The AMD X570 Motherboard Overview: Over 35+ Motherboards Analyzed
by Gavin Bonshor on July 9, 2019 8:00 AM ESTASUS Pro WS X570-Ace
The ASUS Pro WS X570-Ace is one of the more interesting models from the launch day X570 models. Firstly it's aimed primarily at professional and workstation users, which is signified in the model number (WS). What makes the ASUS Pro WS X570-Ace so interesting is that its X570 chipset fed bottom full-length PCIe 4.0 slot is wired at x8, and not the conventional PCIe 4.0 x4 as seen on other X570 models. The WS X570-Ace also includes dual Gigabit networking, a premium Realtek ALC1220A HD audio codec, and a PCIe 4.0 U.2 port.
The ASUS Pro WS X570-Ace follows a different design from the rest of its motherboard line-up, with straight angled finned heatsinks, following a uniformed black design with the horizontally placed fins. Compared with the other ASUS X570 models, the overall feature set is a little thin due to its workstation focused design. One of the main focal points of the ASUS WS X570-ACE ATX motherboard includes three full-length PCIe 4.0 slots which operate at x16, x8/x8, and x8/x8/x8, with that last x8 coming from the chipset. with a single PCIe 4.0 x1 slot also present. For most X570 models announced, this is one of the only models to optimize all three full-length slots at a minimum of x8.
Storage options on the Pro WS X570-Ace consist of two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots with a single U.2 port and four SATA ports that feature support for RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. As with other ATX sized ASUS X570 models, the Pro WS X570-Ace has four memory slots with support for a total capacity of up to 128 GB. Users can also have the option to use either ECC and non-ECC memory which is dependant on the processor installed.
The two Ethernet ports on the rear panel are controlled by an Intel I211-AT and Realtek 8117 which are both Gigabit NICs, while the onboard audio is powered by a Realtek S1220A HD audio codec; this provides five 3.5 mm audio jacks and a S/PDIF optical output. Super fast connectivity is strong with four USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and two USB 3.1 G1 Type-A ports. For users looking to utilize compatible Ryzen APUs, ASUS has included a pair of video outputs consisting of HDMI and a DisplayPort.
The ASUS Pro WS X570-Ace has an MSRP of $380 and shifts focus directly on users looking to create a Ryzen 3000 powered workstation. Its subtle and straight-forward design also makes this a good option for users looking to avoid the more gaming-themed RGB splattered models, and create a somewhat elegant looking system.
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The_Assimilator - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
Nope, I really do need that many USB ports! In the past I've used various add-in cards and hubs to achieve this, but my experiences with these devices, and their drivers, and compatibility has been spotty at best, and they also take up space or PCIe slots - hence why I'd much prefer if it was all just integrated on the board.Just to be clear, I don't need 10 USB 3 ports - 8 USB 3 and a pair of 2.0 would be perfect. Considering almost all of these boards have a pair of USB 2.0 headers for 4 ports in total, but cases today don't offer more than a single USB 2.0 front-panel connector - plus that these boards' IO panels have plenty of extra room - I don't see why manufacturers can't drop one of those headers and just give us an extra two rear 2.0 ports as standard.
Qasar - Thursday, July 11, 2019 - link
why not pick up a usb header to slot plate adapter, im sure you have unused card openings on the back of your case under the video cardDanNeely - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
More ports on the back mean fewer available headers for internal connections. x570 has 12 total USB 3.x ports; so most boards maxing out at 8 on the back and 2 headers (2 ports/header) internal seems about right. Going higher means adding either USB3 controller chips (eats PCIe lanes but gives independent ports for greater total system throughput) or on board USB3 hubs; both of which drive up costs. With making the boards PCIe4 capable already driving up costs a lot the board makers are looking to economize elsewhere.shabby - Thursday, July 11, 2019 - link
I noticed the cheap asrock boards have 8 usb3 ports in the back.plonk420 - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the VRM information! i don't even OC but i like to keep an eye on what VRMs boards are using... hopefully will help with longevity if i'm going to thrash either Vcore or SoC (keeping components like caps cooler)thomasg - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
In my opinion, all those boards are just silly.All they bring over the 2 years old X370 platform is PCIe 4.0 support, a bit more USB 3 Gen2 as well as often a second m.2 slot.
On the other hand, the southbridge fan is a ridiculous idea, especially consindering all the silly enormous heatsinks they mount to everything BUT the chipset.
And for that, they go for a premium of about 60% over X370 when it was fresh.
I paid 170 dollars for my PRIME X370-Pro day 1 (over 2 years ago), now the successor is 270 dollars.
The WS is the only board looking buyable, but then again, it also is actively cooled and doesn't even bring NBase-T.
I could forgive that, wouldn't they charge well above 300 dollars for it (while the other boards are close to MSRP in germany, the WS is already far below its MSPR).
Nope, thanks, I'm skipping X570.
Death666Angel - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
"I paid 170 dollars for my PRIME X370-Pro day 1 (over 2 years ago), now the successor is 270 dollars."Take that up with ASUS. I can get the X570 Phantom 4 from AsRock with (4x2) power stages (which means easier 3950X oc vs your x370 Pro) for 170€.
And for me, I'm starting to think that having 3 whole x4 slots (2 M.2, one x16) of 4.0 speeds is a nice addition versus the one 3.0 x4 M.2 and one 3.0 x2 or 2.0 x4 slot with another 2.0 x4 slot all the 4xx and 3xx mainboards offer. If I'm spending ~500€ anyway (32GB and 8 core), I might as well just spend another 170 on the mainboard vs 100 on a B450 (I need mATX, so only the MSI Mortar and AsRock Pro4 suite my needs).
And if you need Thunderbolt or over GbE speeds, these boards are the only way to go, frankly, since the 2.0 chipset lanes of the older chipsets are just terrible for this.
This doesn't satisfy your niche? Great, move along. That's the incredible thing about AMD supporting AM4 for this long. But no need to shit over a product that is pretty great overall, just because you don't need it's features.
thomasg - Thursday, July 11, 2019 - link
Indeed, it doesn't satisfy my niche, I'm just complaining about the new downsides of the new X570 platform, and specifically the available implementations.I'm not telling anyone not to get one, anyone who wants to take advantage of the extras is of course free to adopt the new boards.
I think I should be able to freely "shit over a product" as I wish without you having to take personal offense.
fearby - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
Being in a hot climate I'd love to know what one has the best chipset cooling.gavbon - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
We are doing X570 chipset thermal analysis in our motherboard testing ;)