Looking for a Core i7 or i5 uATX or mini-ITX board

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trueimage

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Nov 14, 2000
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I want to build a "server" of sorts. But I want it to be small-ish for some portability. I'd love integrated video.

I want to use either of the sockets, but LGA 1156 is cheaper on the cpu front, I could use a core i5 750. Otherwise I'd get an i7 920 if required.

I need to have plenty of RAM, 12GB seems to be the sweet spot for the triple channel DDR3 - 6x2GB kit for about $350 cdn.

The machine will be running 64-bit Win server 2008 as the host OS and then at least 3 VMs - oracle and then 2-3 app servers.

Any help narrowing this down would be great. I want looking at the ASUS Rampage II GENE since it is uATX but it is made for gaming and I don't need all that extra stuff.
 
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trueimage

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Nov 14, 2000
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I was thinking RAM is the most important thing for this setup, and HDD I/O

Here's a few things I threw together:

16GB RAM
80GB SSD

but... it comes out to about $1350 cdn after taxes so it is a bit high...


-Corsair XMS3 Dominator 8GB DDR3 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL 8-8-8-24 Core I5 Memory Kit (CMD8GX3M4A1600C8) (2x)

-Intel Core i5 750 Quad Core 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA1156 Bloomfield - Retail

-GIGABYTE MB GA-P55M-UD4 COREI7 5 P55 LGA1156 PCIE2 DDR3 SATA UATX RETAIL

-Powercolor Radeon HD 3650 600MHZ 512MB 667MHZ DDR2 PCI-E DVI VGA TV Out Video Card (AX3650 512MD2-V2)

-Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH080G2C1 2.5" 80GB SATA II SSD

-Antec Super Quiet Mini NSK1480 Desktop Case - Micro ATX - 350W Power Supply 80mm TriCool 3-color
 
lopri

lopri

Elite Member
Jul 27, 2002
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I don't know much about that board but $120 for an X58 mATX board seems like a bargain.
 
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trueimage

Senior member
Nov 14, 2000
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Because it is standardized is there less risk of getting a "crappy" board. I mean I just want general stability, no overclock. Asus et al brag about better components like capacitors etc...
 
Kantastic

Kantastic

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Sep 23, 2009
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I have/had a Rampage II Gene and it's rock solid stable. I know you probably don't want all the excess "gaming" features but it's mainly the quality you're paying for. I've used mine for a month or so and it never gave me even so much of a hitch.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
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trueimage said:
I want to build a "server" of sorts. But I want it to be small-ish for some portability. I'd love integrated video.
Click to expand...

No integrated video is available when using higher end Intel platforms. There is the upcoming H57 chipset for socket 1156, but you'll need a Core i3 dual core CPU to get the use of the IGP because it will be built into the CPU (just like the PCIe lanes were integrated into the CPU along with the memory controller).

You can also consider AMD chips. Aren't they decent enough in performance for virtualization?

How portable would you like it? Generally speaking you can easily do micro ATX for some sense of portability, but still have a full range of component choice from super budget to really high end. Mini ITX is still more limited at this time, though you can go quad core. Also, your choice of case will affect portability.
 
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trueimage

Senior member
Nov 14, 2000
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Zap said:
No integrated video is available when using higher end Intel platforms. There is the upcoming H57 chipset for socket 1156, but you'll need a Core i3 dual core CPU to get the use of the IGP because it will be built into the CPU (just like the PCIe lanes were integrated into the CPU along with the memory controller).

You can also consider AMD chips. Aren't they decent enough in performance for virtualization?

How portable would you like it? Generally speaking you can easily do micro ATX for some sense of portability, but still have a full range of component choice from super budget to really high end. Mini ITX is still more limited at this time, though you can go quad core. Also, your choice of case will affect portability.
Click to expand...

I hadn't looked at AMD because I have been out of touch with those since the s939/X2 days. A quick look at tom's hw charts show the core i5 750 around the same level as the AMD Phenom II X4 965 which looks like the top of the line cpu from AMD. I'm not opposed to an AMD based solution for sure, I'm just more familiar with Intel's offerings right now.

Also, I've looked at the uATX cases and they look ok. The reality is that it should be portable enough, I'm not talking daily or even weekly movement.
 
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trueimage

Senior member
Nov 14, 2000
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I am leaning towards the core i5 750 and 4x 4GB of ram for 16GB total, because it is a cheaper cpu and mb than the i7 920 solution, and the ram followed by the hdd i/o I think are the limiting factors. The core i5 750 cpu should be plenty quick enough for what I'm doing. And even if not, the i7 9320 is THAT much faster for an extra 33% in cost on the cpu alone - in this specific application.
 
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trueimage

Senior member
Nov 14, 2000
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jonpete said:
if you want to go mini-ITX with a P55, then this board is the only on available, will be in stores by Dec. 10 or so...

http://www.techspot.com/news/36851-dfi-intros-mi-p55t36-the-worlds-first-p55based-miniitx-board.html

already planning a build for LAN machine based on this board hehehe
Click to expand...

That board looks awesome - I will probably use that for another project - but, as I expected, the two ram slots make it unusable, I think. I will have to double check with some people but I think 8GB isn't enough for this project.

That board plus a CUDA video card would make an amazing HTPC, and even a LAN party box as you mentioned. Thanks for the heads up, I've been waiting for the mini-ITX boards!
 
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trueimage

Senior member
Nov 14, 2000
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Kantastic said:
The 4X4GB route will probably come out costing more than 6X2GB.
Click to expand...

I agree, it does.

6x2GB is about $350 cdn
2x4GB is about $275 cdn, times 2 is $550, for 4 GB more RAM.

The CPU and MB for the i5 solution are about $100 less, each, so it works out about the same, but you get 4GB extra.

I certainly haven't landed on this as a final solution, because either way, it seems pricey.
 
Thor86

Thor86

Diamond Member
May 3, 2001
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Ayah said:
It looks like 4+2 phase power. I dunno if I would trust it.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't trust it in what regards? Yes, I doubt this is an OCing board, but the OP stated, they will not be OCing, and price was more important.
 
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trueimage

Senior member
Nov 14, 2000
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Thor86 said:
Curious to know where you got this from:

2x4GB is about $275 cdn
Click to expand...

You are right, I just re-ran my search on pricecanada.com, and it said 2x4gb, then I clicked on the link to newegg.ca and it is really 4x2gb

I am now really starting to lean towards waiting for that mini-ITX board on Dec 10 from DFI. I confirmed with someone who is using a similar machine (775 based mini-ITX) for the same purpose that I can get away with 8GB, so the two slots on that mini-ITX board should be ok.
 
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