Introduction: Hi guys, I am Steve and I love computers lol don't we all. I am into strategic business marketing and project management. Because my old Time machine is as old as me and now I can write by hand faster. I am building a new mf workstation/server. Initially it will be for my SOHO (business use) also for playing games in my spare time and later to develop into an internet based company (server) using centOS, WHM and Cpanel.
This is quite a demanding spec for any single computer which requires a lot of functionality and future proofing. I fully expect it to take 12 to 18 months to build because of the expense involved (no credit interest charges for me).
The main programs that I will be running for the SOHO will be windows office professional including project 2010 enterprise edition, palasade @risk for projects (highly memory intensive monticarlo calculations) Project in a box enterprise edition (project management software). For games, I love battle field and sniping games so speed will be a must as well as clear graphics. As for the internet aspect, I will eventually be setting up a hosting company based on CentOS, WHM and Cpanel so again reliability and speed will be a must.
I have the case which is a Corsair cc800dw and will be buying the motherboard on the first of next month which will be latest version of the ASUS Z9PE - (D8) WS with dual processors.
The next buys will be the CPU's E5 2690 (S.9G, L3, 8c,rev, C2) which have a really meaty price tag of around £1200 each. Phew, its going to be a few months to save up to buy them cash.
After that I will be looking at the best and most suitable memory to fill the slots for each CPU.
I have downloaded a list of compatible memory, however there is a lot to chose from and this highly important aspect is where I would need some sound advice from you guys.
The mb spec says the following. MEMORY 8 X DIMM, MAX, 64GB, DDR3 2133 (O.C.) /2000(O.C.)/1866/1333/1066 MHz ECC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory. It goes on to say: For Registered Memory, Max, 256GB DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz. Obviously I don't mind adding to memory but do not want to waste precious money replacing inferior memory when I find that I have to upgrade it as and when my needs will demand. Can anyone tell me what the diference and cost benefits of buffered and unbuffered memory is and which is overall the best to invest in.
Other componants that I will need to buy later on will be power units, a water cooling system and high capacity HD's to eventually fill all of the slots available. Additional items would be a good quality CD and DVD RW, prolly great quality sound and dual video/graphic cards will be a must as well.
I prolly have not thought of everything at the moment so I will leave the rest to your imagination based on you building this mf system for yourselves.
Of course this has to be a highly functional workstation/server for business use but it must also be an impressive and showy home enthusiast machine as well.
Thanks for taking the time in reading this rather long post and I look forward to your help and advice. I will obviously post pictures of this project as it develops so that you can see the results of your efforts.
Mother Board SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU Intel® Socket 2011 Processors
Dual Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 product family
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
* Refer to
www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset Intel® C602
Memory 8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz ECC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Quad Channel Memory Architecture
* For Registered Memory, Max. 256GB DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz
* Refer to
www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
System Bus 8.0/7.2/6.4 GT/s Intel® QuickPath Interconnect
Multi-GPU Support Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Expansion Slots 4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or quad x8) *1
2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 *1
1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode) *1
Storage Intel® C602 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), blue
8 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Marvell® PCIe 9230 controller :
4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
Support Raid 0, 1, 10
LAN Intel® 82574L, 2 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Audio Realtek® ALC898 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
Audio Feature :
- Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
- DTS Ultra PC II
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
USB Ports ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
4 x USB port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Workstation Feature 7 x PCIe x 16 slot(s)
Quick Gate: 2 x vertical USB 2.0 on board
ASWM Enterprise
ASMB6-iKVM Remote Management Tool
Special Features ASUS Digital Power Design :
- Industry leading Digital 7 +1 Phase Power Design
- Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
ASUS Exclusive Features :
- Front Panel USB 3.0 Support
- ASUS SSD Caching
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
- Stylish Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution
ASUS EZ DIY :
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
- ASUS MyLogo 2
- Multi-language BIOS
ASUS Q-Design :
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM
Back I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
2 x USB 3.0
6 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio jack(s)
Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x Vertical USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x COM port(s) connector(s)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
8 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
2 x IEEE 1394a connector(s)
2 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
6 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
2 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x 4-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector(s)
1 x RAID key header(s)
1 x ASMB6-iKVM connector(s)
1 x VGA connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x AUX panel header(s)
1 x SMBus header(s)
1 x System panel(s)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
Accessories User's manual
I/O Shield
2 x COM port cable(s)
8 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)
1 x 4-Way SLI bridge(s)
1 x SLI bridge(s)
1 x 2-port USB2.0 + 1394 bracket(s)
BIOS 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE
Support Disc Drivers
ASUS Utilities
ASUS Update
Operating System CentOS 5.7/6.1 32/64-bit
Windows® Server 2008 R2
Windows® Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise 32/64-bit
Windows® 7 (Ultimate SP1) 32/64-bit
RedHat® Enterprise Linux Desktop WS 6.0 32/64-bit
RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.7/6.2 32/64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 11.2 32/64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Desktop 11.1 32/64-bit
VMWare ESX4.1/ESXi4.1
Form Factor EEB Form Factor
12 inch x 13 inch ( 30.5 cm x 33 cm )
Note *1: This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 SPEC. Functions will be available when using PCIe 3.0-compliant devices. Please refer to
www.asus.com for updated details.
New System Build
Linear Mode
