Motherboard Information
The choice of motherboard can be one of the most difficult decisions when building a custom computer, but because of the effect it has on the rest of the build process we present it first. There has always been a debate over whether Intel or AMD is the best CPU choice in different applications, and the selection of a motherboard determines which processors will be available to pick from; choices over memory type and other related things add to the confusion. Puget Custom Computers has many hardware articles that can help you get up to speed, and by taking the time to give them a look you can make a much more informed decision. In the event that you are uncertain, don't hesitate to contact us.
All of our motherboards have built in LAN support. Motherboards often have other built-in features as well, including USB, Firewire, and RAID controllers. Each of the desktop motherboards listed below has full audio support, and in some cases even 6-channel or 8-channel sound! Make sure to become familiar with what features your motherboard has so you don't waste any money adding controller cards for features you already have!
| Asus TUF B550M-PLUS (WI-FI) | Gigabyte B560M AORUS PRO AX | Gigabyte B550 Vision D-P | Gigabyte Z590 VISION D | Gigabyte X570S AERO G | Asus ProArt X570-Creator WiFi | Asus Prime X299 Deluxe II | Asus Strix TRX40-XE | Supermicro X12SPA-TF 64L | Asus Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WIFI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | 1200 | AM4 | 1200 | AM4 | AM4 | 2066 | sTRX4 | 4189 | sWRX8 |
| CPU Compatibility | AMD Ryzen | Rocket Lake | AMD Ryzen | Rocket Lake | AMD Ryzen | AMD Ryzen | SkyLake-X | Threadripper 3 | Ice Lake-64L | Threadripper Pro |
| Form Factor | MicroATX | MicroATX | ATX | ATX | ATX | ATX | ATX | ATX | EATX | SSI EEB |
| Chipset Manufacturer | AMD | Intel | AMD | Intel | AMD | AMD | Intel | AMD | Intel | AMD |
| Chipset | B550 | B560 | B550 | Z590 | X570 | X570 | X299 | TRX40 | C621A | WRX80 |
| Network Connectivity | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 10G + 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6e | Gigabit + 5Gb Networking + 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC | Gigabit + 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 10G + Gigabit Networking | Dual 10G Networking + WiFi 6 |
| Network Controller | Realtek RTL8125B + Intel AX200 | Realtek RTL8125 + Intel AX201 | Intel I225, Realtek RTL8125, Intel AX200 | Intel I225-V + Intel AX200 | Intel I225V + Intel AX200 | Intel I225-V + Marvell AQC113CS + Intel AX201 | Intel I219V + Aquantia AQC111C + Intel 9260 | Intel I211-AT + Realtek RTL8125-CG + Intel AX200 | Marvell AQC113, Intel I210-AT, Realtek RTL8211F PHY (dedicated IPMI) | Intel X550-AT2, Intel AX200 |
| Audio Controller | Onboard Realtek ALC S1200A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC897 HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC S1200-VB HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC4080 HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC1220-VB HD Audio | Onboard Realtek S1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek S1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek S1220 HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC 888S HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC4080 HD Audio |
| Cooling System | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink and Fan | Heatsink | Heatsink and Fan |
| Color | Black | Black | Black | White | Black & White | Black | Black & White | Black | Black | Black |
| Front Side Bus | DMI 3.0 | DMI 3.0 | ||||||||
| Number of Fans | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| Memory Support | ||||||||||
| Type | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 ECC Registered | DDR4 ECC Registered |
| Maximum Speed | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 2666 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| Number of Slots | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 8 |
| Maximum Size per Slot | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| Maximum Amount Supported | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 2048 GB | 2048 GB |
| Onboard Video | ||||||||||
| Chipset Manufacturer | AMD | Intel | AMD | Intel | AMD | AMD | ASpeed | ASpeed | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 1.4b | 2.1 | 1.4b | 2.1 | 2.0 | ||||
| DisplayPort | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| DisplayPort Version | 1.2 | 1.2 | ||||||||
| Notes: | Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | DisplayPort IN for Thunderbolt Video, Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | Displayport IN for Thunderbolt video output (providing up to DP 1.4) | Displayport IN for USB-C video output, Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | DisplayPort IN For Thunderbolt Video, HDMI Out Requires Supported CPU | Displayport IN for Thunderbolt video output (providing up to DP 1.4) | VGA output via included expansion bracket | ||
