ASUS Pro WS W790E-SAGE SE Motherboard

The ASUS Pro WS W790E-SAGE SE is a high-performance workstation motherboard engineered with the Intel W790 chipset and designed for the LGA 4677 socket, compatible with Intel Xeon W-3400 and W-2400 series processors. This motherboard is specifically crafted for creative professionals, developers, and engineers who require exceptional performance, achieved through advanced CPU and memory overclocking features. Its optimized memory trace layout ensures superior performance, while the inclusion of server-grade IPMI remote management via a dedicated LAN port connected to the AST2600 BMC controller provides robust control options.

Featuring a low-profile professional design, the motherboard incorporates metallic black aluminum extrusions, stainless steel black mesh with highlighted details, and a transparent smoky gray I/O cover, resulting in a sleek and sophisticated appearance ideal for content creators. It supports multi-GPU setups with seven PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots, which enhance performance in areas such as professional design, modeling, simulation, and rendering. The robust power delivery system, consisting of 14+1+1 power stages along with additional 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe power connectors, ensures stability even under heavy loads when using multiple graphics cards.

Memory capabilities include support for 8-channel 1DPC DDR5 RDIMM ECC modules, which automatically detect and correct data corruption, complemented by overclocking options to achieve maximum speeds for handling a variety of demanding workloads. Connectivity options are extensive, with dual Intel X710-AT2 10G Ethernet ports enabling low-latency transfers of multi-terabyte data sets. A USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port delivers up to 20Gbps throughput for rapid data transfers and versatile connectivity.

Storage solutions feature three M.2 slots in the 22110 size, with two supporting PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0, each equipped with dedicated heatsinks and a convenient Q-Latch mechanism for straightforward installation. These slots allow for RAID configurations, providing massive I/O bandwidth particularly useful in video editing tasks. Additionally, onboard SlimSAS ports facilitate connections to industrial SSDs and server equipment through PCIe 4.0 interfaces.

For server-grade remote management, an integrated BMC utilizes a 1G Realtek controller with a dedicated port, enabling remote system resets or power cycling. The accompanying ASUS Control Center Express software offers real-time IT monitoring, management, and enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access and data leaks.

Thermal management is optimized with massive VRM heatsinks featuring tall, densely packed fins and support for optional high-speed fans to effectively dissipate heat from MOSFETs and chokes. A dedicated chipset heatsink maintains optimal temperatures, while M.2 heatsinks and backplates prevent thermal throttling during prolonged heavy usage. The pre-mounted I/O shield in matte black simplifies installation and improves airflow.

Audio performance is handled by the Realtek S1220A 7.1 Surround Sound HD Audio CODEC, delivering high-quality 120 dB SNR playback and 113 dB SNR recording. It includes EMI shielding, separate PCB layers for left and right channels, an integrated amplifier for high-impedance headphones, de-pop circuitry to eliminate startup noise, and premium audio capacitors for exceptional sound fidelity.

Validated for 24/7 operation, the motherboard undergoes extensive compatibility testing in various environments to ensure reliability for continuous use in demanding conditions.