ASUS Intros Z270-WS Workstation Motherboard

[btarunr]

ASUS today unveiled the Z270-WS socket LGA1151 motherboard targeted at DIY workstation builds. Based on the Intel Z270 Express chipset, the board supports 7th generation Core "Kaby Lake" processors. What sets this board apart from most of the company's Z270 motherboard lineup is its PLX PEX8747 PCI-Express 3.0 x48 bridge chip. The board features a 12-phase CPU VRM with server-grade electrical components. The CPU socket is wired to four DDR4 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots over the bridge chip (x16/NC/x16 or x16/x8/x8). The fourth x16 slot is electrical x4 and wired to the PCH. An open-ended PCI-Express 3.0 x4 completes the expansion area. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, and 6-pin PCIe power connectors.

Storage connectivity on the Z270-WS includes six SATA 6 Gb/s, two 32 Gb/s M.2, and two 32 Gb/s U.2 ports. The board supports Intel Optane (3D X-point SSD) technology. Network connectivity includes two gigabit Ethernet interfaces, one driven by an Intel I210-AT controller, and another by Intel I210-LM. USB connectivity includes six USB 3.0 and four USB 3.1 ports (including one type-C port). The board offers 8-channel HD audio driven by a 115 dBA SNR CODEC. The company didn't reveal pricing.



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[Ferrum Master]

If it is a workstation... it doesn't need a tasteless WORKSTATION plate...

Like writing potato on a potato... It seems ASUS marketing doesn't get the idea that workstation market does not need bling.

 

[pat-roner]

If it is a workstation... it doesn't need a tasteless WORKSTATION plate...

Like writing potato on a potato... It seems ASUS marketing doesn't get the idea that workstation market does not need bling.

But don't you want a cooool workstation?

 

[P4-630]

Cool! I can show-off this motherboard and the other hardware in a windowed case at the office!

 

[Basard]

If it is a workstation... it doesn't need a tasteless WORKSTATION plate...

Like writing potato on a potato... It seems ASUS marketing doesn't get the idea that workstation market does not need bling.

Well, how else are you going to know it's a workstation? Everything else on it screams "GAMING!"

 

[Ferrum Master]

Well, how else are you going to know it's a workstation? Everything else on it screams "GAMING!"

It does not need a windowed case in the first place... it is meant for WORK, not epeen...

So those kind of things... a miss... totally a miss.

 

[Basard]

It does not need a windowed case in the first place... it is meant for WORK, not epeen...

So those kind of things... a miss... totally a miss.

Now we get more wepeen!

 

[pat-roner]

But nothing screams workstation as 12 phase cpu vrm, and inefficient heatsinks

 

[ShockG]

I don't see why having "Workstation" on a motherboard is a problem especially if it's part of the official name. As to what people who use workstations care about, it is absurd to advocate for everybody based on one's own personal taste. For those who want a single socket workstation board these are great.
Want more server grade options for multi socket systems and "Workstation" on the board. You can always buy the ASUS ones here - https://www.asus.com/Commercial-Servers-Workstations/Commercial-Server-Motherboards-Products/

 

[btarunr]

IMO it isn't a true WS board unless it supports at least some Xeon chips.

 

[ShockG]

Well, it does use the parts they claim they use on their workstation/server grade platforms
For the same reason that the McLaren F1, didn't need to be capable of supporting any parts pulled from the MP4/13 or any of those Formula 1 cars. I believe ASUS is simply saying they have all the workstation support on this board that they have on the others that actually do support Xeon. Their boards were appropriately named before INTEL decided that you need a different chipset to support even single CPU Xeons. Either way there is a market for this, for sure

 

[erixx]

Only 6 SATA? A mini workstation with a maxi name plate!

 

[Disparia]

The name doesn't put me off that much. I'm filing it away in my memory for what it is, a decent Z270 board. Which IMO is more telling of the product than it's name or label.