Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/15121/the-amd-trx40-motherboard-overview-
The AMD TRX40 Motherboard Overview: 12 New Motherboards Analyzed
by Gavin Bonshor on November 28, 2019 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- AMD
- MSI
- Gigabyte
- ASRock
- Motherboards
- Asus
- TRX40
- Threadripper 3000
- Castle Peak
It's been a fruitful time for AMD's CPU team over the last year, with a lot of praise heaped on its current processor product stack. The launch of the new AMD Threadripper 3970X 32-core and the Threadripper 3960X 24-core processors has brought the brand new TRX40 chipset to market, and out of all the motherboard partners, there is a new chipset and 12 new motherboards to dissect. In this article, we'll be analyzing the 12 new boards, which as a priority feature enables a PCIe 4.0 x8 link between the CPU and chipset.
The AMD TRX40 Chipset Overview: PCIe 4.0 For HEDT
One of the most important innovations with AMD's switch to the 7 nm architecture was the inclusion of PCIe 4.0. It marked the first consumer hardware to feature PCIe 4.0, which made a huge talking point during the release of the X570 chipset for the Ryzen 3000 CPUs. For the new HEDT processors, we get a new platform, and AMD's new in-house designed TRX40 chipset also integrates PCIe 4.0. This also comes with a PCIe 4.0 x8 connection between the TRX40 chipset and the new AMD Threadripper 3000 processors, quadrupling the bandwidth compared to any competitor's design.
AMD leveraged GlobalFoundries 14nm to build the TRX40 chipset, which in a maximum I/O configuration, offers 16 downstream PCIe 4.0 lanes for peripherals. Like other AMD chipsets, motherboard vendors can select between these PCIe lanes and additional SATA ports, giving board makers some flexibility between PCIe and storage. Combined with the 56 free lanes from the CPU, motherboard makers have a maximum of 72 PCIe 4.0 lanes to work with in building their motherboards.
Another high point is lots of native support for USB 3.1 G2. Up to 12 USB 3.1 G2 ports are supported at the chipset level - this is a massive jump over X399 which supported just two natively. AMD's TRX40 chipset also has support for four USB 2.0, with extra USB 3.1 G1 available through additional controllers integrated into models. This is why some models opt to use USB 2.0 ports to complement the USB 3.1 G2 on the rear panel where required.
One big aspect motherboard vendors have been focusing on is the power delivery. The two new processors for launch day come in at an impressive 280 W TDP, with the newly announced Threadripper 3990X with 64 cores and 128 threads also having a TDP of 280 W. The motherboards have to be solidly built for these, so it's unlikely we will see something 'cheap' in this market space.
AMD TRX40 and X399 Chipset Comparison | ||
Feature | TRX40 | X399 |
PCIe Interface (to peripherals) | 4.0 | 3.0 |
Max PCH PCIe Lanes | 72 | 66 |
USB 3.1 Gen2 | 8 | 2 |
Max USB 3.1 (Gen2/Gen1) | 12/? | 2/14 |
DDR4 Support | 3200 | 2933 |
Max SATA Ports | 20 | 12 |
PCIe GPU Config | x16 x16/x16 x16/x8/x16+x8 |
x16 x16/x16 x16/x8/x16+x4 |
Memory Channels | 4 | 4 |
Integrated 802.11ac WiFi MAC | N | N |
Chipset TDP | 15 W | 5 W |
Overclocking Support | Y | Y |
The biggest differences from TRX40 from the previous X399 chipset is the addition of PCIe 4.0 replacing the older PCIe 3.0. This brings extra bandwidth advantages for PCIe devices, such as M.2 drives as the PCIe 4.0 SSD controllers mature. The TRX40 chipset is based on the 14 nm process node from Global Foundries.
The high TDP was one of the caveats of the mainstream X570 chipset, due to the higher power requirements of PCIe 4.0. As a result, motherboard vendors implemented actively cooled heatsinks to help keep the chipset cool. With TRX40, we are in the same ballpark for chipset TDP, however with the beefier CPUs supported, there's going to be a variety of designs.
A big thing to note is that TRX40 based motherboards do not support the first and second generation Threadripper processors, eg, TR 1950X. TR 2990X. This means the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, 3960X, and next years Threadripper 3990X are the only models currently compatible with the TRX40 chipset.
AMD SP3 Versus sTR4: Same Number of Pins, Different Layout
AMD's transition from PGA to LGA processors at the high-end is a shift that users have gotten used to. Each pin in the socket obviously correlates to power, ground, data, and has to be built as such. Both the SP3 and sTRX4 share the same pin counts, but the move to a wider PCIe 4.0 x8 connection to the chipset has necessitated a fundamental change to socket pin outs in order to compensate. This is why the sockets are incompatible with older processors.
sTR4 socket pin layout on TRX40
AMD states that even though both sockets have the same 'keying' (the plastic bits that stop you installing wrong processors), they have engineered the ID pins such that using a new processor in an old motherboard, or vice versa, will just cause the system not to boot, rather than break it. We're going to take AMD's word for that, rather than potentially break an expensive CPU/motherboard combo.
AMD TRX40 And The Realtek ALC4050HD Audio Codec
All of the twelve TRX40 models at launch include a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec (S1220 for ASUS models), but the vast majority of the twelve also include a Realtek ALC4050H codec. We thought this was odd, so reached out to all of the vendors to find out what was going on. Turns out something really interesting.
Realtek ALC1220 and ALC4050H audio codecs on the MSI Creator TRX40
It turns out that AMD did not include any onboard passthough audio in the chipet. That means that all the motherboard vendors that are using a Realtek HD audio codec for the rear audio have had to include the ALC4050H audio codec to bridge the USB to the I2S. The Realtek ALC4050H is used to integrate a bridge between the chipset and USB 2.0 to give the Realtek ALC1220 all the necessary connectivity to the onboard audio. Most of the boards in the stack use the ALC4050H codec to power the 3.5 mm microphone input on the rear panel, as well as the front panel audio as not to waste its capability.
