6 Best X670e Motherboards (October 2026)

An X670E motherboard is no longer the newest premium AM5 chipset, and that changes what the keyword means. Shoppers searching for it in 2026 are usually weighing a proven board against the newer X870E generation, or hunting for a high-end Ryzen 7000 or 9000 platform without paying for features they will never use. The decision is less about chasing the top of the stack and more about picking which of the chipset’s extras you will actually plug in: extra M.2 slots, Gen 5 storage and graphics lanes, heavy power delivery, or a fast wireless card.

This guide is written for builders choosing among six X670E boards from ASUS and MSI, ranging from the practical TUF line to the ROG Crosshair Hero. Each is judged only by the specifications stated in its listing title, such as power stage counts, M.2 slot counts, PCIe 5.0 support, and Wi-Fi generation. Newer X870 and X870E listings that showed up beside them are left out of the picks because they are a different chipset, but they come up again in the comparison section.

Quick Picks

MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Processors, AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2.5Gbps LAN, HDMI/DP, ATX)

One of the consumer electronics options compared in this guide.

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ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi AMD AM5 X870 ATX Motherboard, 16+2+1, 80A SPS Power Stages, DDR5, PCIe 5.0 Ready, Four M.2 Slots, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gb LAN, HDMI, USB4® 40Gbps, SATA 6 Gbps, USB 20Gbps Type-C

One of the consumer electronics options compared in this guide.

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MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Processors, AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, M.2 Gen5, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 40Gbps, HDMI, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 5Gbps LAN, ATX)

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ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-E GAMING WIFI AMD X670 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 & 7000 ATX motherboard, 18+2 power stages, DDR5, 4x M.2 slots with heatsink, PCIe® 5.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, WiFi 6E, AI Cooling II

One of the consumer electronics options compared in this guide.

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ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-A GAMING WIFI AMD X670 AM5 Ryzen™ Desktop 9000 8000 & 7000 ATX motherboard, 16+2 power stages, PCIe® 5.0, DDR5, 4x M.2 slots with heatsink, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, WiFi 6E, AI Cooling II

One of the consumer electronics options compared in this guide.

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MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Processors, AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, LAN 2.5Gbps, HDMI/DP, ATX)

One of the consumer electronics options compared in this guide.

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The 6 Best Options

MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi

The Tomahawk is the sensible middle of this group. The title shows an AM5 board with support for AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 series processors, DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2 storage, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and built-in Wi-Fi. It does not advertise a huge power stage count in the visible part of the title, and it does not push a long list of extras, which is exactly why it suits someone building a gaming desktop around a mid-range or upper mid-range Ryzen processor and a fast graphics card.

• Lists support for Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000, which covers the full AM5 range.
• PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 are both named, so the platform is current for its generation.
• Built-in Wi-Fi is included, removing the need for a separate card.

• The visible title does not give a power stage count or an M.2 slot count, so compare those on the maker’s page.
• Less showy than the ROG boards, with no marketing mention of premium extras.

Skip it if you plan a top-tier processor with heavy overclocking or want the biggest slot count in the group. It makes a good first stop because it sets the baseline the other boards are measured against, and the next pick adds a lot more in the way of storage and power in exchange for a bigger commitment. For a typical gaming desktop with one or two drives and a mid-range Ryzen chip, the Tomahawk’s feature set is already more than enough, and the money saved can go toward the graphics card, which affects frame rates far more than the board does.

ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi

The Strix X670E-E is aimed at builders who want strong power delivery and plenty of storage without jumping to the very top of the ROG range. The title lists an AM5 ATX board for Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 processors, 18+2 power stages, DDR5, and four M.2 slots with heatsink coverage. That heatsink mention matters for fast Gen 4 and Gen 5 drives, which can throttle when left bare in a warm case, and the 18+2 figure suggests ample headroom for demanding processors.

• 18+2 power stages signal strong support for high-core-count Ryzen chips.
• Four M.2 slots with heatsinks suit a build with several fast drives.
• The ROG Strix name carries a recognizable design and BIOS experience.

• Costs more than the simpler boards because of the extra power stages and styling.
• The visible title does not state the Wi-Fi generation, so check it if wireless speed matters.

Skip it if your processor is a mid-range part that will never stress the power delivery, since the extra stages would go unused. Against the Strix X670E-A that follows, it offers the higher power stage count and is the better choice for a processor you plan to push, while the A model trims the figure slightly for a lower tier. Anyone pairing it with a flagship Ryzen 9 should also look at the cooling around the voltage regulators on the maker’s page, because a high stage count helps most when the heatsinks and case airflow can carry the heat away.

ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi

The Strix X670E-A is the same family in a slightly trimmed form. The title shows an AM5 ATX board for Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000, 16+2 power stages, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and four M.2 slots with heatsinks. The headline difference from the E version is the power stage count, 16+2 against 18+2, which will matter to someone running a top-end processor at full load for long stretches but is unlikely to matter for gaming at stock settings.

• 16+2 power stages are still a generous figure for most Ryzen processors.
• Four heatsink-equipped M.2 slots match the E model’s storage count.
• Keeps the ROG Strix branding and layout at a lower tier.

• Lower power stage count than the E and Crosshair listings, which may matter for heavy overclocking.
• Wi-Fi generation and port details are not visible in the title, so confirm them if they matter.

Skip it if you want the most headroom for a flagship processor and plan to overclock, because the E version and the Crosshair offer more. Compared with the MSI Carbon that follows, the A model is a plainer ROG take, while the Carbon is positioned as MSI’s premium offering with a fuller feature list. The two are close enough on paper that the layout, the BIOS style you prefer, and the look of the heatsinks may end up deciding between them once the specifications are confirmed to be similar.

MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi

The MPG X670E Carbon sits above the Tomahawk in MSI’s range and leans on a more premium feel. The title lists an AM5 board for Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 processors, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2 storage, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and Wi-Fi 6. The description closely mirrors the Tomahawk at first glance, so the practical differences, such as power delivery, slot count, and extra ports, must come from the maker’s specification page rather than the title.

• Full Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 support is named in the title.
• PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Wi-Fi are all included.
• Sits in a higher MSI tier than the Tomahawk for builders who want a premium option.

• The title lists Wi-Fi 6, which is older than the newer wireless standards on X870E boards.
• Power stage and M.2 counts are not shown in the visible title text.

Skip it if you only need what the Tomahawk offers, because the title alone does not show how much extra you would get. Next to the TUF board that follows, the Carbon is the more premium MSI option, while the TUF is the more modest ASUS pick with a clearer stated slot count and wireless generation. If the maker’s page shows a meaningful gap in power delivery or ports between the Carbon and the Tomahawk, the Carbon earns its place; if it does not, the cheaper board is the smarter buy.

ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WiFi 6E

The TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS is the practical choice. The title describes a Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) ATX board for Ryzen 7000, 16 power stages, PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory, four M.2 slots, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E. It is notable that this title names Ryzen 7000 only, while others list 9000, 8000, and 7000, so a buyer planning a newer processor should confirm BIOS support for it on the maker’s page. It is a tidy fit for a mainstream gaming build.

• Four M.2 slots and a clear 16-stage power design are stated in the title.
• Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gb Ethernet are both named.
• TUF boards are generally positioned as dependable rather than flashy.

• The title names Ryzen 7000 only, so a Ryzen 9000 chip may need a BIOS update or a check of the support list.
• Lacks the extra slots and higher power stage counts of the ROG boards.

Skip it if you want the newest processor out of the box without checking compatibility, or if you need more than four M.2 drives. Compared with the Crosshair Hero that closes the list, it is the budget-minded sibling, trading headroom for a lower spending tier. That trade is a fair one for a gaming machine that will keep a single graphics card and two or three drives for years, and it leaves more of the build budget available for the parts that move frame rates.

ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero

The Crosshair X670E Hero is the top of this group. The title lists an AM5 ATX board for Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000, 18+2 power stages, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, five M.2 slots, and a USB listing that is cut off in the visible text. Five M.2 slots is the largest count among these listings, which makes the board attractive to creators and anyone building a machine with several fast drives and a heavy processor.

• Five M.2 slots, the highest storage slot count in this group.
• 18+2 power stages signal strong support for demanding processors.
• Full Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 support is named.

• Premium positioning means the highest spending tier in the group.
• Many of its extras are wasted on a mid-range gaming build.

Skip it if you are building a modest gaming PC, since the extra slots and power stages will not change frame rates. Against the Tomahawk at the top of the list, it is the all-out option, and the decision between them comes down to whether you will use the extra storage and power or simply admire them on the spec sheet. Because the visible title is cut off at the USB entry, check the rear panel list on the maker’s page for the exact port mix before you commit, especially if you plan to attach several fast external drives or a capture device.

Who Needs an X670E Board

Builders with several fast drives

Four or five M.2 slots with heatsinks are the reason to look at this chipset. A creator with a boot drive, a scratch disk, a project drive, and a game library can fill the Strix and Crosshair boards without adapter cards. A simple gaming build with one or two drives gains much less from the extra slots. Count the drives you own today, add the ones you expect to buy before the next platform change, and choose the slot count from that total rather than from the top of the product range.

Owners of high-core-count Ryzen processors

Power stage counts of 16+2 and 18+2 matter most when a processor draws a lot for long stretches, such as during rendering or compiling. Mid-range processors rarely stress such designs. If you plan to hold a flagship chip for years, strong power delivery gives some breathing room. It also helps in a small or warm case, where a board with more power stages spreads the heat across more components instead of concentrating it in a few.

Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 on both sides

Every board listed names PCIe 5.0, which matters for the next generation of graphics cards and storage. Even if you run Gen 4 hardware today, a board with Gen 5 lanes is less likely to feel dated when you upgrade the graphics card or add a faster drive in a few years. The same logic applies to resale: a board with current-generation lanes and memory support is easier to sell on, or to reuse in a second build for a family member, than an older design with fewer features.

How to Choose

Match the board to the processor you really plan to buy

A Ryzen 5 or a Ryzen 7 for gaming does not need the heaviest power design. A Ryzen 9 with many cores benefits from 16+2 or 18+2 stages. Write down the processor first, then pick the board tier. Spending on a Crosshair for a six-core part wastes money that could go to the graphics card, which affects frame rates far more. As a rough guide, a processor with eight cores or fewer is well served by a 16-stage design, while twelve or sixteen cores that run flat out for hours justify the 18+2 boards. Ignore the board name and look at what it adds to the processor you picked.

Count the M.2 slots and the drives you own

The listings here range from four to five M.2 slots. Count your current drives and any you plan to add in the next two or three years. Remember that some slots share bandwidth with SATA ports or each other, so check the manual for the lane sharing before you plan a full set of drives. Heatsinks on the slots help fast drives hold their speed. A useful threshold is one slot per drive you expect to run, plus one spare, so a builder with three drives should look for four slots. Also check whether the slots run at Gen 5 or Gen 4 speeds, since only some of them usually get the fastest lanes, and the manual lists which ones.

Confirm BIOS support for the processor generation

The TUF title names only Ryzen 7000, while the others list 9000, 8000, and 7000. Newer processors on older boards may need a BIOS update, and some boards offer a flashback feature that works without a processor installed. Look at the maker’s support list and the BIOS version shipped on the board, or buy a processor already confirmed on that list. If you are unsure, ask the seller whether the board ships with a current BIOS, and keep a spare USB stick ready for a flash. This single check prevents the most common new-build frustration, which is a system that powers on but shows nothing on screen.

Check Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB standards

Titles show Wi-Fi 6 on the MSI Carbon and Wi-Fi 6E on the TUF, while the newer X870E listings name Wi-Fi 7. For a wired home setup the difference is small. If you rely on wireless for gaming or large downloads, a newer standard helps. The TUF also lists 2.5Gb Ethernet, which is a useful figure for fast home networks and file transfers. Check the rear panel for the number of USB ports at 10Gbps or faster, a front-panel USB-C header if your case has a Type-C port, and whether the board has enough fan and RGB headers for the cooling you plan to install.

Look at cooling and layout for drives and graphics cards

Heatsinks on the M.2 slots keep fast drives from throttling. Layout matters too: a big graphics card can cover the first M.2 slot, so check which slots stay accessible. A board with four or five slots gives you room to leave one covered without losing capacity, and the heatsink design can simplify installing and removing drives. Look at where the PCIe slots sit relative to the M.2 slots as well, because a thick graphics card of three slots or more can block the lower storage slots and the second full-length slot at the same time.

Know where cheaper boards cut corners

Lower-tier boards often trim power stage counts, M.2 slots, rear ports, and wireless generation, and they may use simpler heatsinks on the voltage regulators. They can still run a mid-range processor well, but they are weaker choices for sustained heavy loads. Read the warranty terms as well, since a longer coverage period, like the five-year figure on one X870E listing, can be a real advantage. Cheaper boards may also ship with fewer included accessories, such as Wi-Fi antennas, extra SATA cables, or M.2 screws, so check the box contents on the product page before you order.

X670E vs X870E for an AM5 Build

Choose X670E for proven features at a more relaxed tier

X670E boards give you PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and plenty of storage, and they are often easier to find in a range of tiers. If you do not need USB4 or Wi-Fi 7, the older chipset covers most gaming and creative needs without paying for newer wireless and port extras. Since several X670E boards are also sold at lower tiers, you can scale the spend to the processor you own, and the platform’s memory and storage support remains the same across them. That makes the chipset a flexible base for a gaming desktop that you plan to keep for several years.

Choose X870E when you want the newest connectivity

The X870E titles mention Wi-Fi 7, USB4, and 40Gbps ports. If you plan to use fast external drives or want the latest wireless standard, those features are the reason to choose the newer chipset. For a pure gaming build, though, the performance difference between the two generations is small. One of the X870E listings also mentions a five-year warranty and an EZ-Latch feature, and another names a 60A power stage figure, so the newer group does bring tangible extras. Weigh those against the lower cost and wider selection of the older chipset before deciding. If you already own a fast wired network and keep your drives internal, the older chipset gives up almost nothing you would notice in daily use, and the savings can be moved into the graphics card, the cooler, or a bigger SSD.

