what is a good core2 dual/quad board for 4 x 1 GB 800 MHz ram and with at least 4 Sata Raid 5 port?

I went through Asus site and Google a bit, did see some boards but don't
know the actual experience for using full 4 or 8 GB at full speed


real life feed back is highly appreciated. hoping for one in the low 100
dollar range

must support
core 2 duo or quad 2.6 GHz or faster
full speed running 4x1 GB 800 MHz RAM without matching all 4, I can get
2 matched 2x1, but double if I can get all 4 matched together

desirable
5 or more SATA 2 3 Gbs stable ports. I will use 3 of them for Raid 5,
note I had an Asus A8NCSM VM that have a couple of loose, unstable ports
that tends to let loose the SATA cables. I tried all sort of SATA cable
without luck
4 or more backplane USB 2 port
1 or more firewire port

GG wrote:
> I went through Asus site and Google a bit, did see some boards but don't
> know the actual experience for using full 4 or 8 GB at full speed
>
>
> real life feed back is highly appreciated. hoping for one in the low 100
> dollar range
>
> must support
> core 2 duo or quad 2.6 GHz or faster
> full speed running 4x1 GB 800 MHz RAM without matching all 4, I can get
> 2 matched 2x1, but double if I can get all 4 matched together
>
> desirable
> 5 or more SATA 2 3 Gbs stable ports. I will use 3 of them for Raid 5,
> note I had an Asus A8NCSM VM that have a couple of loose, unstable ports
> that tends to let loose the SATA cables. I tried all sort of SATA cable
> without luck
> 4 or more backplane USB 2 port
> 1 or more firewire port
>

There are two sources of feedback. I picked a P5N-E SLI at random, as an
item to review. The Asus server can be slow slow slow.

Asus forums:

http://vip.asus.com/forum/topic.aspx...Language=en-us

Newegg has reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&Pagesize=100

P5N-E SLI ($114) is reviewed here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142

Asus master motherboard list is here:
http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=-1

What I'd look for is a motherboard that is really FSB1333 capable, to meet
your Core2 Duo requirement. The quad core Q6600 has FSB1066, which is
easier to meet (but most people still overclock it anyway).

You can verify processor support here:
http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusuppor...Language=en-us

The Intel and Nvidia web sites should be consulted, to see if the chipset
being used, is used at its nominal clock speed, or is being overclocked
already to meet its stated spec. If the motherboard is already overclocked
to meet FSB1333, then there won't be any headroom for further overclock.

I'd expect to spend more than $100 for a board worth keeping.

Another good source of boards is Gigabyte. You can look for them on
Newegg as well.

Paul

"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:fkauvf$s9o$1@aioe.org...
> GG wrote:
> > I went through Asus site and Google a bit, did see some boards but don't
> > know the actual experience for using full 4 or 8 GB at full speed
> >
> >
> > real life feed back is highly appreciated. hoping for one in the low
100
> > dollar range
> >
> > must support
> > core 2 duo or quad 2.6 GHz or faster
> > full speed running 4x1 GB 800 MHz RAM without matching all 4, I can
get
> > 2 matched 2x1, but double if I can get all 4 matched together
> >
> > desirable
> > 5 or more SATA 2 3 Gbs stable ports. I will use 3 of them for Raid 5,
> > note I had an Asus A8NCSM VM that have a couple of loose, unstable
ports
> > that tends to let loose the SATA cables. I tried all sort of SATA cable
> > without luck
> > 4 or more backplane USB 2 port
> > 1 or more firewire port
> >
>
> There are two sources of feedback. I picked a P5N-E SLI at random, as an
> item to review. The Asus server can be slow slow slow.
>
> Asus forums:
>
>
http://vip.asus.com/forum/topic.aspx...Language=en-us
>
> Newegg has reviews:
>
>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&Pagesize=100
>
> P5N-E SLI ($114) is reviewed here:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142
>
> Asus master motherboard list is here:
> http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=-1
>
> What I'd look for is a motherboard that is really FSB1333 capable, to meet
> your Core2 Duo requirement. The quad core Q6600 has FSB1066, which is
> easier to meet (but most people still overclock it anyway).
>
> You can verify processor support here:
> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusuppor...Language=en-us
>
> The Intel and Nvidia web sites should be consulted, to see if the chipset
> being used, is used at its nominal clock speed, or is being overclocked
> already to meet its stated spec. If the motherboard is already overclocked
> to meet FSB1333, then there won't be any headroom for further overclock.
>
> I'd expect to spend more than $100 for a board worth keeping.
>
> Another good source of boards is Gigabyte. You can look for them on
> Newegg as well.
>
> Paul

thank you, Paul.

