3 hours ago, GraemeT said:

And an Intel ME update is required, but Asus do not appear to have posted that on the drivers part yet. More fun trying to get a temporary windows version just to update the driver!

Can be found on the same page as the BIOS file (Intel ME entry), not under Drivers and Tools.

It’s relatively easy to do with the instructions:

 

4 hours ago, GraemeT said:

Interestingly the 3901 BIOS (that I am running) which also includes the 0x12B microcode seems to have been removed from existence.

Completely normal, since 3901 was a beta. As soon as the "final" version is available, the beta will be removed from the website.

On 11/2/2024 at 1:56 PM, enect said:

Can be found on the same page as the BIOS file (Intel ME entry), not under Drivers and Tools.

It’s relatively easy to do with the instructions:

 

Completely normal, since 3901 was a beta. As soon as the "final" version is available, the beta will be removed from the website.

Thanks for the link to the guide, I somehow missed the ME section on the bios page and only found the Intel ME installers under windows 11.

 

 

It had been many months since I tinkered with my setup, but I finally found some time for it today. I'm still not able to use the integrated graphics of my 13700K with my configuration and can't find a solution. One more cry for help on this thread since there are more users of this board...

 

Asus Pro W680 ACE IPMI (ATX)

Intel 13700K

LSI SAS 9201-8i HBA

Asus IPMI expansion card

unRAID 6.12.13 (just upgraded from 6.12.4)

 

The only way I can get the SAS card to show up during boot/POST and unRAID is if I enable CSM.

With CSM enabled, however, I can't get the iGPU working. It's never detected in unRAID and I even see the output of a failed chmod command for /dev/dri with "no such file or directory" during the unRAID boot output. I have tried the "ast blacklist" config, too.

 

Note that enabling CSM will also completely hide the "iGPU Multi-Monitor" setting in BIOS.

 

I currently have the IPMI card in the bottom x16 3.0 slot, with the SAS card in the slot immediately above it, also x16 3.0. I've tried different combinations of slots, including using the top two x16 5.0 slots.

 

I'm yet to try only removing the IPMI card, as that's quite annoying with all the cables. I'm thinking IPMI is "taking" video output responsibility, somehow disabling or not allowing the iGPU to to turn on.

 

Just want to check if anyone has this combination working?

iGPU + LSI SAS 9201-8i (with CSM enabled) + IPMI

 

Do the 9207-8i or newer models require CSM?

I [stupidly?] went with the 9201-8i because it meets my technical requirements whilst having lower power usage and generating less heat.

 

Edited November 3, 20241 yr by Omid

2 hours ago, Omid said:

It had been many months since I tinkered with my setup, but I finally found some time for it today. I'm still not able to use the integrated graphics of my 13700K with my configuration and can't find a solution. One more cry for help on this thread since there are more users of this board...

 

Asus Pro W680 ACE IPMI (ATX)

Intel 13700K

LSI SAS 9201-8i HBA

Asus IPMI expansion card

unRAID 6.12.13 (just upgraded from 6.12.4)

 

The only way I can get the SAS card to show up during boot/POST and unRAID is if I enable CSM.

With CSM enabled, however, I can't get the iGPU working. It's never detected in unRAID and I even see the output of a failed chmod command for /dev/dri with "no such file or directory" during the unRAID boot output. I have tried the "ast blacklist" config, too.

 

Note that enabling CSM will also completely hide the "iGPU Multi-Monitor" setting in BIOS.

 

I currently have the IPMI card in the bottom x16 3.0 slot, with the SAS card in the slot immediately above it, also x16 3.0. I've tried different combinations of slots, including using the top two x16 5.0 slots.

 

I'm yet to try only removing the IPMI card, as that's quite annoying with all the cables. I'm thinking IPMI is "taking" video output responsibility, somehow disabling or not allowing the iGPU to to turn on.

 

Just want to check if anyone has this combination working?

iGPU + LSI SAS 9201-8i (with CSM enabled) + IPMI

 

Do the 9207-8i or newer models require CSM?

I [stupidly?] went with the 9201-8i because it meets my technical requirements whilst having lower power usage and generating less heat.

 

I have the IPMI in the dedicated slot above the 5.0 slots. Have you tried that? I don’t have a HBA, though

I am trying to put my LSI HBA 9300-8i in a pci-e slot, but it doesn't fit!

It's too long and the retention tab is blocking it to properly fit.

