Taking the monochrome aesthetic even further than CROSSHAIR VIII HERO, the DARK HERO is for those that appreciate and want a “blacked out” aesthetic. For those looking to add RGB lighting and create a specific look and feel, the DARK HERO still has you covered. The board features two onboard lighting zones, great for adding color contrast or accent lighting. The Dark Hero also offers two 5v and two 12v AURA RGB headers if looking for more RGB lighting and connectivity. These all can be controlled and synced via the latest Armoury Crate ( which is now on V3.1 ).

For more information on our latest board check our social media channels or visit our Edge Up website or our PCDIY Facebook Group

MSRP is USD $399.99

VRM Design

The DARK HERO leverages the proven power delivery and PCB topology that has brought the HERO benchmark and reference status among PCDIY enthusiasts and expert overclockers. It also continues in the tradition of offering outstanding DRAM compatibility and overclocking support due to its OptiMEM III memory topology and trace design alongside ASUS ROG UEFI enhancements and rich tuning options. The board does see an upgrade from the 14 power stages to 16. The output current capability also sees an increase from 60A to 90A.

Whether stock or overclocked, this board has you covered, ensuring stability and reliability. Furthermore, it offers an impressive VRM heatsink assembly that ensures efficient and effective thermal dissipation. The heatsink design is made up of two large finned isolated heatsinks connected by a heat pipe. The heatsinks also feature a dual contact design, in that it makes contact and dissipate heat from both the VRM power stages and the VRM inductors/alloy chokes.

AMD Ryzen Zen 3-ready

All ASUS X570 series motherboards are optimized and ready for AMD Ryzen Zen 3 processors.

Audio and Networking

Like all ROG boards, there is a focus on high quality and high performing networking and audio implementation. For audio, the DARK HERO features the ASUS ROG-exclusive isolated audio design, SupremeFX powered by the S1220 audio codec, and ESS SABRE 9023P DAC.

For networking, you have support for the latest 2.5G network specification while maintaining flexibility and redundancy with an industry-standard 1Gbit controller. For those interested in wireless connectivity, you have WiFi6 and BT 5.0 onboard. Both networking connections work with the included GameFirst VI packet priority software. This software allows for easy prioritization of games, game services, or any network-centric applications. Version VI has an overhauled backend and codebase alongside an entirely new interface. It offers many new features, including cloud based updating of games and services for consistently up-to-date prioritization and adjustment of power profiles and even system resource monitoring.

Outstanding support for water cooling

Water-cooling enthusiasts will appreciate the dedicated water-cooling zone headers allowing for inlet/outlet temp monitoring as well as flow monitoring. The DARK HERO also features extensive traditional fan connectivity alongside a dedicated AIO and water pump headers. When paired with rich controls in the UEFI or the OS, you can easily connect and calibrate and control your fans for just the way you want. You can ever map specific headers to different temp sources, including the graphics card.

In addition, the board is compatible with monoblocks like those from EK which were designed for the CROSSHAIR VIII HERO.

Rich connectivity -

The board features extensive USB connectivity with 12 rear USB ports. For those looking for high-speed USB, the DARK HERO is equipped with seven USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (including Type-A and Type-C). For front panel connectivity, you have the standard USB 3.0 header and the latest internal USB 3.2 USB Type C header.

All the overclocking and performance tuning you could ask for -

Tweakers and tuners will appreciate onboard voltage monitoring points and a ROG-exclusive differential sensing circuit for more accurate voltage reporting. As well as ROG hardware buttons for start, CLR CMOS, safe boot, and retry, all aiding in benchtop testing and overclocking.

Those that appreciate rich options for tweaking and tuning will love the customizable favorites page in the UEFI alongside ROG-exclusive UEFI tweaking and tuning parameters. There are also presets/profiles and wizards to allow users of all knowledge levels to improve their CPU and DRAM performance. Those looking to eke out the most performance will also appreciate integrated support for Per CCX overclocking.

Passive Chipset cooing -

Last but not least, the DARK HERO features an entirely passive FCH chipset cooling solution. No active chipset fan, just a sizeable finned heatsink assembly to ensure cool, stable, and reliable operation.

Builders who want more than two M.2 slots can use the optional HYPER M.2 X16 GEN 4 CARD. This card supports an additional four / 4 M.2 SSDs.

