Need advice on M/B that supports ECC memory

[Southern200]

All --

I'm currently in the market for a new motherboard & CPU, but I don't want to have to buy new RAM.. I currently have 4GB of DDR2 5300, 667. CL5, ECC Ram (Four 1GB Chips).

I'm looking for a M/B that will support that, along with a Intel Pentium D925 3.0GHz CPU (LGA 775).. "Nice" features to have would include both PATA and SATA drive support and a 16X PCI-E slot.

Would anyone have any recommendations?

I've been running myself ragged trying to find boards that will support buffered ECC Memory.

Many thanks for any assistance!

 

[Mondoman]

You'll need to look at MBs designed for server use.

 

[Southern200]

That may be the way I wind up going, Mondo, but surely there's at least a couple of boards out there for desktop PCs that will take ECC memory.. The Asus P5WD2-E will take 'em for instance, but that board is a bit hard to find right now -- NewEgg had 'em a few weeks ago, I should have gobbled one up then.

 

[Mondoman]

I haven't looked at that specific board, but remember that you need a board that can take *registered* ECC memory, not *unbuffered* ECC memory. I'd be surprised to find a "normal" desktop MB that can handle registered memory.

Edit: took a quick look at the Asus MB, and as I suspected, it only supports unbuffered memory (both normal and ECC).

 

[Southern200]

Darn, that may indeed be the case with that motherboard, but I'm almost certain that the official Asus site stated it accepted *Buffered* ECC memory.. I can't verify that at the moment though, as the official ASUS site is apparently down.

Well, shucks. I hate to have to replace $250 or so worth of memory, I guess I'll have to hold off on my upgrade a bit longer than I wanted to.

Thanks for the help & advice though, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[Southern200]

Hmm.. Memory Unlimited seems to back up the fact that it will take 667 CL5 ECC memory..

http://www.memoryunlimited.com/asus-p5wd2-e-series-asus-p5wd2-e-premium-motherboard.html

"1GB 667MHz DDR2 ECC CL5 DIMM (Memory Kit of 2) for Desktop"

I wish I could get to the Asus site to verify it one way or the other.

 

[Mondoman]

I notice the MU site doesn't say whether the ECC is unbuffered or registered -- pretty frustrating!

Edit - I tracked down one of the Kingston modules recommended by MU, and it is unbuffered (but ECC): KVR533D2E4/256 is the part number.

 

[Southern200]

You're right on the money, MondoMan.

Ah well, guess I'll just have to buy new memory, darn it. Was hoping to avoid that.

Thanks for the assistance & information.