly find the setting you need.
Quickly find tuning options and add preferred tools to the list.
EZ Flash 3
Flash the latest BIOS via the internet from within the BIOS.
S.M.A.R.T.
Check your storage device Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) logs to gauge reliability and identify potential failures.
GPU POST
Automatically detect selected ASUS graphics cards to view detailed information.
Secure Erase
Restore your SSDs and NVMe storage to factory settings.
Last Modified Log
Track the last change and save preferred profiles to a USB drive.
SATA Port Renaming
Rename SATA ports for easy identification.
ASUS User Profile
Port configuration settings between different BIOS versions or share them with friends.
Q-Fan control
Configure the fan’s operating speed manually or use pre-configured fan profiles to quickly select Standard, Silent, Turbo or Full Speed modes. By default, system fans will automatically switch to full speed if the temperature reaches 75 °C.
Designed to simplify setup, EZ mode presents vital settings and stats on a single page. With guided wizards, drag-and-drop functionality, and one-click application of important settings, your rig will be up and running in no time.
Fine-tune individual fans simply by dragging a curve with the mouse.
SATA information
View SATA port details for easy device recognition.
Fast and easy clock adjustment
Use the mouse to quickly change time and date settings.
Aura On/Off mode (Stealth)
Easily enable or disable Aura RGB lighting or every onboard LED, for a more subdued aesthetic.
Accurate Voltage Monitoring
Conventional motherboards use single-ended sensing tapped from a location that isn’t ideal, leading to a large disparity between the actual voltage fed to the CPU and the value reported to software. ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero features a differential-sensing circuit and delicate IC that simplify overclocking and tuning by allowing you to track voltages more accurately.
CONNECTIVITY
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero offers advanced connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6 (AX200) and dual Ethernet with Intel® 1 Gb and Realtek 2.5 Gb Ethernet port to eliminate bottlenecks so you can enjoy exceptionally smooth online and LAN play. Additionally, the M.2 supports AMD StoreMI technology to maximize the speed of your SSD for faster load times, and SupremeFX on-board audio provides superb sound, while saving a PCIe slot.
Onboard Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) supports ultrafast wireless-networking speeds, improved capacity and better performance in dense Wi-Fi environments, providing exceptional online gaming experiences.*
Pair your motherboard with ASUS Wi-Fi 6 routers to fully experience the networking potential of Wi-Fi 6.
2.5G on-board Ethernet kicks your LAN connection up a notch with an up to 2.5X bandwidth improvement. Using your existing LAN cable, you can take advantage this networking upgrade to experience smoother, lag-free gaming, immediately stream high-resolution videos and enjoy faster file transfers.
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero features the latest Intel® Ethernet (I211-AT) ensuring data exchanges with your network and the outside world are fast and smooth. Intel LAN reduces CPU overhead and increases TCP and UDP throughput, keeping more processing power.
UNTHROTTLED TRANSFER SPEED
Dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 Slot support up to 22110 and provide NVMe SSD RAID support for an incredible performance boost. Create a RAID configuration with up to two PCIe 4.0 storage devices to enjoy the fastest data-transfer speeds on the AMD Ryzen™ 5000 and 3000 Series desktop processors.
AMD STOREMI
AMD StoreMI technology is a software utility that accelerates any drive for better system responsiveness with reduced startup and software load times. It combines SSD performance with the affordability and capacity of an HDD by automatically moving frequently accessed data to dedicated SSD storage.
PCIe 4.0 x 4
8066
PCIe 3.0 x 4
4032
SupremeFX
ROG SupremeFX audio technology delivers an exceptional 113 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection to provide best-ever recording quality. There’s also a low-dropout regulator for cleaner power delivery to the SupremeFX S1220 codec, an ESS® ES9023P digital-to-analog converter for superior front-panel output, and a Texas Instruments® RC4580 op amp for high gain with low distortion — all to produce unmatched audio quality.
Blocks electromagnetic interference from the motherboard or add-ons to provide cleaner audio.
PERSONALIZE
In addition to extraordinary performance, ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero provides extensive styling and customization options to let you build a system that truly stands apart.
Grow your gaming world
Gear up with ROG components, from graphics and monitors to mice and keyboards. And up your game with complementary aesthetics, control and compatibility. The ROG ecosystem is more extensive than any competing brand, so enjoy greater choice as your system expands.
Static
Breathing
Strobing
Rainbow
Color cycle
Starry night
Music effect
Smart
Addressable Gen 2 RGB header
The addressable Gen 2 RGB headers now feature software that can automatically tailor lighting effects to specific devices. The new headers also offer backward-compatibility with existing Aura RGB gear.
RAMCache lll software utility turns milliseconds into microseconds to boost game-load times. Fully compatible with the latest NVM Express® storage options, RAMCache lll utilizes uniquely intelligent technology to effectively cache any storage device, so favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds.
Automatically cache all your storage devices to maximize your system’s resources.
Sonic Studio III
Sonic Studio supports HRTF-based (head-related transfer function*) virtual surround for headsets, casting an immersive aural landscape that draws you deeper into the action. The intuitive Sonic Studio interface also offers a range of EQ options and one-click presets, allowing you to tailor acoustics to suit personal preferences or the characteristics of your headset.
* A head-related transfer function is an audio algorithm derived from sound data recorded through a dummy head. Test tones are played from a spherical grid around the dummy head to obtain subtle changes in sounds that come from different directions. The results are combined into an algorithm that allows Sonic Studio’s virtual surround to process sound true to life.
Easily apply Sonic Studio effects on all playback devices. Simply press the Sonic Studio Link button to enjoy the effect on any playback device.
ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero includes a pre-loaded DTS Sound Unbound app that envelops you in audio as never before, conjuring whole new levels of immersion for extraordinary gaming and entertainment experiences. By exploiting Windows Sonic spatial technology, DTS Sound Unbound delivers audio in a virtual 3D space — putting you right in the middle of the soundscape, where you can sense the location and direction of every gunshot, footstep or other sound in your virtual environment.
* DTS Sound Unbound requires in-game support. Check with developers for titles that offer support.
Stereo Sound
Surround Sound
Spatial Sound
Armoury Crate
Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to provide centralized control of supported ROG gaming products. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate puts command of all your Aura gear at your fingertips with the new Aura Creator suite ready. The software also provides control of settings for a growing number of ROG products, making it easier to tune the look and feel of your system. Armoury Crate even offers dedicated product registration and ROG news feeds to help you stay in touch with the ROG gaming community.
AURA SYNC
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