Naturally, we asked AMD about this. The official response from AMD reads
The TRX40 platform does not support the HD audio interface used on most desktop and mobile processors.
This means that it is down to the vendors to implement a USB audio device (Realtek ALC4050H) to enable use with the HD audio codecs on TRX40 models.
The TRX40 Product Stack: 12 New Motherboards Unveiled
The launch of both the new Threadripper 3000 series processors, the 3970X and 3960X, has brought about a new wave of models on the new sTR4 socket. There are 12 new TRX40 models in total from the four main vendors, ASRock, ASUS, GIGABYTE, and MSI. It's not just a refresh of the older X399 hardware - the TRX40 chipset is a completely reworked design with many benefits including better componentry, more features from the chipset itself, and most notably, the TRX40 chipset is the first HEDT platform to include PCIe 4.0.
With more models expected to be announced over the coming months, below is a list of the current TRX40 product stack at launch on the 25th of November:
TRX40 Motherboards Available at Launch (11/25) | |||
Model | Size | Price (Amazon) |
Price (Newegg) |
ASRock TRX40 Creator | ATX | - | $460 |
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | - | $500 |
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | - | $850 |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E | ATX | - | $550 |
ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro | ATX | $450 | $450 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XL-ATX | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | E-ATX | - | $500 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $400 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare | XL-ATX | - | $630 |
MSI Creator TRX40 | E-ATX | $700 | $700 |
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G | ATX | $500 | $500 |
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $470 |
On the next page is a summary of each board's power delivery system, with each subsequent page containing a brief analysis/rundown of all the individual boards.
Power Delivery Specifications & Comparison
One of the most discussed aspects on motherboards is the power delivery, with users generally favouring those with good specifications and efficient designs. The AMD X570 chipset heralded some appreciated improvements to its desktop range, but with AMD's 7 nm architecture stretching to the HEDT side of things , these improvements are expected of the higher-specification TRX40 models. The TRX40 chipset is similar in design to that of X570 with 'spare' PCIe 4.0 lanes designed to allow manufacturers to implement its own unique mixture of specifications through extra USB 3.1 G2 connectivity, and more PCIe 4.0 M.2.
Please note that this information is self-reported, so until we can review any given TRX40 board, we're operating on the honor system, trusting vendors to supply honest and upfront information. As we review the hardware we will be checking, and we will be keeping this page up-to-date as more information becomes available.
Note: We reached out to ASUS about its PWM controller, and they stated that it doesn't have a part number and is made exclusively for them. As we find out more information on this, we will update the table below.
TRX40 CPU Power Delivery Comparison | |||||
Motherboard | Controller | H-Side | L-Side | Chokes | Doubler |
ASRock TRX40 Creator | ISL69247 (8+0) |
ISL99390 (8) |
8 | - | |
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ISL69247 (8+0) |
ISL99390 (16) |
8 | ??? (8) |
|
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | Undisclosed (16+0) |
TDA21472 (16) |
? | - | |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E | Undisclosed (?+?) |
TDA21472 (16) |
? | - | |
ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro | Undisclosed (?+?) |
TDA21462 (16) |
? | - | |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XDPE132G5C (16+0) |
TDA21472 (16) |
? | - | |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | XDPE132G5C (16+0) |
TDA21472 (16) |
? | - | |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI | XDPE132G5C (12+2) |
TDA21472 (12) |
? | - | |
GIGABYTE TRX Designare | XDPE132G5C (16+0) |
TDA21472 (16) |
? | - | |
MSI Creator TRX40 | XDPE132G5C (16+0) |
TDA21472 (16) |
? | - | |
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G | ISL69247 (6+0) |
ISL9939 (12) |
? | ISL6617A (6) |
|
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI | ISL69247 (6+0) |
ISL9939 (12) |
? | ISL6617A (6) |
ASRock TRX40 Creator
Going through the different vendor's product stacks alphabetically, our first TRX4 model comes via the ASRock TRX40 Creator. As the name might suggest, the ASRock TRX40 Creator is focused at content creators and professional users looking to use features such as Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE, Intel's AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface. Also featured are support for up to DDR4-4666 with up to 256 GB across eight slots, a USB 3.2 G2 20 Gbps Type-C port on the rear panel, and three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots.
The ASRock TRX40 Creator is an ATX sized model which combines a very sleek and simple aesthetic with its silver aluminium heatsinks and black PCB. Keeping the TRX40 chipset cool is an actively cooled heatsink, while the rear panel cover doubles up as the power delivery heatsink. Touching on the power delivery itself, the ASRock TRX40 Creator is using an 8-phase design which is controlled by an ISL66247 8-phase controller, with eight ISL99390 90 A power stages. Providing power to the CPU is a pair of 8-pin 12 V ATX power connectors which are located along the top left and right of the board. There are four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16+x8, with three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots which each includes an M.2 heatsink. For SATA devices, there are eight SATA ports which support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays.
Located around the edge of the board are five 4-pin headers which are split into one for a CPU, one for a water pump, and three for chassis fans. In the bottom right-hand corner is a two-digit LED debug, with a small power and reset switch. For users looking to go extreme, ASRock has also included a CPU Xtreme OC switch, although the more enthusiast of users might opt for ASRock's TRX40 Taichi. Memory compatibility looks strong with support for up to DDR4-4666, with scope to install up to 256 GB across eight memory slots.
The rear panel has just two USB 3.1 G2 Type-A ports, with four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A and a single USB 3.2 G2 Type-C with support for up to 20 Gbps. Networking on the ASRock TRX40 Creator is impressive with dual Ethernet consisting of an Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE and Realtek RTL8125-AG 2.5 GbE pairing, and an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface. Also present is a BIOS Flashback button, a clear CMOS switch, and a PS/2 combo port. The five 3.5 mm colour-coded audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output are powered by a Realtek ALC4050H and ALC1220 pair of audio codecs, while a Texas Instruments NE5532 headset amplifier is present to bolster the quality of the front panel audio connector.
