AMD WRX80 Motherboards with Native U.2 Ports

U.2 may not dominate headlines like M.2, but its 68-pin interface is still the cleanest way to run enterprise-grade, hot-swappable NVMe drives in a workstation chassis.

Note: If you buy something from our links, we might earn a commission. See our disclosure statement.

If you’re building (or upgrading) a Ryzen Threadripper Pro rig, only a handful of WRX80 motherboards include those connectors natively—saving you from adapter cards and lane-sharing headaches.

The table below distills every current model with on-board U.2, so you can choose the platform that best balances slots, networking, and thermal headroom for a storage-heavy workflow in 2025.

AMD WRX80 with U.2 Ports - Complete Guide

🔍 Overview

The AMD WRX80 chipset supports high-end workstations with Threadripper PRO processors. While many motherboards offer M.2 slots, native U.2 ports are much rarer. This guide covers all WRX80 motherboards with built-in U.2 connectivity as of July 2025.

Key Point: Only 5 motherboards currently offer native U.2 ports on the WRX80 platform. Most alternatives require PCIe cards or adapters.

📊 Complete Comparison Chart

Motherboard	Native U.2 Ports	U.2 Interface	M.2 Slots	SATA Ports	Special Features
ASUS Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WiFiASUS	2	PCIe 4.0 ×4	3	8	WiFi 6, Premium VRM
ASUS Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WiFi IIASUS	2	PCIe 4.0 ×4	3	8	WiFi 6E, Improved VRM
MSI WS WRX80MSI	2	PCIe 4.0 ×4	Multiple	8	7× PCIe 4.0 ×16, Dual LAN (10Gb + 1Gb)
Supermicro M12SWA-TFSMC	2	PCIe 4.0 ×4	4	8	IPMI, Dual LAN, Server Features
ASRock WRX80 Creator / Creator R2.0ASRock	1	PCIe 3.0 ×4	2 (Hyper M.2)	8	Dual 10GbE, BMC

❌ Boards WITHOUT Native U.2

Important: These boards require adapters or cables for U.2 connectivity:

Motherboard	Alternative Connection	Notes
ASRock Rack WRX80D8-2TASRock	OCuLink Only	2× OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 ×4) - requires cables to U.2 backplanes
Gigabyte WRX80-SU8-IPMIGigabyte	SlimSAS Only	3× SlimSAS SFF-8654 - requires adapter cables

🎯 Detailed Specifications

ASUS Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WiFi Series

U.2 Ports: 2× PCIe 4.0 ×4
M.2 Slots: 3× (CPU + chipset)
SATA: 8× SATA 6Gb/s
WiFi II Upgrade: WiFi 6E, VRM improvements

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

MSI WS WRX80

U.2 Ports: 2× PCIe 4.0 ×4
PCIe Slots: 7× PCIe 4.0 ×16
SATA: 8× SATA ports
Network: Dual LAN (10Gb + 1Gb)

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

Supermicro M12SWA-TF

U.2 Ports: 2× PCIe 4.0 ×4
M.2 Slots: 4× Gen-4 M.2
Server Features: IPMI, dual LAN
Design: Workstation/server oriented

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

ASRock WRX80 Creator Series

U.2 Ports: 1× PCIe 3.0 ×4
M.2 Slots: 2× Hyper M.2 (Gen-4)
Network: Dual 10GbE + BMC
Note: Only PCIe 3.0 for U.2

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which motherboard has the most U.2 ports?

Four motherboards tie for the most U.2 ports with 2 native U.2 connectors: ASUS Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WiFi (both versions), MSI WS WRX80, and Supermicro M12SWA-TF. The ASRock WRX80 Creator only has 1 U.2 port.

What's the difference between U.2 and M.2?

U.2 uses a larger 2.5" form factor with a 68-pin connector, typically offering better cooling and higher capacity drives. M.2 is smaller (22mm wide) and plugs directly into the motherboard. Both can use NVMe protocol, but U.2 drives are often enterprise-grade with better endurance.

Can I add more U.2 ports with PCIe cards?

Yes! You can add U.2 ports using PCIe expansion cards. Popular options include ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 cards with U.2 support, or dedicated U.2 PCIe cards. This is especially useful on boards without native U.2 like the Gigabyte WRX80-SU8-IPMI.

Why does ASRock WRX80 Creator only have PCIe 3.0 for U.2?

The ASRock WRX80 Creator allocates most of its PCIe 4.0 lanes to other features like dual 10GbE networking and multiple M.2 slots. The single U.2 port gets PCIe 3.0 ×4, which still provides up to 3.9 GB/s bandwidth - sufficient for most U.2 drives.

What cables do I need for U.2 drives?

U.2 drives require a 68-pin U.2 cable that carries both data (4× PCIe lanes) and power. Most motherboards include at least one U.2 cable. For multiple drives, you'll need additional cables - typically around $15-25 each from manufacturers like CableMod or StarTech.

Are there any upcoming WRX80 boards with more U.2 ports?

As of July 2025, no new WRX80 motherboards have been announced. The platform is mature, and manufacturers have shifted focus to newer chipsets. For maximum U.2 connectivity, consider PCIe expansion cards or the upcoming next-generation Threadripper platforms.

🎯 Recommendations

Best Overall: ASUS Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WiFi II

Latest features, 2× U.2 ports, WiFi 6E, and excellent build quality. Best for professional workstations.

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

Most Expansion: MSI WS WRX80

2× U.2 ports plus 7× PCIe 4.0 ×16 slots for maximum expandability. Ideal for multi-GPU setups.

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

Server Features: Supermicro M12SWA-TF

2× U.2 ports with IPMI and server-grade features. Perfect for enterprise workstations.

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

Budget Option: ASRock WRX80 Creator

1× U.2 port with great networking features. Good value with dual 10GbE and BMC.

Check on Amazon Check on Newegg

🔧 Additional Resources

For more U.2 connectivity options:

PCIe U.2 Cards: Add 2-4 U.2 ports via PCIe expansion
U.2 Backplanes: Hot-swap bays for multiple drives
OCuLink Adapters: Convert OCuLink to U.2 (for ASRock Rack boards)
SlimSAS Adapters: Convert SlimSAS to U.2 (for Gigabyte boards)

Affiliate Disclosure: Faceofit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

What's your reaction?

Excited

Happy

In Love

Not Sure

Silly

Tejas Adesara

Tejas Adesara is a content developer and a web developer. He has completed his Masters of Engineering with strong academics. He is passionate about software, technology, programming, coding and is a tech geek.