I have decided to go with SuperMicro board for my 20-drive Norco 4220 build. My two choices are:

 

SuperMicro X9SCM-F-O + Intel Core i3-2100 = $321 (with Shipping and Discount)

 

SuperMicro X8SIL-F-O + Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W = $275 (with Shipping)

 

Biggest difference that I see between the 2 is that I gain a 1 PCIe x4, 2 SATA 6.0 GBs , a lower power i3 CPU, and an extra $46 price tag. Am I missing anything else here?

 

Any advice, one way or another, would be greatly appreciated. I am way over my initial specs / budget (my greediness knows no bounds, apparently ) - started with a 12 drive build, lol. I just want to make a decision and order the damn thing so I can start building my server.

 

Also, as far as RAM is concerned, I want to go with 4 Gb for now since I am not planning on any transcoding or running ESXi. I was thinking about this:  Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory SR X8 w/TS Intel Model KVR1333D3S8E9SK2/4GI

If no ESXi and transcoding than either build will be fine.

 

If it were me I would go with the cheaper setup.

Thanks for your reply, prostuff1. As far as the memory is concerned, will that work?

Thanks for your reply, prostuff1. As far as the memory is concerned, will that work?

We use the Kingston 2GB KVR1333D3E9S/2G with our X8SIL builds.

 

I would look on the Kingston web site and if they say it will work with the supermicro board you should be fine.

Awesome. Last thing, if I do decide in future to go ESXi or transcoding via Plex route, will X8SIL build still work, besides needing more RAM?

Awesome. Last thing, if I do decide in future to go ESXi or transcoding via Plex route, will X8SIL build still work, besides needing more RAM?

If you plan to ever go ESXi you will need a different processor.  The one you have picked out does not support VT-d which would be a requirement for ESXi passthrough of SATA controllers and the like.

Both boards are good boards.

 

You have already pointed out the major differences.

 

Both support ESXi with VT-d (with a Xeon processor, not an I3).

 

Both take different ram, the X8 uses registered and the X9 uses unbuffered.

 

Ultimately, they will both perform almost the same with similar CPU/RAM setups.

The difference is cost and electricity savings.

 

Both take different ram, the X8 uses registered and the X9 uses unbuffered.

 

Just a clarification - NewEgg details page says that X8 supports both - unbuffered and registered

 

Supports up to 32 GB DDR3 ECC Registered memory (RDIMM)

Supports up to 16 GB DDR3 ECC Un-Buffered memory (UDIMM)

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182211

 

Supports up to 32 GB DDR3 ECC Registered memory (RDIMM)

 

 

Which is why you can get 32G for an X8 now.

You can get 32 gigs for the X9 now. Kingston is shipping it. It is just a little expensive right now. it will come down.

 

I had mentioned that the x8 needs ECC Registered because.. if you want to run a Xeon on that board for ESXi, I believe that is what is need. It has been a long time since i looked at the exact specs on it.

You can get 32 gigs for the X9 now. Kingston is shipping it. It is just a little expensive right now. it will come down.

 

I am seeing 3/30/2012 on the Kingston site and no stock at mWave or Newegg ($330 for 2x8G).

possibly they ran out?

 

I saw newegg listed it as being back in stock on the 11th. I don't know if that changed.

but, it is here finally.. or close to it. it will be overprced until the current demand has been filled.

You can get 32 gigs for the X9 now. Kingston is shipping it. It is just a little expensive right now. it will come down.

 

I am seeing 3/30/2012 on the Kingston site and no stock at mWave or Newegg ($330 for 2x8G).

 

What's the part number for the Kingston 8gb ram chips that the X9 supports?

KVR1333D3E9S/8G

KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G

Yikes - $189 CDN for 8GB in the X9 vs $89 for 8GB in the X8.

 

Would the X9 really be worth it, assuming you need the extra ram right now... I doubt it 

 

If the X9 really is "better", I hope that ram price drops by the time I'm ready to start my ESXi build 

The RAM just came out. give it a few months and the price will drop.