Asus ROG Crosshair 2006 motherboard review: 20 years of ROG | Tom's Hardware
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(Image credit: © Future)
Tom's Hardware Verdict
Asus' retro-themed ROG Crosshair 2006 hits you in the feels the moment you see it, but the nostalgia isn’t for nostalgia’s sake — there’s some serious modern hardware underneath. If the limited-run retro aesthetic speaks to you, it’s worth the premium. Otherwise, buy the Dark Hero and pocket the difference.
Pros
+Throwback aesthetic with loads of copper color +2-inch OLED Display on M.2 heatsink +Five M.2 sockets (2x PCIe 5.0) +Five USB Type-C ports on the rear IO +EZ PC DIY/AI Features +Updated BIOS +Q-Connect for AIO
Cons
-Only six USB Type-A ports on the rear IO -Fifth M.2 socket only supports 30mm modules -Price premium over the Dark Hero
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Asus ROG Crosshair 2006 Features and Specifications
Page 1: Asus ROG Crosshair 2006 Features and Specifications
Page 2: Firmware, Software and Test System
Page 3: Benchmark Results and Final Analysis
Back in 2006, several Asus engineers and enthusiasts got together and announced a new division within the company, dubbed Republic of Gamers, dedicated to equipping gamers with high-performance, tweakable PC hardware that’s “...loaded with style and indulgent extras.” The first product to kick off 20 years and counting of ROG was the original ROG Crosshair motherboard. As you may have guessed by now, the original featured a huge copper heatsink connected via heatpipe for the VRMs, Northbridge, and Southbridge (remember, those were separate), ending with the first ROG symbol, the orange and white “G.” All of the slots, including DRAM, PCIe, as well as the ATX power, IDE connector, SATA ports, and some of the headers at the bottom used a blue and white color scheme on this old school ROG board.Fast-forward to today, and in the lab is the limited edition ROG Crosshair 2006 ($799.99). On it, we clearly see the retro-inspired aesthetic has made its way to a motherboard with modern underpinnings – a "restomod" if you will. We see the copper-colored heatsink (not made of copper) for the VRMs, M.2, and chipset. The large plate-style M.2 heatsink on the bottom half brings back the original ROG symbol, and the company brought back the blue and white accents on the DRAM and PCIe slots, as well as the SATA connectors and some ports along the bottom edge. The design isn’t what we are used to these days, with many boards adopting a monochromatic look, but it has grown on me since we first saw it. When you have it in your hands, you’ll realize that the images don’t do it justice. If you were an enthusiast back then, the board really hits you in the feels and takes you back to a simpler time of overclocking, when gains were much more significant, and AI was more of a concept in a movie than a reality.Outside of the throwback aesthetic, there’s high-end hardware underneath. In fact, it’s based on the ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero we reviewed earlier in 2026 that received 4/5 stars, and is a “...compelling premium choice for high-end builds.” Hardware-wise, this board is nearly identical and packed with premium features. You get five M.2 sockets (two PCIe 5.0), fast networking with 10 GbE and 5 GbE ports and Wi-Fi 7, a robust power delivery solution with 24 total phases and 110A MOSFETs, five USB Type-C ports on the rear IO (including two USB4/40 Gbps), and a flagship-class audio solution. Asus crams in several software features, like its AI (Overclocking, Cooling II, Networking II, Cacheboost, Advisor), EZ PC DIY features, and an updated BIOS, cementing the Crosshair 2006 as a well-rounded premium mid-range solution.Performance testing went as expected and was quite similar to the Dark Hero; in fact, even with a newer BIOS and AGESA, a couple of benchmarks scored the same. Overall, it performed well across most of our tests. It was competent at gaming and also above average at most productivity tests (as we’ll see in detail later), so there's nothing to worry about in terms of performance.Below, we’ll examine the Crosshair 2006’s performance and other features to determine whether it deserves a spot on our list of the best motherboards. But before we share test results and discuss details, here are the specifications from Asus’ website:Specifications of the Crosshair 2006Swipe to scroll horizontallySocketAM5 (LGA 1718)ChipsetX870EForm FactorATXVoltage Regulator24 Phase (20x 110A SPS MOSFETs for Vcore)Video Ports(2) USB4 Type-C DisplayPort(1) HDMI (v2.1)USB Ports(2) USB 4 (40 Gbps) Type-C(3) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C(6) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)Network