Finding a Server motherboard that is able to support AMD’s latest generation of Ryzen Threadripper CPUs in a rack mount enclosure is not easy. One of the main reasons this is such a rare find is that generally AMD chipset boards are not configured in the way you’d expect for a rack mount server. Instead of being oriented to allow air flow front to back throughout the machine, RAM sockets are typically positioned left to right, meaning the only effective way of regulating the temperature of the blistering CPUs is by using water-cooling. This is something which has also up until recently proven a problem for AMD’s Ryzen 9 chips in 1U.
Enter the ASRock TRX40
Thankfully, ASRock’s new TRX40 motherboard is on its way to save the day. Designed with an sTRX4 Socket, it is able to support AMD’s 3rd generation of Ryzen Threadripper processors, including the 3960X, 3970X, and the coveted flagship 64-core 3990X.
One of the very first boards on the market to offer support for all ‘Server’ features, the TRX40 is much more suited to rack mount applications. It boasts IPMI for ‘Out of band management’, ECC RAM, and Dual 10GB Ethernet to name a few key features, as well as 4x PCIe 4.0 x16 slots which make it possible to support the maximum number of lanes available in AMD’s Threadripper CPUs. This means you get to enjoy up to 3x dual-width graphics cards, depending on the unit, with enough room even left over for another card – an impressive feat within a standard ATX form factor.
Built to help the heat
The TRX40’s best feature, however, is its ability to enable air-cooling for the Threadripper chips thanks to the correct configuration of its RAM slots, meaning a water-cooling solution is no longer a necessity for our 3U and 4U cases. Additionally, by separating its CPU power connectors and placing them either side of the motherboard, this drives better power efficiency, resulting in a lower temperature overall.
Nearly ready!
We’re working closely with ASRock to develop the TRX40 motherboard and ensure it is able to successfully fulfil our customers’ needs. That way, we can be certain you’re able to enjoy AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 3000 chips without a hitch. We’ll be receiving a pre-production sample of the board very soon and are excited to start getting this into our products. You can expect to see the TRX40 emerge across our 2U, 3U, and 4U Workstation and Server units over the coming months, so keep an eye out for an update.
While you wait, if you’d like to find out more about how you can enjoy AMD’s 3rd generation of Ryzen Threadripper CPUs in our rack mount products, please get in touch.
