ES Xeon Discussion

[JosefHrib]

So how is your build. I am considering buying this board. Is it worth it? Not too many pcie slots! Is this a good motherboard?

Um, a hundred people, a hundred opinions. Hard to advise. It depends on your options and preferences.

If you want now using D0 or buy now or in near future cheaper qs scalable pieces, so you must buy C741 boards. In my eyes looks best c741 maybe GIGABYTE GIGABYTE MS03-CE0 because I prefer more available PCIe5 slots.

But if you want OC and faster memory modules and few more additional bonuses (audio tons usb wifi etc.), and it is not problem stick with D0 and wait on lower price w-pieces sometime in the future, or buy now more expensive w-piece, so W790 boards are for you. One big minus for W790 boards is that not support cheaper qs scalable pieces. But for example this is not problem for me, I am happy with my D0 and I have not problem wait on lower price w-pieces. In my eyes looks best as w790 ASUS W790 SAGE or ASROCK W790WS (1rev).

 

[RolloZ170]

wait, are those extra MCIO 8i slots? if so, can they be for anything other than system integration?

U2_P0_4AC (2x 4 lanes)
U2_P0_4EG (2x 4 lanes)


U2_P0_5AC (2x 4 lanes)
U2_P0_5EG (2x 4 lanes)

U2 = NVMe devices. the connectors are not usable for GPU e.g.

summing up the slots and conns:
PCIE_7 = 16 lanes
PCIE_6 = 16 lanes
OCP1 = 16 lanes
U2_P0_4AC = 8 lanes
U2_P0_4EG = 8 lanes
U2_P0_5AC = 8 lanes
U2_P0_5EG = 8 lanes
80 lanes PCIe 5.0 total

 

[michel333]

Um, a hundred people, a hundred opinions. Hard to advise. It depends on your options and preferences.

If you want now using D0 or buy now or in near future cheaper qs scalable pieces, so you must buy C741 boards. In my eyes looks best c741 maybe GIGABYTE GIGABYTE MS03-CE0 because I prefer more available PCIe5 slots.

But if you want OC and faster memory modules and few more additional bonuses (audio tons usb wifi etc.), and it is not problem stick with D0 and wait on lower price w-pieces sometime in the future, or buy now more expensive w-piece, so W790 boards are for you. One big minus for W790 boards is that not support cheaper qs scalable pieces. But for example this is not problem for me, I am happy with my D0 and I have not problem wait on lower price w-pieces. In my eyes looks best as w790 ASUS W790 SAGE or ASROCK W790WS (1rev).

In my case, I already have an 6438y+ xeon gold CPU, which I guess it is not compatible with W790 boards, isn't it? And for the price, the GIGABYTE MS33-CPA seems like a good deal, the only part I don't like it is that you don't have so many pcie ports!

 

[RolloZ170]

In my case, I already have an 6438y+ xeon gold CPU, which I guess it is not compatible with W790 boards, isn't it?

correct: SPR-SP (EV-)QS or retail are not supported by W790

 

[painkoyo]

U2_P0_4AC
U2_P0_4EG
View attachment 39015

U2_P0_5AC
U2_P0_5EG
View attachment 39016

cool! is each of them pcie Gen5x8?

 

[RolloZ170]

cool! is each of them pcie Gen5x8?

all are PCIe 5.0 (same on MS33-AR0, MS33-CP0 )
but U2 = NVMe

 

[painkoyo]

all are PCIe 5.0 (same on MS33-AR0, MS33-CP0 )
but U2 = NVMe

the fly in the ointment.
but at least for me, two GPUs are quite enough, so the expandability of this motherboard seems not that bad.

 

[michel333]

all are PCIe 5.0 (same on MS33-AR0, MS33-CP0 )
but U2 = NVMe

what cable to use for connecting u.2 nvme? Can you connect more u.2 nvmes to one port U2_P0_4AC ?

 

[RolloZ170]

what cable to use for connecting u.2 nvme? Can you connect more u.2 nvmes to one port U2_P0_4AC ?

yes: 8x U.2
U2_P0_4AC = U2_P0_4A(4i) + U2_P0_4C(4i)
MCIO 8i to 2x U.2
edit (SFF-TA-1016 8i to 2 NVMe U2 SFF-8639)
better search for a NVMe backplane with temp sensors like used in server chassis.