When I was talking about low hundred dollars, I meant between $100 and $150

I prefer to stay away form SLI architecture if I can help it. I don't need
high graphic performance although I do like dual display for software
development and running Microsoft virtual server/hypervisor

My initial target primary os is XP pro 64 bit.. Later ON I may dual boot
with ms server 2008 with hypervisor. I may run vista as vm later

( Hey, people, please don't flame me for using ms, it's my livelihood as
that is what my customers use, despite the fact I did use Linux, UNIX
before).

Even If I ever use vista, I doubt if I use the transparent glass interface.
I do like to be able to support at least 1280x1024, up to 1280x1800 display
resolution.

I am open to use non ASUS board, stability, reliability is critical for me,
despite I never have trouble for using Intel processors on Asus, Gigabyte
mainboards.

Since I use Virtual servers,
1. I like Raid 5 and have more than one disk array plus just plain stand
alone basic SATA 2 Hard drive volume
2. I like to have 4 DIMM in two banks Slots so I can use two cheap
Kingston 800 MHZ 2x1GB kits

gg wrote:
> "Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:fkauvf$s9o$1@aioe.org...
>> GG wrote:
>>> I went through Asus site and Google a bit, did see some boards but don't
>>> know the actual experience for using full 4 or 8 GB at full speed
>>>
>>>
>>> real life feed back is highly appreciated. hoping for one in the low
> 100
>>> dollar range
>>>
>>> must support
>>> core 2 duo or quad 2.6 GHz or faster
>>> full speed running 4x1 GB 800 MHz RAM without matching all 4, I can
> get
>>> 2 matched 2x1, but double if I can get all 4 matched together
>>>
>>> desirable
>>> 5 or more SATA 2 3 Gbs stable ports. I will use 3 of them for Raid 5,
>>> note I had an Asus A8NCSM VM that have a couple of loose, unstable
> ports
>>> that tends to let loose the SATA cables. I tried all sort of SATA cable
>>> without luck
>>> 4 or more backplane USB 2 port
>>> 1 or more firewire port
>>>
>> There are two sources of feedback. I picked a P5N-E SLI at random, as an
>> item to review. The Asus server can be slow slow slow.
>>
>> Asus forums:
>>
>>
> http://vip.asus.com/forum/topic.aspx...Language=en-us
>> Newegg has reviews:
>>
>>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&Pagesize=100
>> P5N-E SLI ($114) is reviewed here:
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142
>>
>> Asus master motherboard list is here:
>> http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=-1
>>
>> What I'd look for is a motherboard that is really FSB1333 capable, to meet
>> your Core2 Duo requirement. The quad core Q6600 has FSB1066, which is
>> easier to meet (but most people still overclock it anyway).
>>
>> You can verify processor support here:
>> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusuppor...Language=en-us
>>
>> The Intel and Nvidia web sites should be consulted, to see if the chipset
>> being used, is used at its nominal clock speed, or is being overclocked
>> already to meet its stated spec. If the motherboard is already overclocked
>> to meet FSB1333, then there won't be any headroom for further overclock.
>>
>> I'd expect to spend more than $100 for a board worth keeping.
>>
>> Another good source of boards is Gigabyte. You can look for them on
>> Newegg as well.
>>
>> Paul
>
> thank you, Paul.
>
> When I was talking about low hundred dollars, I meant between $100 and $150
>
> I prefer to stay away form SLI architecture if I can help it. I don't need
> high graphic performance although I do like dual display for software
> development and running Microsoft virtual server/hypervisor
>
> My initial target primary os is XP pro 64 bit.. Later ON I may dual boot
> with ms server 2008 with hypervisor. I may run vista as vm later
>
> ( Hey, people, please don't flame me for using ms, it's my livelihood as
> that is what my customers use, despite the fact I did use Linux, UNIX
> before).
>
> Even If I ever use vista, I doubt if I use the transparent glass interface.
> I do like to be able to support at least 1280x1024, up to 1280x1800 display
> resolution.
>
> I am open to use non ASUS board, stability, reliability is critical for me,
> despite I never have trouble for using Intel processors on Asus, Gigabyte
> mainboards.
>
> Since I use Virtual servers,
> 1. I like Raid 5 and have more than one disk array plus just plain stand
> alone basic SATA 2 Hard drive volume
> 2. I like to have 4 DIMM in two banks Slots so I can use two cheap
> Kingston 800 MHZ 2x1GB kits
>

There are a couple ways you can think of an SLI board.