The ASRock TRX40 Creator as the naming structure would suggest is pitched to content creators and professionals with its well-rounded networking controller set, support for up to three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, and subtle and neutral aesthetics. Unlike other ASRock models of late, its decision not to include Thunderbolt 3 may be a disappointment to some, but they have integrated a USB 3.2 G2 Type-C port with half the available bandwidth (20 Gbps) on the rear panel. Another thing that should be rectified is the naming scheme, as both ASRock and MSI have a TRX40 Creator model in its line up; more should be done to create better brand awareness and not to confuse users. The ASRock TRX40 Creator will launch with an MSRP of $449.
ASRock TRX40 Taichi
With ASRock announcing just two new models for the launch of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and 3960X launch, it is no surprise to see one of its most predominant series hit the TRX40 chipset. The ASRock TRX40 Taichi takes its usual unique approach to aesthetics with its cogwheel inspired branding, and even adds integrated RGBs to further adds to its appeal. The most notable features include support for DDR4-4666 memory, a 16-phase power delivery for the CPU, and a Realtek 2.5 GbE controller.
The ATX sized ASRock TRX40 Taichi continues the unique lineage of models with a recognisable aesthetic with cogwheels implemented into the design, as well as integrated RGB LEDs into the chipset heatsink and the right-hand side of the board. Underneath the large aluminium heatsink is a 16-phase power delivery with 16 ISL99390 90 A power stages and is controlled by an ISL69247 controller running at 8+0. There are three full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, with a single PCIe 4.0 x1 slot in the middle, which are surrounded by a black Taichi designed armor shielding around the PCIe slot area. For storage, there are two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots onboard with heatsinks integrated into the armor, and a total of eight SATA ports which support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. Two of the SATA ports are straight angled and are located right next to the two-digit LED debug, power button, and reset switch.
Users looking to expand on the two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots will appreciate the Hyper Quad M.2 card in the accessories bundle which allows users to install a further four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots into one of the full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slots. The ASRock TRX40 also has eight memory slots which support up to DDR4-4666 and 256 GB of memory. As with all launch day TRX40 models, the chipset heatsink has a cooling fan which is open and not covered by a grill, while there are five 4-pin headers with one for a CPU fan, one for a water pump, and three for chassis fans.
On the rear panel is two USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A, and one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C 20 Gbps port, with a BIOS flashback button and PS/2 combo port. The five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF are handled by a Realtek ALC1220 and ALC4050H audio codec combination, while the two Ethernet ports are powered by a Realtek RTL8125-AG 2.5 GbE and Intel I211-AT Gigabit controller. The board also includes an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface which also adds BT 5.0 connectivity.
The ASRock TRX40 Taichi is the premier board for enthusiasts in its line-up with each of the four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots supporting x16 across the board, which allows for a powerful gaming system, solid workstation, or for other tasks such as content creation. The ASRock TRX40 Taichi has an MSRP of $499 which represents good value for money based on the features and leaves the door open for an even more premium flagship further down the line.
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme
Moving onto what ASUS has up its sleeve, and it has gone with a trio of new motherboards with each designed for a different target market. The first of the three is the ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme which is the premier model on TRX40 for the company. Following on from its ROG Zenith Extreme X399 model, the new ROG Zenith II Extreme for TRX40 builds upon it with an aluminium heatsink cover surrounding the PCIe 4.0 slots, an aluminium rear panel cover, and a solid steel backplate on the rear of the board. Some of the main features included are the LiveDash color OLED 1.77" screen integrated into the rear panel cover, support for up to five PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives, a Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, and an Aquantia 10 GbE controller.
The ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme is an E-ATX model which sits at the top of the ASUS TRX40 product stack. Its design is very interesting with lashings of aluminium via the rear panel cover, the armor covering the PCIe slot area, and the actively cooled TRX40 chipset heatsink. The rear panel cover has an integrated LiveDash color OLED screen which measures in at 1.77", and can be customized with the LiveDash software in the included software suite. There is integrated RGB LEDs too which are located within the rear panel cover, the chipset heatsink, and on the underside of the right-hand side of the board. A total of four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16+x8, and is accompanied by two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots on the front of the board, one PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot on the rear, and an additional two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 available through the ROG DIMM.2 module within the accessories bundle. There are also eight SATA ports with four controlled by the chipset, and four from a pair of ASMedia SATA controllers; only the four SATA ports from the TRX40 chipset support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays.
On the power delivery, ASUS is using a similar design to its X570 models with a 16-phase design with 16 Infineon TDA21472 70 A power stages operating in teamed mode. The large aluminium power delivery heatsink has two small Delta Superflo fans to aid cooling, which the finned heatsinks are designed to optimize surface area with low resistance for airflow. Providing power to the CPU is three inputs which consist of two 8-pin 12 V ATX, and one 6-pin 12 V ATX power connector. Cooling support is extensive with seven 4-pin headers which are split into two for CPU fans, two for water pumps, one for a high-amp fan, and two for standard chassis fans. The board also has an LN2 mode jumper for extreme overclockers, a safe boot button, an OC retry button, a dual BIOS selector switch, and power/reset buttons.
On the rear panel of the ROG Zenith II Extreme is five USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A, and one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C 20 Gbps port. Networking support is strong with an Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE controller, and a second port powered by Intel I211-AT Gigabit controller. The Wi-Fi comes from an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, and also adds BT 5.0 connectivity for users. On the left-hand side are a BIOS Flashback button and a clear CMOS switch, while on the other side is five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output which is powered by a SupremeFX S1220 HD audio codec; this includes an ESS Sabre ESS9018Q2C DAC.
The ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme has an MSRP of $850 at launch and sits as one of the most expensive TRX40 models, yet one of the most premium. One of the primary benefits is that enthusiasts and power users can use up to five PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives as the ROG DIMM.2 slot makes itself a prominent feature on ASUS's high-end models. There is a lot of enthusiast-level features with a lot going on for extreme overclockers including ASUS's teamed 16-phase power delivery for the CPU, with added LN2 mode and an overclocker's toolkit.
