X58 + ECC + SATA 6GBPS is impossible to find.

[sz1]

Except for the ASRock Extreme3, which has tons of reviews decrying the poor quality.

The Asus WS line at first glance looks to fit the bill (except for the SATA, which I can deal with) but a quick search turns up several independent posts complaining that the boards do NOT in fact support ECC.

What is there left? I don't want to buy a heavily marked up OEM.

 

[tcsenter]

All X58 boards support ECC but its dependent on the CPU, since the memory controller is integrated there. Only the Xeon workstation models support ECC. Any X58 boards supporting Xeons will support ECC (when Xeons are used).

 

[sz1]

I understand that a Xeon is necessary for ECC. Perhaps some of the people posting complaints didn't.

But I'm pretty sure the motherboard needs to support it too. Look at Crucial's Memory Adviser tool for some X58 boards and you'll see that ECC is not supported with them, e.g. http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...l=P6T%20Deluxe

Q: Does my computer support ECC memory?
A: No.
Your system does not support ECC. Because ECC and non-ECC modules should not be mixed within a system, install the same type of modules that are already in your system.

 

[Kyanzes]

As it has already been pointed out the memory controller dwells in the CPU so all you need is a Xeon, e.g. W3540.

 

[Mark R]

As it has already been pointed out the memory controller dwells in the CPU so all you need is a Xeon, e.g. W3540.

And a BIOS that can detect and activate the ECC functions.

 

[tcsenter]

Which you're almost certain to have with the microcode to support Xeon processors.

 

[heyheybooboo]

A constructive alternative: The Dark Side.

Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3: $152

or even the Asus M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 for $128.


Both list Crucial ECC qualified RAMs on the QVL and should provide a transition to BD Zambezi with a BIOS update.




--

 

[lopri]

nevermind

 

[sz1]

As it has already been pointed out the memory controller dwells in the CPU so all you need is a Xeon, e.g. W3540.

So motherboard specs forget to mention ECC compatibility and the Crucial/Kingston/etc compatibility verification tools are flat-out wrong*?? If I stick Xeon+ECC RAM in there it will work with ECC turned on despite these indications to the contrary?

It's not impossible, and I'm not an expert in this industry, but I want to make sure that's actually what you're saying... I'd be throwing $300 down the drain if you're wrong.


* they affirm ECC compatibility with other boards, mind you, so it's not like they deny compatibility with every one.

 

[nenforcer]

As much as I use the Crucial memory adviser it does appear to be wrong some of the time. It claims my old ASUS CUBX i440BX does not support ECC / registered memory yet all server boards at the time used the same chipset with ECC. I am running registered ECC SDRAM DIMMs in it right now.

 

[keldog7]

All the logical circuitry is in the ram and CPU, as far as I know with the X58 design. Just the same, those circuits need to be able to talk to one another, which I believe requires additional tracings built into the motherboard. I may be wrong (it happens all the time...), but for full ECC support, I think the chip, RAM and motherboard all have to be ECC-certified.

(and no, the rig listed in my sig, is not my current rig...)