Motherboard that can handle 2*PCI-e HDD controllers.

RimBlock · 3 Jun 2011 at 04:29

Hi,

I am looking for a motherboard recommendation.

I have 20 HDD drive bays in my server case (SATA/SAS) and have 2 LSI 8*SATA controllers but am finding difficulty in locating a motherboard that will take both cards and has either a 3rd PCI-e slot for a video card or onboard video.

Cost wise, cheaper the better. AMD/Intel, either is fine. Older of latest generation is also fine as long as it would not be too hard to get hold of.

I have an intel board and a C2D in it but can only use 1 LSI card as the other slot is for the video card. I also tried a PCI video card but hit compatibility issues with the video chipset.

Recommendations please.

Thanks
RB

Surveyor · 3 Jun 2011 at 06:32

Something like this:

MSI H55M-ED55 H55 Express Chipset (Socket 1156) DDR3 Motherboard £59.99

2 PCI-E slots which run at x8 and x8.

Onboard GPU.

Review

You'd need a S1156 processor.

RimBlock · 3 Jun 2011 at 07:35

Nice. Thanks.

Have just found a JetWay JHZ03-GT-V2-LF AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard as well on the unraid forums I have just stumbled upon.

Think I would prefer the MSI and can source locally (not in the UK).

What would be best to put in it, I would consider a dual core a minimum ?.

Cheers
RB

paradigm · 3 Jun 2011 at 07:47

Core i5 2400S, if you can stretch to it. If not, then the i3 2100 or 2120 (the i5's have better onboard video however).

Surveyor · 3 Jun 2011 at 07:48

All the socket 1156 processors are at least dual core (Clarkdale):

Clarkdale

or quad core (Lynnfield):

Lynnfield

What is the PC to be used for?

If it's just media streaming then probably the cheapest dual core you can get will do the job.

It depends how much you want to spend really and what the prices are like in Singapore.

You probably want a dual core as they have the built in GPU. I'm not sure if the motherboard has its own GPU or uses the one on the processor :confused:

Edit:

A bit more reading indicates you need a dual core as the motherboard needs the processor's onboard GPU.

Edit 2:

You could try sourcing a S775 board if you want to re-use your existing components.

I don't know what it's like in Singapore but there are limited S775 boards available in the UK.

Surveyor · 3 Jun 2011 at 07:51

paradigm said:
Core i5 2400S, if you can stretch to it. If not, then the i3 2100 or 2120 (the i5's have better onboard video however).

That would require a Sandybridge S1155 motherboard which would be more expensive.

OP's requirements "cheaper the better".

RimBlock · 3 Jun 2011 at 08:10

Thanks guys,

Yep the machine is a Linux NAS with lots of storage mainly used for serving files to media players (not streaming via Twonky or the like).

The current prices here inc MSI board are (in S$, half for rough UK price);

i3 340: S$315
i3 350: S$333
i5 760: S$444
i7 870: S$559

The two i3s look the most appealing, any reason not to go for one of them and any significant difference between the two or just a slight speed difference ?

RB

Surveyor · 3 Jun 2011 at 08:15

What are an i3 340 and 350?

In the UK we have the i3 530, 540 and 550.

The i5 and i7 don't have integrated graphics so wouldn't be much use.

Off to work now. I'll check back this evening.

Edit:

I think they're mobile processors.

Really must go now.

RimBlock · 3 Jun 2011 at 08:20

Nope, you are right. Type on Friday PM 2 hours before home time

.

Should be 540 and 550 i3s.

Thanks VM.

Should be manageable cost wise which is great.

RB