Buying motherboard for PC used as server w/win2008 R2

Tanyac · Oct 26, 2015

Hi, I have a PC I have built that I use for a server. I've been looking for a motherboard to replace the one I have now because the two LAN ports are noth both supported on Windows 2008 R2. I had to hack the INF files and got the drivers installed, and whilst the OS thinks there are 2 x 1.0Gbps ports, the Netgear GS108T-V2 sees one as only 10Mbps.

So, this is what I need.

10 or more x Sata 3 ports (I have 10 x 3TB/4TB NAS drivers running
1 x M.2 PCIe x4 (32Gbps) socket (For 256gb boot drive Samsung SM951)
2 Internal USB 2.0 headers (Corsair PSU and front USB)
1or 2 internal USB 3.0 headers (Front USB)
DUAL LAN connectors that support NIC teaming, doesn't require the Killer networking software, that are both supported by Intel for Windows 2008 R2
Prefer DDR3 support as I run 16GB DDR3-2133, and keeping the memory would help keep costs down, but if DDR4 is the only option, so be it.
5th or 6th gen CPU (Though the latter will require a new CPU purchase

I'm in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The case is an ARC XL with a 850W Corsair PSU and Corsair liquid cooling

The PC runs IIS, MySQL, 31TB storage for all my stuff, Firebird, WSUS 3.0 Sp2 and some other bits and pieces.

I don't really trust MSI. My preferences would be ASRock, Gigabyte, Intel, ASUS, MSI in that order. Don't know if there are other brands I've not considered.

Any help in finding the right board is greatly appreciated.

Calvin7 · Oct 26, 2015

5th or 6th gen CPU (Though the latter will require a new CPU purchase)

I don't believe those processors support the use of Windows 2008 R2.

I would take a look at the Asus ASUS Z9PA-D8 ATX Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 and the optional PIKE card to expand SATA capacity.

http://www.newegg.com/global/au/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131886

http://www.newegg.com/global/au/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816110057

ATX case compatible

Wide-range Intel Xeon processor E5-2600 support

Tanyac · Oct 27, 2015

Calvin7 :

I wasn't aware the new gen CPUs don't support server OS's. More dumb profiteering decisions by manufacturers to push enthusiasts into the corporate market :fou:

That's what got me into this mess in the first place.

(End rant)

Would you be so kind as to point me to some sources that discuss OS support on the Skylake, specifically where it discusses the lack of server OS support. I found references to forcing people onto Windows 10, the removal of EHCI support, and other W7 install support issues. But I could find nothing about the OS's supported by Skylake.

That said, the Z77, Z87 and Z97 chipsets also do not list Win 2008 R2 as supported, but it installs and works fine on all of them (with the exception of Intel removing the I218V from the INF files on the Z97 chip set). I have an X99-Deluxe in my PC and it has no OS's listed as supported.

I have a valid Win 2012 OS License sitting here that I can use, as long as I can use it without AD services... It's been a while since I looked at it.. Can't remember the pre-req's

Calvin7 :

Thank you so much for your reply. Greatly appreciated. Good information.

Sadly, a $2500+ AUD solution is beyond my ability to cover.

Sigh... I really don't want to give up on the NIC teaming

BklynDaddy718 · Nov 3, 2015

Tanyac :

Calvin7 :

I wasn't aware the new gen CPUs don't support server OS's. More dumb profiteering decisions by manufacturers to push enthusiasts into the corporate market :fou:

That's what got me into this mess in the first place.

(End rant)

Would you be so kind as to point me to some sources that discuss OS support on the Skylake, specifically where it discusses the lack of server OS support. I found references to forcing people onto Windows 10, the removal of EHCI support, and other W7 install support issues. But I could find nothing about the OS's supported by Skylake.

That said, the Z77, Z87 and Z97 chipsets also do not list Win 2008 R2 as supported, but it installs and works fine on all of them (with the exception of Intel removing the I218V from the INF files on the Z97 chip set). I have an X99-Deluxe in my PC and it has no OS's listed as supported.

I have a valid Win 2012 OS License sitting here that I can use, as long as I can use it without AD services... It's been a while since I looked at it.. Can't remember the pre-req's

Calvin7 :

Thank you so much for your reply. Greatly appreciated. Good information.

Sadly, a $2500+ AUD solution is beyond my ability to cover.

Sigh... I really don't want to give up on the NIC teaming

_

Take a look at this mobo

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X99%20WS/

or for 4 lan port
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X99%20WS-E/

full support for MS Server 2008 / 2012 (EATX size)

as proof - here's my build running MS server 2008 and 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_4O8xiYvAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSEpShzM7-k

Tanyac · Nov 3, 2015

BklynDaddy718 :

That is awesome.

I have an ARC XL case for the server, so EATX will be fine, though the X99-WS looks better than the WS-E as it has the faster Gen3 x4 support for my NGFF SM951 boot drive.

The upside of the WS-E looks like it has identical LAN ports, whereas the WS has different ports. I guess as long as the drivers support teaming, who cares!?

I'll go with the 5820K ($560 AUD).. No need for anything bigger for a server. 16gb of DDR4 is around $300 AUD). The motherboard seems to be $500 AUD. That's about $1400 all up. Give or take $100.

<sigh> Looks like I need to decide if NIC teaming is really worth spending another $1400. I will probably only get $500 for my current equipment, if I'm lucky.

Thanks for the great find!

After watching your video though I have another question.

I have a 100i cooler in my personal PC. It has two fans below the radiator in a push configuration.

Do you think the push pull configuration adds much advantage. And how are your noise levels?

thanks

BklynDaddy718 · Nov 8, 2015

Tanyac :

BklynDaddy718 :

That is awesome.

I have an ARC XL case for the server, so EATX will be fine, though the X99-WS looks better than the WS-E as it has the faster Gen3 x4 support for my NGFF SM951 boot drive.

The upside of the WS-E looks like it has identical LAN ports, whereas the WS has different ports. I guess as long as the drivers support teaming, who cares!?

I'll go with the 5820K ($560 AUD).. No need for anything bigger for a server. 16gb of DDR4 is around $300 AUD). The motherboard seems to be $500 AUD. That's about $1400 all up. Give or take $100.

<sigh> Looks like I need to decide if NIC teaming is really worth spending another $1400. I will probably only get $500 for my current equipment, if I'm lucky.

Thanks for the great find!

After watching your video though I have another question.

I have a 100i cooler in my personal PC. It has two fans below the radiator in a push configuration.

Do you think the push pull configuration adds much advantage. And how are your noise levels?

thanks

Push/Pull: You need to experiment - the extra $$$ bought the temp from 31c down to 26c.
Your case need to have the clearance for 4 fans (main reason I picked the NZXT Phanton 530)
if noise is an issue - you need to buy quieter (more expensive) fans like Noctua.(I recently switch the 2 top fans to Cougars).
Good Luck.

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