Unless I'm mistaken, "USB 3.1 Gen2" is not the same as Thunderbolt 3.0. For example: external storage that includes a Thunderbolt port, or a monitor with a Thunderbolt port. If Apple were to switch to AMD CPU's for their 2019 Mac Pro, they would require a Thunderbolt port. Have any new AMD motherboards at Computex 2019 been observed that include Thunderbolt ports? Also: any details on the on-board audio chip included with some of these new AMD boards?
They could simply include Intel's Thunderbolt 3 controller.
The bigger gotcha is that any CPU Apple would be looking at for the 2019 Mac Pro are likely Epyc based and don't have any integrated GPUs. Thunderbolt 3 per spec requires a DP 1.2 connection at least (newer controllers support DP 1.3/1.4). So for Thunderbolt 3 support, I'd expect some sort of internal cable to feed DP from a discrete GPU to the Thunderbolt 3 support or simply use a custom GPU card that includes the Thunderbolt 3 controllers on it directly. This issue also exists on the Intel side if Apple were to continue to use Xeons.
Now that is an impressive IO. 12 3.1 g2 ports. Yes please. And angled 24pin connector. Damn this board looks stacked. Wonder about the cost. The MSI Godlike is supossed to ost 700+ and Aorus Xtreme around 600.
Why don't we all opt-out of the USB-IF's braindead naming scheme and instead of 3.1 gen 2, or whatever the new name is next week, just take a cue from the logos on the backplane. 10-gigabit USB ports. SuperSpeed 10, if we're required to use some official USB-IF nomenclature.
That looks pretty good. I'd prefer at least two USB-C ports though (which really 8 Type A and 4 Type C seems like it should've been done here, would've really put this over the top).
Honestly though I wish we'd move to some more adaptable I/O setup. We have that to an extent (as you can buy dedicated cards for just about anything you want), but I feel like there'd be advantages to ditching the standard I/O and going with dedicated I/O cards that could carryover between boards - so you buy the ones that fit what you want and then aren't stuck trying to deal with that when buying a new board or even other components (for instance I feel like we should ditch video ports on graphics cards - opening up more space for ventilation, while making it easier to go with the video ports that you actually want/need and being able to carry that over, or if you get new display setup you can change just the I/O). And it'd enable them to do more drastic things, like having horizontal PCIe slots on the underside, where it could offer shorter traces which is a need with PCIe signaling speeds getting to where it is (although for that, I think it might be better to split the data path from the power, so move to fiber optic interconnect for data and then a separate power delivery setup).
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Deses - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
OK, I am impressed. It's time for 10 Gigabit ethernet to come to the masses!kobblestown - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
Yeah, like this is a MB for the masses...The Chill Blueberry - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
Yo dawg, I heard you like USB ports..shreduhsoreus - Monday, July 1, 2019 - link
Yes. Yes I do. This board has 2 more than my X399 board that I'm using all but 3 of.vailr - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
Unless I'm mistaken, "USB 3.1 Gen2" is not the same as Thunderbolt 3.0. For example: external storage that includes a Thunderbolt port, or a monitor with a Thunderbolt port. If Apple were to switch to AMD CPU's for their 2019 Mac Pro, they would require a Thunderbolt port. Have any new AMD motherboards at Computex 2019 been observed that include Thunderbolt ports?Also: any details on the on-board audio chip included with some of these new AMD boards?
Kevin G - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
They could simply include Intel's Thunderbolt 3 controller.The bigger gotcha is that any CPU Apple would be looking at for the 2019 Mac Pro are likely Epyc based and don't have any integrated GPUs. Thunderbolt 3 per spec requires a DP 1.2 connection at least (newer controllers support DP 1.3/1.4). So for Thunderbolt 3 support, I'd expect some sort of internal cable to feed DP from a discrete GPU to the Thunderbolt 3 support or simply use a custom GPU card that includes the Thunderbolt 3 controllers on it directly. This issue also exists on the Intel side if Apple were to continue to use Xeons.
Ctullu - Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - link
ASRock is showing several X570 boards with Thunderbolt 3 on them.shreduhsoreus - Monday, July 1, 2019 - link
No lightning bolt, no TB3.R7 - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
Now that is an impressive IO. 12 3.1 g2 ports. Yes please. And angled 24pin connector. Damn this board looks stacked. Wonder about the cost. The MSI Godlike is supossed to ost 700+ and Aorus Xtreme around 600.Slash3 - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
Under their demo configuration, I like how they have memory listed as "8GB x 8" with a four slot motherboard!Optimism at its finest.
Cyanara - Monday, May 27, 2019 - link
'CLEAR COMS'. Clearly some advanced microphone technology going on there.Still, interesting to see a 'clear CMOS' button on the back instead of internally. Who needs it that often?
Lord of the Bored - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - link
Why don't we all opt-out of the USB-IF's braindead naming scheme and instead of 3.1 gen 2, or whatever the new name is next week, just take a cue from the logos on the backplane. 10-gigabit USB ports. SuperSpeed 10, if we're required to use some official USB-IF nomenclature.darkswordsman17 - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - link
That looks pretty good. I'd prefer at least two USB-C ports though (which really 8 Type A and 4 Type C seems like it should've been done here, would've really put this over the top).Honestly though I wish we'd move to some more adaptable I/O setup. We have that to an extent (as you can buy dedicated cards for just about anything you want), but I feel like there'd be advantages to ditching the standard I/O and going with dedicated I/O cards that could carryover between boards - so you buy the ones that fit what you want and then aren't stuck trying to deal with that when buying a new board or even other components (for instance I feel like we should ditch video ports on graphics cards - opening up more space for ventilation, while making it easier to go with the video ports that you actually want/need and being able to carry that over, or if you get new display setup you can change just the I/O). And it'd enable them to do more drastic things, like having horizontal PCIe slots on the underside, where it could offer shorter traces which is a need with PCIe signaling speeds getting to where it is (although for that, I think it might be better to split the data path from the power, so move to fiber optic interconnect for data and then a separate power delivery setup).
bigvlada - Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - link
We had that, in the eighties. I/O cards with printer, mouse and joystick ports.shreduhsoreus - Monday, July 1, 2019 - link
13 USB type A ports?I need to sit down...
Wait, I'm already sitting...
I need a towel and a change of pants.