ASRock has quietly launched revision 2.0 of its WRX80 Creator motherboard for AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Professional processor that prices greater than $350 lower than the revision 1.0 of the identical mainboard, which was launched this August. The one distinction between the 2 boards? The brand new mannequin makes use of Marvell’s Aquantia 10GbE controller as a substitute of an Intel 10GbE controller.
Apart from 10GbE controllers, ASRock’s WRX80 Creator motherboards are completely equivalent. Each use a 14-layer printed circuit board (one thing that’s infrequently used, even for enthusiast-grade motherboards designed for overclockers). Each boards include voltage regulating modules (VRMs) that includes Infineon’s premium DrMOS energy levels, promising prolonged longevity and customarily designed for reliability and sturdiness. Options and capabilities of the platforms will be in contrast on ASRock’s web site, or utilizing the temporary desk under.
Each motherboards at the moment are accessible at Newegg. The brand new ASRock WRX80 Creator revision 2.0 prices $899 (opens in new tab), whereas the ASRock WRX80 Creator revision 1.0 is priced at $1256 (opens in new tab). The point out of the revision 2.0 at Newegg’s web site has been found by @momomo_us, as ASRock has not formally introduced the brand new model of its product.
Each motherboards help AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Professional CPUs for high-end workstations, and subsequently help as much as 2TB of DDR4-3200 reminiscence utilizing eight channels and have 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes (up from 72 on non-Professional TR), unfold throughout its seven PCIe 4.0 x16 (electrical), M.2-2280 in addition to U.2 Gen4 x4 slots.Â
 In addition they function all of the premium enter/output capabilities possible, which incorporates two 10GbE ports (Intel-powered on revision 1.0 and Marvell Aquantia-powered on revision 2.0), Wi-Fi-6E, Thunderbolt 4, eight SATA connectors, 7.1-channel audio with a headset amplifier, a built-in KVM, and Aspeed’s AST 2500 BMC for distant administration.
Basically, there appear to be no variations between the 2 ASRock’s WRX80 Creator motherboards apart from the 10GbE controllers. However many enterprise purchasers (who usually tend to buy workstation-grade {hardware}) demand an Intel community controller, since their IT departments know how you can handle them. Additionally, Intel’s controller helps the Vitality Environment friendly Ethernet 802.3az function, one thing that could be vital for enterprise clients.
Against this, ASRock’s WRX80 revision 2.0 with a Marvell 10GbE controller offers comparable efficiency for $350 much less. It will undoubtedly be an vital issue to think about for boutique workstation makers in addition to DIYers. Is Intel’s 10GbE controller value that rather more?
