Mobo for Xeon Processor

You require an X99 board for that processor. Always check for your Xeon processor in the CPU Support list.

You'll want a full size board to accommodate the two video cards.

You'll also need to verify the PCIe slot width needed for the Blackmagic card, x4 or x8. It is PCIe 2.0 x8.

Be sure to verify the number of PCIe lanes each PCIe x16 slot provides. The slot may be x16 physical, but may only be x8 or x4 electrically. This is of critical importance. Also the spacing of the PCIe slots must be compatible with all your video cards.

You have 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the Xeon processor. If both video cards will be run a x16, then that leaves x8 for other devices.

You won't be able to use M.2 SSDs, since you may be using all of the PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU.

parsec wrote: You require an X99 board for that processor. Always check for your Xeon processor in the CPU Support list. You'll want a full size board to accommodate the two video cards. You'll also need to verify the PCIe slot width needed for the Blackmagic card, x4 or x8. It is PCIe 2.0 x8. Be sure to verify the number of PCIe lanes each PCIe x16 slot provides. The slot may be x16 physical, but may only be x8 or x4 electrically. This is of critical importance. Also the spacing of the PCIe slots must be compatible with all your video cards. You have 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the Xeon processor. If both video cards will be run a x16, then that leaves x8 for other devices. You won't be able to use M.2 SSDs, since you may be using all of the PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU.

Thank you so much for explaining these things to me!

Obviously still in r&d about what components to get. This helps a lot. I'll look into this further.

neverknowu wrote: I guess the 10G would be good for me if I was say...needing to set up a raid that worked with a 10G connection?

Exactly. SATAe is FAST. I'm assuming you're building a fast editing workstation.

Yet, it never hurts to future-proof now while looking down the road at possible scenarios.

What you're looking at building now isn't by any stretch inexpensive, but the comparative little additional cost incurred now may save a tear-down in the future should you decide at a later date you do want SATAe/10G.


My way of looking at your situation. If I were you. wearing your boots, sort of way.

Ughgg, you're travelling with it? hehehe, ok!?!

Take a look at the other X99 boards ASRock offers then.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=2011-3