I was one of the lucky ones who got my 5900X shortly after launch. But now I am in waiting limbo for
a lot of parts for my build, and I am starting to reconsider my choice of MB

I have ordered a X570 Gigabyte Aorus Master, but have now started looking at the dynamic OC switching on the Dark Hero and thinking if I should go for this instead. (The Aorus is 510 USD and the Dark Hero is 675 USD here in Norway)

But I can not figure out if the DOS will have any impact on gaming. Are there any games that will benefit greater from an all core OC over a higher boost on a few cores?

If this would only be beneficial for productivity tasks, I will say "Nice to have, but not worth it" since I am also loosing a M.2 slot compared to the Aorus.

Originally posted this in r/AMDHelp, but it is not really a troubleshooting question.

Thnx in advance

Tried to update to the latest bios Version 5101 from my old Version 3003 it said Successful then asked to restart which I did. After restarting my fans would run max speed & I had black screen but I waited 30 minutes to see if it'll resolve on it's own and get to the Windows menu but it never made it there nor did I see the ROG screen. I followed all the instructions perfectly MBR FAT 32 format, used the tool BIOSRENAMER to rename it to C8DH.CAP so why did this happen? I've unplugged my PC, hit the Reset CMOS at the back for 10-20 seconds, plugged in my PC and tried to reflash my old bios(Version 3003) and it still won't work no display.

Specs

Ryzen 9 5900X CPU

Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero Mobo

32gb (4x8) 3200mhz Corsair Vengeance RAM

EVGA RTX 3070 GPU

Corasir RM850 PSU

I am looking to prepare a build for the upcoming Ryzen 5950x and had my eye on the Crosshair VIII Hero. Upon looking at some last minute reviews online I noticed ASUS is releases a slightly upgraded version called the Dark Hero. I am not sure however how much of a difference, if any, their upgrades are going to make and it I should just wait for the dark if it really does not matter.

I am planning on building a system around the AMD Ryzen 5000 CPUs but I don't acknowledge which motherboard to get. I am trying to decide between the ROG Strix x570-e gaming, the Crosshair VIII Hero, and the Crosshair VIII Dark Hero. Right now the prices are: * Strix x570-e gaming = ~$300 USD * Crosshair VIII Hero = ~$380 USD (wi-fi model which is the one I am looking at) * Crosshair VIII Dark Hero = ~$400 USD What are the big differences between the Crosshair VIII Hero and the Crosshair VIII Dark Hero? Are the benefits of the Crosshair VIII Dark Hero worth the ~$20 USD price increase over the ⠀Crosshair VIII Hero? How are the Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero different from the Strix x570-e gaming? Are the benefits of the Crosshair models over the Strix x570-e worth the ~$80-$100 USD price increase? How good are the overclocking capabilities on these motherboards? Most importantly, which Motherboard is the best for price to performance? Thanks for all the help.

I am looking to prepare a build for the upcoming Ryzen 5950x and had my eye on the Crosshair VIII Hero. Upon looking at some last minute reviews online I noticed ASUS is releases a slightly upgraded version called the Dark Hero. I am not sure however how much of a difference, if any, their upgrades are going to make and it I should just wait for the dark if it really does not matter.

ASUS now lists two separate ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero x570 board models on their website:

https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-crosshair/rog-crosshair-viii-dark-hero-model/wtb

If you view each respective boards from the 'ASUS' Store page, one of the boards has the original launch Part Number 90MB1760-M0AAY0 (original part). The other board has a new Part Number 90MB1760-MVAAY0 (new part).

Does anyone know what changes were made from one board to the next? I cannot find any information online about the Part Number change or what component revisions were made to justify rolling the number.

For full disclosure, my Dark Hero board died spontaneously a couple weeks ago. In researching the issue to see if it was systemic, I came across a thread on the ROG forums that started at the end of July 2021 and includes accounts from a number of users experiencing start-up issues, which as described progresses for many into an eventual failure and RMA.

I was thinking the forum thread was just confirmation bias for what is probably a small % of boards getting RMAed, until I saw that there was actually a new Part Number on the ASUS site, which gave me pause not being able to find details as to why the changes were made. If anyone has any details, please share.

For those who have been interested in the Dark Hero like myself, TechPowerUp looks to have just recently posted a review:

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/asus-rog-crosshair-viii-dark-hero-c8h/5.html

I keep seeing a bunch of youtubers have them and you guys are also spamming on your Facebook and twitter to go buy this board to pair with Ryzen, Well I want the board but you aren't even selling it. Why has there been no actual release date for this? I got all my other parts and I'm waiting for this mobo to come out. Ive seen some people say last week which didn't happen, some say this week, some say December, I really need to know so my parts arent just sitting here collecting dust

Hello guys! I’m going to get a PC but I was wondering if either the ROG Strix or Dark Hero was better for the build that I want. It will be a Ryzen 9 5900x CPU build with a 3090 Performance addition GPU. (I’m going to be using it for both gaming and workstation.) I’m pretty much new to PC building so some extra info on why you think which is better is very much appreciated! Oh, and idk if it’s important but it will be custom water cooled.

