Not really. I spent three years with my main system/workstation in a place where the only network access I could realistically put was wireless. Sometimes environments have limitations, either physical or legal. I'm not saying it's popular, but if it's an everything bagel, might as well have everything.
So the picture shows 8x USB-A ports and 2x USB-C ports, but the paragraph below it says there are 9x and 1x. Or are one of the identical USB-C ports faster than the other??
These add-in cards still retail for a few hundred dollars alone. Glad to see they didn't skimp out on 5 Gbps or a single 10 Gbps on what I expect is a four-digit price tag. The heatsinks are probably necessary; this chip has an 11W TDP on its own...
// type-C rant
I also appreciate the clear USB speed labels on the rear I/O. Still, I will forever advocate for an OS-based menu that numerates exactly what each type-C port is capable of. W/ this Threadripper Pro motherboard, I assume nothing but USB.
The half-baked manuals for motherboards are already confusing enough: just put it in the operating system.
If you want true compatibility with USB 4 you will need TB 4 since TB 3 and USB 4 have slightly different signaling scheme (god knows why they did so). With that being said, USB 4 can range greatly on speeds and capabilities, for the matter of fact a port can be certified as USB 4 and only support 10 Gbps of transfer speeds. And also USB 4 ports can support full speed communication with TB 3 port but this is optional, so other with intel and maybe Apple I don't see many manufacturers support this feature.
I really like the general aesthetics of these Asus Pro boards, they a nice diversion from the usual flashy, gaudy gamer puke. They're a refreshing nod back to saner days when most motherboards didn't have gaudy gamer vomit on them yet.
There's no reason why a motherboards should be any color in particular.
Early PCB were brownish because that it's the natural color of the resins used in their manufacturing. Later PCB were made green to improve their inspection processes (by either humans or cameras). Nowadays there's very little reason for any color over the others as long the color is fairly contrasting against the contacts and silkscreen.
Actually, the primary purpose of the coating is to prevent the solder from sticking places other than where it is supposed to(hence why it is called a solder mask), which makes hand-assembly less error-prone and enables the use of a wave-soldering machine in automated assembly. It also protects the copper traces from the elements, but that seems to be more of a side benefit than an actual purpose. It isn't actually documented why the solder mask is traditionally green, though many different theories are on offer(some are educated guesses, some are... let's say less-educated guesses).
But apparently black solder masks are actually conductive, and require significant extra care in their application. Every time you see a black circuit board, it means someone has chosen form over function.
The 8-Pin connector below the 24-Pin is a PCIe power connector, not an EPS one, so most power supplies, if with enough power, should be able to supply all the connectors to the motherboard.
But Ian said and I quote "Users should also be aware that this board appears to take three 12V CPU power connectors, whereas most power supplies only take two."
Finally some really beautiful Motherboard. Asus and other brands should bring this sober construction to Ryzen. People who dont need any more than Ryzen for work stuck um ugly mobos plenty of lights and overclock functions that does not matter
Although I loathe RGB and the overuse of plastic, I'm not sure it really matters in the end. I don't have a window in my PC case and never look at the guts unless I'm troubleshooting or doing maintenance. You?
In the world of crazy motherboard names, I think ASUS might have won with this one. --- I know this was somewhat joking, but dont think Asus is the craziest, look at asrockrack or tyan or supermicro not to mention probably some lesser brands in workstation boards
Missing only 2 things for my next board: Thunderbolt (I heard AMD plans to support this next year) and DDR5. I'm still using my X99 machine from December 2014. Runs great. Would hate to upgrade to my next 5 year computer then they come out with these to things next year.
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shabby - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
Wifi... isn't this the most useless feature on this board?Ian Cutress - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
Not really. I spent three years with my main system/workstation in a place where the only network access I could realistically put was wireless. Sometimes environments have limitations, either physical or legal. I'm not saying it's popular, but if it's an everything bagel, might as well have everything.kobblestown - Tuesday, January 26, 2021 - link
So why not plug a USB/WiFi stick in it?abufrejoval - Tuesday, January 26, 2021 - link
Try finding one with WI-FI 6.And you don't really want to sacrifice one of those mighty slots for that single PCIe lane.
rnalsation - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
Bluetooth is also a nice to have feature for various devices.frbeckenbauer - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
wifi is nice for debugging stuff, or for setting up a quick AP so you can access a ESP8266, or a Raspberry Pi Zero W.YB1064 - Sunday, January 24, 2021 - link
Cost is probably north of $1k.QChronoD - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
So the picture shows 8x USB-A ports and 2x USB-C ports, but the paragraph below it says there are 9x and 1x. Or are one of the identical USB-C ports faster than the other??ZoZo - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
Yes. Just click on the picture and look at the type-C ports, one indicates "10" and the other "20".phoenix_rizzen - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
8x Type-A ports providing 10 Gbps1x Type-C port providing 10 Gbps
1x Type-C port providing 20 Gbps
Thus, 9x USB 3.2 gen 2 connectors, and 1x USB 3.2 gen 2x2 connectors.
ikjadoon - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
>Intel X550-AT2 for dual 10 gigabit EthernetThese add-in cards still retail for a few hundred dollars alone. Glad to see they didn't skimp out on 5 Gbps or a single 10 Gbps on what I expect is a four-digit price tag. The heatsinks are probably necessary; this chip has an 11W TDP on its own...
