Custom server build motherboard guidance

[Raoul Jap-Tjong]

Hi,

Now that IM owning 2 rack servers (HP Proliant ml350 G6 and a dell Poweredge 2950 III) for a year ive decided that its time that its time for a custom replacement. Ive found an Cooler Master HAF Stacker combo that I can pickup for quite cheap. Im not to dirty to mod the HAF 915R case but its M-ITX Form factor design makes it hard to pick a motherboard to do the trick.

What im looking for is any guidance how to pick the right motherboards based of what preformance im expecting and what sizes fit. THIS one from asus.

Since this is quite a complex motherboard and a relative expensive one I first want to look at other options. That's the reason for writing this post.

I wonder if anyone has experience with ITX/ M-ITX motherboards to do server loads.

Minimal requirements.
Minimal 64 GB of DDR3 ECC Ram
Single or Double (Double is what IM more in favor of) Socket 1366 or higher.
Remote Management functionality (Optional but if possible a must)
The HALF-SSI boards ive come across only have 1x PCI-E 16x but I kinda want either a x8 or x4 slot for expanding purpose.

For reference: https://www.pugetsystems.com/featured/Compact-and-Stackable-Dual-Xeon-System-122

Im also wondering. If maybe 2 M-ATX motherboards to form a cluster would be optional.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Calvin7]

The Asus Z9PH-D16 is Half SSI (6.8"x16.7") form factor. It fits in a 1U Twin Server chassis.
Supermicro SuperChassis SC809T-980B
https://www.server-hardware.com/shop/supermicro-superchassis-sc809t-980b-19-1u-server-chassis-black-cse-809t-980b,1391.html

ASRock E3C236D2I Mini ITX Server Motherboard LGA 1151 Intel C236
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813599005

The HAF 915R is designed for large video card and standard ATX power supply and Mini ITX motherboard. Mini ITX motherboards lack many features of larger form factor models. There are a few reviews of the ASRock model on Newegg.

 

[Raoul Jap-Tjong]

The Asus Z9PH-D16 is Half SSI (6.8"x16.7") form factor. It fits in a 1U Twin Server chassis.
Supermicro SuperChassis SC809T-980B
https://www.server-hardware.com/shop/supermicro-superchassis-sc809t-980b-19-1u-server-chassis-black-cse-809t-980b,1391.html

ASRock E3C236D2I Mini ITX Server Motherboard LGA 1151 Intel C236
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813599005

The HAF 915R is designed for large video card and standard ATX power supply and Mini ITX motherboard. Mini ITX motherboards lack many features of larger form factor models. There are a few reviews of the ASRock model on Newegg.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/featured/Compact-and-Stackable-Dual-Xeon-System-122 this system used the same board and the same Case. They modified the case to accommodate such board. If that is what it takes then I wouldn't mind doing such thing as well. The issue with the board you showed is that it only has 1 socket.
I would like 2 sockets so I can fit 2 Xeon cpus that are in the less expensive range (like allot of the socket 2011 cpus).
I'm currently aware that M ITX boards don't provide the expansion features as normal ATX or M=-ATX boards provide but I'm willing to make sacrifices in order to have a small compact box.