The ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO and the Gigabyte Z890 AORUS MASTER are tied in overall objective performance, as both motherboards secure an equal number of spec wins across the evaluated fields. The most impactful advantage for the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO is its M.2 slot configuration, which offers a 25% improvement over the competition. Conversely, the Gigabyte Z890 AORUS MASTER provides a significant 100% advantage regarding the availability of PCIe x1 slots.

Users who prioritize high-density storage expansion should select the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO to leverage its superior M.2 slot capacity. Alternatively, those who require additional connectivity for specialized expansion cards should choose the Gigabyte Z890 AORUS MASTER due to its doubled PCIe x1 slot count. Because both boards perform equally across the majority of measured specifications, the final decision rests entirely on whether your specific build requires more storage drives or additional peripheral expansion slots.