H87 motherboard recommendations for new server

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Eric

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Jul 18, 2013
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I'm looking to build a new server to run an Intel Xeon E3-1270 V3 cpu. I'm thinking I need some type of an H87 LGA1150 motherboard. I won't be doing any gaming or overclocking, just running some Windows Server 2012 services only. Some of the features that would be nice would be built in are dual Gigabit LAN and a graphics adapter. I plan to add 8GB RAM to it but I'm not sure it ECC memory is supported or not for this system. I'll also add 2 SSD 256GB drives to it in a Raid 1 configuration and an extra 2 TB drive for storage. Maybe a 400 watt psu is enough? If anyone can recommend a parts list of what to get for a system like this I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks. I'd like to stay under $1100.
 
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sotech

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Jul 13, 2011
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Why H87 over the server chipsets? You're much more likely to have a quality ethernet chip (often two or more nowadays), ECC support and a separate basic graphics chip (which you won't find on H87 since it supports on-CPU graphics, which the 1270 lacks).

400W PSU is plenty for that (assuming a decent brand and not a 400W el-cheapo).


Asus' P9D-* range have been good to us so far - Patrick has a great list, though, of all of the currently available Haswell server boards - check it out!

Is it worth the extra cash for 100MHz more (1270 vs. 1240)? Do you need that little bit extra? Often the cost difference can mean more motherboard features there for only a small performance hit.
 

Patrick

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Dec 21, 2010
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Just wondering, why H87 for a motherboard? Why not a server motherboard? I would strongly suggest getting a consumer chip with a consumer chipset (e.g. the H87) or with the E3 getting a server chipset (e.g. the C224)
 

Eric

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Jul 18, 2013
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I thought the H87 was for servers also but I'm clearly incorrect as the C224 is obviously the motherboard I need. I like the idea of saving $100, so the E3-1240v3 would probably be a better buy. I'm now going to search Asus P9D type boards and will post my parts list once I come up with it.
 

sotech

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Jul 13, 2011
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I thought the H87 was for servers also but I'm clearly incorrect as the C224 is obviously the motherboard I need. I like the idea of saving $100, so the E3-1240v3 would probably be a better buy. I'm now going to search Asus P9D type boards and will post my parts list once I come up with it.
Exactly what services do you need running? How much PCI-E expansion might you need down the track? Some of the boards have quite a few onboard gigabit ports (e.g. four) - will you make use of more than two?
 

Eric

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Jul 18, 2013
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I completed parts list for this new server. The total seems a bit high at $1,282.44 and I was hoping to stay under $1,100, maybe someone can see where i'm over priced. Also, I'm not sure if everything is compatible yet, especially the memory, I'm wanting ECC UDimm, so if anyone sees something that looks fishy please let me know.

Build’s Name:
DC1
The Operating System/ Storage Platform: Windows Server 2012
CPU: $284.49
Amazon.com : Xeon E3 1240 v3 Processor (BX80646E31240V3) - : Computers & Accessories
Motherboard: $221.05
Amazon.com: ASUS DDR2 1333 LGA 1150 Motherboard P9D-M: Computers & Accessories
Chassis: $36.24
Amazon.com: Rosewill Micro-ATX Mini Tower Computer Case and Dual USB 3.0 with Dual Fans, Black LINE-M: Computers & Accessories
Drives: $267.54 +$100
2x http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Elect...TF8&colid=3DW5QXIQ3UGDY&coliid=I1UR7EE7IKY4F8
1x http://www.amazon.com/WD-Green-Desk...TF8&colid=3DW5QXIQ3UGDY&coliid=I3CM4EKLH6NQ76
RAM: $323.34
2x http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-1...TF8&colid=3DW5QXIQ3UGDY&coliid=I37OA8KQK1L425
Power Supply: $38.18
Amazon.com: Antec VP-450 450 Watt Energy Star Certified Power Supply: Electronics
Usage Profile: Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller, DNS server, DHCP Server. In the future there is a high likelihood I might want it to become an SMB 3.0 File Share or Hyper-V Host.
Notes: No more rack space in the closet for this so must be tower running on the normal room temperature for this server.
 
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sotech

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Jul 13, 2011
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Hmm. I'd probably try and spec a better power supply than that one - it's not even 80+ as far as I can see. For a 24/7 spending a little more for more efficiency can pay off (though you can obviously go overboard, which is probably better for the environment than your hip pocket!).

Otherwise the build looks solid to my eyes. No experience with that case.
 

omniscence

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Nov 30, 2012
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One thing:

With Haswell processors you will want to use DDR3-1600 RAM. The board description on amazon is wrong.
 

Aluminum

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Sep 7, 2012
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even though it is the 'workstation' PCH, C226 is superior

If its a 'production' server, ECC ram is a must IMO. Commodity ram prices have been creeping up, but ECC hasn't so its not very painful to do now.

I would go with C226 and an e3 12_5 v3 cpu with onboard gpu instead. The C222/224 chipsets skimp with only 2/4 of 6 ports @6Gbps and if you actually use the server GUI for more than console duty those embedded vga chipsets suck.

1245 is the bang for buck in that segment, full feature 4C8T without the high tax on the last few hundred mhz.


Also shop around a bit, amazon is not the cheapest or a really great place for server parts IMO.


If you're going with a pedestal why micro atx? This board is cheaper, with the best E3 PCH (6x6Gbps) and one of the dual NICs has intel's iKVM option:

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-X10SAE

If you want to stick with Asus, the P9D WS is a full feature server board if you don't need iKVM.