 

Am I being stupid? Please tell me, or should I buy something like this? :

 

https://www.amazon.nl/cablecc-Express-Extender-Converter-Riser-Card/dp/B08QHTYVVF/261-3822649-8544740?pd_rd_w=Lv7y0&content-id=amzn1.sym.f8d73231-f03b-4a52-839b-395915b8d1a1&pf_rd_p=f8d73231-f03b-4a52-839b-395915b8d1a1&pf_rd_r=F7F8SSA6K5M599Z0N8PX&pd_rd_wg=F3h9h&pd_rd_r=3de0ef5e-77ef-4b92-aba1-5288f981c007&pd_rd_i=B0836GLB5S&th=1

 

I've also read that it's possible to just remove the retention tab with a screwdriver.

 

Thanks!

 

Edited November 8, 20241 yr by Hypa

On 11/3/2024 at 11:07 PM, 1adam12 said:

I have the IPMI in the dedicated slot above the 5.0 slots. Have you tried that? I don’t have a HBA, though

Yes, I think I tried that many months ago but I'm so confused by everything I've tried that I might give that another go. I feel this is more related to CSM, though, as opposed to the IPMI card. Thanks!

 

5 hours ago, Hypa said:

I am trying to put my LSI HBA 9300-8i in a pci-e slot, but it doesn't fit!

It's too long and the retention tab is blocking it to properly fit.

I'm not familiar with the 9300-8i specifically, but I don't see why it wouldn't fit. It should fit in all slots except for the small x1 slot closest to the CPU. Have you tried fully opening/unclipping the retention tab and then slotting the card in?

 

To hopefully get better help from others, please clarify which exact model of this motherboard you're using. The ATX or mATX version?

3 hours ago, Omid said:

 

To hopefully get better help from others, please clarify which exact model of this motherboard you're using. The ATX or mATX version?

I have the ATX version.

I just needed to push harder, now I can see it when I lspci!

 

Yes I am stupid 🙄

On 11/4/2024 at 7:51 AM, Omid said:

It had been many months since I tinkered with my setup, but I finally found some time for it today. I'm still not able to use the integrated graphics of my 13700K with my configuration and can't find a solution. One more cry for help on this thread since there are more users of this board...

 

Asus Pro W680 ACE IPMI (ATX)

Intel 13700K

LSI SAS 9201-8i HBA

Asus IPMI expansion card

unRAID 6.12.13 (just upgraded from 6.12.4)

 

The only way I can get the SAS card to show up during boot/POST and unRAID is if I enable CSM.

With CSM enabled, however, I can't get the iGPU working. It's never detected in unRAID and I even see the output of a failed chmod command for /dev/dri with "no such file or directory" during the unRAID boot output. I have tried the "ast blacklist" config, too.

 

Note that enabling CSM will also completely hide the "iGPU Multi-Monitor" setting in BIOS.

 

I currently have the IPMI card in the bottom x16 3.0 slot, with the SAS card in the slot immediately above it, also x16 3.0. I've tried different combinations of slots, including using the top two x16 5.0 slots.

 

I'm yet to try only removing the IPMI card, as that's quite annoying with all the cables. I'm thinking IPMI is "taking" video output responsibility, somehow disabling or not allowing the iGPU to to turn on.

 

Just want to check if anyone has this combination working?

iGPU + LSI SAS 9201-8i (with CSM enabled) + IPMI

 

Do the 9207-8i or newer models require CSM?

I [stupidly?] went with the 9201-8i because it meets my technical requirements whilst having lower power usage and generating less heat.

 

I was having the same issue with a 9305-16i, when csm is enabled (had to connect a dedicated gfx card) igpu gets disabled.

Had to remove the bios from HBA using "lsiutil" I followed the instructions from this video.

 

W680M owners, need some help please.

 

My board had just developed a fault (i think). I updated to last 2 BIOS from the Asus website and been having serious stability issues ranging from freezing on the BIOS screen to varying POST codes causing lock ups etc. The BMC green LED is flashing quite quickly too (approx every 1 sec) although not sure if that's normal.

 

Anyone else been having issues recently? Can someone record a video or describe the blinking frequency of the green LED for me? I might need to RMA the board but I need to be sure first.

 

Thanks!

First of all thanks for sharing all these tips and hints around the WS680 board and your individiual setup. After personally spending many hours of going through hell and back, I found a working and very stable HW configuration that I would like to share.

 

- CPU: 12th gen i7 (don't go with 13th gen or 14th gen - there are instability issues and constant freezes even without "damaged/faulty  processors")

- RAM: I went with 4x48GB ECC Ram (Kingstong 9965794-036.A00G), non ECC might work fine too.

