Mini ITX upgrade: Need help!


Recommended Posts

Hi guys,

 

I need to upgrade my board/CPU to a board that has a PCI 2.0 slot for my new IBM M1050.  My current setup is:

 

12Tb File Server: Fractal Design Array R2, Intel D510MO / D510 Intel MN10, 4Gb DDR2 800Mhz

 

If possible I would like to stay with Intel.  No budget in mind, but I want to purchase this new motherboard/CPU by Tuesday.

 

The new setup must be able to run addons...

 

Thank you

Link to comment

My guess is that it is a typo and like in firmware thread he is refering to IBM M1015.

... in which case he'd be looking for PCIe support, not PCI?

Which was also a typo probably.  Although there probably was a 2.0 version of PCI the ones I've heard about were 2.1 or maybe 2.2.  Whereas 2.0 always makes me think PCIe.  Really which they had come up with a better name >:( for PCIe.  They changed to PCI from ISA when PCI came out so why not again with the new serial standard.
Link to comment

You want to stay Mini ITX - correct?  Are you going to have it be headless (no keyboard or monitor)?

 

Yes as I don't want to change case etc yet.  Completely headless like I am now  :)

If you can find one of these it has ITX form factor with IPMI for complete headless access.  It includes the CPU so you don't need to purchase that similar to your D510 Intel MN10.  At Newegg it is $700 - so expensive.
Link to comment

Would the CPU be fine for running multiple add-ons such as NZB, rsync etc or would you advise that I get the fastest CPU possible for this board?

 

I run multiple add-ons on the A6 and it works great. Obviously getting a better processor might make it run faster, but how much faster I can't say. Not worth the jump in price I'd imagine unless you're Mr. Moneybags. :)

Link to comment

The Asrock only has one PCI slot (Have two expansion cards, although one won't be in use as I'll get another IBM M1050) according to: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/ASRock-FM2A85X-ITX-Motherboard/1735/8 but has 7 SATA ports...

 

Offical Specs: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Specifications&Model=FM2A85X-ITX

 

But the MSI board has three PCI slots, 6 SATA ports.  The MSI board looks as though their is a lot of room to expand due to the PCI ports.

 

Offical Specs: http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/FM2-A85XMA-E35.html#?div=Detail

 

What do you think?  I'm hoping to buy this tonight :)

 

Update

 

Would a 200MHz "bonus" make a big enough difference to Unraid for add-ons etc

Link to comment

The Asrock only has one PCI slot (Have two expansion cards, although one won't be in use as I'll get another IBM M1050) according to: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/ASRock-FM2A85X-ITX-Motherboard/1735/8 but has 7 SATA ports...

 

Offical Specs: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Specifications&Model=FM2A85X-ITX

 

But the MSI board has three PCI slots, 6 SATA ports.  The MSI board looks as though their is a lot of room to expand due to the PCI ports.

 

Offical Specs: http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/FM2-A85XMA-E35.html#?div=Detail

 

What do you think?  I'm hoping to buy this tonight :)

 

Update

 

Would a 200MHz "bonus" make a big enough difference to Unraid for add-ons etc

 

Well if you're using a FD Array R2, where do you expect to put more than 6 HDDs? Also, the MSI board is a MicroATX board, not miniITX. As for the 200Mhz difference, you won't see much of an improvement I'd imagine. The one possible advantage the A6 would have is that it's unlocked and can be overclocked. However, I'm not even sure unRAID supports OC'ed CPUs. See this:

 

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-A6-5400K-vs-AMD-A4-5300 (I would disregard the 3DMark11 Physics score comparison, something seems wrong about that)

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.