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 WS C621E SAGE | Asus WS C422 SAGE/10G | Gigabyte C246M-WU4 | Asus PRO WS C621-64L SAGE/10G | Asus ROG Strix X570-E | Asus Prime X299 Deluxe II | Gigabyte Z490 Vision D | Asus ROG STRIX Z490-G | MSI MAG B550M MORTAR WIFI | Gigabyte B550 Vision D | Asus Strix TRX40-XE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socket | 3647 | 2066 | 1151 | 3647 | AM4 | 2066 | 1200 | 1200 | AM4 | AM4 | sTRX4 |
| CPU Compatibility | Purley | Xeon W | Intel Xeon E-21xx and E-22xx Processors | Cascade Lake-64L | AMD Ryzen | SkyLake-X | Comet Lake-S | Comet Lake-S | AMD Ryzen | AMD Ryzen | Threadripper 3 |
| Form Factor | SSI EEB | CEB | MicroATX | CEB | ATX | ATX | ATX | MicroATX | MicroATX | ATX | ATX |
| Chipset Manufacturer | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | AMD | Intel | Intel | Intel | AMD | AMD | AMD |
| Chipset | C620 | C422 | C246 | C621 | X570 | X299 | Z490 | Z490 | B550 | B550 | TRX40 |
| Front Side Bus | DMI 3.0 | DMI 3.0 | DMI 3.0 | DMI 3.0 | DMI 3.0 | DMI 3.0 | |||||
| Network Connectivity | Dual Gigabit Networking | Dual 10G Networking | Dual Gigabit Networking | Dual 10G Networking | Gigabit + 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | Gigabit + 5Gb Networking + 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC | Gigabit + 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 | Dual Gigabit Networking + WiFi 6 | Gigabit + 2.5G Networking + WiFi 6 |
| Network Controller | Intel / Intel | Intel X550-AT2 | Intel I210 | Intel X550-AT2 | Intel I211-AT + Realtek RTL8125 + Intel AX200 | Intel I219V + Aquantia AQC111C + Intel 9260 | Intel I211-AT + Intel I225-V + Intel AX201 | Intel I225-V + Intel AX201 | Realtek RTL8125B + Intel AX200 | 2x Intel I211, Intel AX200 | Intel I211-AT + Realtek RTL8125-CG + Intel AX200 |
| Audio Controller | Onboard Realtek S1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC S1220A High Definition Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC892 HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek S1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC1220-VB HD Audio | Onboard Realtek S1220A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC S1200A HD Audio | Onboard Realtek ALC S1200-VB HD Audio | Onboard Realtek S1220 HD Audio |
| Cooling System | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink and Fan | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink and Fan |
| Color | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black & White | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Number of Fans | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||
| Memory Support | |||||||||||
| Type | DDR4 ECC Registered | DDR4 ECC Registered | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 ECC Registered | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 ECC | DDR4 |
| Maximum Speed | 2933 MHz | 2666 MHz | 2666 MHz | 2933 MHz | 3200 MHz | 2666 MHz | 2933 MHz | 2933 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| Number of Slots | 12 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Maximum Size per Slot | 64 GB | 64 GB | 32 GB | 128 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Maximum Amount Supported | 768 GB | 512 GB | 128 GB | 1536 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| Onboard Video | |||||||||||
| Chipset Manufacturer | ASpeed | Intel | AMD | Intel | Intel | AMD | AMD | ||||
| Processor Type | AST2500 | CPU Integrated Graphics | CPU Dependent | CPU Dependant | |||||||
| Onboard Memory | 64 MB | ||||||||||
| Maximum Resolution | 1920x1200 | 4096x2304 | 5120 x 2880 | 4096x2304 | |||||||
| VGA | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Notes: | Onboard video is via an included optional VGA bracket. | Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | Displayport IN for Thunderbolt video output (providing up to DP 1.4) | Displayport IN for Thunderbolt video output (providing up to DP 1.4) | Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | DisplayPort IN for Thunderbolt Video, Onboard Graphics Requires Supported CPU | ||||
| Maximum DVI Resolution | 1920x1200 | ||||||||||
| Maximum DisplayPort Resolution | 4096x2304 | 4096x2160 | 4096x2304 | ||||||||
| DVI | 1 | ||||||||||
| DisplayPort | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| DisplayPort Version | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | |||||||
| Maximum HDMI Resolution | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | 4096x2160 | |||||||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| HDMI Version | 2.0 | 1.4b | 1.4b | 2.1 | 2.1 | ||||||
| External Connections | |||||||||||
| USB 2.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | ||
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB 3.1) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | |
| USB 3.2 Type C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| PS/2 Keyboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| PS/2 Mouse | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| 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) | 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 | Line-In/Microphone |
| S/PDIF | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | |
| Mgmt LAN (RJ45) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Wireless Antenna Port | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LAN (RJ45) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Memory Card Reader | No | ||||||||||
| Thunderbolt Ports | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| Internal Connections | |||||||||||
| USB 2.0 | 1 (providing 2 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 1 (providing 2 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 1 (providing 2 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | 2 (providing 4 ports) | |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| SATA III 6.0Gbps | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| M.2 Connector | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| M.2 Support | NVMe 80mm / 110mm | x1 42-110mm NVMe, x1 42-80mm NVMe | 1x 42-110mm NVMe, 1x 42-80mm NVMe & SATA | 60-110mm NVMe + SATA | x2 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA | 1x 42-110mm NVMe & SATA, 2x 42-110mm NVMe | 2x 80-110mm NVMe & SATA, 1x 60-110mm NVMe | 1x 42-80mm NVMe & SATA, 1x 42-110mm NVMe & SATA | x1 42-80mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA, x1 42-80mm NVMe (Gen3) | x1 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA, x1 42-110mm NVMe (Gen3) + SATA | 2x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4), 1x 42-110mm NVMe (Gen4) + SATA |
| U.2 Connector | 4 | 2 | |||||||||
| Serial (Com) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| TPM (module sold separately) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Compatible TPM | Asus TPM-M R2.0 | Asus TPM-M R2.0 | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0_S 2.0 | Asus TPM-M R2.0 | Asus TPM-SPI | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 | MSI 604-4462-010 | Gigabyte GC-TPM2.0_S 2.0 | Asus TPM-M R2.0 | ||
| USB 3.2 Type C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| SATA Controllers | |||||||||||
| SATA III 6.0Gbps Controller 1 | 8 | 8 port - Intel C246 | 8x Intel C621 | AMD X570 | Intel | Intel Z490 | Z490 | AMD B550 | AMD B550 | TRX40 (providing 8 ports) | |
| SATA III 6.0Gbps Controller 2 | 2 | 2x Asmedia | |||||||||
| Expansion Slots | |||||||||||
| Slot 1 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | Slot not available on this board |
| Slot 2 | PCI Express x8 or x16 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
| Slot 3 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board |
| Slot 4 | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x1 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | 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 | Slot not available on this board |
| Slot 5 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | Slot not available on this board | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | |||
| Slot 6 | PCI Express x8 or x16 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | Slot not available on this board | PCI Express 4.0 x1 | PCI Express 3.0 x8 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | |||
| Slot 7 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 3.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 3.0 x4 in a x16 size | PCI Express 4.0 x4 | |||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||
| SLI Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | |
| Crossfire Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| RAID Support | 0, 1, 5, 10 | 0,1,5,10 | 0,1,5,10 | 0/1/10/5 | 0,1,10 | 0/1/5/10 | 0/1/10/5 | 0/1/10/5 | 0,1,10 | 0,1,10 | 0,1,10 |
| Bluetooth | No | No | No | No | Yes (5.0) | Yes (4.2) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) | Yes (5.0) |
| Dual GPU Slot Spacing | 2-Slot | 4-Slot | 3-Slot | 4-Slot | 3-Slot | 3-Slot | 3-Slot | 4-Slot | |||
| Integrated IO Shield | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Management | Included | ||||||||||
| BIOS Features | |||||||||||
| UEFI BIOS | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| EZ Flash | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OC Profiles | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | |||||||||||
| Height | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 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) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) | 305 mm (12.0 in) |
| Width | 330 mm (13.0 in) | 267 mm (10.5 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 277 mm (10.9 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Net Weight | 4.28 kg (9.4 lbs) |