- HBA: this part is important - I tried several controllers and only 2 seemed to work relatively fine and stable (even after changing various settings in the BIOS: LSI/Broadcom 9305-24i (16i and 8i will work too) and DELL Perc HBA330. Amongst the stability issues the main problem with other HBAs was that those did not allow to make any configuration in the bios (e.g. change write cache on SAS SSDs, etc.). The controller is populated in PCIE5 slot 2 (Gen3 setting - 8x)

- NIC: Intel X520-DA4 in PCIE4 x4 Slot - the card complains in dmesg about potential insufficient bandwidth issues but I populated all SFP ports and did some stress testing. I could notice any significant bottlenecks. I also tried 25G Cards (Broadcom

BCM957414A4142CC). Those work too but started to bottleneck when stressing two SFP28 with 25G over PCIE4 x4.

- GPU: I added a RTX A4000 on PCIE5 slot 1 (Gen 4 setting - 8x). Other cards will work too but space in between the slots is limited.

- USB: boot device - not specific to this board but might help too. Since two USB thumbdrives died on me over the last weeks I decided to go down the mSATA route. After some research I found a working solution with unique GUID that can be used for UNRAID (Xiwai Mini PCI-E mSATA to USB 2.0 External SSD PCBA Conveter plus ORICO 128 GB mSATA SSD SATA III). If someone is interested I also have a modified STL enclosure file, specific to that USB mSATA board).

- Disks: I managed to put 22 Disks (12 SSDs, 10 HDDs) in a Sliger CX4712a without major issues. The only item that bugged me for a short time was the SAS spinup with SATA breakout cables issue. (A good guide how to tackle that topic can be found here ->

 

 

This might not be the silver bullet for all challenges in the context of that mainboard but in my view at least a viable start for all people that are preparing their builds or facing issues. After 2 months, I can finally enjoy a stable setup 🙂

 

P.S.: I have attached some pics of my BFMS (Big F*** Media Server)  

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 20241 yr by sherman

HI Folks, I am pretty new to here. I am trying to build a NAS with plex transcoding functions. I am still debating on the motherboard. W680 is definitely on my radar. I have two newbie questions. 

1. I plan to use no more than 8 SATA drives. W680 have 8 SATA connectors. Why do you guys want to buy separate HBA card?

2. I want to buy a i5-14400f cpu along with a RTX 4060 video card. Will that work with this MB?

 

Thanks very much in advance.

1 hour ago, SeaeSeanz said:

HI Folks, I am pretty new to here. I am trying to build a NAS with plex transcoding functions. I am still debating on the motherboard. W680 is definitely on my radar. I have two newbie questions. 

1. I plan to use no more than 8 SATA drives. W680 have 8 SATA connectors. Why do you guys want to buy separate HBA card?

2. I want to buy a i5-14400f cpu along with a RTX 4060 video card. Will that work with this MB?

 

Thanks very much in advance.

Welcome. What you are thinking will work.

 

The reason for choosing the W680 is for ECC memory support at a lower price.

 

as for the specific questions

 

1. No need for an HBA if only 8 drives, I am using 20 drives, using 8 on the MB connections and the rest on the HBA. 

2. I would never get a CPU without integrated graphics as it comes in very useful for troubleshooting if the graphics card stops working. Intel quicksync is actually pretty good, I would recommend trying that before getting a dedicated graphics card. For a NAS, idle power consumption is an important factor. 

9 hours ago, SeaeSeanz said:

HI Folks, I am pretty new to here. I am trying to build a NAS with plex transcoding functions. I am still debating on the motherboard. W680 is definitely on my radar. I have two newbie questions. 

1. I plan to use no more than 8 SATA drives. W680 have 8 SATA connectors. Why do you guys want to buy separate HBA card?

2. I want to buy a i5-14400f cpu along with a RTX 4060 video card. Will that work with this MB?

 

Thanks very much in advance.

Also worth noting that you would have 4 sata ports with another 4 coming from the slimsas. A lot of people have trouble getting the slimsas to work and you have to buy the cables (if you can find the right ones). Buying an HBA is just easier imo. And it gives you more flexibility.

 

8 hours ago, GraemeT said:

Welcome. What you are thinking will work.

 

The reason for choosing the W680 is for ECC memory support at a lower price.

 

as for the specific questions

 

1. No need for an HBA if only 8 drives, I am using 20 drives, using 8 on the MB connections and the rest on the HBA. 

2. I would never get a CPU without integrated graphics as it comes in very useful for troubleshooting if the graphics card stops working. Intel quicksync is actually pretty good, I would recommend trying that before getting a dedicated graphics card. For a NAS, idle power consumption is an important factor. 

 

What slimsas cables do you use?

 

16 hours ago, SeaeSeanz said:

1. I plan to use no more than 8 SATA drives. W680 have 8 SATA connectors. Why do you guys want to buy separate HBA card?

As mentioned by @GraemeT, you won't need an HBA card for 8 SATA drives. I've been using this cable (UK) with the W680, driving 4x WD RED 8TB drives for 18 months, without any issues. There's just one simple setting you have to toggle in the BIOS; specifically, this one. Like @1adam12 said, you have more flexibility to further expand with an HBA in future, should you ever need to.

