Buying Guide
The Best X870E Motherboards
Six X870E motherboards for AM5 compared on M.2 slots, USB4, networking and power delivery, from the TUF X870E-PLUS to E-ATX flagships.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
X870E is AMD's top AM5 chipset. It runs the same CPUs as B850 at the same speed, but adds PCIe 5.0 lanes, USB4 and room for more devices.
We compared six X870E boards on M.2 slots, USB4, networking, power delivery and size. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best X870E Board
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Master5Gbps LAN, USB4, four M.2 slots and a five-year warranty.
Best for: High-end Ryzen builds that use every port.
Check price for GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Master on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most M.2 Slots
ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFiFive M.2 slots and an 18+2+2 power layout.
Best for: Builds with many SSDs.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFiThe X870E Carbon pairs PCIe 5.0 graphics and M.2 slots with USB4 and Wi-Fi 7.
Best for: Buyers who want wi-fi 7 built in.
Check price for MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7The X870E AORUS Elite keeps four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+2 layout at a lower price than the Master, with 2.5Gbps rather than 5Gbps Ethernet.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.
Check price for GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value X870E
ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7Four M.2 slots and 16+2+1 80A stages on a TUF board.
Best for: X870E features at a lower price.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best E-ATX Pick
ASRock X870E TaichiE-ATX size with USB4 and support for 256GB of DDR5.
Best for: Large cases and workstation-style builds.
Check price for ASRock X870E Taichi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best X870E Board1 of 6
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Master
The X870E AORUS Master lists the fullest connectivity here, with 5Gbps LAN, USB4, Wi-Fi 7 and four M.2 slots, plus Gigabyte's five-year warranty.
Best for
- High-end Ryzen builds that use every port.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the TUF X870E-PLUS cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a high-end Ryzen build that will use all of it. It shares 16+2+2 power stages with the X870E AORUS Elite; the TUF X870E-PLUS goes with 16+2+1 power stages. It also comes with AMD EXPO memory profile support.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Strix X870E-E and the rest.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+2+2
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- ATX
- Warranty
- 5-year
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+2 power stage layout
Cons
- Costs more than the TUF X870E-PLUS at the time of writing
Most M.2 Slots2 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi
The Strix X870E-E has five M.2 slots, the most here, and an 18+2+2 power layout for 16-core chips.
Best for
- Builds with many SSDs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TUF X870E-PLUS, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the pick for builds that keep adding SSDs. Nothing else here matches its 5 M.2 slot count; the X870E AORUS Master comes closest at 4. 18+2+2 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the X870E AORUS Master uses 16+2+2 power stages.
You also get a rear USB 20Gbps port alongside USB4. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Its price falls between the X870E Carbon and the X870E AORUS Master, based on our last check.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 5
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 18+2+2
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 5 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 18+2+2 power stage layout
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
Cons
- Costs more than the TUF X870E-PLUS at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed wired network speed should compare it with the X870E AORUS Master, which offers 5Gbps.
Worth Considering3 of 6
MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi
The X870E Carbon pairs PCIe 5.0 graphics and M.2 slots with USB4 and Wi-Fi 7.
Best for
- Buyers who want wi-fi 7 built in.
Skip if
- Its M.2 slot count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
MSI doesn't state its M.2 count, so check the spec page if storage matters. It has dual LAN and an EZ PCIe release button, and a heat-piped VRM heatsink with 7W/mK pads keeps the power stage cool. It also offers Bluetooth 5 alongside Wi-Fi 7.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper X870E Taichi and the pricier Strix X870E-E, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the Strix X870E-E offers 5.
Key specs
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
- PCIe 5.0 graphics and M.2 Gen5 slots
- Bluetooth 5 alongside Wi-Fi 7
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the TUF X870E-PLUS at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice4 of 6
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7
The X870E AORUS Elite keeps four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+2 layout at a lower price than the Master, with 2.5Gbps rather than 5Gbps Ethernet.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the TUF X870E-PLUS cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has dual USB4, four M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0, with VRM and M.2 thermal guards. Like the X870E AORUS Master, it has 16+2+2 power stages, while the Strix X870E-E uses 18+2+2 power stages. It also offers AMD EXPO memory profile support.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was priced above the TUF X870E-PLUS and below the X870E Taichi at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+2+2
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+2 power stage layout
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
Cons
- Costs more than the TUF X870E-PLUS at the time of writing
Best Value X870E5 of 6
ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7
The TUF X870E-PLUS brings X870E's four M.2 slots and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A stages to a more affordable board.
Best for
- X870E features at a lower price.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: m.2 slot count of 4, behind the Strix X870E-E (5).
Why we like it
USB4 isn't mentioned. It matches the X870E AORUS Master, the X870E AORUS Elite and the X870E Taichi on M.2 slot count (4). No other pick in this guide offers 16+2+1 power stages; compare the X870E AORUS Elite, which has 16+2+2 power stages.
It also offers a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the X870E AORUS Elite the next step up.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+1 power stage layout
- 80A power stages
Cons
- M.2 slot count of 4, behind the Strix X870E-E (5)
The catch
There is no published wired network speed figure, whereas the X870E AORUS Master offers 5Gbps.
Best E-ATX Pick6 of 6
ASRock X870E Taichi
The X870E Taichi is an E-ATX board with USB4, Wi-Fi 7 and four M.2 slots.
