February 13, 20251 yr Looking to update my current Supermicro X7SBE Norco 4224 server (see signature) of 14 years. I would like to stick with a Supermicro board with IPMI and will be reusing my PSU and Norco 4224 chassis. I would like to use both SAS and SATA drives (segregated by HBA and backplane). Other on being my file server and media server, I currently run one docker (Unifi controller) and one VM (Windows 10 server), but would like a server robust enough to run others as the needs arise. As you can see from my current build, I am the type of build it and forget about it. So it has been 14 years since I last looked at computing technology and here is my first stab at a configuration with something that will remain relevant for the next 5-7 years and last me another 15 years. Proposed Build: Supermicro X13SEI-TF Likes: Plenty of PCIe slots with dedicated paths to CPU, 2x M.2 slots, Dual Intel 10GBase-T NICs, 10 onboard SATA (8 via Slim line SAS) Dislikes: Expensive CPU and memory options. Intel Xenon Silver 4510 Don't know if there's another option that won't break the bank. Will need a CPU cooler since this CPU is only available as OEM tray version. Nemix RAM 16GB RDIMM DDR5 5600MHz PC5-44800 Will get 2x for a total of 32GB of RAM Supposedly compatible with the recommended Supermicro memory LSI 9400-8i or Lenovo 430-8i (cross flashed to LSI 9400-8i) Will get at least 2, may need 3 if I can't find a SATA cable to connect the SFF-8654 SATA0-7 to my two SFF-8087 backplanes. May consider one LSI 9400-16i and one 9400-8i to save on wattage. Cables Needed: Slim line SAS (SFF-8654?) to SFF-8087 to connect onboard SATA0-SATA07 to two backplanes in Norco 4224. Need recommendations where to buy at reasonable price. SFF-8643 to SFF-8087 Is this the cable to connect the Lenovo 430-8i to Norco backplanes? Looking forward to seeing your suggestions. Edited February 15, 20251 yr by beanmeister
February 15, 20251 yr The 430-8i you linked to won't work, since that isn't PCIe form factor, but the PCIe version is fine. They use SFF-8643 cables. The Norco uses SFF-8087, so yes you need SFF-8643 to SFF-8087 cables. Make sure to get SAS/SATA cables, there are also NVMe versions that won't work since they are wired differently so if you connect them the card won't detect anything. Unfortunately, there are no SFF-8654 to SFF-8087 that are SAS/SATA, to the best of my knowledge. I bought several a year ago that claimed to be, and they were NVMe. Hopefully that changed though, but if not, there are adapter-cards, from Chenyang which are supposed to take a slot, but you can just remove the backplate and put them almost anywhere. You also may consider getting the 9400 (430) 16i instead, since the 8i uses 10 watt, which means 20 watt for 16, while a 16i only uses 12. Also don't forget the powersupply needs at least 6 molex-connectors. I got a full modular powersupply, that came with only 3, so I ended up buying an additional cable directly from the manufacturer.
February 15, 20251 yr Author Good catch on the 430-8i cards not being the correct form factor. I almost pulled the trigger and noticed that it was missing the connector tab that usually goes into the PCIe slot. As much as I would like to save on the wattage by going with the 9400-16i, I am trying to not concentrate so many drives on one HBA/PCIe 8X slot for better throughput and to be able to segregate SAS and SATA drives so that they are on separate PCIe/HBA/backplane. For example, one HBA in one PCIe 8X slot for two backplanes that will connect only SATA drives and another that will connect only SAS drives. I don't even know if mixing or segregating SAS from SATA drives matters regarding maximizing throughput, but it seems like something logical to do. It turns out the Xeon Silver 4510 CPU is not available as a retail box, but only as an OEM tray version, meaning no cooling included. Looks like the LGA-4677 CPU also needs a carriage, I am hoping that the carriage comes with the motherboard. Still searching for a SAS/SATA cable to connect the motherboard SFF-8654 (SATA0-7) to my two SFF-8087 backplanes. Can't believe no one else has ever encounter this scenario. Boy this build is starting out to be interesting with all the challenges.
February 16, 20251 yr 19 hours ago, beanmeister said: I don't even know if mixing or segregating SAS from SATA drives matters. meaning no cooling included. also needs a carriage. SFF-8654 (SATA0-7) to SFF-8087 Mixing SATA and SAS is no problem. The controller negotiates the speed for each device separately, so they all get full speed. In case a drive fails, it could matter since SATA tends to block things. I've not had any broken drives fail while they were powered on though, so not sure what would happen. But for throughput it doesn't matter. The carriers are included with the motherboard, you can verify that with the parts list on the page you listed, although there are three types and only two are included. It says on the processor which one you need (E1B) which is the MCC carrier. The case I'm using uses SFF-8643, so I have SFF-8654 to SFF-8643 cables, and I solved it by getting SFF-8643 to SFF-8087 adapters, and short 8087-cables. Keep in mind a SATA connection can be 1 meter long at most, so if you get a 1 meter cable, then an adapter and then another cable, it may not work.
February 17, 20251 yr Author Just found out Norco is no longer in business. I have to rethink if I want to continue using the Norco 4224 chassis or use the opportunity to build a smaller server with bigger drives. I would hate to risk a backplane in the Norco failing and not be able to replace it.
February 19, 20251 yr Author Will this SFF-8654 to SFF-8087 cable support SATA? Supposedly it supports SAS4 so I would assume the cable will work with SATA drives. The X13SEI-TF motherboard has 8x SATA ports via a slimline SAS 8i port. So I would plan to use this cable to connect those eight SATA ports to two of my Norco (SFF-8087) backplanes.
February 19, 20251 yr 12 hours ago, beanmeister said: Will this Nope. First description it says PCI-E Ultra-port, and later it mentions the SFF-8654 is for the backplane, and the SFF-8087 is for the controller. I'm not sure if there are any PCIe controllers with SFF-8087, or if it works with SATA/SAS, but they won't work the other way around.
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