GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard with AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 64-Core sTR5 Processor – Ultimate Power Duo Bundle Review

GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard with AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 64-Core sTR5 Processor – Ultimate Power Duo Bundle Review

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard paired with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 64-Core processor is a force to be reckoned with. This powerhouse bundle promises unparalleled performance for workstation users, content creators, and demanding gamers. After putting this duo through rigorous testing, I’m ready to share my detailed experience and insights.

Key Features

The GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard is packed with features designed to deliver both performance and reliability. Some of its highlights include:

  • AMD TRX50 Chipset: Provides a solid foundation for the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 Series processors.
  • Quad-Channel DDR5 Memory Support: Supports up to 1TB of DDR5 RDIMM/RDIMM-3DS memory, enabling massive bandwidth and low latency for demanding applications.
  • Extensive Connectivity: Offers a wide range of connectivity options, including 10GbE LAN, 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, multiple USB4 ports, and a DisplayPort input for advanced monitor setups.
  • Robust Power Delivery: Equipped with multiple 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors to ensure stable power delivery to the processor, even under heavy workloads.
  • Extensive Cooling: Features multiple fan headers, including dedicated CPU fan and water cooling pump headers, providing optimal cooling for your system.
  • Enhanced Aesthetics: Includes RGB and LED headers for customizable lighting effects, adding a touch of style to your build.

Performance

The performance of the GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X processor is truly exceptional. This combination delivers lightning-fast speeds across various tasks, from multi-threaded rendering to complex simulations and high-end gaming.

  • CPU Performance: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X’s 64 cores and 128 threads deliver unmatched processing power for demanding applications. Its ability to handle complex tasks with ease was evident in benchmarks, rendering software, and multi-tasking scenarios. I was consistently impressed by its speed and responsiveness, even when pushing the limits of the processor.
  • Memory Performance: The support for DDR5 memory enabled fast memory access, leading to quicker load times and improved overall system responsiveness. I noticed a noticeable difference in performance compared to previous generation memory technologies.
  • Connectivity Performance: The 10GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 7 support provided ultra-fast data transfer speeds, allowing for seamless connectivity with network drives, servers, and online services. This is a huge advantage for users who rely on fast and reliable network connections.

Pros & Cons

Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of the GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X processor combination:

Pros:

  • Unmatched performance with 64 cores and 128 threads.
  • High-speed DDR5 memory support for superior bandwidth.
  • Extensive connectivity options including 10GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 7, and multiple USB4 ports.
  • Robust power delivery with multiple 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors.
  • Comprehensive cooling solutions for thermal stability.
  • Aesthetic customization with RGB and LED headers.

Cons:

  • High cost: This combination is an investment for users who need the ultimate performance and features.
  • Power Consumption: The high core count and performance come at the expense of power consumption, requiring a robust power supply.
  • E-ATX Form Factor: Requires a larger chassis to accommodate the motherboard’s size.

Final Verdict

The GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 64-Core processor is an exceptional combination for users demanding the highest level of performance. Whether you’re a content creator, game developer, or professional who relies on intense workloads, this duo delivers the power and features to meet your needs. However, its high cost and power consumption are factors to consider before investing.

Overall, if you’re looking for an unrivaled powerhouse for your desktop, this combination is highly recommended. Just ensure your system and budget are ready for its demanding nature.

