Difference btw Server MB and Desktop MB?

[gadgets]

Anyone knows the difference between a server motherboard vs the usual desktop motherboard?

 

[AndyHui]

Generally a server won't have an AGP slot. You will find all sorts of things on a server board that a desktop board normally won't, such as CPU sockets for more than one processor, 64-bit PCI or PCI-X slots, onboard SCSI controllers, support for multiple power supplies, etc.

 

[gadgets]

Originally posted by: AndyHui
Generally a server won't have an AGP slot. You will find all sorts of things on a server board that a desktop board normally won't, such as CPU sockets for more than one processor, 64-bit PCI or PCI-X slots, onboard SCSI controllers, support for multiple power supplies, etc.

Thanks for the reply. Apart from the feature set difference, is there any difference in terms of performance or reliability? Coz what I understand is that any desktop mainboard can be used to run a server as well. Thus my question is, what justifies having a server motherboard over a usual desktop mainboard?

 

[Peter]

Server mainboards usually are a lot more serious about providing I/O bandwidth. Multiple PCI or PCI-X busses, 64-bit wide, 66 to 133 MHz, rather than the single, wimpy 32-bit 33 MHz bus found on commodity boards.
That plus support for A LOT OF memory, with ECC protection usually, is what makes it start being a server board. Then you add the usual suspects right onto the board - SCSI and ethernet channels, basic graphics, serious hardware monitoring, and you're set.

 

[Vette73]

If all you need is a basic server, then yes a good stable single CPU might do what you need. i.e. a KT400 board, nForce2, etc...

If you need dual CPU's, 64bit PCI slots, ECC ram, etc... then a server or workstation board might suit you better. i.e. any 760MPX board, etc...

 

[pspada]

There is one other vast difference between server and a "normal" desktop mobo - the price. :Q