With today’s Intel Xeon E-2100 workstation CPU launch, ASUS has a number of platforms designed for corporate desktops. These platforms include the ASUS WS C246 PRO Workstation ATX motherboard and its mATX counterpart the ASUS WS C246M PRO. Since the Intel Xeon E-2100 platform is targeted at corporate workstations, ASUS has two corresponding workstations. These are the ASUS Mehlow Workstation E500 G5 series in both standard and small form factors.
ASUS WS C246 PRO Workstation ATX Motherboard
The first motherboard is the ASUS WS C246 PRO workstation motherboard. The ASUS WS C246 PRO is an ATX motherboard that has an amazing number of features.
The platform includes multiple PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, M.2 slots a full 8x SATA III 6.0gbps ports. It also has some classic ASUS features such as postcode LEDs like we saw even in higher-end ASUS servers such as in the ASUS RS720Q-E8-RS8-P 2U 4-Node Xeon E5-2600 V3/ V4 Server Review.
ASUS WS C246 PRO Key Specs
Here are the key specs for the ATX version:
| ASUS WS C246 PRO | |
| Processor | 1 x Socket LGA1151
Intel Xeon E processor family Intel Core™ i7/i5/i3 processors Intel Pentium™ processors Intel Celeron™ processors |
| Chipset | Intel C246 Chipset |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max 64GB, DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz, ECC/ non-ECC UDIMM |
| Expansion Slots | 6 |
| Form Factor | ATX (12″x9.6″, 305mm x 244mm) |
| Storage | 8 x SATA 6Gb/s ports or 7 x SATA 6Gb/s with 1 x M.2
4 x SATA shared with PCIe x16 1 x M.2 Intel RSTe (Windows & Linux) |
| LAN | 1 x Intel I210-AT GbE LAN
1 x Intel I219-LM GbE LAN (Supports teaming function) |
| USB | 4 x USB 2.0 ports
6 x USB 3.0 ports 2 x USB 3.1 ports |
| Back I/O | 2 x USB 3.1 ports (1 port at Type A, 1 port at Type C)
4 x USB 3.0 ports 1 x HDMI 1 x DisplayPort 1 x DVI-D 1 x VGA 2 x RJ-45 ports 8-channel Audio I/O ports (5+1 Audio jacks) |
ASUS has perhaps the best I/O array of any platform for the new Intel Xeon E-2100 series we have seen to date.
ASUS WS C246M PRO Workstation mATX Motherboard
In the corporate real estate world, a key trend is toward smaller workspaces to lower costs. IT vendors like ASUS have responded by producing smaller form factor PCs. The ASUS WS C246M PRO has a smaller footprint which means it can fit in smaller work areas.
ASUS gives up some PCIe expansion to fit into a smaller footprint but it is still relatively similar to the ATX version. Most corporate desktops these days do not use add-in cards anyway so that is OK for most users. What is really interesting is that these are completely different platforms between the mATX and ATX versions. You can see that the DIMM orientation is flipped 90 degrees in the mATX ASUS WS C246M PRO.
ASUS WS C246M PRO Key Specs
Here are the key specs:
| ASUS WS C246M PRO | |
| Processor | 1 x Socket LGA1151
Intel Xeon E processor family Intel Core™ i7/i5/i3 processors Intel Pentium™ processors Intel Celeron™ processors |
| Chipset | Intel C246 Chipset |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max 64GB, DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz, ECC/ non-ECC UDIMM |
| Expansion Slots | 3 |
| Form Factor | Micro ATX (9.6” x 9.6”, 244mm x 244mm) |
| Storage | 8 x SATA 6Gb/s ports or 7 x SATA 6Gb/s with 1 x M.2
Intel RSTe (Windows & Linux) |
| LAN | 1 x Intel I210-AT GbE LAN
1 x Intel I219-LM GbE LAN (Supports teaming function) |
| USB | 6 x USB 2.0 ports
4 x USB 3.0 ports 2 x USB 3.1 ports |
| Back I/O | 2 x USB 3.1 ports (Type A)
2 x USB 3.0 ports 2 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x HDMI 1 x DisplayPort 1 x VGA 2 x RJ-45 ports 8-channel Audio I/O ports (5+1 Audio jacks) |
Again, with dual 1GbE plenty of display and audio outputs, this is a great office platform.
ASUS Mehlow Workstation E500 G5 Platforms
Since motherboards in this segment are less popular than complete or at least barebones systems for channel partners or direct sales, ASUS has two platforms. They are called the ASUS E500 G5 SFF and ASUS E500 G5.
The ASUS E500 G5 is a more traditional larger chassis while the ASUS E500 G5 SFF is a smaller footprint workstation that can easily orient itself horizontally or, using a stand, vertically.
ASUS Mehlow Workstation E500 G5 Key Specs
Here are the specs of the two machines:
| ASUS E500 G5 | ASUS E500 G5 SFF | |
| Processor | 1 x Socket LGA1151
Intel Xeon E processor family Intel Core™ i7/i5/i3 processors Intel Pentium™ processors Intel Celeron™ processors |
1 x Socket LGA1151
Intel Xeon E processor family Intel Core™ i7/i5/i3 processors Intel Pentium™ processors Intel Celeron™ processors |
| Chipset | Intel C246 Chipset | Intel C246 Chipset |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max 64GB, DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz, ECC/ non-ECC UDIMM | 4 x DIMM, Max 64GB, DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz, ECC/ non-ECC UDIMM |
| Expansion Slots | 6 | 3 |
| Storage | 3 x Internal 3.5″ HDD Bays
1 x Internal 2.5″ SSD Bays 1 x M.2 (SATA 6Gb/s & PCIe Gen3 x2 link, NGFF 2280/2260/2242) 1 x M.2 ( PCIe Gen3 x4 link, NGFF 22110/2280/2260/2242) |
2 x Internal 3.5″ HDD Bays
(Or switch to max. 2 x 2.5″ SSD by cage) 1 x M.2 (SATA 6Gb/s & PCIe Gen3 x4 link, NGFF 2280/2260/2242) |
| LAN | 1 x Intel I210-AT GbE LAN
1 x Intel I219-LM GbE LAN (Supports teaming function) |
1 x Intel I210-AT GbE LAN
1 x Intel I219-LM GbE LAN (Supports teaming function) |
| Front I/O | 2 x USB 3.0
2 x USB 2.0 1 x Headphone port 1 x Microphone port |
2 x USB 3.0
2 x USB 2.0 1 x Headphone port 1 x Microphone port |
| Back I/O | 2 x USB 3.1 ports (1 port at Type A, 1 port at Type C)
4 x USB 3.0 ports 1 x HDMI 1 x DisplayPort 1 x DVI-D 1 x VGA 2 x RJ-45 ports 1 x 8-channel Audio I/O ports |
2 x USB 3.1 ports
2 x USB 3.0 ports 2 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x HDMI 1 x DisplayPort 1 x VGA 2 x RJ-45 ports 1 x 8-channel Audio I/O ports |
| OS Support | Windows® 10 | Windows 10 |
| Dimension | 423mm x 190mm x 435mm | 410mm x 96mm x 330mm |
| Regulatory
Compliance |
BSMI, CCC, CE, FCC, Energy Star | BSMI, CE, FCC, Energy Star |
It’s confusing how many dedicated SATA ports there are, versus shared with another device.
I want a lot of SATA3 ports, and a M.2 (or something fast).
No iKVM, on asus it is usualy optional (need to buy ASMB module), but not available on this one?