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming
Moving onto the ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming and it's the only TRX40 model currently to include the gaming tag line in its model naming. Cut from a similar cloth to the ROG Zenith II Extreme with its blend of black aluminium inspired design, ASUS has also included its LiveDash OLED into the rear panel cover, with support for DDR4-4666 and 256 GB across eight memory slots also featured. The ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming is ATX in size and is designed for the gamer in mind, with plenty of features found on most HEDT boards making it a solid all-rounder.
The design of the ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming is similar to its other gaming branded Strix models with its holographic digital colorful insignia on the rear panel cover and heatsinks; these areas are also customizable due to the integrated RGB LEDs. The power delivery consists of a 16-phase setup with 16 Infineon TDA21472 70 A power stages which are operating in teamed mode. Its heatsink includes active cooling with fans hidden between the grill and the heatsink, while the TRX40 chipset heatsink also includes a cooling fan. There are three full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, with the inclusion of a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot for good measure.
On the storage front, ASUS includes three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with eight SATA ports supporting RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. Memory compatibility on the ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming is competitive with support for DDR4-4666, with up to 256 GB supported across eight memory slots. Located around the edge of the board is seven 4-pin headers with two for CPU cooling fans, one for a water pump, one for an AIO pump, and three designated for chassis fans.
Looking at the rear panel and ASUS has included a whopping seven USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and four USB 2.0 ports. Also present are five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output driven by a SupremeFX S1220 HD audio codec with dual OP amplifiers, a pair of Ethernet ports powered by a Realtek RTL8125-CG 2.5 GbE and Intel I211-AT Gigabit controller pairing. The ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming also includes an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface with support for BT 5.0 devices.
The ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming isn't the only gaming-focused board, and while AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 3000 processors will almost certainly be capable, the real advantages are had in multi-core optimized applications. With a price tag of $450, it combines a solid controller set with the usual ROG Strix aesthetics we come to expect from ASUS, as well as plenty of networking capability for uses outside of gaming.
ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro
The last of the three TRX40 models from ASUS is the ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro. Part of its Prime series, it blends its usual white and silver aesthetic, with a more professional styling and straight-edge looks. The ATX sized PCB has plenty of features including three full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, and eight SATA ports. The Prime TRX40-Pro sits towards the bottom of its TRX40 product stack offering users the basics while remaining competitive with other TRX40 models.
Focusing on the design of the ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro, its main design consists of a silver and white color scheme, with a rear panel cover doubling up as a power delivery heatsink, and a M.2 heatsink which amalgamates into the design of the chipset heatsink. The board has three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots with two of these sitting underneath a large silver aluminium heatsink, with the other M.2 slot installed vertically; an adapter comes in the accessories bundle. This also includes eight SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1 and 10 arrays. On the PCIe front, there are three full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, with a smaller PCIe 4.0 x4 slot located at the bottom. Directly below the PCIe 4.0 x4 slot is a power button, and a two-digit LED debugger. Next to this is a
As with the vast majority of TRX40 boards at launch, the ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro has support for DDR4-4666 and 256 GB of system memory across eight slots. The CPU power delivery looks impressive for a non-enthusiast model with a 16-phase design which is controlled by an undesignated controller. We know that ASUS using teamed power stages as they did with its X570 product stack. Delivering power to the CPU is a pair of 8-pin 12 V ATX CPU power connectors, with one located at either side at the top of the board. For cooling, the ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro has seven 4-pin headers which include two for CPU fans, three for chassis fans, one for an AIO pump, and another for a water pump.
The rear panel includes three USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and six USB 3.1 G1 Type-A ports. A handily located BIOS Flashback button sits towards the left-hand side, while on the right-hand side are five color-coded 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output controlled by a Realtek ALC S1220 HD audio codec. The single networking port is controlled by an Intel I211-AT Gigabit Ethernet controller.
Although the ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro omits things like Wi-Fi 6 and uprated 2.5/5/10 GbE ethernet, it still comes with an MSRP of $450. While it may seem a little off the mark in terms of pricing, the Prime TRX40-Pro has a very subtle and professional design, with a competitive feature set, and plenty of storage support for users building a workstation using the AMD Threadripper 3000 series processors.
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme
To bolster the release of AMD's Threadripper 3000 series, GIGABYTE has unveiled the largest stack of all the vendors with a total of four new models. Three of GIGABYTE's TRX40 product stack flies the Aorus flag which is its gaming brand, with one model aimed more towards the professional user and content creators.
Starting with GIGABYTE's flagship TRX40 model, the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme, it shows the potential of what to expect from AMD's new TRX40 chipset. The core feature set is impressive with an Intel X550-AT2 10 GbE dual-port Ethernet controller, an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, and a total of four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots designed for super-fast NVMe PCIe 4.0 storage devices. Also bundled with the TRX40 Aorus Xtreme is an Aorus Gen4 AIC adaptor card which supports up to four 2 TB M.2 SSDs while benefiting from the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme is an XL-ATX motherboard and has a very unique and distinct look to it with a full coating of black metallic thermal reactive armor which covers the majority of the PCB. Integrated into the design is RGB LED lighting which is incorporated into the top of the rear panel cover, the right-hand side of the TRX40 chipset which features active cooling, and along the right edge of the board. A two-digit LED debug is moulded into the armor to the right of the memory slots, while a power and reset switch is placed just above. Focusing on memory support, the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme has eight slots which are capable of supporting DDR4-4400 and up to 256 GB in quad-channel mode.
Underneath the rear panel cover and the large heatsink is the monolithic 16-phase power delivery which is controlled by the high-end Infineon XDPE132G5C true 16-phase PWM controller, with sixteen Infineon TDA21472 70 A power stages. This is similar to the design that we saw on the GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Xtreme model and in our testing, it proved to be one of the best and most efficient designs so far. The TRX40 Aorus Xtreme also has four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16/x8. For storage, there are four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots with its own M.2 heatsink, and a total of ten SATA ports; eight from the TRX40 chipset with RAID 0, 1, 10 support, and two SATA ports from an ASMedia SATA controller.