 

I disagree that an HBA is just easier, though 😏 With an HBA, you're still most likely going to need to buy a cable or two in addition to the card. Installing my LSI 9201-8i HBA was definitely not easier, as it requires figuring out that CSM needs to be enabled which, in turn, disables the CPU's integrated graphics 😢, causing me a problem to this day (no hardware transcoding (!). However, I've just seen this proposed solution which I'm excited to try out!

 

16 hours ago, SeaeSeanz said:

a NAS with plex transcoding functions

I remember my 13700k's iGPU (UHD 770) was handling 8+ transcodes (mix of 1080 and 4K) without breaking a sweat and I'm not the only one. I agree with @GraemeT - keep your wallet happier by not buying a dGPU and paying lower energy bills (if you're into that!). Unless you have a use case other than Plex, in which case you do you 😄

 

17 hours ago, 1adam12 said:

What slimsas cables do you use?

Just a cheap SlimSAS to SATA off Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073F67WVN
 

So far working fine.  I have 4 SATA SSD on the controller to spread the bandwidth off the main Hard drive array on the LSI 9400-16i SAS. 

Please could I survey what CPU, BIOS and Unraid version people are using with this motherboard?

 

13700k

BIOS 4001

Unraid 6.12.4

Hi There, Am running Unraid on a W680-ACE IPMI and am tearing my hair out as my HL15 has 16 x Sata cables and I cannot seem to get anything to work to add more than the 4 Sata ports on the motherboard.

Does anybody know of a card that will work and if so which PCIE Lane it needs plugging into please ?

this is the card that it does not recognize, have plugged into various slots https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B09JPGHV6K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Thx in advance for any input

 

Jon

1 hour ago, jonbigtelly said:

Hi There, Am running Unraid on a W680-ACE IPMI and am tearing my hair out as my HL15 has 16 x Sata cables and I cannot seem to get anything to work to add more than the 4 Sata ports on the motherboard.

Does anybody know of a card that will work and if so which PCIE Lane it needs plugging into please ?

this is the card that it does not recognize, have plugged into various slots https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B09JPGHV6K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Thx in advance for any input

 

Jon

Which data cable set did you choose (A through G) as that will determine which card you could directly connect. But basically you will need a SAS HBA, I am using a LSI 9400-16i SAS card - but in a Fractal Define XL with direct cables to drives rather than a backplane.

@GraemeT I stupidly went for 

Set G(4x) SFF 8643 -> 4x 7-Pin SATA [Mini-SAS-HD (Backplane) to 4x 7-Pin SATA] any idea what card would work for that please mate ?

Anyone with this mobo upgrade to 7 yet? How did it go?

52 minutes ago, 1adam12 said:

Anyone with this mobo upgrade to 7 yet? How did it go?

I upgraded. Working fine except for the iGPU. For some reason, it's not in the lspci output, only the IPMI/BMC one is there. I've tried changing the primary display in the UEFI but so far it hasn't helped. Because of this, I had to disable the Intel SR-IOV plugin and stop using the iGPU in VMs. I'll try figure it out. 

Edited January 18, 20251 yr by Daniel15

7 minutes ago, Daniel15 said:

I upgraded. Working fine except for the iGPU. For some reason, it's not in the lspci output, only the IPMI/BMC one is there. I've tried changing the primary display in the UEFI but so far it hasn't helped. Because of this, I had to disable the Intel SR-IOV plugin and stop using the iGPU in VMs. I'll try figure it out. 

ouch. That’s a pretty big deal for anyone reliant on the igpu for quicksync.

 

Was this with the ATX or mitx board?

8 hours ago, 1adam12 said:

ouch. That’s a pretty big deal for anyone reliant on the igpu for quicksync.

 

Was this with the ATX or mitx board?

The mATX board. It's possible I'm just doing something wrong.

21 hours ago, jonbigtelly said:

@GraemeT I stupidly went for 

Set G(4x) SFF 8643 -> 4x 7-Pin SATA [Mini-SAS-HD (Backplane) to 4x 7-Pin SATA] any idea what card would work for that please mate ?

You can either buy a couple of 8 port SATA PCIe cards or If I am reading the specs correctly, you can replace the cables to the backplane. The backplane has 4x SFF 8643 connections, so you just need to choose an HBA and to buy the appropriate SFF 8643 to the connections on the HBA. It is added expense, but I would get the HBA and avoid using multiple motherboard slots, the HBA is also likely more reliable as it is designed for enterprise server applications.