 

[painkoyo]

yes: 8x U.2
U2_P0_4AC = U2_P0_4A(4i) + U2_P0_4C(4i)
MCIO 8i to 2x U.2
(SlimSAS SFF-8654 8i to 2 NVMe U2 SFF-8639)

Ah, i'm not sure about whether SFF-8654 and MCIO are equivalent in some case. i've been puzzled for a while.
MCIO 8i SFF-TA-1016 vs SFF-8654 8i - are they mechanically and electrically interchangeable function-wise? (with loss of bandwidth)

 

[RolloZ170]

Ah, i'm not sure about whether SFF-8654 and MCIO are equivalent in some case. i've been puzzled for a while.
MCIO 8i SFF-TA-1016 vs SFF-8654 8i - are they mechanically and electrically interchangeable function-wise? (with loss of bandwidth)

i don't know exactly. most sellers write MCIO with SlimSAS SFF-8654 in one line thats the problem.
maybe ask gigabyte for a part number.
you need a fitting cable -> 2x U.2

top SlimSAS
bottom MCIO

 

[UhClem]

i don't know exactly. most sellers write MCIO with SlimSAS SFF-8654 in one line thats the problem. ...

The more general problem, applicable to almost all tech products, is that most sellers (the vast majority) are either incompetent or deceptive/dishonest (or both).

you need a fitting cable -> 2x U.2

That (linked product page) is most likely a counterexample. [e.g., precise terminology, with no contradictions. and (bonus) legit-looking wiring diagrams]

 

[vik.ha]

what cable to use for connecting u.2 nvme? Can you connect more u.2 nvmes to one port U2_P0_4AC ?

also something like this:

MCIO PCIe gen5 Device Adapter x8/x16

two MCIO 8i inputs one PCIe x16 electrical/mechanical output PCIe gen5 - high quality Amphenol SMT slot, 85Ohm PCB, optimal traces the vertical model can be placed with single width spacing can work in x8 mode with one cable (input near the power plug) can work in x16 mode with both inputs...

c-payne.com

might convert mcio to pcie slot. Not sure if 2 x8 mcio would work as single x16 pci though. But mico x8 to pci x8 (mechanical x16) should work in theory.


I have to say, that's an awesome thread, lots of useful info. Thanks a tons guys for sharing it.

 

[RolloZ170]

might convert mcio to pcie slot. Not sure if 2 x8 mcio would work as single x16 pci though. But mico x8 to pci x8 (mechanical x16) should work in theory.

danger. I assume that this does not work
the MCIO conns of the MS33-CPA-V10 are labeled U2 (NVMe) and are very sure not usable for PCIe purposes.
the BIOS detects NVMe drives, the lanes are not available for other usage.

 

[vik.ha]

danger. I assume that this does not work
the MCIO conns of the MS33-CPA-V10 are labeled U2 (NVMe) and are very sure not usable for PCIe purposes.
the BIOS detects NVMe drives, the lanes are not available for other usage.

sorry, if I'm wrong here. Thought they should work as those M.2 nics.

 

[RolloZ170]

sorry, if I'm wrong here. Thought they should work as those M.2 nics.

heared about ASRock Rack boards where you can't use M.2 for PCIe NIC's for same reason.

 

[vik.ha]

heared about ASRock Rack boards where you can't use M.2 for PCIe NIC's for same reason.

Thanks @RolloZ170, as been said tons of useful info ! Used M.2 on old notebook and it worked as pci x4. Thought might work the same.

 

[Ezy]

@ RolloZ170
Does the MS33-CPA offer VROC?
The white 4pin connector right beside the battery looks like a vroc header.
Thanks!

Those 4 mcio ports are really tempting - the lack of pcie slots and the fact that you have to waste the ocp slot for a proper nic are not.

 

[RolloZ170]

Does the MS33-CPA offer VROC?
The white 4pin connector right beside the battery looks like a vroc header.

SW_RAID

Those 4 mcio ports are really tempting

I'm afraid they can't be used as PCIe, only NVMe(e.g. U.2) drives.

 

[Ezy]

So does the MS33-CPA come with the vroc option?
I'm asking because the MS33-CP0 does not (which is a bit unexpected).

I intend to use the mcio ports with u.2 dc ssds.
A retimer card with only 2 ports costs around 200€ alone...