dual socket mobo quad core feedback

[citadel]

Hi,

I'm planning on building a dual quad core machine. I'm on a budget. I'm a software developer and I'd like a quiet, reliable machine. I want to start writing multi threading software and want a dual quad core machine for myself. I have some programming tasks in mind that can benefit from multi threading.

I've chosen a low end Xeon cpu because I don't need a lot of speed, and the cost of some of the faster Xeon's really puts the project out of reach.

I can't seem to find any Intel mobo's that support the quad core E5504 with dual sockets. All the Intel mobo's I see on newegg support 5600 series quad core cpu's.

I'd like some feedback regarding is the best 'bang for the buck'. Also looking for better mobo suggestions 'cuz I've heard there have been problems with Asus. At this point I really want to keep the E5504 'cuz I like that price point, but am open to other mobo ideas.

cpu: Intel Xeon E5504 Nehalem, 2Ghz, LGA 1366 $247 @ NewEgg

mobo: Asus Z8NA-D6, open box @ NewEgg for $217 (anyone have a bad experience buying open box mobo's?)

cpu cooler: Arctic cooling freezer 7.0 rev 2, $35 @ NewEgg (this is for a workstation so I want it to run quiet).

memory: 8Gb DDR3

os: Windows 7 64bit

case: not sure yet

power supply: not sure yet

Thanks!

[glc]

I'd advise against open box mobos, they may not come with any accessories. Also, there has to be a reason why it's an open box.

Supermicro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813182192

Intel:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121408

Tyans are too expensive.

Processor verified compatible. You do realize that processor isn't hyperthreaded?

[citadel]

I am new to this... does the intel mobo you mention support quad core 5500 series?

Looking at the intel web page for this board:

http://www.intel.com/Products/Server...ifications.htm

it doesn't explicitly state quad core (just E5500,5600), and the NewEgg page says dual core.

Hyperthreading... the cheapest 5500 series Xeon I can see is the 5520 at 2.26Ghz and it supports hyperthreading and costs $380 at NewEgg. That adds $130 per cpu compared to the E5504 but would also give me 16 logical cpu's... will have to look at the budget again, thanks for the suggestion.

Are the supermicro mother boards the same quality (in general) as Intel?

Thanks again,

Ron

[glc]

I verified exact processor compatibility on both the Intel and Supermicro websites.

[citadel]

Which of those two motherboards would you recommend?

Thanks again for your help,

Ron

[citadel]

Could you recommend a power supply for the supermicro mobo above? The mobo requires a 24 pin connector and 2x8pin connectors. All the power supplies I've been able to find on NewEgg so far only have a single 8pin connector. Thanks.

[glc]

Get the Intel board, it only needs a single 8 pin. I don't know where Supermicro expects you to find a suitable PSU. Maybe you have to get one of their server chassis. I've never had a problem with an Intel server board.

[Khalil]

I agree with glc, the Intel server boards are great, they are actually made by Tyan for Intel and you simply can't beat a Tyan motherboard for a server. I am running a magny-cours 24 core system on a Tyan custom motherboard they modified for me and it is flawless. I use it for music production and I have yet to have any glitches with it.

[citadel]

Thanks guys.

[citadel]

What do you think about using the stock Intel case?

Intel SC5650DPNA Pedestal, convertible to 6U Rack Server Case 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811102028

Going with the Intel board:
Intel S5500BCR Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5500 SSI CEB-leveraged Dual Intel Xeon 5500 and Quad-Core/Six-Core 5600 Series Server Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121408

Could I replace the fan if I find it's too loud?

Thanks,

Ron

[glc]

Excellent case, but do you need 6 hot-swap drive bays?

[citadel]

No I don't need those 6 hot swap drives... to be honest I'm not clear if I can use an ATX or extended ATX case with the mobo which is SSI CEB. From the reading / googling I've done some people say that the holes in the mobo are different for the dual cpu SSI CEB mobo, so going with the Intel 'official' case seemed the safest route to avoid problems mounting the mobo.

Can you offer some guidance on choosing a simpler / more affordable case with a nice quiet fan? I'm only planning on having one SATA 7200 TB drive, and 2 optical drive. Thanks again for all your help.

[glc]

It may be to regroup - just saw that the motherboard does not have a PCI-Ex16 slot, you would essentially be limited to onboard video or a relatively weak PCI-Ex1 card.

[citadel]

I found this mobo which has the x16 expansion slot for a better graphics card:
Intel S5520SCR Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5520 SSI EEB Dual Intel Xeon 5500 and Quad-Core/Six-Core 5600 Series Server Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121409

The intel web site indicates that the workstation chassis for this board is the SC5650WS
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=36600

But NewEgg doesn't sell a 'WS' chassis, but they have a SC5650DPNA chassis:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811102028

is this chassis compatible with the S5520SCR mobo? What do 'WS' and 'DPNA' mean?

This mobo is 12" x 13", and now we're back to the same point that I don't really need a chassis with 6 hot swappable drive bays. Any chance you can recommend a compatible chassis for this mobo? Thanks again.

[glc]

That motherboard is getting pretty pricey.

You are building a workstation, not a server. The more I look at this, the more I keep going back to the Asus Z8NA-D6 series boards. I would probably get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131652

This will fit in any old standard ATX case.

[citadel]

I skipped over these originally because the NewEgg description indicates only the quad core 5600 series cpu's are supported, and I'd like to use the 5500 series because they cost less.

But on the asus web site the E5520 is listed as being supported:
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=k81cpN8uEB01BpQ6

Thanks again for your help, that other mobo was indeed more than I wanted to pay for what I want to build.

[glc]

The E5504 is also supported.

The reason I specifically recommended the MIO version is so you can have sound without taking up a PCI or PCI-E slot. The board does not have onboard sound.