Failure Found! High-end X399 Motherboards Struggle with 2990WX, VRM Temp Test Revealed

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. testing the Flagship X399 Boards with the Threadripper 2990 WX
3. VRM Performance and Thermals
   • 3.1 MSI Mega X399 Creation
   • 3.2 Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme
   • 3.3 Asus ROG Zenith Extreme
   • 3.4 ASRock X399 Professional Gaming
4. VRM Design and Cooling
   • 4.1 MSI Mega X399 Creation
   • 4.2 Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme
   • 4.3 Asus ROG Zenith Extreme
   • 4.4 ASRock X399 Professional Gaming
5. Testing Method
   • 5.1 Load Testing with Blender
   • 5.2 Stock Results
   • 5.3 Overclocking Results
   • 5.4 Extreme Stress Testing
6. Temperature Results
   • 6.1 Open Test Bed Results
   • 6.2 ATX Case Results
7. Conclusion
8. FAQs

Article

Introduction

Welcome back to Harbor Unbox! Today, we will be testing the performance and thermals of flagship X399 motherboards with the Threadripper 2990 WX processor. In this article, we will focus on the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) performance and thermal capabilities of the MSI Mega X399 Creation, Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme, Asus ROG Zenith Extreme, and ASRock X399 Professional Gaming motherboards. We will discuss the VRM design, cooling solutions, and test the boards under various conditions. So, let's dive in and see how these motherboards stack up!

Testing the Flagship X399 Boards with the Threadripper 2990 WX

Before we jump into the details, let's talk about the purpose of this test. With the release of the 32-core Threadripper 2990 WX, it is crucial to ensure that the X399 motherboards can handle the power-hungry processor. We have selected four high-end motherboards for this test: the MSI Mega X399 Creation, Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme, Asus ROG Zenith Extreme, and ASRock X399 Professional Gaming. These boards represent some of the best options in the market.

VRM Performance and Thermals

Now, let's take a closer look at the VRM design and thermals of each motherboard.

3.1 MSI Mega X399 Creation

The MSI Mega X399 Creation features a genuine 16-phase VRM design. It uses the IR35201 controller, which supports up to eight phases. Each phase is doubled using the IR3599 phase doubler, resulting in a total of 16 phases. The power stages are Infineon TDA21472, providing a 70-amp rating. The board is powered by a pair of dual 8-Pin power connectors, offering ample power delivery for the Threadripper 2990 WX. In terms of cooling, the MSI board utilizes two large aluminum heat sinks connected by a nickel-plated copper heat pipe. While not Finned heat sinks, they still provide sufficient cooling for overclocking.

3.2 Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme

The Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme features a compact VRM design compared to the other motherboards in this test. It uses the IR35201 controller like the MSI board, but with only five phases. These phases are also doubled using the IR3599 phase doubler. The power stages are Infineon TDA21478, rated for 50 amps each. Although the power delivery capacity is lower compared to the MSI board, it should still handle the Threadripper 2990 WX without issues. To compensate for the compact design, Gigabyte includes real finned heat sinks actively cooled by two 35mm fans. The board also uses upgraded thermal pads rated at 5 watts per Kelvin.

3.3 Asus ROG Zenith Extreme

The Asus ROG Zenith Extreme, often considered the flagship X399 motherboard, uses the ASP1405 controller, which is similar to the IR35201. It features an 8-phase VRM design without any phase doubling. The power stages used are IR3555, capable of delivering 60 amps each. The VRM cooling solution consists of an aluminum heatsink connected to a larger finned heatsink via a heat pipe. The board also includes a 40mm top-down fan, although its impact on cooling is debatable. Overall, the Asus board offers a reliable and capable VRM design.

3.4 ASRock X399 Professional Gaming

The ASRock X399 Professional Gaming, like the Asus board, uses the ASP1405 controller and an 8-phase VRM design. The power stages employed are IR3555, similar to the Asus board, providing 60 amps per stage. Cooling for the VRM is achieved through an aluminum slug directly on the power stages, connected to a larger aluminum slab behind the I/O panel. While not featuring finned heatsinks, this cooling solution is sufficient for the Threadripper 2990 WX under normal operating conditions.

VRM Design and Cooling

Let's take a more detailed look at the VRM design and cooling solutions of each motherboard.

4.1 MSI Mega X399 Creation

In addition to the 16-phase VRM design, the MSI Mega X399 Creation also stands out with its massive aluminum heatsinks. While not finned heatsinks, the sheer size and quality of the heatsinks provide effective cooling for overclocking the Threadripper 2990 WX. The board is connected to a nickel-plated copper heat pipe and features a pair of 8-pin power connectors for power delivery. The latest BIOS version of the board also includes voltage offset support, a much-needed feature for overclockers.

4.2 Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme

The Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme impresses with its visually stunning design. The VRM design, while less powerful than the MSI board, is adequate for the Threadripper 2990 WX. The compact design allows for four PCIe x16 slots, ideal for dual-slot graphics cards. However, it should be noted that using a large air cooler like the Wraith Ripper may block the primary PCIe slot. To compensate for the compact VRM, Gigabyte includes actively cooled finned heatsinks, utilizing two 35mm fans. The board also boasts features like 10 Gigabit Ethernet, dual Intel Gigabit LAN, and 802.11AC Wi-Fi.

4.3 Asus ROG Zenith Extreme

The Asus ROG Zenith Extreme offers a reliable and robust VRM design. The 8-phase VRM is supported by high-quality IR3555 power stages, delivering 60 amps each. The board features a substantial aluminum heatsink connected to a finned heatsink via a heat pipe. This cooling solution offers efficient heat dissipation, even without the aid of the top-down fan. Additional features of the Asus board include 10 Gigabit Ethernet, dual Intel Gigabit LAN, and 802.11AC Wi-Fi.

4.4 ASRock X399 Professional Gaming

ASRock's flagship X399 motherboard, the X399 Professional Gaming, boasts a VRM design similar to the Asus board. With an 8-phase setup utilizing IR3555 power stages, the ASRock board provides sufficient power delivery for the Threadripper 2990 WX. Cooling for the VRM consists of an aluminum heatsink connected to a larger slab behind the I/O panel. While lacking finned heatsinks, this cooling solution is effective under normal operating conditions.

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Resources:

• MSI Mega X399 Creation: [Link]
• Gigabyte X399 Aorus Extreme: [Link]
• Asus ROG Zenith Extreme: [Link]
• ASRock X399 Professional Gaming: [Link]