ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI

ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI

Motherboard • ASUS • $ 426.99

Share This Component

The ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI is a professional ATX motherboard engineered for content creators, engineers, and IT professionals who demand uncompromising stability, remote manageability, and high-performance computing. Built on the Intel W680 chipset and supporting 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core processors (LGA 1700), this board bridges the gap between consumer and workstation platforms, offering ECC memory support and advanced management features typically found in server-grade hardware.

Unleash Professional Performance

With four DDR5 DIMM slots supporting up to 128GB of memory (up to 6000+ MHz when overclocked), the W680-ACE IPMI delivers exceptional bandwidth for memory-intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, video editing, and virtual machines. Both ECC and non-ECC unbuffered modules are supported, ensuring data integrity for critical workloads. The dual-channel architecture and Intel XMP 3.0 profiles allow users to maximize memory throughput with ease.

Extensive Expansion and Storage

This motherboard provides a versatile expansion layout: two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots (running at x16 or x8/x8) for the latest GPUs or accelerators, two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (x4 electrical) for additional cards, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. Storage options are abundant with three M.2 NVMe slots (all PCIe 4.0 x4), eight SATA 6Gb/s ports, and a SlimSAS connector that can support up to four additional SATA devices via a cable—perfect for high-capacity NAS or RAID configurations.

Integrated IPMI for Remote Management

The standout feature is the onboard ASPEED AST2600 BMC controller, which provides out-of-band management via a dedicated Realtek 1GbE LAN port. IT administrators can remotely monitor system health, control power states, and access the BIOS through a web-based interface—even when the OS is offline. This makes the W680-ACE IPMI an ideal choice for server rooms, labs, and edge deployments where physical access is limited.

Robust Networking and Connectivity

Dual Intel 2.5GbE LAN ports ensure high-speed, reliable networking for data transfer and team collaboration. The rear I/O panel includes a comprehensive set of USB ports (including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C), video outputs (DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA) driven by the BMC for basic display, and audio jacks. Onboard headers provide additional USB connectivity for front-panel devices.

Built for Endurance

ASUS has equipped this board with premium components: reinforced PCIe slots, robust VRM heatsinks, M.2 heatsinks, and hybrid fan headers that support both PWM and DC fans. The BIOS FlashBack button allows for easy firmware updates without a CPU, ensuring future compatibility. Whether you're building a high-end workstation, a home server, or a compact render farm, the ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI delivers the performance, reliability, and manageability you need.

Key Specifications

Form Factor: ATX
Socket: LGA 1700
RAM Type: DDR5 6000+ OC (dual-channel, ECC & non-ECC unbuffered, XMP supported)
Max. RAM: 128GB
RAM Slots: 4
Chipset: Intel W680
Connectivity
1× PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU lane) ×2 (slots, support x16 / x8-x8 mode), 2X PCIe 3.0 x16 (chipset, operate in x4 mode), 1X PCIe 3.0 x1 (chipset), 3X M.2 NVMe slots (all Key M, supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 mode for all three), 8X SATA 6 Gb/s ports, 1X SlimSAS slot supporting up to 4 SATA devices via cable, 2X Intel 2.5 GbE LAN ports, 1X Realtek 1 GbE LAN dedicated for BMC management, Graphics outputs: 1X DisplayPort, 1X HDMI, 1X VGA (via BMC / AST2600),, Hybrid fan headers, VRM heatsinks, M.2 heatsinks
Back Panel IO
2X USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1× Type-A, 1× Type-C), 4X USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2X USB 2.0 Type-A, 1X DisplayPort, 1× HDMI, 1X VGA (AST2600 / BMC),, 2X Intel 2.5 GbE LAN, 1X Realtek 1 GbE (BMC), 3X audio jacks, 1X BIOS FlashBack button
Onboard USB Headers: 1X USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 front-panel Type-C connector 1X USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports) 2X USB 2.0 headers (support 4 ports total)

Detailed Parameters

Platform:
Intel
Socket:
LGA 1700
RAM Type:
DDR5
Number of RAM Slots:
4
Maximum RAM/slot:
32
Maximum RAM Capacity in GB:
128
PCI Express Version:
5
Form Factor:
ATX
Maximum RAM Speed in MHz:
6000

Where to Buy

Pros

  • Integrated IPMI (AST2600) for remote management and monitoring
  • Supports ECC DDR5 memory for data integrity
  • Dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for multi-GPU or accelerator setups
  • Triple M.2 slots with PCIe 4.0 support for fast NVMe storage
  • Dual Intel 2.5GbE LAN plus dedicated BMC LAN for network flexibility

Cons

  • No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Limited PCIe 5.0 M.2 support (only PCIe 4.0 on M.2 slots)
  • Premium price compared to consumer boards

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI support ECC memory?

Yes, it supports both ECC and non-ECC unbuffered DDR5 memory. ECC memory provides error detection and correction, which is crucial for data-intensive applications and server environments.

Can I use this motherboard for a gaming PC?

While it is designed for professional workstations, it can be used for gaming. It supports the latest Intel processors and PCIe 5.0 GPUs, but it lacks built-in Wi-Fi and RGB lighting, which some gamers may prefer.

What is the purpose of the IPMI port on this motherboard?

The dedicated Realtek 1GbE LAN port, along with the AST2600 BMC, allows for out-of-band management. You can remotely access the BIOS, monitor system health (temperatures, fan speeds, voltages), and power cycle the system even if the OS is not running.

How many M.2 slots does the board have and what speeds?

It has three M.2 slots, all supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 mode. They are compatible with NVMe SSDs, offering high-speed storage options. None of the M.2 slots support PCIe 5.0.

Does the motherboard support Intel 14th Gen processors out of the box?

Yes, the board is compatible with 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core processors. However, a BIOS update may be required for the latest 14th Gen chips, and the BIOS FlashBack feature allows you to update without a CPU installed.

Compare ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI with Similar Motherboards

ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI
VS

You cannot copy content from this page

Scroll to Top