With the price of older xeons coming down I started looking around for dual socket motherboads. Can anybody recommend any dual socket boards for E5-1650 / 1660, preferably ATX, that are around $500/ $600 AUD?

 

Something like this would have been nice but it's 2011-3 (https://freeshippingtech.com.au/index.php?z=p&p=MBDSPM10201&qr=fst_getprice&utm_source=getprice&utm_medium=cpc).

 

Any help would be much appreciated guys. Cheers.

 

EDIT: Upon be informed that the 1660 can't be put into a dual configuration I am now looking at the 2670.

Update: This is probably the closest I have found so far although it is lacking in sata 3 ports (only has 2).

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro-X9DRi-LN4F-ServerMotherboard-Dual-LGA-2011-Socket-R-W-Heatsinks-3A/131773771450?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36499%26meid%3D058e8935f7044d099f7e8ae8937a8816%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D7%26sd%3D222050604545

As pointed out in another  thread, the 1600 chip doesn't work in dual configuration. The first digit says how many CPUs you can have on the same motherboard. So you need 2600 series CPUs.

...The first digit says how many CPUs you can have on the same motherboard. So you need 2600 series CPUs.

 

Thanks for deciphering the naming convention! I wasn't aware of that.

 

It looks as if there are very few options with a base clock of 3Ghz that can be picked up for a reasonable price.

I'm still interested if anyone has any motherboard recommendations for a dual E5-2670 setup? I did come across this package ( http://www.natex.us/product-p/s2600cp-cpu-kit.htm ) which is interesting. With shipping to AUS it comes in at around $550.

 

It is a little light on 6GB sata connectors. I'd like to potentially allow room for 3 video cards for vm's so it doesn't leave a lot (if any) room for additional expansion cards.

Was looking at the very same package about an hour ago. I'm guessing you're planning on using postal forwarding to get it into Australia? Which company were you planning on going with?

I'm guessing you're planning on using postal forwarding to get it into Australia? Which company were you planning on going with?

 

I am planning on going with http://www.natex.us. Even with exchange rate and heft delivery it still appears to be pretty good value. I haven't seen any e-atx boards in Australia under $600 for the motherboard alone.

 

On their order page it doesn't have Australia listed as a country to ship to but I have been in contact with their support staff over email and they said they do ship to Australia. Additionally, when I inquired about the shipping fee the person I spoke with sent me the following:

 

Postage Price Calculator

International Services

Large Package, weight 12 lb 0 oz (5.443 kg) to Australia

 

Priority Mail Express International™ $133.70 USD (3-6 business days to many major markets)

Priority Mail International® $99.15 USD (6 - 10 business days to many major markets)

 

Now that I have settled on a motherboard and the purpose of this thread I am marking this as solved and continuing the overal build discussion in this thread (https://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=48750.0 ). Feel free to stop by and share your thoughts