On the rear of the XL-ATX PCB is a full cover backplate which not only adds extra structural reinforcement to the rear but it also undoubtedly adds extra weight to the motherboard itself. Looking at the board from the rear allows us to see the right-angled 24-pin ATX motherboard power input, which is designed to make cable management look even cleaner. The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme also includes an OC PEG power connector, an Aorus Gen4 AIC adaptor, and temperature sensor headers for the more extreme users. For cooling, there are seven 4-pin headers in total with one for a CPU fan, one for a water pump, and five for chassis fans.
On the rear panel is seven USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, and one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C port, which is a marked improvement on USB connectivity over the previous TR3 X399 models. To the left is a Clear CMOS button with a Q-Flash Plus button, with a pair of Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 antenna connectors and two 10 GbE ports powered by an Intel X550-AT2 10 GbE controller. For the onboard audio, there are two Realtek ALC4050H HD audio codecs with one paired up with a Realtek ALC1220 which powers the five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output on the rear, and another for the front panel audio which includes an ESS Sabre 9218 DAC.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme is undoubtedly one of the flagship models on AMD's new Threadripper 3000 sTRX4 socket with a very high-end feature set, and very competent true 16-phase power delivery for the CPU. It's blend premium componentry and elegant stylings aren't going to come without a heavy hit to the wallet, with the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme expected to cost $849.
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master sits below the TRX40 Aorus Xtreme in the product stack and combines a similar style, in a slightly smaller, but still larger than normal E-ATX PCB. Still retaining the high-end feel, the TRX40 Master is using an E-ATX PCB which is crammed with good quality controllers. The most notable features include support for DDR4-4400 and 256 GB, a pair of Ethernet ports on the rear panel including an Aquantia 5 G controller, Intel's AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, and a beefy 16-phase CPU power delivery.
Starting from the top, the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master has eight memory slots in two banks of four on either side of the sTRX4 socket with support for DDR4-4400 and up to 256 GB in total. Taking a slightly more basic approach to the aesthetics, the rear panel cover does include integrated RGB LEDs, with black heatsinks on a black PCB. The large black aluminium power delivery heatsinks which are interconnected via a heat pipe are cooling a 16-phase power which consists of an Infineon XDPE132G5C 16-phase PWM controller, with sixteen Infineon TDA21472 70 A power stages. Providing power to the CPU is two 8-pin 12 V ATX power connectors which are located in the top right-hand corner.
Also at the top right-hand corner of the board is a two-digit LED debug, while below this is a right-angled 24-pin motherboard power connector. For PCIe devices, there are four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16+x8 and a single PCIe 4.0 x1 slot. The TRX40 chipset heatsink is actively cooled just as we saw with X570. For storage, the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master has three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots which include M.2 heatsinks for each slot, and there are eight SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays.
Like with the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme, the TRX40 Aorus Master also includes a large black metal backplate which will add extra weight to the board. The backplate displays the motto 'Team Up, Fight On' which is more of a gaming term, which is understandable given the boards Aorus branding. The TRX40 Aorus Master includes dual BIOS with a switch which allows users to select between the two, and for cooling, there is a total of eight 4-pin headers. These are split into one for a CPU fan, one dedicated for a water pump, and six for chassis fans.
On the rear panel are five USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and two USB 2.0 ports. There are two Ethernet ports with one controlled by an Aquantia 5 G, and the other by an Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller. This model also includes Intel's AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface and also adds BT 5.0 connectivity too. To the left-hand side is a Clear CMOS and Q-Flash Plus switch, with the five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output handled by a Realtek ALC4050H and Realtek ALC1220 audio codec pairing. The TRX40 Aorus Master also includes a Realtek ALC4050H and ESS Sabre 9218 DAC for the front panel audio.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master is still a high-end TRX40 motherboard and with an MSRP of $499, it isn't exactly cheap, but it does offer users plenty of good quality features on AMD's new HEDT platform. While the Aorus brand is mainly targeted at gamers, the TRX40 Aorus Master looks to combine elements from both the enthusiast and gaming sides, to create a reasonably priced multi-purpose model for all looking to use and unlock all of the power within the Threadripper 3000 processors.
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI
Moving our way down the GIGABYTE TRX40 product stack, we have the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI which represents its entry-level model at launch with a good feature set but drops some of the higher-end components to undoubtedly save users money who may not need or require things like 10 GbE. This doesn't mean the feature set isn't good quality as there is an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, and support for DDR4-4400 memory across eight slots.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI and TRX40 Master share a very similar aesthetic with black metallic heatsinks on an all-black PCB, although the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI is using a standard ATX sized PCB. There are eight memory slots which support up to DDR4-4400 and up to 256 GB in total, with two sets of four slots flanking either side of the sTRX4 CPU socket. All three of GIGABYTE's launch day TRX40 boards are using the high-end Infineon XDPE132G5C 16-phase PWM controller operating at 12+2. The CPU section of the power delivery is a 14-phase design which consists of twelve Infineon TDA21472 70 A power stages for the CPU. Providing power to the CPU is an 8-pin and 6-pin pair of 12 V ATX CPU power inputs.
Cooling the TRX40 chipset is an actively cooled heatsink, while the boards three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots each include an M.2 heatshield. For users looking to use SATA drives, the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI has eight SATA ports which support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays, and are controlled by the TRX40 chipset. Located around the board is eight 4-pin headers which are split into three main sections; one for a CPU fan, one for a water pump, and six for chassis fans. Utilizing as many of the PCIe lanes from the CPU are four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16+x8, with a single PCIe 4.0 x1 slot for good measure.
