Intel Server Board S5400SF Used With Intel Xeons as PC

snipecaik

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Nov 16, 2015
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Using old server equipment to make an extremely powerful PC at a very low price seems quite appealing. I think the Server Board S5400SF is a good choice as it has lots of DDIM slots: http://ark.intel.com/products/29871/Intel-Server-Board-S5400SF and dual Xeon X5450's: http://ark.intel.com/products/34446/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X5450-12M-Cache-3_00-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB However there are two questions regarding the board I have, hence the nature of this thread.
1. Does this board (S5400SF) have expansion for any graphics card, and if so can someone reccomend a budget graphics card. The specifications for the board states there are integrated graphics, I'm assuming this means for cpus with integrated graphics, obviously xeons don't have any integrated graphics. Could someone explain this

2. Does this board offer a way to bring power to cpu coolers, I have heard this is a problem as someone server boards use passive cooling.

My main concern is with the graphics, I would prefer a even an outdated graphics card to integrated graphics. I'm just not sure what to make of the graphics specifications on the site. I was also considering this board: S5000VSASASR, http://ark.intel.com/products/46530/Intel-Server-Board-S5000VSASASR
Could someone please advice me on which server board would be best suited for dual Xeon X5450's with an option for a gpu and cooling.
 
Solution
I would not even attempt to do that.
The board have a PCIe x16, but it's only Gen 1, which will not give you enough bandwidth even using an entry level card.
Integrated graphics meaning that the motherboard chipset has graphics capability built in.
I doubt very much that the system would use passive cooling with those particular Xeons as they are 120W parts.
Your 2nd board choice is worse from a graphics card perspective as it does not even have a PCIe x16 slot.
I would not even attempt to do that.
The board have a PCIe x16, but it's only Gen 1, which will not give you enough bandwidth even using an entry level card.
Integrated graphics meaning that the motherboard chipset has graphics capability built in.
I doubt very much that the system would use passive cooling with those particular Xeons as they are 120W parts.
Your 2nd board choice is worse from a graphics card perspective as it does not even have a PCIe x16 slot.
 
Solution