I have an ASUS ROG X570 Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi) that the BIOS is six versions behind, and my question is: Can I simply bring it up to date with the current version and skip the ones in between?
Or do I need to install one at a time to make it current?

Edit: I know it's a shame to let it go so long, but I'm 62 with heart/kidney problems and diabetic. I'm in and out of the hospital and completely forgot about bios updates.

Hello, (Pls note omega noob here I just like GPUs that are thicc af), I got the Motherboard only because it looks nice XD.

I am currently debating if I should get a new motherboard for my new PC build will be high end I guess,

my current build is...

- Asus ROG crosshair VIII Hero X570 (current one is 2 years old)

- RTX 2060 Super 8 GB (yes I know not thicc)

- 3200 MHz Corsair 16 GB Ram (8x2)

- Ryzen 5 3600 CPU

- Corsair 650W gold PSU

- Corsair H100x 240MM AIO

- 1 x SSD (not M.2) and 1 x HDD

- Cooler Master MB350P case with 1 x non RGB exhaust fan and 3 x RGB front fans

(Yes I know new gen stuff is coming but I need something for really good 1440p gaming life is hard with a 2060 super at 1440p at least for me, I can't live with it anymore)

The new build I am looking forward to is...

- Debating if I should keep my current Crosshair VIII Hero or get another MB

- Sapphire AMD Radeon 6950XT NITRO+ Pure (super goddamn thicc)

- Corsair 3600 Mhz 32 GB Ram (2x16)

- Ryzen 7 5800x CPU

- Corsair RMx 1000W 80+ Gold PSU fully modular

- Corsair H150i iCue Elite 360MM AIO

- 2 x WD SN570 1 TB M.2 SSD

- Corsair 5000D Airflow Case

- Corsair 4 x 120mm QL120 RGB fans with Corsair Lighting Pro expansion kit and Corsair Commander Pro

Now I want to implement my new build into my existing crosshair VIII Hero which is now 2 years old, however I have had issues with my PC whilst browsing the web or gaming, I have had boot issues where my windows wouldn't install or boot (issue was resolved) , recently had issues where my PC would freeze and my peripherals would turn off except my monitor and then was not able to turn it off with the power button ( issue IDK if it was successfully resolved as I only turned off fast boot). However I do not know if my motherboard or PSU or anything else has to share any blame I do not know tech on that level, I am not a hardcore self made overclocker, I am just a hardcore gamer who likes good looking components which are powerful in their own way and wants to play 1440p titles at minimum High settings mainly at 100+ FPS would also love to push some games to Ultra settings too. I have been doing long research but umm yeah idk if it went well lol.

My few concerns are, if I was to use my existing board with my new setup should it ideally run fine, but if I had issues with my current build would it be better to be safe and get another x570 board, sure it doesn't have to be the motherboard that causes issues it could be my existing PSU RAM storage and so on as they are old as my MB during time of installation, but in my new build all the other stuff is switching out to eliminate that hopefully.

Would love to know your thoughts and or what you would change (in my build), as I am looking to play for very very long periods of time of constant gaming and if you would consider stuff like running discord watching twitch and videos/shows/movies and running apps in the background. I have heard interesting stuff about how to boil water using AMD 6900 GPUs but maybe I can live with that.

Games I play currently, League of Legends (yes it can run on toaster), Lost Ark (MMO), Black Desert (badly optimised MMO), Single player titles such as Horizon, God of War, Tomb Raider series, Escape from tarkov, GMOD, Arma 3, Rust, Ark Survival Evolved, Dying Light 2, Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege, in general I will probably play a lot of upcoming games that will come around.

I wonder if this motherboard already has the update X570S chipset? This chipset was announced a few months ago, and was made with passive cooling in mind. It is scheduled for Q3. Just hope a new revision of this motherboard is not coming out.

Hmm, but now I am reading that this is exactly the same chipset as X570, just with an AGESA update for lower TDP. Looks like the Dark Hero already has this update. Maybe all this is about is just an AGESA update and the X570S i just to confirm that the update is in place, hmm.