Setup, Compatibility and Upgrade Tips

What to check before buying

Confirm the processor generation you intend to use against the board’s support list, and check the BIOS version that ships on the board. Verify that your case supports ATX and that your cooler’s AM5 mounting is included. Check your RAM kit against the board’s memory support list, and make sure the power supply has the connectors the board needs, including the extra processor power connectors that high-end boards often use. Also measure your case for the ATX size, because a smaller case may not clear the larger heatsinks or the extra rear-panel hardware.

What to upgrade first

If you already own an AM5 board, a newer processor is usually the first upgrade, followed by memory and storage. If you are moving from an older platform, a new board brings a new memory type, so plan for DDR5 and a cooler with AM5 mounting. Add a fast drive in the slot closest to the processor, since it is usually the one wired for the quickest speeds. After that, a larger memory kit or a second fast drive is the cheapest way to extend the life of the platform, and a processor swap can wait until the games or tools you use actually become limited by the chip.

Common compatibility traps

The biggest trap is a processor newer than the shipped BIOS. Another is installing too many drives in shared lanes and losing SATA ports or speed. Memory training can take a long time on the first boot of a DDR5 system, so wait before assuming the board is dead. Keep the manual handy for the lane sharing table. Do not overtighten the M.2 screws or the cooler mounting, and remember to remove the plastic film from heatsink thermal pads before seating a drive, a small step that is easy to forget and leaves the drive running hot.

Which One Fits Your Situation

You want a solid gaming build without extras

The MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi offers PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and built-in Wi-Fi with support for the full Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 range. It is a balanced choice for a mid-range to upper mid-range processor, and it leaves room in the budget for a stronger graphics card or a larger memory kit.

You edit video or work with large files

The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero gives five M.2 slots and 18+2 power stages, which suits a heavy processor and several fast drives. The ROG Strix X670E-E is a lower-tier alternative with four slots.

You want a ROG look at a more moderate tier

The ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi gives 16+2 power stages and four heatsink-equipped M.2 slots. It suits a builder who likes the ROG style but does not need the highest power stage count.

You want a dependable mainstream board

The ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WiFi 6E lists four M.2 slots, 16 power stages, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E. Confirm BIOS support if you plan to use a Ryzen 9000 processor.

Common Mistakes

• Buying a flagship board for a mid-range processor and paying for power stages that go unused.
• Assuming every listing supports Ryzen 9000 when the TUF title names only Ryzen 7000.
• Ignoring M.2 lane sharing and losing SATA ports or drive speed.
• Treating X870 and X870E listings as the same chipset as X670E.
• Skipping the BIOS version check when pairing a new processor with an older board.
• Judging memory support from the headline and not the board’s qualified memory list.

Related guides

• External Hard Drive For Xbox Series X
• How To Check Gpu Temperature While Gaming
• 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headsets

Frequently Asked Questions

Is X670E still worth buying now?

Yes, for builders who want PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and lots of storage without paying for the newest wireless and USB extras. The X670E boards here still support Ryzen 7000 and, in most titles, Ryzen 8000 and 9000.

Do all X670E boards support Ryzen 9000?

Not necessarily out of the box. Most titles here list Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000, but the TUF listing names Ryzen 7000 only. Check the maker’s support page and BIOS version before pairing a newer processor.

How many M.2 slots do I need?

Most gaming builds need two. Creators with project drives and scratch disks may want four or five. The Strix and TUF boards list four, and the Crosshair Hero lists five.

What do power stages tell me?

They show how the board spreads the load that feeds the processor. Higher counts, like 18+2, suggest more headroom for demanding chips. They matter less for stock gaming use.

Is Wi-Fi 6 enough?

For most home networks, yes. Wi-Fi 6E or 7 only helps with compatible routers and heavy wireless use. A wired connection removes the question entirely.

Why are the X870 boards not among the picks?

They use a different chipset from the one in the keyword, so this guide covers only the X670E boards and uses the X870 and X870E listings for comparison. Buyers who specifically want USB4 or Wi-Fi 7 should shop that newer group separately.

Final Words

The right X670E board depends on how much of the chipset you will actually use. The Tomahawk covers a balanced gaming build, the Strix pair adds power and storage, the Carbon is the premium MSI option, the TUF is the dependable mainstream pick, and the Crosshair Hero is the all-out choice. Match the board to your processor, count your drives, and confirm BIOS support before ordering. That keeps the spending where it counts. A board is a long-term part, usually outliving two or three graphics cards, so it pays to choose one whose slot count and processor support fit the build you plan to have in a few years and not only the one you are assembling this weekend.