1) If you're a gamer, then obviously two video cards go in it.

2) If you're not a gamer, a video card goes in one slot, and
a RAID5 hardware card goes in the other slot :-)

There is nothing wrong with just leaving the slot empty.

Whether an SLI board is a candidate, really depends on what expansion
options you think you'll be using. For example, right now I have
two PCI cards (TV tuner, sound card) and a video card in mine. So
I'd need at least two PCI slots in a new motherboard. I have all
sorts of integrated ports, which is why for the common stuff, I
don't feel I have to add anything else. If I wanted a fancier network
setup, I suppose I might need an Ethernet card some day. But right now,
my one built-in gigabit Ethernet is enough.

Paul

"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:fkbsg1$n9v$1@aioe.org...
> gg wrote:
>> "Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:fkauvf$s9o$1@aioe.org...
>>> GG wrote:
>>>> I went through Asus site and Google a bit, did see some boards but
>>>> don't
>>>> know the actual experience for using full 4 or 8 GB at full speed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> real life feed back is highly appreciated. hoping for one in the low
>> 100
>>>> dollar range
>>>>
>>>> must support
>>>> core 2 duo or quad 2.6 GHz or faster
>>>> full speed running 4x1 GB 800 MHz RAM without matching all 4, I can
>> get
>>>> 2 matched 2x1, but double if I can get all 4 matched together
>>>>
>>>> desirable
>>>> 5 or more SATA 2 3 Gbs stable ports. I will use 3 of them for Raid 5,
>>>> note I had an Asus A8NCSM VM that have a couple of loose, unstable
>> ports
>>>> that tends to let loose the SATA cables. I tried all sort of SATA cable
>>>> without luck
>>>> 4 or more backplane USB 2 port
>>>> 1 or more firewire port
>>>>
>>> There are two sources of feedback. I picked a P5N-E SLI at random, as an
>>> item to review. The Asus server can be slow slow slow.
>>>
>>> Asus forums:
>>>
>>>
>> http://vip.asus.com/forum/topic.aspx...Language=en-us
>>> Newegg has reviews:
>>>
>>>
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&Pagesize=100
>>> P5N-E SLI ($114) is reviewed here:
>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142
>>>
>>> Asus master motherboard list is here:
>>> http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=-1
>>>
>>> What I'd look for is a motherboard that is really FSB1333 capable, to
>>> meet
>>> your Core2 Duo requirement. The quad core Q6600 has FSB1066, which is
>>> easier to meet (but most people still overclock it anyway).
>>>
>>> You can verify processor support here:
>>> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusuppor...Language=en-us
>>>
>>> The Intel and Nvidia web sites should be consulted, to see if the
>>> chipset
>>> being used, is used at its nominal clock speed, or is being overclocked
>>> already to meet its stated spec. If the motherboard is already
>>> overclocked
>>> to meet FSB1333, then there won't be any headroom for further overclock.
>>>
>>> I'd expect to spend more than $100 for a board worth keeping.
>>>
>>> Another good source of boards is Gigabyte. You can look for them on
>>> Newegg as well.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>
>> thank you, Paul.
>>
>> When I was talking about low hundred dollars, I meant between $100 and
>> $150
>>
>> I prefer to stay away form SLI architecture if I can help it. I don't
>> need
>> high graphic performance although I do like dual display for software
>> development and running Microsoft virtual server/hypervisor
>>
>> My initial target primary os is XP pro 64 bit.. Later ON I may dual boot
>> with ms server 2008 with hypervisor. I may run vista as vm later
>>
>> ( Hey, people, please don't flame me for using ms, it's my livelihood as
>> that is what my customers use, despite the fact I did use Linux, UNIX
>> before).
>>
>> Even If I ever use vista, I doubt if I use the transparent glass
>> interface.
>> I do like to be able to support at least 1280x1024, up to 1280x1800
>> display
>> resolution.
>>
>> I am open to use non ASUS board, stability, reliability is critical for
>> me,
>> despite I never have trouble for using Intel processors on Asus, Gigabyte
>> mainboards.
>>
>> Since I use Virtual servers,
>> 1. I like Raid 5 and have more than one disk array plus just plain
>> stand
>> alone basic SATA 2 Hard drive volume
>> 2. I like to have 4 DIMM in two banks Slots so I can use two cheap
>> Kingston 800 MHZ 2x1GB kits
>>
>
> There are a couple ways you can think of an SLI board.
>
> 1) If you're a gamer, then obviously two video cards go in it.
>
> 2) If you're not a gamer, a video card goes in one slot, and
> a RAID5 hardware card goes in the other slot :-)
>
> There is nothing wrong with just leaving the slot empty.
>
> Whether an SLI board is a candidate, really depends on what expansion
> options you think you'll be using. For example, right now I have
> two PCI cards (TV tuner, sound card) and a video card in mine. So
> I'd need at least two PCI slots in a new motherboard. I have all
> sorts of integrated ports, which is why for the common stuff, I
> don't feel I have to add anything else. If I wanted a fancier network
> setup, I suppose I might need an Ethernet card some day. But right now,
> my one built-in gigabit Ethernet is enough.
>
> Paul

