Best Dual 1366 Xeon Motherboard?

[Masman8675]

Hey all, just wanting to see what would be the best dual-socket lga1366 motherboard.

Preferably it would have at least 3 PCI-E lanes for video cards, and lots of RAM slots.  I was looking at the EVGA SR-2, which would be really awesome, except that the max "supported" RAM amount is 48GB.  Though it can go to 96 by the looks of things.  It's pretty pricey though, but still better price-wise than a 1st Gen Threadripper to start up.  I'm picking up two Xeon X5570's for $30, and need a dual board at some point to be able to use them.

 

Thanks!

[Crunchy Dragon]

@Zando Bob or @WhisperingKnickers could probably be of assistance here.

[Zando_]

53 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

@Zando Bob or @WhisperingKnickers could probably be of assistance here.

WK will be the better one to answer any questions, I haven't used mine for much than initial boot tests and such. Moved pretty soon after I got them and have been busy with other stuff.

[Crunchy Dragon]

29 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

WK will be the better one to answer any questions, I haven't used mine for much than initial boot tests and such. Moved pretty soon after I got them and have been busy with other stuff.

Well, in that case.

 

OP: How much memory do you really need? 48GB is still a lot of RAM.

[Masman8675]

On 8/1/2019 at 11:53 PM, Crunchy Dragon said:

Well, in that case.

 

OP: How much memory do you really need? 48GB is still a lot of RAM.

48GB is really probably okay, I just don't want to be limited.  I use Blender a lot and am constantly running out with 16, and my friend has 32 which he overrruns as well...

 

Just wanting to know if there's a good cheaper alternative to the EVGA SR-2.  Ideally not a server board, since those generally only have one PCI-E lane.

[Crunchy Dragon]

13 minutes ago, Masman8675 said:

48GB is really probably okay, I just don't want to be limited.  I use Blender a lot and am constantly running out with 16, and my friend has 32 which he overrruns as well...

 

Just wanting to know if there's a good cheaper alternative to the EVGA SR-2.  Ideally not a server board, since those generally only have one PCI-E lane.

I don't imagine there would be many non-OEM boards that go higher than what the EVGA SR-2 supports.

 

Most server boards will support up to 192GB, though. Some may go even higher, I forget. The downside of server boards is not only PCIe slots, but also they can be incredibly proprietary and/or picky with hardware. Lenovo ThinkStations will refuse to POST without Samsung or Micron memory installed, for example.

 

Server hardware has a lot of various quirks that consumer hardware doesn't. It can make them difficult to troubleshoot as well, purely because it might come down to something as simple as memory brand.

[Masman8675]

7 hours ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

I don't imagine there would be many non-OEM boards that go higher than what the EVGA SR-2 supports.

 

Most server boards will support up to 192GB, though. Some may go even higher, I forget. The downside of server boards is not only PCIe slots, but also they can be incredibly proprietary and/or picky with hardware. Lenovo ThinkStations will refuse to POST without Samsung or Micron memory installed, for example.

 

Server hardware has a lot of various quirks that consumer hardware doesn't. It can make them difficult to troubleshoot as well, purely because it might come down to something as simple as memory brand.

Ah good to know.  Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it.

 

I shall keep doing my research, hopefully I’ll find a good non-server board to use.  Either the SR-2 or another.  Thanks again!

[Masman8675]

Looks like I may have found a good one:

https://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/QPI/5500/X8DTH-6F.cfm

 

Lots cheaper than the SR-2 and will fit easier in cases too!

[leadeater]

Intel S5520HC, got 3 of them myself and they work well. Not fancy looking but they aren't supposed to, pricing is around $60-$100 USD.