The AMD TRX40 Motherboard Overview: 12 New Motherboards Analyzed
by Gavin Bonshor on November 28, 2019 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- AMD
- MSI
- Gigabyte
- ASRock
- Asus
- TRX40
- Threadripper 3000
- Castle Peak
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.
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amb9800 - Saturday, November 30, 2019 - link
TB3 has not been open sourced. It's been royalty-free from the start, but any TB3 device still needs to be certified by Intel. Thus far the only TB3 devices that exist integrate Intel TB3 controllers, and very few non-Intel platforms have integrated TB3 (basically just a couple of X570 ASRock boards).Chaitanya - Friday, November 29, 2019 - link
In order to integrate Thuberbolt, Intel needs access to microcode which is why very few boards even on AM4 come with it and even those solutions are iffy at best.eek2121 - Friday, November 29, 2019 - link
Untrue, TB has been open sourced and will be a part of the USB 4.0 standard. The real answer is likely one I provided earlier: Intel CPUs have dedicated bandwidth for TB3, AMD CPUs hang it off the PCIE bus.amb9800 - Saturday, November 30, 2019 - link
TB3 being incorporated into USB 4.0 definitely does not mean it has been "open sourced." Every TB3 device must still be certified by Intel.ender8282 - Saturday, November 30, 2019 - link
I love the TB3 port on my laptop and docking station. It's way convenient. Honestly though I've never understood the use case on a desktop. If you've got an ATX motherboard and a decent sized case what need does it really solve?TechKnowbabble - Friday, December 20, 2019 - link
According to this video the GIGABYTE TRX40 AORUS XTREME has a Thunderbolt 3 header called THB_C, but on the site the only mention to this i can find is a "GIGABYTE add-in card connector" which the AORUS Master and Wifi Pro have mention of also. I dont know why it is listed differently from the Designare or not mentioned in this article but it appears that all the Gigabyte TRX40 boards support thunderbolt 3 with add in card.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o21xINJF1tE&fe...
NelsonK - Saturday, January 18, 2020 - link
It might as well be -BetaMax-. Thunderbolt is Intel's baby, and you gotta dance to their tune to get the engineering specs -- Intel doesn't publish 'em. Only well-resourced (i.e., volume) manufacturers can feasibly spend to design and incorporate it, then produce to a scale that justifies the investment. Sure, that's not precisely a licensing fee, but it's one heckuva barrier to entry.These firms can all afford it, but, since VHS (USB) is good enough, why bother? USB "3.2" is pretty darn close and even uses the same Type-C port. In fact, you can even play your VHS tapes on this BetaMax -- USB devices will run at their native speeds when connected to Thunderbolt.
And with USB 4, there will be no difference in speed. Is there even a practical difference in speed now? Do ya really need more than 10 Gbps? A few of you might, but not enough to pay the piper.
This is a no-brainer for the board makers: USB 3.1 Gen 2 ("3.2") Type-C offers a lot more speed than most devices can hope to keep up with internally. In the instances where somebody wants to daisy-chain video, they're either mining (which just needs the chain, not so much the speed), or they're using a laptop and don't have space for a video card. Well, these are mainboards, folks. You've got a bunch of fat-pipe PCIe 4.0 16-lane slots that your graphics cards won't even make full use of 99.99% of the time they're running, as they throttle down to 2.0 or 1.0.
BetaMax was better, but it died even before S-VHS was a real thing. ThunderBolt just got similarly voted down (massively) by pretty much all of big name manufacturers users trust enough and -might- have paid extra to get a board that has it.
Looks like we're goin' with VHS once again, boys and girls... ;-)
wilsonkf - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
Check your last page. Do you really mean "ASUS X570" Product Stack? Also other brands...gavbon - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
Good spot Wilson, I really appreciate it. I've been neck-deep in X570, I must have been in AM4 mode!tamalero - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
hey Anana, any chance you could build a full comparison table between number of ports, pci-e slots, wifi, ethernet..etc..?