MB recommendation for RAID5 using 3ware 9650SE

[pez]

I'm looking for a good quality MB that can support the PCIe RAID card and two PCI tuner cards. I also have an HDHR on the net.

I intend to use the system for a few different things...
I plan to store pictures (raw over 100GB) and miniDV video (at least a few 12GB tapes) as well as the SageTV shows. The processor is a Q6600 w/ 4GB. If the board doesn't have graphics, I have an x800xl i can use. The system will sometimes be used to watch recorded shows as it sits in my den.

I be using the system for video and photo editing also (possibly with a RAID0 temp disk). I'm thinking of using a separate OS disk as well.

I hope someone here has experience with the 3ware PCIe card and a good MB. The problem is to get two usable PCI slots and two PCIe if there is no onboard graphics.

thanks,
pez

PS I read most of the other threads on raid but i didn't see anything on the 9650 and a specific MB.

[valnar]

MB recommendation is easy, but I had a question. It sounds like the (onboard) video is not important? Why is that? Is it going to be a headless Sage server or will you watch video (and particularly HD) directly from it?

Also, is Mini-ATX or ATX form factor important?

Robert

[pez]

Though I'll be watching some shows on this system, its primary purpose is a data server, SageTV server, and video/photo editing system. It is unlikely that I'll watch high def shows on it, but as i move to a high def vidcam, the graphics card (onboard or not) should be able to display the video. I think there are some new chipsets that have good enough onboard video to do that. However, like i said i have a spare x800xl if i need it.

Also, as a server, it is in a big tower case capable of holding 11 total drives. It needs to support two PCI capture cards, the PCIe RAID card, and possible the PCIe graphics card. With that arrangement, i'm not expected any mini-ATX boards to fit the bill.

The placing of the PCI and PCIe slots on the MB must be such that all the cards i need can fit. An MB with good enough onboard graphics will alleviate most of the congestion as long the RAID card words in any PCIe slot. I guess that is one of the most important questions is the RAID compatibility with PCIe slots.

-pez

[valnar]

I think almost any motherboard is fine with that RAID card. You can't go wrong with Intel, Gigabyte or ASUS. Look at the HTPC thread here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972

Search for the text ".xls" and it will give you the current spreadsheet that renethx has put together with all the information you are looking for.

Check out the "green" highlighted motherboards under G33. They are the latest full sized ATX boards with onboard graphics. Note that if you use the PCIe X16 slot for your RAID card, you won't have anything bigger than X1 left. If it's only a 4x RAID card and you also want PCIe graphics later, then the MSI G33 fits the bill.

If overclocking is not important, then the Supermicro boards offer unique configurations unavailable from anyone else (PCIe/PCI configurations). They have a dedicated x16 and x4 slot. That's what I went with for my server.

If you want to go to using a dedicated video card right away, then the world of P35 motherboards open up. Stick with the three major brands and you can't go wrong.

Robert

[Shield]

Originally Posted by valnar

I think almost any motherboard is fine with that RAID card. You can't go wrong with Intel, Gigabyte or ASUS. Look at the HTPC thread here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972

Search for the text ".xls" and it will give you the current spreadsheet that renethx has put together with all the information you are looking for.

Check out the "green" highlighted motherboards under G33. They are the latest full sized ATX boards with onboard graphics. Note that if you use the PCIe X16 slot for your RAID card, you won't have anything bigger than X1 left. If it's only a 4x RAID card and you also want PCIe graphics later, then the MSI G33 fits the bill.

If overclocking is not important, then the Supermicro boards offer unique configurations unavailable from anyone else (PCIe/PCI configurations). They have a dedicated x16 and x4 slot. That's what I went with for my server.

If you want to go to using a dedicated video card right away, then the world of P35 motherboards open up. Stick with the three major brands and you can't go wrong.

Robert

Uhm, Robert, you do realize that many motherboards' secondary PCIe x16 or x8 slot is electrically compatible with PCIe-4x. You don't need a "dedicated" 4x slot. Sorry, but it sounds like you don't know as much as you think you do about PCIe.

[valnar]

Originally Posted by Shield

Uhm, Robert, you do realize that many motherboards' secondary PCIe x16 or x8 slot is electrically compatible with PCIe-4x. You don't need a "dedicated" 4x slot. Sorry, but it sounds like you don't know as much as you think you do about PCIe.

Yes, I do realize that. As long as the RAID card is PCIe-4x and not 8x, it'll be fine. (Although even a 8x card in a 4x slot has more than enough bandwidth.) Many motherboards have two PCIe-x16 slots (sort of, like you said), but that requires the OP to also use a video card.

Are you on a mission in this forum Shawn? Truce!

[pez]

Thanks Robert, that is maybe too much info in the xls though. I spend a lot of time looking through it. I like the DFI UT boards, but they are more $$ than i want to spend.