Moving right past the socket and before the DRAM slots is the new Asus Q-connector. The proprietary 11-pin connector transfers power and control signals (think pump, ARGB, fans, and, on some models, the display) directly through the motherboard, eliminating the need for traditional, visible, individual cables that detract from a clean aesthetic. At the time of this writing, only the CES 2026-announced ROG Strix LC and SLC IV 360 AIOs work with the connector. It’s a useful feature if you plan to use compatible Asus AIOs. Otherwise, the gold contacts stick out from the white aesthetic (why not put a white rubber cover on it, Asus?).
Next, the four DRAM slots to the right have locking mechanisms on both sides. It’s a tight fit for the bottom locks (requires something skinny to poke them), or remove another magnetic piece next to PCIe latch that says Glacial on it to get better access. Or, use a single locking mechanism at the top. Asus lists support for DDR5-8600 for 9000 series desktop processors and even higher (DDR5-9200) for APUs, though unless you’re benching for Hwbot, I can’t see anyone using an APU on a $1,200 motherboard. Still, that’s plenty fast and way past AMD’s sweetspot.
To the right of the RAM slots is Asus’ DIMM.2 slot for additional M.2 drives. The DIMM.2 add-in-card holds two modules, up to 110mm. One runs at PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps), and the other at 4.0 x2 (32 Gbps). This is a great way to add easily swappable M.2 storage. Asus also includes the Hyper M.2 card, which you install in a PCIe slot. The Hyper M.2 offers two more PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) M.2 sockets, bringing the total to four (if you force M.2_2 to x4 speeds). If your build needs a lot of fast M.2, the Glacial is where it’s at.
Above the DRAM slots (still under the shroud) are the first three (of eight) standard 4-pin fan headers. Per usual, each supports PWM and DC-controlled devices. Power output varies from 1A/12W on most headers (CPU, Rad, Chassis, AIO, and EF fans), while the two pump headers allow 3A/36W. The Asus BIOS or Armory Crate software controls these attached devices.
To the right of that are the ProbeIt measurement points that let you measure your system’s current voltage and oc settings. You can measure Vcore, Vmem, VSOC, and eight other voltages. This is primarily useful for the extreme overclocker, but it’s always worth verifying against software, as that can be off. Next to that are four Q-LEDs and the Q-Code LED that helps with troubleshooting POST issues.
Looking down the right edge, we see another shroud with two buttons on top (Start and Flexkey), and beneath those are multiple 90-degree headers. This includes the first 3-pin ARGB header, two additional 4-pin fan headers (W_Pump and CHA_FAN2), the 24-pin ATX power connector, and two front-panel USB 3.2 Type-C connectors (both 20 Gbps).
Power delivery on the X870E Glacial is one of the most capable we’ve seen. With a total of 28 phases (24 for Vcore), you’re not going to find one more potent. Power heads from the 8-pin EPS connectors and onto the Digi+ EPU voltage regulator. From there, it moves to the Infineon PMC41420 110A MOSFETs. The 2,640 Amps available will handle any CPU you throw at it, whether you’re using ambient or extreme cooling methods, even a Ryzen 9 9950X or the recently released Ryzen 9 9850X3D .
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) At the bottom of the board, hidden under the shrouds, are the audio, PCIe slots, and M.2 sockets. Starting on the left, Asus uses the flagship-class Supreme FX audio solution (read: Realtek ALC4082 codec) along with an ESS Q9219 DAC. This is the best native audio combination you can get, and what you'd expect from a high-end board.
Next are the two PCIe slots hidden beneath magnetically attached shrouds. I don’t see the point of this decorative shroud, as you have to remove it to use either PCIe slot (and who’s going to use the iGPU only on a board like this?). You can use the bottom slot with negligible losses from the primary slot (it is PCIe 5.0 x8), but there you’re exposing the headers across the bottom.
Both of these reinforced slots connect through the CPU, offering PCIe 5.0 bandwidth. The top slot is for primary graphics and runs at x16 speeds (breaking down to x8/X8, x8/x4/x4, or x4/x4/x4/x4 modes), while the bottom slot is limited to x8. Note that this applies to 7000 and 9000 series desktop processors; APUs are different (see the specifications on Asus’ website for details). Asus moved away from its controversial PCIe latching mechanism . The company adopted a mechanical lever system on the Glacial that’s easy to use and won’t risk scratching the connector on your expensive graphics card.
Under the shrouds and heatsinks are three M.2 sockets. The top M.2 socket, M.2_1, under the large 3D VC M.2 heatsink (with Q-Release) runs PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) and supports up to 110mm modules. The second socket, M.2_2, also connects to the CPU and runs PCIe 5.0 x2 by default as it shares lanes with the USB4 ports. It can run at x4 by forcing it in the BIOS, but this disables the USB4 ports altogether. The third native socket, M.2_3, connects to the chipset and runs at PCIe 4.0 x4. Asus made connecting M.2 drives easy with the M.2 Q-Latch or M.2 Q-Slide functionality. No screws!
The two PROM21 chips for the chipset are under their own really cool-looking heatsinks, which are under the M.2 heatsink, and under that fancy shroud that covers the PCIe slots (yes, that sentence is intentional and correct). While that’s fine, what I found odd was that the heatsinks had a protective plastic on them that you need to remove. It’s not like they're ever visible and need protection, so why even bother putting them on? There’s a chance the board will live its life with plastic on the heatsink, as it’s plausible that users forgo M.2_2/3 under the heatsink and use DIMM.2 or the Hyper M.2 AICs instead. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but it was a curious choice to put plastic on something buried that doesn’t need protection.
Moving to the right edge, we see more horizontal connectivity. The first thing we see is the 8-pin PCIe connector for supplemental power to the motherboard (and to enable 60W USB-C charging). There are two 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) connectors, a system fan header, and the front panel header. We've also included many images of the active IC's for the board. The Glacial uses multiple ASMedia (USB), Infineon (VRMs), and Realtek (Audio, USB).
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Along the bottom are several headers under the magnetic cover, ranging from all four SATA ports to BCLK adjustment buttons for overclocking, with a lot in between. If you’re keen on using the shroud and the SATA ports, be sure to use 90-degree connectors so they fit underneath without excessive cable bends. The rest of the connectors are all thin wires that bend and should fit naturally. A complete list of connectivity is listed below (from L to R):
The rear IO on the X870E Glacial is packed with connectivity, including 14 USB ports. On the left are two buttons: one to clear the CMOS (backlit with a green LED) and the other for BIOS Flashback functionality. The first two Type-C ports (vertical) run at 10 Gbps; the next two are 40 Gbps USB4 ports; and on the right are two more 10 Gbps Type-C ports. The eight red Type-A ports are all 10 Gbps. In the middle of all those USB ports are the two Realtek 10 GbE ports. On the right are the Wi-Fi 7 quick-connect antenna and the audio stack, with two 3.5mm jacks (mic in, line out), both backlit with LEDs (red and green, respectively).
Current page: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial Features and Specifications
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/motherboards/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/motherboards/asus-rog-crosshair-x870e-glacial-motherboard-review#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.