ASUS Launches WS C246 PRO: 4 PCIe 3.0 x16, Two M.2, Optional SAS RAID
 

ASUS has introduced its first Intel C246-based motherboard for Intel’s Xeon E processors. The WS C246 PRO platform is aimed at rather serious machines that use up to four PCIe 3.0 x16 expansion cards, up to eight SATA storage devices, and two M.2 SSDs. For those who plan to use SAS storage with the motherboard, ASUS will also offer optional eight-port SAS 12G RAID cards.

The ASUS WS C246 PRO motherboard is based on Intel’s C246 chipset (codenamed Cannon Point-H WS) and therefore supports Intel’s Xeon E-2100-series processors for entry-level servers and workstations as well as Intel’s 8th Gen Core i3/i5/i7 chips along with their low-cost Pentium Gold and Celeron counterparts. The mainboard is outfitted with an eight-phase CPU VRM that uses solid-state inductors and capacitors to maintain steady operation during protracted workloads and also to ensure a long lifespan for the product. The WS C246 PRO is not equipped with a TPM module, but there is a connector for it, so workstation OEMs can install it themselves. As for remote management, the platform supports the WFM 2.0 spec as well as ASUS’ proprietary ACC IT management platform.

Memory support is something that all Intel C246-based motherboards are going to have in common. Just like the rest of the C246 pack, the WS C246 PRO has four DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB of DDR4-2667 DRAM with or without ECC, depending on the CPU and modules used.
https://www.anandtech.com/show/13118...es-ws-c246-pro