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Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H motherboard for home server build
Thinking about building a server just for playing around with virtualization and saw this board which looks like a good deal with all the specs that it comes with.. anyone ever used this board?
The only con I can see is that it's FM2 socket, so does not seem to have support for higher end CPU like the AM3+ sockets do.. but it's just for home use.
currently it's on sale with a mail in rebate, it comes to around $63..
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4383#sp
APU FM2 Socket:
AMD A series processors
AMD Athlon™ series processors
Chipset
AMD A85X
Memory
4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR3 2400(OC)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules
Support for AMD Memory Profile (AMP)/ Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
Onboard Graphics
APU with integrated AMD Radeon™ HD 8000/7000 series graphics:
1 x D-Sub port
1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 2560x1600
1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200
Audio
Realtek ALC887 codec
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN
Realtek GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
1 x PCI Express x1 slot
(All PCI Express slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
1 x PCI slot
Multi-Graphics Technology
Support for AMD CrossFire™ technology
Support for AMD Dual Graphics technology
* Only A series APUs support AMD Dual Graphics.
Storage Interface Chipset:
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors supporting up to 8 SATA 6Gb/s devices
Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and JBOD
USB Chipset:
Up to 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB header)
Up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers)
Internal I/O Connectors
1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x APU fan header
2 x system fan headers
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x USB 3.0/2.0 header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x serial port header
1 x parallel port header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header
Back Panel Connectors
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
1 x D-Sub port
1 x DVI-D port
1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
1 x HDMI port
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
3 x audio jacks (Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
I/O Controller
iTE I/O Controller Chip
H/W Monitoring
System voltage detection
APU/System temperature detection
APU/System fan speed detection
APU overheating warning
APU/System fan fail warning
APU/System fan speed control
* Whether the APU/system fan speed control function is supported will depend on the APU/system cooler you install.
BIOS
2 x 64 Mbit flash
Use of licensed AMI EFI BIOS
Support for DualBIOS™
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a
Unique Features
Support for @BIOS
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Xpress Install
Support for EasyTune
* Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model.
Support for Smart Recovery 2
Support for Auto Green
Support for ON/OFF Charge
Support for 3TB+ Unlock
Support for Q-Share
Form Factor
Micro ATX Form Factor; 24.4cm x 24.4cm
Anyhow.. interested in your opinions.
Comments
I wonder do you really want to lock yourself into the obscure and limiting FM2 socket.
Get an AM3+ board instead (from Gigabyte is more than fine), with onboard video if you must, it can fit CPUs from single-core Sempron to 8-core FX-8350. Buy any AM3 CPU that fits the budget today, can easily upgrade to top of the line later.
Or if you're looking for something cheap and simple with no real upgrade plans, you can get an E350N board:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/list.aspx?s=42&jid=17&p=2&v=25
$74 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128597
Dual core 1.6 GHz, supports virtualization too.
yeah I was thinking that but the AM3+ are pricier and most only have 4 x SATA 3, or lower specs anyhow.. for messing about, the FM2 CPU should be plenty, was looking at the AMD A8 6500, they go for about $115, with a passmark of 4471.. not too bad I think.
I got a similar board (may be the exact same model) for my home NAS, I got one of the baby FM2's but then upgraded to the quad core model... Its snappy!
But, I do only use that system for NAS and HTPC use.
That's a really good deal!!
I really like the all in one board and would make a great HTPC, but I already bought something similar to an atom like CPU.. I got a zotac vd01 so I was looking for something with little more power
Well I just like the fact that the board comes with 8 SATA 3 ports so if it comes time the CPU is too slow I can always use it as a file server,
Actually I use to prefer intel for server CPU.. but I just found out that with AMD you can do Nested virtualization, which I believe is crippled on the intel CPU.. so technically with AMD you can install proxmox in proxmox and create a KVM VM inside the nested proxmox..
I've had this exact board in use since March 6, 2013 with no issues whatsoever, I quite like it.
If you do decide to go with an E-350-powered board, DON'T get an Asus board. I had such continuous problems with mine that I ended up selling it off on ebay.
Yeah I quite agree, I've had nothing but problems with Asus boards.. especially those older boards with the nvidea chipsets..
@rm_
the GA-E350N you showed me is a really neat board, it can take up to 16 GB of DDR3 1333 ram!!
Looking at the open compute project I wonder why providers don't follow this route, similar to OVH and facebook etc..
so @ $74 for the board + CPU, $30 for a PS, $40 for 4GB Ram, $50 for 1TB drive total $194 complete.. I'm sure they can get their ROI in 1-2 yrs maybe at $20-$30/mo rental?
the zotacs are so underpowered.
i definitely recommend going with an AMD3+ board. Best bang for buck if you can get an FX-8150 or FX-8350 (this what im using). They roar in speed and power with a good price tag. I got myself a motherboard & cpu for $200 out the door @ Fry's Electronics.
Ah Fry's. 'tis a dangerous place! I spent $600 there recently for a home networkign project. Originally only intended to spend about $300.
I read somewhere that with the way AMD is going they might phase out the AM3+ in favor of the APU, not sure how true that is.
That's not so bad.. I tallied my bill for last month, it seem I spent close to $300 just for services I purchased online.. servers/domains etc.. nothing physical to show for it lol..
This looks pretty good as well..
GIGABYTE GA-C1007UN-D
Foxconn D70S-P