Unlike the other models in the GIGABYTE TRX40 product stack, the TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI has a single Ethernet port controlled by an Intel Gigabit controller. For users looking for wireless support, GIGABYTE has included an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface which also features BT 5.0 connectivity. Looking at USB support and there is five USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and four USB 2.0 ports. Nestled on the left-hand side of the USB 3.1 G2 Type-C port is a small Q-Flash Plus button, while the five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output are powered by a pair of Realtek HD audio codecs; an ALC4050H and an ALC1220-VB.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI isn't as high-end as its other launch day counterparts, but it still offers a cheaper alternative to users looking to utilize the high core count and power of the Threadripper 3000 processors with an MSRP of $399. Users looking to build a high-core high-thread-count gaming system will be hard pushed to find a better value TRX40 model at launch.
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare
The last of GIGABYTE's four announced TRX40 models is the GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare which takes a more professional approach for content creators and workstation users. With a more subtle and elegant black and silver theme, the Designare looks to feature the basic necessities such as an Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller and Realtek ALC4050H and ALC1220 pairing for the onboard audio. Differentiating the TRX40 Designare from the rest of the GIGABYTE TRX40 product stack is a GC-Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 AIC add-on card included in the accessories bundle.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare is an XL-ATX sized motherboard and follows suit with the rest of its TRX40 product stack in memory specifications with support for DDR4-4400 and up to and including 256 GB of system memory. Like with most HEDT models with eight memory slots, they are arranged in two sets of four which sit either side of the large sTRX4 CPU socket. At the bottom of the board is four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16+x8, with a single PCIe 4.0 x1 slot in the centre. Located in between the full-length PCIe 4.0 slots are four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots; two driven by the CPU and two coming from the TRX40 chipset. Also powered by the chipset is the eight SATA ports which feature support for RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays.
GIGABYTE has been consistent with its power delivery implementation on its new models supporting the 7 nm Threadripper 3000 processors. Driving the 16-phase CPU power delivery is the Infineon XDPE132G5C PWM controller with sixteen Infineon TDA21472 70 power stages arranged into a 16+0 configuration. The power delivery heatsink is interconnected with other components via a heat pipe and stretches around the board in an L shaped design. The TRX40 chipset heatsink includes an active cooling fan, while for CPU and system cooling, there are eight 4-pin headers in total. One is designated for a CPU fan, one for a water pump, and six for chassis fans.
On the rear panel of the GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare is five USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and two USB 2.0 ports. On the left-hand side is Clear CMOS and Q-Flash buttons, while on the other side is five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by a Realtek ALC4050H and ALC1220 HD audio codec pairing. There is also a pair of networking ports powered by a pair of Intel Gigabit Ethernet controllers, while the Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface adds BT 5.0 connectivity on top.
The GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare is aimed more at professionals and content creators with the Thunderbolt 3 AIC card included in the accessories. It drops 5 G or 10 GbE wired networking while sitting giving users dual Ethernet, and as expected, costs quite a bit less than the TRX40 Aorus Xtreme with an MSRP of $629.
MSI Creator TRX40
To complement the release of AMD's Ryzen 7 nm Threadripper 3000, MSI has released three models. The first of the three and undoubtedly its flagship is the MSI Creator TRX40. Designed for and marketed towards content creators, the Creator TRX40 three integrated PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with a further four PCIe 4.0 x4 slots available via the included M.2 Xpander-Aero Gen4 add-on card in the accessories bundle. Other primary features include 10 GbE, a 16-phase power delivery for the CPU, and 20 Gbps USB 3.2 on the rear panel.
The biggest aspect of the design is the use of a two-tone grey and black theme throughout, including the rear panel cover, the heatsinks, and the PCB itself. The rear panel cover has integrated RGB LED lighting which can be customized with MSI's Mystic Light RGB software, while the design implementations look interesting with the M.2. On the E-ATX PCB is three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots with each slot covered by an integrated heatsink; one of the slots is vertically mounted alongside the right-hand side memory slots. In the accessories bundle is an MSI M.2 Xpander-Aero Gen4 add-on card which allows users to install up to four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives into a full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. There are also six SATA ports which support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. Touching on the PCIe support, the MSI Creator TRX40 has four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16/x8/x16+x8.
At present, MSI hasn't unveiled the memory compatibility, as the official specifications state that it supports up to DDR4-3200; we do know this model will support up to 256 GB over its eight slots. MSI's specifications state that up to DDR4-4666 is supported with 1DPC 1R memory, and up to DDR4-3866 with 1DPC 2R memory. For the first time, MSI is using the true 16-phase Infineon XDPE132G5C PWM controller with 16 Infineon TDA21472 70 A power stages for the CPU. Providing power to the CPU is a pair of 8-pin 12 V ATX CPU power inputs which are located in the top right-hand corner of the board.
A total of nine 4-pin headers are located around the edge of the board with one dedicated to a CPU fan, one for a water pump, four for chassis fans, and a further three extend fan connectors. Underneath the actively cooled TRX40 chipset heatsink is a small overclockers toolkit with a two-digit debugger, a power button, and a reset switch.
On the rear panel of the MSI Creator TRX40 is three USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, five USB 3.1 G1 Type-A, and one USB 3.2 G2 20 G Type-C port; the 20 Gbps Type-C port is controlled by an ASMedia ASM3242 USB controller. Looking at the networking and MSI has included an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface with BT 5.0 support, as well as an Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE controller. The rear panel also includes an additional port powered by an Intel I211-AT Ethernet controller. At the left-hand side is a Flash CMOS button and Clear CMOS button, while the right-hand side has five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec. The microphone 3.5 mm input and front panel audio are controlled by the new Realtek ALC4050H audio codec.
The MSI Creator TRX40 is geared up for content creators and MSI has heavily focused on that in the marketing. One element to content creation is storage and with up to seven PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives supported out of the box due to the Xpander-Aero Gen4 M.2 add-in card in the buddle, it adds credence to this. The USB 3.2 G2 20 Gbps Type-C port is the next best thing to Thunderbolt 3, although it's only half the total throughput of TB3 overall, is still a nice touch. Another thing to note is both ASRock and MSI have a TRX40 Creator model in its line up; it's not good for users and creates confusion. The Creator TRX40 is MSI's current flagship for the Threadripper 3000 launch and has an MSRP of $700.
