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The highly anticipated 3rd generation Threadripper CPUs have finally arrived, promising a powerful platform for high-end desktop (HEDT) enthusiasts and hardcore gamers. ASUS, recognizing the needs of this demanding market, has released the ASUS Strix TRX40-E Gaming motherboard, a gaming-focused board designed with features and aesthetics tailored for high-performance gaming. This release marks a shift in ASUS’s strategy, offering a more accessible high-end gaming motherboard as opposed to focusing solely on ultra-premium models like the ROG Zenith Extreme. This review provides an initial overview and assessment of the ASUS Strix TRX40-E Gaming.

ASUS Strix TRX40-E Gaming Motherboard

Design and Features: A Gamer’s Delight

The ASUS Strix TRX40-E Gaming maintains the familiar Strix series aesthetic with its stylized RGB ROG logo, distinguishing it from the all-black or red-and-black designs typically found on higher-end models. The rear of the box highlights key features, including an integrated OLED information display, advanced Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and 2nd generation Addressable RGB headers. The board itself is noticeably heavier than its X570 counterpart, due in part to a denser component layout and a reinforced PCB designed for higher power delivery and heat dissipation – essential considerations given the power demands and thermal output of the new Threadripper CPUs.

Packaging highlighting features

A robust steel backplate reinforces the CPU socket, providing support for even the heaviest air coolers and preventing bending or warping that could damage this critical component. While the board lacks the full backplate armor found on the Zenith and Maximus series, the thickened PCB offers substantial structural integrity.

Reinforced CPU socket

The TRX40-E Gaming boasts eight RAM slots, supporting up to 256GB of memory with speeds up to an impressive 4666MHz. Notably, this gaming-focused board also offers support for some ECC RAM modules, extending its potential beyond gaming applications, though this feature remains untested in this review.

Eight RAM slots

While the RAM slots utilize standard plastic clips rather than the metal-reinforced slots found on higher-end models, this is largely an aesthetic difference and doesn’t impact performance. The chipset heatsink features a substantial cover, directing airflow from the chipset fan over the two onboard M.2 slots. This efficient cooling solution eliminates the need for additional M.2 heatsinks, even for high-performance drives.

Chipset heatsink and M.2 slots

An unusual vertically mounted M.2 slot is located along the edge of the board, potentially accommodating oversized SSDs. However, such drives are uncommon, limiting the practicality of this feature. This slot’s heatsink separates the primary PCI Express 16x slot from the two remaining PCI Express slots.

Vertically mounted M.2 slot

Interestingly, the remaining 16x and 8x PCI Express slots are positioned adjacent to each other without the usual spacing provided by a 1x slot. This close proximity might limit the use of expansion cards or PCI Express SSDs, especially in dual-GPU configurations.

PCI Express slots

Power and Connectivity: Robust and Future-Proof

The TRX40-E Gaming features a robust power delivery system with 16 Infineon TDA21472 power stages, each capable of handling up to 70A. Two 8-pin CPU power connectors flank the heatsink, facilitating airflow and passive cooling for the MOSFETs through ASUS’s “Dual Intake” design. While the rationale behind the wide spacing of these connectors remains unclear, it potentially offers benefits for cable management or power stability during overclocking.

Power delivery system

A standout feature is the integration of Wi-Fi 6, offering significantly faster speeds than the current Wi-Fi 5 standard and ensuring seamless compatibility with newer routers. Adding a touch of premium to the Strix lineup, the TRX40-E Gaming includes a LiveDash OLED information display on the I/O shield, similar to the Maximus series.

Rear I/O

LiveDash OLED Display

Conclusion: A Powerful Platform for Gamers

The ASUS Strix TRX40-E Gaming offers a compelling blend of performance, features, and aesthetics, delivering a solid foundation for a high-end gaming rig. While some design choices remain curious, the board’s robust power delivery, ample connectivity, and gamer-centric features make it a strong contender in the HEDT market. This motherboard provides gamers with a powerful platform without the compromises often associated with enterprise-grade boards or the exorbitant price tag of ultra-premium models.