The ThinkStation D20 (4158-AB7) MB I have been using as the backbone of my ESXi 5.1/unRAID build is still giving me grief.  So, I decided to look for a new MB.

 

I was lucky enough to get a SuperMicro X8DTH-iF (http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/qpi/5500/x8dth-if.cfm) off of Ebay for $167.    My dual Xeon E5530's and memory will migrate nicely from the D20 to this board.  However, the PSU will not.  Lenovo uses a proprietary 10 pin 12v plug for each rail.

 

So, I need some advice as to what PSU I should get.  Unfortunately, it will need to have 2 12v rails which I know is not suggested.  But since it is a dual CPU board I really don't have a choice.  It will need to push 20 platter drives + 3 SSDs + both CPUs.

 

Any advice?

 

TIA!

 

John

So, I need some advice as to what PSU I should get.  Unfortunately, it will need to have 2 12v rails which I know is not suggested.  But since it is a dual CPU board I really don't have a choice.  It will need to push 20 platter drives + 3 SSDs + both CPUs.

 

...not sure why you think you need a dual-rail.

There are not that many PSUs with 2x8-pin EPS connectors out there, but they are available like some from Sea Sonic

...look at the X-Series X-750 model for a start.

You know what...I just exposed my ignorance. 

 

I thought that every dual CPU required a PSU with at least 2 12v rails.  Thank you for educating me Ford!

 

That being said, would the seasonic x750 be sufficient at powering both CPUs + 20 drives?  From what I have read, I guess it is matter of amperage rather than wattage.

 

John

It should be fine - I'd probably give myself a bit of headroom and shoot for the X-850 though just in case.

It should be fine - I'd probably give myself a bit of headroom and shoot for the X-850 though just in case.

 

Done!

 

Thx Quasi! 

 

John

There are not that many PSUs with 2x8-pin EPS connectors out there ....

 

Ah, I wondered why my X650 came with two of those!