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G & TRX40 Pro WIFI
Slightly down the pecking order and below the MSI Creator TRX40 are the MSI TRX40 Pro 10G and TRX40 Pro WIFI motherboards. Both with identical aesthetics and core feature sets, the differences between both models come down to networking support. Both motherboards come with dual Intel I211-AT Gigabit Ethernet controllers on the rear panel, but the TRX40 Pro 10G comes with an Aquantia AQC107 10 Gigabit Ethernet add-in card, while the TRX40 Pro WIFI includes an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface.
The design of the MSI TRX40 Pro 10G and TRX40 Pro WIFI follow the same black and grey design which stretches across the heatsinks and the PCB for a professional and uniformed look. The TRX40 chipset heatsink features active cooling, while just to the right hand of this is a two-digit LED debugger. Dotted around the edge of the PCB is six 4-pin headers with one designated for a CPU fan, one for a water pump, and four designed for chassis fans. The power delivery for both the MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI and TRX40 Pro 10G the CPU consists of a 12-phase design with 12 Intersil ISL99390 90 A power stages with 6 ISL6617 doublers and is controlled by an Intersil ISL69247 PWM controller. Providing power to the CPU is a pair of 8-pin 12 V ATX CPU power connectors.
Both models contain the exact same core feature set which includes four full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which run at x16/x8/x16+x8, with a single PCIe 4.0 x1 slot also included. There are two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 with heatsinks on the board itself, while an M.2 Xpander-Z Gen4 add-on card allows users to install up to two more PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives into a full-length PCIe 4.0 slot. Also present is eight SATA ports which support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. Memory support is exactly the same as the MSI Creator TRX40 with up to DDR4-4666 1DPC 1R, and up to DDR4-3866 2DPC 2R, with up to 256 GB supported across the eight memory slots.
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI rear panel (Pro 10G is exactly the same, minus the Intel AX200 Wi-Fi)
The only differences between both models are the rear panel; the Pro 10G has no Wi-Fi, while the Pro WIFI includes an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface which includes BT 5.0 connectivity. On the USB side is three USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A, and one USB 3.2 G2 20 Gbps Type-C port. Both rear panels have two Intel I211-AT Gigabit Ethernet controllers, while the 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output are powered by a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec; a secondary Realtek ALC4050H audio codec powers the 3.5 mm microphone input and the front panel audio. The MSI TRX40 Pro 10G comes with an Aquantia AQC107 Ethernet controller add-on
The MSI TRX40 Pro 10 GbE has an MSRP of $500., while the MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI has a cost $470. Both models do feature identical features aside from networking. The M.2 Xpander-Z Gen4 PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot add-on card comes with both models and is a nice touch for users looking to add extra M.2 drives, at the expense of one of the full-length PCIe 4.0 slots. Both models are aimed at professionals with the design and feature set, but both models will appeal to gamers looking to build a system with the high-core count advantage of the Threadripper 3000 series, and on AMD's latest HEDT platform.
Choosing The Right TRX40 Motherboard
When it comes to selecting the right motherboard for the task at hand, the 12 available models at launch offer a range of different features at multiple price points, with more than enough to satisfy most users. One thing that is apparent with TRX40, we are likely to see more models before the year is out with GIGABYTE already teasing an Xtreme WaterForce version of its TRX40 Aorus Xtreme on social media.
Narrowing the selection down from 12 models to just one can be a tedious task, but each model has its own distinguishing features, be that through the design or feature set. An entry-level model on a HEDT platform such as sTR4 is the equivalent of a mid-range board on a desktop platform such as X570. Another improvement in design is that the boards require a better power delivery with the release of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 64-core currently in the pipeline for launch. The majority of the models come with 16-phase power deliveries with the CPU, with ASUS notably opting for teamed power stages, and GIGABYTE going all out with the XDPE132G5C true 16-phase PWM controller. All of the heatsink designs look robust on paper, but some have included integrated VRM active cooling solutions such as select ASUS models.
All of the twelve TRX40 models released at launch include at least three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with models such as the ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme, the ASRock TRX40 Taichi, and the MSI Creator TRX40 all coming with its own PCIe 4.0 M.2 adaptors to allow the installation of even more. One of the main benefits of the TRX40 chipset over the previous X399 revision is more native support for USB 3.1 G2 connectivity. Only six models have utilized this to full effect including the top two ASUS ROG models, and all of GIGABYTE's four TRX40 launch day models. Every TRX40 model at launch includes a BIOS Flashback button on the rear panel, as well as eight SATA ports.
Selecting the right motherboard comes down to personal preferences and needs, and there are many different variables to consider as part of that process. This includes the number of M.2 slots onboard, etc. All of the twelve TRX40 models come with eight or more SATA ports, with some opting for ASMedia controllers depending on how the vendors want to spend those flexible PCIe 4.0 lanes. The vast majority of boards come with strong feature sets, which is no surprise given the HEDT segment TRX40 and Threadripper 3000 occupies. The only model to benefit from Thunderbolt 3 out of the box is the GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare which includes a GC-Titan Ridge AIC card in the accessories bundle.
Similar to what we did in the past with our AMD X570 round-up from earlier on this year, we've taken some of the most common requirements when building a new system and narrowed them down to help users select a model based on its specific features.
Finally, it's interesting to note that vendors have been surprisingly consistent in implementing Intel's Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax wireless interface, which also includes support for BT 5.0. Ten out of the twelve TRX40 models at launch include Wi-Fi 6 as standard.