| Processor Type | CPU Dependant | CPU Dependant | AST2500 | AST2500 | ||||||
| Maximum Resolution | 4096x2304 | 1920x1200 | 1920x1200 | |||||||
| Maximum HDMI Resolution | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | |||||
| Maximum DisplayPort Resolution | 4096x2304 | |||||||||
| VGA | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| External Connections | ||||||||||
| USB 2.0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |||
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB 3.1) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 8 | |
| USB 3.2 Type C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Audio Out | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) | Surround Sound (7.1) |
| Audio In | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone | Line-In/Microphone |
| S/PDIF | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | |
| LAN (RJ45) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Wireless Antenna Port | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| PS/2 Keyboard | Yes | No | ||||||||
| PS/2 Mouse | Yes | No | ||||||||
| Thunderbolt Ports | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||||||
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Mgmt LAN (RJ45) | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Serial (COM) Port | 1 | |||||||||
| Internal Connections | ||||||||||
| USB 2.0 | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 3 (providing 6 ports) | 1 (providing 2 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 1 (providing 2 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| SATA III 6.0Gbps | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| M.2 Connector | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| M.2 Support | x1 42-80mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA, x1 42-110mm NVMe (Gen3) + SATA | 1x 60-80mm NVMe (Gen4), 1x 60-110mm NVMe (Gen3) & SATA | x1 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA, x1 42-110mm NVMe (Gen3) + SATA | 1x 80-110mm NVMe (Gen4), 1x 80-110mm NVMe (Gen3) & SATA, 1x 60-110mm NVMe (Gen3) | 2x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA, 1x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4), 1x 80-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA | 2x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA, 1x 42-80mm NVMe (Gen4) | 1x 42-110mm NVMe & SATA, 2x 42-110mm NVMe | 2x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4), 1x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA | 4x 60-110mm NVMe (Gen4) | 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) & SATA |
| Serial (Com) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| TPM (module sold separately) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Compatible TPM | Asus TPM-SPI | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0_S 2.0 | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0_S 2.0 | Asus TPM-SPI | Asus TPM-M R2.0 | Supermicro AOM-TPM-9670H-S-O | Asus TPM-SPI | |
| USB 3.2 Type C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| U.2 Connector | 2 | |||||||||
| SATA Controllers | ||||||||||
| SATA III 6.0Gbps Controller 1 | AMD B550 | B560 | AMD B550 | Intel Z590 | AMD X570 | AMD X570 | Intel | TRX40 (providing 8 ports) | Intel C621A | AMD WRX80 |
| Expansion Slots | ||||||||||
| Slot 1 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
| Slot 2 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
| Slot 3 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
| Slot 4 | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
| Slot 5 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | ||
| Slot 6 | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | ||
| Slot 7 | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x4 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | ||||
| Additional Information | ||||||||||
| SLI Compatible | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crossfire Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
| RAID Support | 0,1,10 | 0/1/10/5 | 0,1,10 | 0/1/10/5 | 0,1,10 | 0,1,10 | 0/1/5/10 | 0,1,10 | 0,1,5,10 | 0, 1, 10 |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.2) | Yes (4.2) | Yes (5.0) | No | Yes (5.0) |
| Integrated IO Shield | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dual GPU Slot Spacing | 3-Slot | 3-Slot | 3-Slot | 3-Slot | 4-Slot | 4-Slot | ||||
| Remote Management | Onboard | Onboard | ||||||||
| BIOS Features | ||||||||||
| UEFI BIOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| EZ Flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| OC Profiles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | ||||||||||
| Height | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 310 mm (12.2 in) |
| Width | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 330 mm (13.0 in) | 330 mm (13.0 in) |
| Net Weight | 0.89 kg (2.0 lbs) | 0.927 kg (2.0 lbs) | 1.316 kg (2.9 lbs) | 1.534 kg (3.4 lbs) | 1.240 kg (2.7 lbs) | 1.579 kg (3.5 lbs) | 1.290 kg (2.8 lbs) | 1.559 kg (3.4 lbs) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) |