Best rear-connect (BTF) board
X870 Aorus Stealth
Every cable connector moved to the back of the PCB: a clean all-black AM5 board with 13 rear USB ports - if your case supports rear-connect.
Our verdict
The Stealth is the best argument yet for rear-connector building: a genuinely clean front face, 16+2+2 80A power, dual USB4 and 13 rear USB ports at $300. Tom's Hardware called it the sweet spot for rear-connect AM5, with exactly one con - and it is the big one: your case must explicitly support BTF-style boards.
Best for: Showcase builds chasing the no-visible-cables look, in a rear-connect-compatible case.
Skip it if: Your case is not on the rear-connect compatibility list - this board physically will not work in it.
Chipset
X870
Socket
AM5
Form factor
ATX
RAM
4x DDR5 to 192GB
Full specifications
| CPU Support | AMD Ryzen 9000 / 8000 / 7000 Series processors |
|---|---|
| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 |
| Chipset | AMD X870 |
| Power / VRM | 16+2+2 twin digital VRM (16x 80A SPS Vcore) |
| Memory | 4x DDR5 DIMM, up to 256GB; OC up to DDR5-8200; EXPO and XMP |
| PCIe Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU) + 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 (chipset, shares with one M.2) |
| M.2 Slots | 4 total: 2x PCIe 5.0 x4 (one shares with USB4, runs x2 by default) + 2x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SATA | 2x SATA 6Gb/s (RAID 0/1) |
| Rear USB | 13 ports: 2x USB4 Type-C 40Gbps (DP-Alt), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2x Gen2 Type-A, 4x Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
| Networking | Realtek 5GbE; Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 (320MHz); Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC1220, 7.1-channel, S/PDIF out |
| Form Factor | ATX, 30.5 x 24.4 cm |
| Rear-Connector Design | STEALTH reverse-connector layout - requires a rear-connect (BTF-style) compatible case |
Transcribed from the manufacturer's official spec sheet - always confirm details there before buying.
Why buy it
- Truly clean front face - all power/data connectors are on the back
- 13 rear USB ports including dual USB4 40Gbps
- 16+2+2 80A VRM and 5GbE at a fair $300
Think twice if
- Requires a BTF/rear-connect compatible case - non-negotiable
- Gen5 M.2 shares bandwidth with USB4 (x4 mode disables the USB4 ports)
- Two SATA ports only
What reviewers say
Tom's Hardware
4/5 starsCalls the X870 Aorus Stealth 'the sweet spot for rear-connect AM5 boards, pairing a clean all-black design with good performance and a well-rounded set of features for $299.99'; the sole listed con is that it requires a compatible BTF/rear-connect case.
Full review ↗FunkyKit
9.0/10 - Editor's ChoiceReviewing the Stealth ICE (the same board in white): 'one of the best looking reverse-connector motherboards on the market, packed with amazing features,' but warns buyers to get an ATX case compatible with reverse-connector motherboards.
Full review ↗EnosTech
Recommended + Design AwardReviewing the ICE variant (identical specs): praises the backplug design, strong 16+2+2 VRM cooling, and good overall performance, while flagging that the Gen5 M.2 shares bandwidth with the USB4 ports and the layout only works in a rear-connect-compatible case.
Full review ↗Build around it
A full build starting from this board - picks computed from our live catalog, matched to the board's budget class.
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The strongest gaming CPU we track for AM5 - score 99/100 at ~$450.
GPU
NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti
The best score-per-dollar in our GPU data - matches the value play this board is. Score 72/100 at ~$370.
RAM
Crucial Pro DDR5-6000 CL36 32GB (2x16GB)
DDR5-6000 CL36, 2x16GB - the cheapest kit on the X870 sweet spot at ~$395. Faster kits are mostly wasted money here.
Case
Phanteks XT PRO
Takes ATX with 435mm of GPU clearance - an airflow pick at ~$60.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CPUs does the X870 Aorus Stealth support?
It uses the AMD X870 chipset on the AM5 socket. That means AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series desktop CPUs, including X3D gaming chips. Check any specific pairing with our free bottleneck checker before you buy.
What RAM should I put in the X870 Aorus Stealth?
It takes DDR5 in 4 slots (up to 192GB). The sweet spot on X870 is DDR5-6000 CL30 for the 1:1 Infinity Fabric ratio - faster kits cost more for little real-world gain. Our RAM advisor picks a kit for your exact use.
Will the X870 Aorus Stealth fit my case?
It is an ATX board. Our case finder filters cases by the form factors they actually take.
How much does the X870 Aorus Stealth cost?
As of our last price check it was $299.99. The price on the retailer page is the real one.
Prices are from our latest first-party retailer check and change constantly - always confirm on the product page. Reviewer citations are attributed and linked; we summarize, they tested. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.