Choosing the Right TRX40 Motherboard | |||
The Options Are | Size | Amazon | Newegg |
10 Gigabit Ethernet | |||
ASRock TRX40 Creator | ATX | - | $460 |
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XL-ATX | - | $850 |
MSI Creator TRX40 | E-ATX | $700 | $700 |
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G | EATX | $500 | $500 |
5 Gigabit Ethernet | |||
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | E-ATX | - | $500 |
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet | |||
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | - | $500 |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | - | $550 |
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | |||
ASRock TRX40 Creator | ATX | - | $460 |
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | - | $500 |
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | - | $850 |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | - | $550 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XL-ATX | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | E-ATX | - | $500 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $400 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare | XL-ATX | - | $630 |
MSI Creator TRX40 | E-ATX | $700 | $700 |
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $470 |
5 (or more) USB 3.1 G2 | |||
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | - | $850 |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | - | $550 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XL-ATX | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | E-ATX | - | $500 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $400 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare | XL-ATX | - | $630 |
USB 3.2 G2 Type-C | |||
ASRock TRX40 Creator | E-ATX | - | $460 |
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | - | $500 |
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | - | $850 |
MSI Creator TRX40 | E-ATX | $700 | $700 |
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G | ATX | $500 | $500 |
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $470 |
Thunderbolt 3 | |||
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare | XL-ATX | - | $630 |
XL-ATX | |||
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XL-ATX | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare | XL-ATX | - | $630 |
E-ATX | |||
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | E-ATX | - | $500 |
MSI Creator TRX40 | E-ATX | $700 | $700 |
ATX | |||
ASRock TRX40 Creator | ATX | - | $460 |
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | - | $500 |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | - | $550 |
ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro | ATX | $450 | $450 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $400 |
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G | ATX | $500 | $500 |
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI | ATX | - | $470 |
All of the boards we've covered today are set to be available to buy this week in the USA, EU, and the UK, across various retailers such as Amazon, Newegg, Caseking, Scan etc. There may be other models available for other parts of the world such as the Asian market which we haven't covered, but we have had no prior knowledge that any vendors outside of ASRock, ASUS, GIGABYTE, and MSI has prepared any TRX40 models that we aren't expecting.
ASRock TRX40 Product Stack
Starting alphabetically, ASRock has two TRX40 models which are both ATX sized, and occupy the $449-499 price segment. The ASRock TRX40 Creator offers an Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE controller and a Realtek RTL8125-AG 2.5 GbE controller, while the TRX40 Taichi has the Realtek 2.5 GbE controller with an Intel I211-AT.
Availability and Pricing of ASRock AMD TRX40 Motherboards (11/25) | ||||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Amazon | Newegg |
ASRock TRX40 Creator | ATX | Link | - | $460 |
ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | Link | - | $500 |
Both models include an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface which includes BT 5.0 connectivity. The ASRock TRX40 Creator is aimed at content creators and more professional users, while the ASRock TRX40 Taichi is as expected, targetted at enthusiasts with its 16-phase power delivery. ASRock has left the option open for a flagship competitor, but there has been no word of any other models to be released this year. Watch this space!
ASUS TRX40 Product Stack
Moving onto the ASUS models, there are three models to choose from with the premium ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme flagship, the middle of the road ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming, and the entry-level model for professionals, the Prime TRX40-Pro. Both the Republic of Gamers branded models include the Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, while the ROG Zenith II Extreme utilizes an Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE controller; the ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming is focused on gaming and uses the Realtek RTL8125-AG 2.5 GbE controller.
Availability and Pricing of ASUS AMD X570 Motherboards (11/25) | ||||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Amazon | Newegg |
ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme | E-ATX | Link | - | $850 |
ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | Link | - | $550 |
ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro | ATX | Link | $450 | $450 |
The most basic of the TRX40 in terms of features is the ASUS Prime TRX40-Pro which doesn't include Wi-Fi, nor does it use anything more than a single Intel I211-AT Gigabit Ethernet controller for its networking. The ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme has all the makings of an extreme overclockers dream with its overclockers toolkit and LN2 mode, while the Strix TRX40-E Gaming positions itself towards gamers looking to build a very monolithic gaming system.
GIGABYTE TRX40 Product Stack
GIGABYTE has the biggest launch day TRX40 product stack from the vendors with a total of four models. The GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme sits at the top of the product stack with an impressive array of features including with dual 10 GbE powered by an Intel X550-AT2 10 GbE controller, with four onboard PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots with its true 16-phase power delivery for the CPU. Moving down is the TRX40 Aorus Master with an E-ATX PCB, with an Aquantia 5 G Ethernet controller, while the TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI opts for standard Gigabit. The GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare is the only model to feature Thunderbolt 3 via a Titan Ridge add-on card in the accessories bundle.
Availability and Pricing of GIGABYTE AMD X570 Motherboards (11/25) | ||||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Amazon | Newegg |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Xtreme | XL-ATX | Link | - | $850 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Master | E-ATX | Link | - | $500 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI | ATX | Link | - | $400 |
GIGABYTE TRX40 Designare | XL-ATX | Link | - | $630 |
All of the GIGABYTE TRX40 models include Intel's AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, and all feature at least five USB 3.1 G2 Type-A ports on the rear panel. Out of all the vendor's offerings at launch, GIGABYTE is the only vendor to make the most of the native USB 3.1 G2 support from the TRX40 chipset. GIGABYTE also has the cheapest TRX40 model at launch with the GIGABYTE TRX40 Aorus Pro WIFI which represents fantastic value for money on paper in comparison to other models.
MSI TRX40 Product Stack
The last of the TRX40 motherboard is MSI's launch day product stack which contains three new models, with the flagship content-creator focused MSI Creator TRX40, and the MSI TRX40 Pro models with one including an Aquantia 10 GbE add-on card, with the other coming equipped with an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface.
Availability and Pricing of MSI AMD X570 Motherboards (11/25) | ||||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Amazon | Newegg |
MSI Creator TRX40 | E-ATX | Link | $700 | $700 |
MSI TRX40 Pro 10G | ATX | Link | $500 | $500 |
MSI TRX40 Pro WIFI | ATX | Link | - | $470 |
Moving through MSI's product stack, the MSI Creator TRX40 is aimed at content creators and comes included with its Xpander-Z Aero quad PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 add-in card, and sits at the top of the SKU list in terms of quality. The only differential feature between the MSI TRX40 Pro 10 and TRX40 Pro Wi-Fi is the networking, although the core feature set and design of both are identical in every other way.