ASUS
ASUS PRO WS W680-ACE IPMI Workstation Motherboard
Best workstation motherboard for professionals building reliable, high-performance AI computing systems.
The ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE motherboard is engineered for advanced AI computing, offering robust power delivery with DrMOS, ProCool connectors, and durable components for stable performance. It supports the latest Intel® Core™ processors (14th, 13th, and 12th Gen) with an LGA 1700 socket. Connectivity is a highlight, featuring dual PCIe 5.0 SafeSlots, three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, dual Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet, and a front panel USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C® connector. Comprehensive cooling solutions, including large VRM and M.2 heatsinks, ensure optimal temperatures. Advanced security management and tested stability for 24/7 operation make it a reliable choice for demanding applications. The ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE is a powerful ATX workstation motherboard designed for demanding professional tasks. It utilizes the Intel W680 chipset and LGA 1700 socket to support 12th and 13th Gen Intel CPUs, including Xeon W-Series. Prioritizing data integrity, it features DDR5 ECC memory support up to 128GB. Extensive storage is available with 8 SATA ports and 3 M.2 slots. Connectivity is robust, offering dual LAN ports with 2.5GbE and integrated Thunderbolt 4, making it an ideal foundation for reliable, high-performance workstations.
$339.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
86
/ 759
#86 in Motherboards
Price vs Category Average
+2%
Above average
Processor socket
1700
/ LGA
Who it's for
- IT administrators managing headless workstations or remote server environments
- Data scientists and engineers requiring maximum system stability and reliability
- Creative professionals needing high-speed storage and next-gen graphics expansion
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious builders who do not require enterprise-grade remote management
- Casual users who find complex server-grade network configurations unnecessary
- Gaming enthusiasts seeking maximum performance through aggressive CPU and memory overclocking
Performance breakdown
Data Integrity
ECC memory support provides essential stability for mission-critical professional workloads.
Expansion Potential
Dual PCIe 5.0 slots ensure readiness for next-generation GPU and storage upgrades.
Thermal Management
Robust heatsinks keep VRMs and M.2 drives cool under heavy sustained loads.
Connectivity Versatility
Thunderbolt 4 and dual 2.5GbE ports offer elite-level peripheral and network throughput.
Storage Capacity
Eight SATA ports and three M.2 slots accommodate massive local data arrays.
Build Reliability
Engineered for 24/7 operation with durable components built to last.
Key Specs
Processor socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Intel W680
Memory type
DDR5
Maximum internal memory
128 GB
Memory slots
4
Form factor
ATX
PCIe slot version
PCIe 5.0, PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0
M.2 slots
3
Features
- Ready for Advanced AI PC applications
- Supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors
- Enhanced power solution for stable delivery
- Next-generation connectivity including PCIe 5.0 and USB 3.2 Gen2x2
- Comprehensive cooling with VRM and M.2 heatsinks
- Advanced security management features
- Tested for 24/7 operation and validated compatibility
- Durable construction with SafeSlot and SafeDIMM
- Supports Intel Xeon W-Series CPUs for professional tasks
- DDR5 ECC memory ensures high data integrity
- Fast 2.5GbE dual LAN connectivity
- Integrated Thunderbolt 4 support
- Extensive storage with 3 M.2 slots
- PCIe 5.0 support for future expansion
- ATX form factor for standard cases
- RAID support for data redundancy
What customers say
This motherboard earns high praise primarily for its exceptional reliability and advanced remote management capabilities. Professionals value the dedicated IPMI controller, which ensures seamless out-of-band system monitoring and troubleshooting, a critical feature for remote operations. Users consistently note the excellent build quality, robust VRMs, and effective cooling designed for sustained heavy loads. Support for ECC memory further solidifies its status as a dependable workstation component for sensitive data tasks. While the initial setup of the management interface requires technical knowledge, customers view the board as a worthwhile investment due to its unwavering stability and mission critical performance.
Know before you buy
Yes, the ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE supports DDR5 ECC memory, which is essential for professional workstations that require high data integrity and stability during long-running tasks.
While it is engineered for professional AI and workstation tasks, it is compatible with 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core processors. However, note that it lacks integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you would need to add a PCIe card if you require wireless connectivity.
This board is built for data-heavy workflows, featuring three M.2 slots for high-speed NVMe storage and eight SATA ports for traditional hard drives or SSDs. It also supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations for added data redundancy.
Yes, the W680 chipset is specifically designed to support Intel Xeon W-Series processors in addition to standard 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core CPUs, making it a versatile choice for professional computing.
Yes, the motherboard features HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA outputs on the rear panel, allowing you to utilize the integrated graphics of compatible Intel processors without needing a dedicated GPU.
The PCIe 5.0 SafeSlots provide double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, ensuring the board is ready for next-generation graphics cards and high-speed expansion devices, while the reinforced construction protects heavy components from physical damage.
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$340