Specifications: GIGABYTE AERO D DDR5 TRX50 E-ATX Motherboard with AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 64-Core sTR5 Processor
Specification Value
Socket compatibility AMD sTR5, support for: AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 7000 processors / AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 7000 Series processors
Chipset AMD TRX50
Support for DDR5 7800(O.C.)/7600(O.C.)/7200(O.C.)/7000(O.C)/6800(O.C.)/6400(O.C.)/6000(O.C.)/5600(O.C.)/5200/4800/4400 MT/s ECC Registered memory modules (RDIMM/RDIMM-3DS)
Memory Capacity 4 x DDR5 DIMM sockets supporting up to 1TB (256 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory
Memory Architecture Quad channel memory architecture
Audio Realtek® ALC4080 CODEC (rear panel audio) – Support for DTS:X® Ultra – High Definition Audio – 2-channelRealtek® ALC897 CODEC (front panel audio)
Marvell® AQtion AQC113C 10GbE LAN chip 10 Gbps/5 Gbps/2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps (LAN1)
Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip 2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps (LAN)
Wireless Communication module Qualcomm® Wi-Fi 7 QCNCM865 – 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, ax, be, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands – BLUETOOTH 5.3 – Support for 11be 320MHz wireless standard
CPU – 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, supporting PCIe 5.0 and running at x16 (PCIEX16_1/PCIEX16_2) – 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 4.0 and running at x16(PCIEX16_3)
CPU – 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 25110/2280 PCIe 5.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2C_CPU) – 2 x M.2 connectors (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 PCIe 5.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU/M2B_CPU) – 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2D_CPU)
CPU+Chipset – 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors – RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 support for NVMe SSD storage devices – RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 support for SATA storage devices
CPU – 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red) on the back panel
Chipset+Intel® JHL8540 USB4® controller – 2 x USB4® USB Type-C® ports on the back panel
Chipset – 1 x USB Type-C® port with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support, available through the internal USB header – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red) on the back panel – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports available through the internal USB header
CPU+USB 3.2 Gen 1 Hub – 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the back panel
Chipset+USB 2.0 Hub – 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports available through the internal USB headers
Power Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector2 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors
Fan Headers 1 x CPU fan header1 x CPU fan/water cooling pump header4 x system fan headers4 x system fan/water cooling pump headers
RGB and LED Headers 3 x addressable RGB Gen2 LED strip headers1 x RGB LED strip header
Storage Connectors 4 x M.2 Socket 3 connectors8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
USB Headers 1 x USB Type-C® header, with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
Others 1 x front panel header1 x front panel audio header1 x noise detection header1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0/GC-TPM2.0 SPI V2 module only)1 x power button1 x Clear CMOS button1 x reset button1 x reset jumper2 x temperature sensor headers1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Buttons 1 x Q-Flash Plus button
Antenna Connectors 2 x SMA antenna connectors (2T2R)
Display Ports 1 x DisplayPort In port
USB Ports 1 x USB4® USB Type-C® port (DisplayPort)1 x USB4® USB Type-C® port4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red)4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
Ethernet Ports 2 x RJ-45 ports
Audio Jacks 2 x audio jacks
I/O Controller iTE® I/O Controller Chip
H/W Monitoring Voltage detectionTemperature detectionFan speed detectionWater cooling flow rate detectionFan fail warningFan speed controlNoise detection
BIOS 1 x 256 Mbit flashUse of licensed AMI UEFI BIOSPnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
Unique Features Support for GIGABYTE Control Center (GCC)* Available applications in GCC may vary by motherboard model. Supported functions of each application may also vary depending on motherboard specifications.Support for Q-FlashSupport for Q-Flash Plus
Bundled Software Norton® Internet Security (OEM version)LAN bandwidth management software
Operating System Support for Windows 11 64-bit
Form Factor E-ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 26.4cm
Platform Desktop
Market Segment Enthusiast Desktop
Product Family AMD Ryzen™ Processors
Product Line AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ Processors
AMD PRO Technologies No
Commercial Use No
Regional Availability Global
Former Codename “Storm Peak”
Architecture “Zen 4”
# of CPU Cores 32
Multithreading (SMT) Yes
# of Threads 64
Max. Boost Clock Up to 5.3GHz
Base Clock 4.0GHz
L1 Cache 2MB
L2 Cache 32MB
L3 Cache 128MB
Default TDP 350W
Processor Technology for CPU Cores TSMC 5nm FinFET
Processor Technology for I/O Die TSMC 6nm FinFET
CPU Compute Die (CCD) Size 71mm²
I/O Die (IOD) Size 388mm²
Package Die Count 5
Unlocked for Overclocking Yes
AMD EXPO™ Memory Overclocking Technology Yes
Precision Boost Overdrive Yes
Curve Optimizer Voltage Offsets Yes
CPU Socket sTR5
Supporting Chipsets TRX50
CPU Boost Technology Precision Boost 2
Instruction Set x86-64
Supported Extensions AES, AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX(+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A, SSSE3, x86-64
Thermal Solution (PIB) Not included
Thermal Solution (MPK) NA
Max. Operating Temperature (Tjmax) 95°C
Launch Date 10/19/2023
*OS Support Windows 11 – 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit
Connectivity
USB Type-C® Support No
Native USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Ports 4
Native SATA Ports 2
PCIe Express Version PCIe 5.0
Native PCIe® Lanes (Total/Usable) 92 / 88
NVMe Support Boot, RAID0, RAID1, RAID10, RAID5
System Memory Type DDR5
Memory Channels 4
System Memory Subtype RDIMM
System Memory Specification Up to 5200MT/s
ECC Support Yes (Default Enabled)
Integrated Graphics No
Graphics Model Discrete Graphics Card Required
USB Type-C® DisplayPort™ Alternate Mode n/a