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TheProf · 05-16-2011, 02:15 PM

Hello,

How is everyone?

So I'm in the middle of designing a new server. It's pretty beefy and will be working hard as a Linux terminal server.

So far I've got:
- Intel i7-970 Processor (6-core with HT for 12-threads of yummy-ness)
- 24 GB RAM
- 30 GB SSD PCI-Express drive (for OS)
- 2 x 500 GB SATA III drives in RAID 1 for data

I'm just stuck on the issue of motherboards and network cards. I need the machine to have 2 gigabit NICs. However, finding a motherboard that has dual gigabit that isn't using either Realtek or Marvell NIC controllers is proving to be extremely difficult. Both are reported to have sub-par performance as compared to Intel NICs and if anything, this machine needs superb network performance.

So if I want Intel NICs I'm stuck with one motherboard made by Intel (BOXDX58SO2):
Newegg.com - Intel BOXDX58SO2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

which is a good board of course.

My question is, would it be worthwhile to instead get a different motherboard without the dual on-board NICs, and instead just add the two Intel gigabit cards? Is there a significant performance advantage for on-board vs. card NIC?

Or, does anyone know of another motherboard that would work instead of the Intel one?

Thank you!

05-16-2011, 02:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheProf Crazy	New Computer Hardware Recommendation? Hello, How is everyone? So I'm in the middle of designing a new server. It's pretty beefy and will be working hard as a Linux terminal server. So far I've got: - Intel i7-970 Processor (6-core with HT for 12-threads of yummy-ness) - 24 GB RAM - 30 GB SSD PCI-Express drive (for OS) - 2 x 500 GB SATA III drives in RAID 1 for data I'm just stuck on the issue of motherboards and network cards. I need the machine to have 2 gigabit NICs. However, finding a motherboard that has dual gigabit that isn't using either Realtek or Marvell NIC controllers is proving to be extremely difficult. Both are reported to have sub-par performance as compared to Intel NICs and if anything, this machine needs superb network performance. So if I want Intel NICs I'm stuck with one motherboard made by Intel (BOXDX58SO2): Newegg.com - Intel BOXDX58SO2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard which is a good board of course. My question is, would it be worthwhile to instead get a different motherboard without the dual on-board NICs, and instead just add the two Intel gigabit cards? Is there a significant performance advantage for on-board vs. card NIC? Or, does anyone know of another motherboard that would work instead of the Intel one? Thank you!