Best for
- Large cases and workstation-style builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: e-ATX size needs a case that lists E-ATX support.
Why we like it
Check your case offers E-ATX support before choosing it. On M.2 slot count it ties with the X870E AORUS Master, the X870E AORUS Elite and the TUF X870E-PLUS at 4. It also comes with support for up to 256GB of DDR5.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Confirm your case offers E-ATX support; many mid-towers stop at ATX. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper X870E AORUS Elite and the pricier X870E Carbon, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- USB4
- Yes
- Form factor
- E-ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
- Support for up to 256GB of DDR5
Cons
- E-ATX size needs a case that lists E-ATX support
- M.2 slot count trails the Strix X870E-E (5)
- Costs more than the TUF X870E-PLUS at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the Strix X870E-E offers 5.
How We Chose These X870E Motherboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and M.2 slot count and wired network speed are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the X870E AORUS Master to the X870E Taichi, state wi-Fi, form factor and socket and share Wi-Fi 7 wi-Fi and AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The X870E Carbon gives no M.2 slot count; the Strix X870E-E, the X870E Carbon, the TUF X870E-PLUS and the X870E Taichi give no wired network speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TUF X870E-PLUS ($150 to $250) to the X870E AORUS Master ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an X870E Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
M.2 slot count across these picks
Here M.2 slot count runs from 4 on the X870E Taichi to 5 on the Strix X870E-E, a 25% spread. If M.2 slot count is your first filter, the Strix X870E-E sets the ceiling at 5. The X870E Carbon gives no M.2 slot count figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
How much wired network speed you need
Across these 2 picks wired network speed spans 2.5Gbps (the X870E AORUS Elite) to 5Gbps (the X870E AORUS Master). The X870E AORUS Master is the pick for wired network speed. The Strix X870E-E, the X870E Carbon, the TUF X870E-PLUS and the X870E Taichi give no wired network speed figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
USB4
The X870E AORUS Master, the Strix X870E-E, the X870E Carbon, the X870E AORUS Elite and the X870E Taichi have it.
Extras that separate them
The X870E Carbon: Bluetooth 5 alongside Wi-Fi 7. The TUF X870E-PLUS: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. The X870E Taichi: support for up to 256GB of DDR5.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the TUF X870E-PLUS; $250 to $500 buys the X870E AORUS Elite, the X870E Taichi, the X870E Carbon, the Strix X870E-E and the X870E AORUS Master at our last check.
How to Choose an X870E Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-end Ryzen builds that use every port | X870E AORUS Master | 5Gbps LAN, USB4, four M.2 slots and a five-year warranty |
| Builds with many SSDs | Strix X870E-E | Five M.2 slots and an 18+2+2 power layout |
| X870E features at a lower price | TUF X870E-PLUS | Four M.2 slots and 16+2+1 80A stages on a TUF board |
| Large cases and workstation-style builds | X870E Taichi | E-ATX size with USB4 and support for 256GB of DDR5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Strix X870E-E leads on M.2 slot count at 5, ahead of the X870E AORUS Master at 4. "Not listed" marks M.2 slot count where the X870E Carbon leaves the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X870E AORUS Master | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+2 |
| Strix X870E-E | 5 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 18+2+2 |
| X870E Carbon | Not listed | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| X870E AORUS Elite | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+2 |
| TUF X870E-PLUS | 4 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+1 |
| X870E Taichi | 4 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The TUF X870E-PLUS was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the X870E AORUS Master the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | TUF X870E-PLUS |
| About $250 to $500 | X870E AORUS Elite, X870E Taichi, X870E Carbon, Strix X870E-E, X870E AORUS Master |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the most M.2 slot count: the Strix X870E-E or the X870E AORUS Master?
Between the top two, it is 5 on the Strix X870E-E against 4 on the X870E AORUS Master, a 25% difference. The X870E Carbon doesn't state a M.2 slot count figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the X870E AORUS Master ahead of the X870E AORUS Elite on wired network speed?
The X870E AORUS Master tops wired network speed at 5Gbps; the X870E AORUS Elite follows at 2.5Gbps, 100% apart. The Strix X870E-E, the X870E Carbon, the TUF X870E-PLUS and the X870E Taichi are left out of this ranking because their wired network speed isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Why is the X870E Taichi our Best E-ATX Pick?
It earns the label for E-ATX size with USB4 and support for 256GB of DDR5. The TUF X870E-PLUS, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at large cases and workstation-style builds.
Do the X870E AORUS Master and the Strix X870E-E differ on power stages?
The X870E AORUS Master and the X870E AORUS Elite use 16+2+2; the Strix X870E-E uses 18+2+2; the TUF X870E-PLUS uses 16+2+1. The X870E Carbon and the X870E Taichi have no power stages listed, so 4 of 6 picks are covered here.
What extras do the X870E AORUS Master and the Strix X870E-E include?
The X870E AORUS Master: AMD EXPO memory profile support. The Strix X870E-E: a rear USB 20Gbps port alongside USB4. The X870E Carbon: PCIe 5.0 graphics and M.2 Gen5 slots.
Bottom Line
The Gigabyte X870E AORUS Master is the most complete board here, and the ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E has the most M.2 slots. The ASUS TUF X870E-PLUS is the value way into X870E.
The MSI X870E Carbon and Gigabyte X870E AORUS Elite sit between them, and the ASRock X870E Taichi suits large E-ATX builds.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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