Jacks(1) 10 GbE(1) 5 GbEAudio Jacks(2) Analog + SPDIFLegacy Ports/Jacks✗Other Ports/Jack✗PCIe x16(1) v5.0 (x16, x8/x8)(1) v5.0 (x8 or 3.0 X4)PCIe x8✗PCIe x4✗PCIe x1✗CrossFire/SLI✗DIMM Slots(4) DDR5-9600(OC), 256GB Capacity8600+MT/s(OC)**/8200+MT/s(OC)*** with Ryzen™ 9000 Series 9600+MT/s(OC)**/9200+MT/s(OC)*** with Ryzen™ 8000 Series8000+MT/s(OC)**/8000+MT/s(OC)*** with Ryzen™ 7000 SeriesM.2 Sockets(2) PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) / PCIe (up to 110/80mm)(2) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (up to 80mm)(1) PCIe 4.0 x2 (32 Gbps) / PCIe (up to 30mm)Supports RAID 0/1/5/10SATA Ports(2) SATA3 6 Gbps Supports RAID 0/1/5/10 (through native ports only)USB Headers(1) USB v3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) Type-C (up to 60W PD/QC4+)(1) USB v3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) Type-C(2) USB v3.2 Gen 2 (5 Gbps)(3) USB v2.0 (480 Mbps)Fan/Pump Headers(7) 4-Pin (Accepts PWM and DC)(1) W_PUMP+ headers (4-pin)(1) AIO Q-ConnectorRGB Headers(1) 6-pin ARGB Gen2 header supports 2x ARGB Gen2 headers(2) 3-pin ARGB Gen2 headersDiagnostics Panel(1) EZ Debug LED(1) EZ Digi-Debug LED(1) EZ Memory Detection LED(1) EZ LED Control SwitchInternal Button/SwitchBCLK/Flexkey/Retry buttonsPCIe mode switchesSATA ControllersASMedia ASM1162Ethernet Controller(s)(1) Realtek 8127 (10 GbE)(1) Realtek 8126 (5 GbE)Wi-Fi / BluetoothMediatek MT7927 Wi-Fi 7 - 320 MHz, 6 GHz, 5.8 GHz, BT 5.4 USB ControllersAsmedia ASM4242, Realtek RTS5411SHD Audio CodecROG Supreme FX (ALC4082) + ESS9219 Quad DAC, LED illuminated audio jacksDDL/DTS✗ / ✗Warranty3 YearsInside the BoxInside the retail packaging, the Crosshair 2006 comes with several accessories, though fewer than the Dark Hero it’s based on. You get the typical collection of cables, antennas, and guides, but Asus does not include the ROG Assistant fan for cooling the memory or the DDR5 fan holder (nor the ROG VIP card or bottle opener). We’ve listed everything inside the box below:(4) SATA 6Gb/s cablesThermal pad for M.2 22110ASUS WiFi Q-AntennaQ-connector(3) M.2 Q-Slide package(5) M.2 backplate rubber packagesROG stickersROG screwdriverQuick start guideDesign of the Crosshair 2006Image 1 of 9(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)The Crosshair 2006 and its retro-inspired copper-colored cooler design (it’s aluminum) look incredible against the multi-layer matte-black PCB. The heatsink uses fins (thicker than the original to prevent scrapes) to increase surface area, while a heatpipe connects the two copper-colored heatsinks. The primary M.2 socket also takes on the copper theme and adds a cool little OLED on top, a much better choice than the polymo lighting feature on the Dark Hero. Blue and white colored covers adorn the DRAM and PCIe slots, as well as the four SATA ports on the right edge and USB 2.0 ports along the bottom. The plate-style heatsink that covers multiple M.2 sockets looks a bit different, with the modern ROG symbol on the left and the retro “G” figure on the right, above the chipset.Latest Videos FromOverall, the throwback appearance will look good in any modern chassis, especially with dark-colored builds. But it can be polarizing. There’s a reason that colorful style (blue PCB, anyone?) went the way of the dodo.
(Image credit: Future)Starting in the top-left corner, we get a better look at the large, copper-colored heatsink for power delivery. Here we see the larger fins reminiscent of the original design, Crosshair branding, and special 20th ROG branding on the heatsink and I/O shroud. Above that are the two white (instead of the typical black) 8-pin EPS connectors to power the processor (one required).Looking past the socket and before the DRAM slots is the new Asus Q-Connect feature. The proprietary 11-pad hub 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. It’s compatible with the ROG Strix LC and SLC IV 360 AIOs announced at CES 2026. It’s a useful feature if you plan to use compatible Asus AIOs. But I would like Asus to include a simple rubber cover that matches the board’s appearance, so it doesn’t stick out when you’re not using it.Next, the four DRAM slots (with Nitropath technology) are to the right, with locking mechanisms to secure the RAM on the top and bottom. Asus lists support for 256GB of RAM and DDR5-8600 speeds for 9000 series desktop processors, and even higher (DDR5-9200) for APUs. Though, unless you’re benching for Hwbot, I can’t see many using an APU on a $700 motherboard, unless you’re benchmarking competitively. Still, that’s plenty fast and way past AMD’s sweetspot.Above the DRAM slots are the first four (of eight) standard 4-pin fan headers, each with a white header, compared to black o