NZXT has firmly established itself in PC hardware as a brand that puts aesthetics and user experience front and centre. You see it across their popular cases, cooling solutions, and even power supplies – it’s all about that clean, minimalist design and a streamlined approach. Now, they’re bringing that signature philosophy right to the very core of your next high-performance build with their latest enthusiast-grade offering: the NZXT N9 X870E motherboard.
At its heart, the X870E chipset brings the cutting-edge technology for the newest generation of AMD processors. This platform is engineered for serious performance and extensive connectivity, packing in PCIe Gen5 support for the latest graphics cards and lightning-fast NVMe storage. It also brings full support for high-speed DDR5 memory, ensuring ample bandwidth for demanding applications and games. This isn’t just about ticking boxes; the X870E chipset is built to deliver robust power delivery and sophisticated features that lay the perfect foundation for truly high-end systems, capable of handling the most powerful CPUs on the market.
But where many manufacturers in this premium segment tend to lean into aggressive gamer aesthetics or overt, flashy performance branding, NZXT takes a markedly different route. The N9 X870E is their unique interpretation of a top-tier motherboard, aiming to seamlessly blend all that formidable hardware capability with NZXT’s renowned understated design and integrated ecosystem control. This board is clearly aimed at builders who really care about a clean, refined aesthetic in their systems – those who want top-tier performance without a cluttered look. It’s for enthusiasts who appreciate meticulous attention to detail, smart integration, and that smooth, unified experience you often get within the NZXT ecosystem, typically controlled via their CAM software.
Features
- AMD® AM5 Socket: Ready for AMD® Ryzen™ 9000, 8000, and 7000 series desktop processors.
- Superior Power: A robust 20+2+1 power phase design with 110A SPS and an 8-layer, low-loss 2-oz copper PCB ensure exceptional stability and overclocking potential.
- Advanced Cooling: Stay cool under pressure with a VRM heatsink array with thermal pads, dual PWM fans, and fins, plus dedicated heatsinks and thermal pads for all M.2 slots.
- PCIe® 5.0 Expansion: One PCIe® 5.0 x16 slot for next-gen GPUs and one PCIe® 3.0 x16 slot for additional high-speed expansion cards.
- DDR5 Memory: Four dual-channel DIMM slots support DDR5 RAM speeds of 8000+ MT/s, delivering faster multitasking and improved system responsiveness.
- High-Speed Storage: Four M.2 slots, including one PCIe® 5.0 and three PCIe® 4.0, deliver ultra-fast storage speeds and load times—all with quick-release latches.
- Next-Gen Connectivity: USB 4 (40 Gbps), Wi-Fi 7, and 5GbE deliver blazing-fast data transfers and ultra-low latency networking.
- Sleek & Stylish: A premium full-metal cover conceals the PCB for a clean, modern aesthetic, enhanced by onboard customizable RGB lighting.
Of course, this level of premium design, advanced features, and NZXT’s distinct approach comes with a price tag to match. While exact pricing can fluctuate, you can expect the NZXT N9 X870E to sit firmly in the high-end segment, costing around the $500 mark in the US and around £420 here in the UK. This places it among the more premium X870E options available, making it a significant investment. However, for those looking to create a visually striking system with integrated control and flagship performance, that premium might be well worth it.
So, as we put the NZXT N9 X870E through its paces, we’ll be checking out how effectively it marries its high-performance chipset with that unique design philosophy. We’ll be looking at its build quality, how thoughtfully its features are integrated, and, of course, its raw performance across a range of benchmarks. Does this board truly hit the mark for the discerning enthusiast who wants both power and polish? Well that’s what we’re going to find out.
What NZXT Had to Say
“The N9 X870E delivers cutting-edge performance in a sleek design, making it an ideal foundation for modern AMD® gaming PCs. Built for the latest AMD® Ryzen™ processors, it features overclocking-ready power, optimized thermals, and PCIe 5.0 support, plus high-speed Wi-Fi 7, 5GbE, and USB 4 connectivity. The full-metal cover with subtle RGB lighting adds a touch of sophistication to any build.” – NZXT
