Does anyone have experience with a SuperMicro X9SBAA-F yet?

linuxman · **Joined:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:15 am **Posts:** 34

I'm quite interested in a mobo with the new Intel Centerton Server Atoms (they support up to 8GB ECC RAM and virtualisation in addition to EIST), so far the only board I could find is the SuperMicro X9SBAA-F which seems interesting but I would have liked 6 SATA ports rather than just four, or at least a PCI-e slot rather than the outdated PCI slot (to add a PCI-e SATA card): http://www.supermicro.com/products/moth ... SBAA-F.cfm

Anyway, has anyone here tested it already?

Despite what the SuperMicro site says, it seems to be in stock already at some dealers.

Also I would be very interested to know about any other Centerton Atom mobos (I haven't found any other yet).

edh · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:48 am

I assume this may be for some kind of server installation? I would be worried about the Matrox G200 based graphics for any other use. As you have linux in your name I'm guessing that's the way you're going in which case a command line only system would seem fine as KMS is now supported for Matrox. I'd leave a graphical desktop out of it entirely to be honest.

Are you familiar with SuperMicro boards in the past? I have worked with a few, they are definitely not targetted at consumers so tend to be very rock solid, built like tanks, just don't expect particularly good fan, clock speed or voltage control: Allowing the user to change such things might allow them to make it less reliable... and you don't want that in your enterprise datacentre. :roll:

linuxman · **Joined:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:15 am **Posts:** 34

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, it's for a home file server and will be running Linux. I'm not fixated on any specific mobo brand, I'm just looking for any mobo with the Intel Atom Centerton cpu, the brand of the mobo is secondary, what I care more about is the features (as I said I would prefer 6 SATA ports or at least a PCI-e slot).

That said, I'm interested to hear about experiences with this SuperMicro board or if anybody knows about any other Centerton based mobos (I haven't found any other ones so far).

Zolishoru · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:02 pm

What about an Intel S1200KPR + Pentium G2120 combination(yes, it does support ECC)? Idle power isn't too far from the atom, but with way more processing power, and as price should be close.

mgiammarco · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:09 am **Posts:** 83

Zolishoru wrote:

What about an Intel S1200KPR + Pentium G2120 combination(yes, it does support ECC)? Idle power isn't too far from the atom, but with way more processing power, and as price should be close.

Are you sure about idle power? Where I can see some data?

mgiammarco · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:09 am **Posts:** 83

linuxman wrote:

Also I would be very interested to know about any other Centerton Atom mobos (I haven't found any other yet).

Have you found some centerton motherboards?

Zolishoru · **Posted:** Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:17 pm

mgiammarco wrote:

Zolishoru wrote:

What about an Intel S1200KPR + Pentium G2120 combination(yes, it does support ECC)? Idle power isn't too far from the atom, but with way more processing power, and as price should be close.

Are you sure about idle power? Where I can see some data?

I've done some measurements some time ago, and published the results, reproduced below:

Quote:

Hardware configuration:
MB: Intel S1200KPR
CPU: Intel Pentium G2120
CPU heatsink: Scythe Mini Ninja Rev. B, no fan attached
RAM: Kingston KVR133D3E9SK2/16G, 16(2X8)GB DDR3-1333 ECC
SSD: Patriot Warp V2 32GB
KB: Logitech Illuminated, with lights turned off
Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6880
Fans: Noctua NF-P12-1300(with ULN) and NF-P14-FLX(no adapters), both connected to the MB
DC/DC converter: WinMate DD-24AX
Power brick: Acer, 19V/130W, class IV efficiency
OS: Ubuntu 12.10 64bit
Multimeters: Tektronix DMM870(current), Fluke 75 Series II(voltage)

Results:

1.
DC/DC converter, alone, off:
19.6V*0.01A=0.2W
DC/DC converter, alone, on:
19.6V*0.2A=3.9W

2.
16GB RAM(2modules):
System on, after 10 minutes idle on the desktop:
19.5V*1.01A=19.7W
System on, after 10 minutes idle on the desktop without KB&M:
19.5V*0.97A=18.9W
System running Prime95, 2 treads, in-place large FFT:
19.3V*2.29A=44.2W
System running Prime95, 2 treads, in-place large FFT, no KB&M:
19.3V*2.26A=43.6W
System running Prime95, 2 treads, blend test:
19.3V*2.33A=45W
System running Prime95, 2 treads, blend test, no KB&M:
19.3V*2.3V=44.4W

3.
8GB RAM(1 module), KB&M attached:
System on, after 10 minutes idle on the desktop:
19.5V*0.95A=18.5W
System running Prime95, 2 treads, blend test:
19.3V*2.15A=41.5W

4.
Currently used configuration:
MB: Intel S120KPR
CPU: Intel Pentium G2120
RAM: Kingston KVR133D3E9SK2/16G, 16(2X8)GB DDR3-1333 ECC
HBA: IBM M1015, flashed in IT mode
HDD: Samsung 640GB, 7200 RPM
Boot device: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 16GB USB stick
No KB&M
Booted up & idled for 15min in FreeNAS 8.3, no power management:
19.3V*1.95A=37.6W

Notes:
1.At all tests, a network connection was active(1GbE).
2.All current measurements are done between the power brick and the DC/DC converter.
3.All voltage measurements are done at the input of the DC/DC converter, after the current multimeter.
4.Ambient temperature during the tests was 22C, the CPU idled around 23-24C, and under full load was between 45-50C
5.Multimeters are NOT calibrated, because for home use make no sense third party certifications; however, on yearly basis I compare both multimeters against a calibrated HP 34401A multimeter, to which I have access at my workplace; so far, both are within the original factory specs. Last check was in July 2012.

The results are similar to the SPCR G2120 tests(different MB).

mgiammarco · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:09 am **Posts:** 83

Quote:

I've done some measurements some time ago, and published the results, reproduced below:

Thank you very much.
But I hoped that Centerton was around 10watt.

Zolishoru · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:29 pm

mgiammarco wrote:

Thank you very much.
But I hoped that Centerton was around 10watt.

The power for the SuperMicro X9SBAA-F MB I would guesstimate around 11-15W(depending on load); the biggest argument against this particular MB is the memory: ECC SO-DIMM. Approximately, the unbuffered DDR3 ECC SO-DIMM cost double compared to the standard UB DDR3 DIMM. And regarding the popularity of the platform tells a nice story the retail available motherboard models: 1(AFAIK).

Does anyone have experience with a SuperMicro X9SBAA-F yet?

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