thank you. I must have misunderstood or mis-informed about SLI board. I
thought SLI boards tends to limit max RAM available for OS even 64 bit OS
or, windows 2003 server.

I like a lot of functions built-in including the gb NIC. they are usually
more than good enough.

I am almost tempted to get Intel board with Matrix technology to try out if
I find enough information on their performance. Their server board with
matrix SATA RAID are definitely great and stable but I have yet to satisfy
myself about their desktop boards. most Intel board do lack graphic
capability esp. good dual display.

GG wrote:

>
> thank you. I must have misunderstood or mis-informed about SLI board. I
> thought SLI boards tends to limit max RAM available for OS even 64 bit OS
> or, windows 2003 server.
>
> I like a lot of functions built-in including the gb NIC. they are usually
> more than good enough.
>
> I am almost tempted to get Intel board with Matrix technology to try out if
> I find enough information on their performance. Their server board with
> matrix SATA RAID are definitely great and stable but I have yet to satisfy
> myself about their desktop boards. most Intel board do lack graphic
> capability esp. good dual display.
>

Address space allocation is dynamic, with default allocations used by the
BIOS. I think the allocation size is multiples of 256MB or something like that.
Thus, even if the PCI bus needed one byte of memory, the BIOS would allocate
256MB. PCI Express will also receive a default allocation.

When the total space needed by the cards, goes past the default allocation,
the BIOS will add another block of memory.

In the case of SLI, if you had a pair of video cards containing 512MB of
memory, then the BIOS will allocate 512MB for each. If the video cards
had a smaller onboard memory, then perhaps only one chunk of memory would
be consumed. So there are ways to tune things.

If you were doing this to prove a point, there exists a USB device which
is a display device. It updates at USB2 rates, which is less than half the PCI
bus transfer rate. The device would be pretty slow, but one advantage
would be that it might not have much of an effect on the memory map.
Exactly how close you get to using all the memory in that case, really
depends on how sloppy the BIOS is.

Paul

thank you very much about the memory allocation. info.


"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:fkcuk4$pdr$1@aioe.org...
> GG wrote:
>
>>
>> thank you. I must have misunderstood or mis-informed about SLI board. I
>> thought SLI boards tends to limit max RAM available for OS even 64 bit OS
>> or, windows 2003 server.
>>
>> I like a lot of functions built-in including the gb NIC. they are usually
>> more than good enough.
>>
>> I am almost tempted to get Intel board with Matrix technology to try out
>> if I find enough information on their performance. Their server board
>> with matrix SATA RAID are definitely great and stable but I have yet to
>> satisfy myself about their desktop boards. most Intel board do lack
>> graphic capability esp. good dual display.
>
> Address space allocation is dynamic, with default allocations used by the
> BIOS. I think the allocation size is multiples of 256MB or something like
> that.
> Thus, even if the PCI bus needed one byte of memory, the BIOS would
> allocate
> 256MB. PCI Express will also receive a default allocation.
>
> When the total space needed by the cards, goes past the default
> allocation,
> the BIOS will add another block of memory.
>
> In the case of SLI, if you had a pair of video cards containing 512MB of
> memory, then the BIOS will allocate 512MB for each. If the video cards
> had a smaller onboard memory, then perhaps only one chunk of memory would
> be consumed. So there are ways to tune things.
>
> If you were doing this to prove a point, there exists a USB device which
> is a display device. It updates at USB2 rates, which is less than half the
> PCI
> bus transfer rate. The device would be pretty slow, but one advantage
> would be that it might not have much of an effect on the memory map.
> Exactly how close you get to using all the memory in that case, really
> depends on how sloppy the BIOS is.
>
> Paul