Mainboard for Intel 7140M

dpaladin

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Nov 27, 2007
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Hello,

I've been given some Intel 7140M CPUs to build a workstation server with but unfortunately there are no 4 processor motherboards supporting this chipset that have full PCI-Express x16. The closest I seem to get is an x16 slot using x8 lines.

Because of this, I am considering using two of the processors in a board such as: http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWA-N.cfm

I've had a tech from Intel confirm that the multiprocessor cpus can indeed be used in 2-way systems as long as the mainboard supports the related chipset.

I have a couple of questions.

First does anyone know of any brands other than Supermicro that make 2 processor Xeon mainboards that would support my Intel 7140M cpu?

Second, I had someone else tell me that the 7140M cpus are terrible, consume too much power and would be outperformed by a single Core2 Quad + P35/X38 mainboard. Any truth to this?

Finally, what type of case/chassis should I be looking at? Would it be viable to fit one of these boards in a regular case with upgraded cooling/power or should I really be considering a full blown server chassis such as this one:
http://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/4U/745/SC745TQ-R800.cfm


Thanks in advance
 
yes for the price you will pay for PSU's, motherboards and ram designed for that cpu, it would be far cheaper, faster and more efficent to buy a Q6600+ based system - ebay the 7140M's and buy a Core 2 Quad system.