Supermicro M12SWA-TF vs Gigabyte W790 AI TOP Motherboard
Pick the Supermicro M12SWA-TF if you already run AMD Threadripper PRO 3000WX or 5000WX chips and want DDR4 you can reuse. Pick the Gigabyte W790 AI TOP if you are building fresh on Intel Xeon W with DDR5 and octa-channel memory. No prices were given for either board, so compare live store prices before deciding.
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Choose the Supermicro M12SWA-TF if you have a Threadripper PRO 3000WX or 5000WX CPU and DDR4 ECC memory on hand.
- Supports up to 64-core Threadripper PRO chips at up to 280 W
- Takes cheaper DDR4 and lets you reuse existing memory kits
- Onboard ASPEED AST2600 BMC graphics for headless server-style use
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 91 ratings
What separates them
| Supermicro M12SWA-TF | Gigabyte W790 AI TOP Motherboard | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU socket | Socket sWRX8 for AMD Threadripper PRO 3000WX and 5000WX | LGA 4677 for 5th Gen Intel Xeon W |
| Chipset | AMD WRX80 | Intel W790 |
| Memory generation | DDR4 at 3200 MHz | DDR5 at 4800 MHz |
| Memory channels | 8 slots, channel count not stated | 8 slots, octa-channel |
| Max memory | 2 TB | 2 TB |
| ECC support | Listed as both yes and no in the specs | Yes |
| Form factor | E-ATX | Extended ATX |
| Onboard graphics | ASPEED AST2600 BMC graphics | Not stated |
Price history
- Supermicro M12SWA-TF: lowest $888.25 on Nov 3.
- Gigabyte W790 AI TOP Motherboard: lowest $1,107.99 on Nov 3 at Pondesk.
Prices at every store
Supermicro M12SWA-TF
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- GotoDirectCheck price at GotoDirect
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Gigabyte W790 AI TOP Motherboard
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- Microless.comCheck price at Microless.com
- PondeskCheck price at Pondesk
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Specs compared
| Spec | Supermicro M12SWA-TF | Gigabyte W790 AI TOP Motherboard |
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard Socket Type | Socket sWRX8 | LGA 4677 |
| Motherboard Chipset | AMD WRX80 | Intel W790 |
| Motherboard Form Factor | E-ATX | Extended ATX |
| Motherboard Model | M12SWA-TF | W790 AI TOP |
| Motherboard Series | Workstation Motherboard | GIGABYTE, AERO, AORUS |
| Form Factor | E-ATX | Extended ATX |
| Manufacturer | Supermicro, AMD | GIGABYTE |
| Socket Type | Socket sWRX8 | LGA 4677 |
| Motherboard Compatibility | Extended ATX | Extended ATX |
| RAM Type |
What reviewers say
Supermicro M12SWA-TF
- 4.8 / 591 ratings
Ratings are high at 4.8 out of 5 from 91 ratings, with buyers treating it as a serious workstation board. Owners value the memory capacity and remote management.
- Memory capacityPraisedOwners highlight eight slots and up to 2 TB ECC as the main reason to buy.
- Remote managementPraisedThe AST2600 BMC is cited as a rare and useful feature on a workstation board.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a Threadripper PRO build?
- The Supermicro M12SWA-TF. It is the only one of the two with the sWRX8 socket that fits Threadripper PRO 3000WX and 5000WX CPUs.
- Which has faster memory?
- The Gigabyte W790 AI TOP. It runs DDR5 at 4800 MHz in octa-channel, while the Supermicro board uses DDR4 at 3200 MHz.
- Do both support ECC memory?
- Yes. The Gigabyte lists ECC support clearly. The Supermicro specs list ECC as both yes and no, so confirm with the seller before buying ECC RDIMMs.
- Can either take 2 TB of RAM?
- Both list 2 TB maximum across 8 slots. That assumes large-capacity registered DIMMs, which cost far more than standard kits.
- Is one worth extra money?
- Only if the platform fits your CPU. Buy the board that matches the processor you own or plan to buy; paying more for the other socket buys you nothing.
- Which is better for AI or rendering work?
- Both are workstation boards. The Gigabyte's DDR5 octa-channel memory helps memory-heavy workloads, while the Supermicro's BMC graphics suit headless remote management.