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Benchmark Results
Our standard benchmarks and power tests are performed using the CPU’s stock frequencies (including any default boost/turbo) with all power-saving features enabled. We set optimized defaults in the BIOS and the memory by enabling the XMP profile. For this baseline testing, the Windows power scheme is set to Balanced (default) so the PC idles appropriately.
Synthetic Benchmarks
Synthetics offer a valuable method for evaluating a board's performance, as identical settings are expected to yield similar results. Turbo boost wattage and advanced memory timings are areas where motherboard manufacturers can still optimize for stability or performance, though, and these settings can impact specific testing scenarios.
The X870 Aorus Xtreme X3D AI Top performed very well in our synthetic benchmarks, posting some of the best scores we’ve seen across the suite, just like the non-X3D, and again thanks to higher bandwidth (by default) on our base DDR5-6000 sticks. Be it office apps, encoding, or rendering, the Xtreme X3D AI TOP was one of the best overall performers in our tightly packed results.
Timed Applications
In our timed applications, LAME fell into the slower of the two times, while the Corona benchmark result was the fastest, but matching multiple other boards. Handbrake performance was also above average, responding well to the magic bandwidth sauce Gigabyte’s using.
3D Games and 3DMark
With the launch of Zen 5, we’ve updated our game tests. We’re keeping the F1 racing game but have upgraded to F1 24. We also dropped Far Cry 6 in favor of an even more popular and good-looking game in Cyberpunk 2077. We run both games at 1920x1080 resolution using the Ultra preset (details listed above). Cyberpunk 2077 uses DLSS, while we left F1 24 to native resolution scaling.
The goal with these settings is to determine if there are differences in performance at the most commonly used (and CPU/system-bound) resolution with settings most people use or strive for (Ultra). We expect the difference between boards in these tests to be minor, with most falling within the margin of error. We’ve also added a minimum FPS setting, which can affect your gameplay and immersion.
In our 3DMark and game tests, the board was average to above average in Speedway, and slightly below average in Steel Nomad. That said, the X3D AI Top did really well in our actual games, posting the best non-9800X3D FPS we’ve seen in Cyberpunk 2077 (146, also with the highest minimum, 111 frames per second), and did well in F1 24, running faster than the average (129 min, 175 avg). In short, this is one of the better performing boards we’ve tested. Regardless of whether you’re gaming, a creative, or just doing general productivity, the X870E Aorus Xtreme X3D AI Top can get the most out of any installed processor.
Overclocking
Over the past few CPU generations, overclocking headroom has been shrinking on both sides of the fence, while the out-of-the-box potential has increased. For overclockers, this means there’s less fun to have. For the average consumer, you’re getting the most out of the processor without manual tweaking. Today’s motherboards are more robust than ever, and they easily support power-hungry flagship-class processors; We know the hardware can handle them. There are multiple ways to extract even more performance from these processors: enabling a canned PBO setting, manually tweaking the PBO settings, or just going for an all-core overclock. Results will vary and depend on the cooling as well. In other words, your mileage may vary. Considering all the above, we will not be overclocking the CPU. However, we will try out our different memory kits to ensure they meet the specifications.
For memory testing, we start with our fastest non-clock driver kit: the Klevv 32GB (2x16) DDR5-8000. Per usual on this platform, it booted to Windows but wouldn’t pass a stress test with our 9900X, but the Team Group DDR5-7200 kit worked without issue. Those speeds are well past the ‘sweet spot’ for the AMD platform, and with today’s outlandish RAM (and video card and storage) prices, we imagine few people are considering them in the first place. Dropping in our Ryzen 5 8600G APU, we were able to run our Klevv DDR5-8000 kit without issue, as we can on most motherboards. There’s plenty of headroom for anyone who can afford faster speeds.
Power Consumption / VRM Temperatures
We used AIDA64’s System Stability Test with Stress CPU, FPU, cache, and Memory enabled for power testing, using the processor's peak power consumption value. The wattage reading is obtained from the wall via a Kill-A-Watt meter, capturing the entire PC (excluding the monitor). The only variable that changes is the motherboard; all other parts remain the same. We've moved to using only the stock power use/VRM temperature charts, as this section aims to ensure the power delivery can handle flagship-class processors.
Stress-testing the X870E Aorus Xtreme X3D AI Top with our DDR5-7200 kit showed it drawing more power than most boards. At idle, it sat around 93W and peaked at 268W. This averages out to 178W and puts it just above average. There’s nothing out of the ordinary here either. Boards with more functionality / features generally use more power.
VRM temperatures were, not surprisingly, good, peaking at 49 degrees Celsius on the internal sensor and 48 degrees on ours. The 22 110A SPS MOSFETs, combined with the oversized heatsink, mean you can overclock any processor, with the only limitation being your cooling.
Bottom Line
I’m glad we had the opportunity to test the X3D AI Top as the original Xtreme AI Top just didn’t cut it compared to the other updated flagship motherboards (but still stands as a solid motherboard). Priced at $999.99 on Amazon, the X3D AI Top is one of the least-expensive ‘true’ flagships available for the AM5 platform and a relative ‘deal’ compared to the others. You’re essentially missing some add-in cards for additional M.2 storage, and other tidbits. But if you don’t use them, there’s little need to pay more.
Speaking of others, this board competes with the MSI MEG X870E Godlike X ($1,299.99) and stands its ground. The Godlike X offers more M.2 sockets (thanks to the Xpander AIC) and doesn’t include a fan cooler for the RAM, but it still offers plenty of reasons to buy. The Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial ($1,199.99), is another worthy combatant at the top. Its icy-white appearance is arguably the best of the bunch, and you get a fancy display above the VRMs, oversized heatsinks all around, and plenty of connectivity. If you need or want to use the AI Top software, the answer is obvious: Gigabyte takes it. But if you aren’t worried about running local LLMs on your PC, it’s all going to come down to looks and how you want to divide up connectivity.
In the rarefied air of flagship motherboards, Gigabyte’s X870E Aorus Xtreme X3D AI Top strikes a smart balance between value and a high price point. Compared in a vacuum, these boards are downright expensive, and for many who aren’t wowed by LCD screens and extra bits they offer, they aren’t on the shopping list, even if you can afford it. But for those who need a board at the top of the product stack and five or more M.2 sockets, overbuilt VRMs for overclocking, work with local LLMs, cool LCDs, or just would like to get the most out of their X3D chip with X3D Turbo Mode 2.0, the Xtreme X3D AI Top is one of the best motherboards. It should be on your shortlist if you’re interested in this class of board.
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