Intel Xeon E3-1220 for storage servers

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odditory

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Dec 23, 2010
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Nice job on the review, Patrick. http://www.servethehome.com/intel-xeon-e3-1220-sandy-bridge-benchmarks-review/

I have to agree, its an ideal CPU for media storage servers, for the AES-NI performance and for the video transcoding abilities, not to mention extra muscle for servicing VM's. While the CPU is already available, for me its a waiting game for Supermicro's X9 series based on the C204/C202. Definitely my next upgrade, going to finally retire my last two Socket 771 mobos.

EDIT: Looks like Supermicro X9SCM-F will be my next mobo, since its got 2 x SATA-III ports that my Crucial C300 and eventually Crucial C400's will be able to take advantage of as boot volumes.
 
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Patrick

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I told Supermicro marketing last Friday that the X9SCM-F was going to be hugely popular.

Not sure if you know this, but I have a E3-1230 that will get reviewed/ posted next Mon-Wed, and I'm also looking at single and dual configs with the new E5606 CPUs. Lower clocked than the E3-1220, but you still get AES-NI, a huge upgrade path, and can put a whole lot more hardware to support the chip(s).
 

odditory

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I haven't really looked closely at the specs since Supermicro hasn't fleshed out pages on their site for those boards yet -- but the X9SCM will take the same memory as the X8SIL, right?
 

Patrick

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I haven't really looked closely at the specs since Supermicro hasn't fleshed out pages on their site for those boards yet -- but the X9SCM will take the same memory as the X8SIL, right?
Hint: Kingston has two X9SCL boards on their memory selector :) KVR1333D3E9SK2/8G is listed.

My experience is that the Xeon E3 is working with the same kits as the Xeon X34xx series thus far, but I do not have a C202 or C204 board in hand yet.
 

odditory

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Dec 23, 2010
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that acmemicro link got posted somewhere else yesterday, i almost bought it but had some doubts about that site :) specifically return policy - don't want to end up with an old board and a headache. I'll wait till a Newegg or a Provantage get that board in.
 

Patrick

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BTW Just as a FYI, I tried to get one of these to review a few weeks ago, and this is before I was told I might be able to get one. Not saying you cannot, but I am not sure if it will be a B3 board.
 

x9scm4me

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Mar 9, 2011
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BTW Just as a FYI, I tried to get one of these to review a few weeks ago, and this is before I was told I might be able to get one. Not saying you cannot, but I am not sure if it will be a B3 board.
I guess this is as good a place as any to post this.

I've got an x9scm-f on its way to me. Unfortunately it is on a slow boat from CA so it'll be tuesday before I get it (but it is coming!)
As best as I can tell it has been drop-shipped from supermicro (so I would assume it is a B3 board). This followed information from my vendor that supermicro said "The MBD is under IQC now. It will release whenever they pass testing."
Regardless, I do not anticipate ever using/needing the sata-II connectors.
 

Patrick

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I guess this is as good a place as any to post this.

I've got an x9scm-f on its way to me. Unfortunately it is on a slow boat from CA so it'll be tuesday before I get it (but it is coming!)
As best as I can tell it has been drop-shipped from supermicro (so I would assume it is a B3 board). This followed information from my vendor that supermicro said "The MBD is under IQC now. It will release whenever they pass testing."
Regardless, I do not anticipate ever using/needing the sata-II connectors.
Mind making a thread here with your experiences? I am sure a lot of people would be interested.
 

odditory

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Dec 23, 2010
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FML, I got an X9SCM and now all the Xeon E3 CPU's suddenly disappeared from Provantage. Up until yesterday they were showing stock for most of the models.
 

unclerunkle

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Mar 2, 2011
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? Odditory, where did you get one from? Did you purchase one through that AcmeMicro weblink?

Well, I ordered one as well and a Xeon E3 processor from Provantage a couple days back. However, I don't see shipping confirmation from Provantage, so it looks like I need to check up on that...
 

odditory

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Dec 23, 2010
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Yes, AcmeMicro. I wonder what's going on with the Xeon E3's.. silent recall or something? nobody seems to have them. Hopefully Patrick chimes in on where he got his.
 

unclerunkle

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Mar 2, 2011
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I would agree with that silent recall idea. Everyone seems to be OOS. I'll wait to hear back from Provantage to see what's up with my order.
 

Patrick

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I did get my E3-1220 and E3-1230 from a mentioned online source.

Just as a FYI, the reason I posted the comments about the platform not being launched in my reviews is that I do know the platform is not supposed to be launched yet. That is why there is nobody else taking a look at these CPUs.
 

nilsga

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Mar 8, 2011
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What is it that makes Sandy Bridge and X9SCM-F in particular suitable for a storage server as compared to e.g. X8SI6-F which has a built in SAS II controller?
 

unclerunkle

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Mar 2, 2011
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Simply a newer chipset/platform. Plus if you have your own SAS controller, no need to have one integrated.

EDIT: Just looked at my Provantage order again - "The expected shipping date for this order is Monday, April 4, 2011." nice

I'm going to see who else I can get one from.
 
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