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
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.
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Smell This - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
Still just a bit bummed .... that 1st/2nd Gen TRs have been left hangin'
As we roll into 2020, we gotta love where AMD is going BUT, here's hoping that Dr Su does not make the same mistakes on HEDTs that Chipzillah has been notorious in making in the past. With DDR5 on the horiZen, could sTRX4 be yet another *2 and Done* in the next 18 months?
I'm all for $800 mobos -- just as long as they don't become $50 moo-boards in January, 2021.
Spunjji - Friday, November 29, 2019 - link
Based on prior experience of AMD processors, it seems more likely that they'd have to offer new boards for DDR5 support but allow the new processors to run in older boards with DDR4.eek2121 - Friday, November 29, 2019 - link
Chances are that the TRX* series of boards will end in 2021 (or 2022 at the latest), when DDR5 is expected to roll out along with possibly Zen 5 (if 2022). That being said, I have an X399 board and a 1950X. I don't see a need to upgrade yet. I may eventually pick up a 2950X next year, but I'm hanging onto this platform. It games pretty much all current games at 4k, with the majority at maximum or high details (even on a 1080ti), and it's excellent for the development and content creation workloads that i do. Don't let the listed benchmarks fool you, the 1950X is capable of much more. Running Linux brings a rather large performance increase due to better thread scheduling among other things. I have no problems running GTA V or any other games that I play, at full 4k and maximum details.Llawehtdliub - Saturday, November 30, 2019 - link
At 30fpsscineram - Wednesday, December 4, 2019 - link
300.masmosmeaso - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
question,is the amount of phases important when it comes to performance or having more devices on the motherboard ? if so how many is overkill for these motherboards ?
Hul8 - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
Those power delivery components are only for the CPU package, and take all their power input from the auxiliary CPU power connectors (usually 8-pin, 8+4 or 8+8-pin these days).The rest of the motherboard get their power thru the 24-pin.
eek2121 - Friday, November 29, 2019 - link
More phases typically means better performance (thermals, quality of power, power limits) from the CPU, unless the vendor cheaps out on VRMs. I'd stay away from any board offering only a single 8-pin, as that can be a sign they are using lower quality VRMs, fewer phases, etc. Contrary to popular belief, phase doublers don't really hurt anything. A few in the youtube community have tested this, both with a CPU and also with a CPU 'emulator' that plugs into the socket and measures power output.Hul8 - Tuesday, December 10, 2019 - link
The question was about "devices on the motherboard", which I assume means things other than the CPU. That's why I pointed out that the phases are irrelevant to the question.Dragonstongue - Thursday, November 28, 2019 - link
just to say suchjust "cause" the box label as 280w TDP, this does not automatically mean it USES 280w (I am sure Intel or NVDA likely many many others) will lambast the crud out of AMD for this, without giving the "full story"
eg. Intel will say "our product X only is TDP of Y vs this massive 280w number, choose us, save the world" then when the user actually uses said "product X" they find out either A is much much slower than all review sites list it is and/or B, it shoots ACTUAL power use through the roof therefore not matching the "claims" of said product X TDP being "better" than TR gen 3 280w "listed" TDP
Intel, NVDA have far more proven themselves on "fibbing" their numbers to make the sales than AMD has "overall" over the many years I have been involved with (consumer or otherwise) in computing
............
Thanks for the review overall, at least it seems the various "partners" are not being overly foolish in terms of pricing and feature set, MSI IMO even "better" than some of the others (such as ASUS)
I truly hope these turn out to be the "cat's meow" for those whom can afford and use them, it helps AMD, helps their partners, the long run, helps us all
(^.^)