Quick notes
- The Hero has a more traditional black and red color scheme, while the Dark Hero has a stealthier black and gray color scheme.
- The Dark Hero is a great choice for users who want a motherboard with a more stealthy design and advanced BIOS features.
- The main difference between the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero is that the Dark Hero has a slightly better VRM design and a few more advanced BIOS features.
When it comes to high-end motherboards for AMD Ryzen processors, the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero stand out as two of the most compelling options. Both boards offer a wide range of features and capabilities, but they also have some key differences that make them suitable for different types of users. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero vs. Dark Hero, comparing their specifications, features, performance, and more to help you make an informed decision about which board is right for you.
Specifications
| Feature | ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero | ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Chipset | X570 | X570 |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Memory | Quad-channel DDR4, up to 128GB | Quad-channel DDR4, up to 128GB |
| Storage | 6x SATA III, 2x M.2 NVMe | 8x SATA III, 2x M.2 NVMe |
| Expansion Slots | 2x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x1 | 2x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x1 |
| Networking | 2.5Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 | 2.5Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 |
| Audio | SupremeFX S1220A | SupremeFX 7.1 |
| RGB Lighting | Yes | Yes |
Features
Both the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero offer a wide range of features, including:
- High-performance overclocking: Both boards support the latest AMD Ryzen processors and offer extensive overclocking options.
- Fast storage: Both boards feature multiple M.2 NVMe slots for high-speed storage.
- Exceptional networking: Both boards come with 2.5Gb Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable internet connectivity.
- Immersive audio: Both boards have high-quality audio codecs and support DTS:X Ultra for immersive surround sound.
- RGB lighting: Both boards have RGB lighting headers for customizing the look of your system.
Performance
In terms of performance, the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero are very similar. Both boards offer excellent overclocking capabilities and can support the latest AMD Ryzen processors with ease. However, the Dark Hero has a slightly better VRM design, which may give it a slight edge in terms of stability and overclocking potential.
Design
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero have different designs. The Hero has a more traditional black and red color scheme, while the Dark Hero has a stealthier black and gray color scheme. The Dark Hero also has a more angular design, while the Hero has a more rounded design.
Connectivity
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero offer similar connectivity options. Both boards have multiple USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports. Both boards also have multiple PCIe slots, including PCIe 4.0 x16 slots.
BIOS
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero both have user-friendly BIOS interfaces. Both BIOSes offer a wide range of options for customizing your system. However, the Dark Hero’s BIOS has a few more advanced features, such as the ability to save multiple BIOS profiles.
Which Board is Right for You?
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero are both excellent motherboards for AMD Ryzen processors. The Hero is a great choice for users who want a high-performance motherboard with a traditional design. The Dark Hero is a great choice for users who want a motherboard with a more stealthy design and advanced BIOS features.
What You Need to Learn
1. What is the difference between the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero?
The main difference between the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero is that the Dark Hero has a slightly better VRM design and a few more advanced BIOS features.
2. Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is slightly better for overclocking than the Hero due to its improved VRM design.
3. Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero and Dark Hero are excellent for gaming. However, the Dark Hero may have a slight edge due to its improved VRM design and BIOS features.