// type-C rant
I also appreciate the clear USB speed labels on the rear I/O. Still, I will forever advocate for an OS-based menu that numerates exactly what each type-C port is capable of. W/ this Threadripper Pro motherboard, I assume nothing but USB.
The half-baked manuals for motherboards are already confusing enough: just put it in the operating system.
gvantuyl - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
All one needs is a class 1, 10gb switch and a parallel file system. That last one comes at a very steep price.Slash3 - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
IPMI is via ASMB9-iKVM (AST2500).https://www.asus.com/Commercial-Servers-Workstatio...
gvantuyl - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
All this great advancement and no USB 4.POOR FORM ASUS
phoenix_rizzen - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
Are there any AMD chipsets that support USB4?Makaveli - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
None that I've seen.danjw - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
Some Asrock Ryzen Motherboards have Thunderbolt 3 ports which = USB 4. I know the Asrock X570 Creator has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports.Eliadbu - Sunday, January 24, 2021 - link
If you want true compatibility with USB 4 you will need TB 4 since TB 3 and USB 4 have slightly different signaling scheme (god knows why they did so). With that being said, USB 4 can range greatly on speeds and capabilities, for the matter of fact a port can be certified as USB 4 and only support 10 Gbps of transfer speeds. And also USB 4 ports can support full speed communication with TB 3 port but this is optional, so other with intel and maybe Apple I don't see many manufacturers support this feature.Duwelon - Friday, January 22, 2021 - link
I really like the general aesthetics of these Asus Pro boards, they a nice diversion from the usual flashy, gaudy gamer puke. They're a refreshing nod back to saner days when most motherboards didn't have gaudy gamer vomit on them yet.Eliadbu - Sunday, January 24, 2021 - link
RGB sells every company that makes consumer PC related product knows this and so they incorporate it.Atari2600 - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
That is what a motherboard should look like.No idiots getting the idea they are artists with a curvy plastic bit or two and no *shudders* R-G-f***ing-B.
Lord of the Bored - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
Motherboards should be green or brown. Let's not pretend this wasn't painted black to make it look cool.Arsenica - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
There's no reason why a motherboards should be any color in particular.Early PCB were brownish because that it's the natural color of the resins used in their manufacturing. Later PCB were made green to improve their inspection processes (by either humans or cameras). Nowadays there's very little reason for any color over the others as long the color is fairly contrasting against the contacts and silkscreen.
Lord of the Bored - Monday, January 25, 2021 - link
Actually, the primary purpose of the coating is to prevent the solder from sticking places other than where it is supposed to(hence why it is called a solder mask), which makes hand-assembly less error-prone and enables the use of a wave-soldering machine in automated assembly. It also protects the copper traces from the elements, but that seems to be more of a side benefit than an actual purpose.It isn't actually documented why the solder mask is traditionally green, though many different theories are on offer(some are educated guesses, some are... let's say less-educated guesses).
But apparently black solder masks are actually conductive, and require significant extra care in their application. Every time you see a black circuit board, it means someone has chosen form over function.
c.k. - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
Such a gorgeous looking board.Which PSU would support it though?
Even Corsair's AX1600i only has 2 such 12V connectors?
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/...
eggmayosandwich - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
The 8-Pin connector below the 24-Pin is a PCIe power connector, not an EPS one, so most power supplies, if with enough power, should be able to supply all the connectors to the motherboard.c.k. - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
Fair enough.But Ian said and I quote "Users should also be aware that this board appears to take three 12V CPU power connectors, whereas most power supplies only take two."
DanNeely - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
The gallery is broken, only the first image loads.Correath - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
Finally some really beautiful Motherboard. Asus and other brands should bring this sober construction to Ryzen. People who dont need any more than Ryzen for work stuck um ugly mobos plenty of lights and overclock functions that does not matterbigboxes - Monday, January 25, 2021 - link
Although I loathe RGB and the overuse of plastic, I'm not sure it really matters in the end. I don't have a window in my PC case and never look at the guts unless I'm troubleshooting or doing maintenance. You?tyger11 - Monday, January 25, 2021 - link
Can't wait for Zen 3-based TRPro chips!Dahak - Monday, January 25, 2021 - link
In the world of crazy motherboard names, I think ASUS might have won with this one.--- I know this was somewhat joking, but dont think Asus is the craziest, look at asrockrack or tyan or supermicro not to mention probably some lesser brands in workstation boards
Commenter11 - Saturday, January 30, 2021 - link
Missing only 2 things for my next board: Thunderbolt (I heard AMD plans to support this next year) and DDR5. I'm still using my X99 machine from December 2014. Runs great. Would hate to upgrade to my next 5 year computer then they come out with these to things next year.Commenter11 - Saturday, January 30, 2021 - link
*two