Dual-processor motherboards: overview, specifications, reviews

The development of computer technology is so fast that some do not keep up with inventions and innovations. So, so far, few users are aware of the existence of a dual-processor motherboard. Those who have heard about this device, believe that it is perfect for a gaming PC. We will consider the purpose of this model and some applications.

What is it, who is it?

So, dual-processor motherboards, as you might guess from the name, have two connectors for the chip. They are designed for systems with increased performance. And gaming PCs to these systems have nothing to do. Despite the exactingness, they still need not so much power.

Those chips that can cooperate are called Intel Xeon. This series of server microprocessors. In general, such models have a larger cache volume, and also support multiprocessor systems. Interestingly, such chips can store up to 18 physical cores and 36 virtual ones. Considering that the chip on the board is two, these figures can be multiplied by two.

Looking at such opportunities, some dreamers of the gaming PC can catch fire with the desire to assemble such a system. Of course, no one will forbid you to use dual-processor motherboards, and the power for games will suffice with interest. But then get ready for the huge cost of such a machine. And it will be several times larger than even the most powerful gaming computer.

This is due to the fact that, firstly, the processor itself is not cheap, but there are also two. Secondly, for such a power you need a very strong power supply. Thirdly, we must not forget about the cooling system. If the processors overheat, and they make it easy, the whole system will be covered. For such a motherboard, a special memory is needed, which, in addition to its basic duties, works to eliminate errors and correct them.

Options

Now the market is easy to find dual-processor motherboards. They are represented by many well-known and not very manufacturers. Some of them became cultic, others, on the contrary, went unnoticed. Each such board differs in chip connectors, the presence of slots and cooling systems. In principle, the same as the desktop versions.

Some of the models that we are considering today have already come out of sale, due to the fact that they have become obsolete. For example, a dual-processor motherboard (775 socket) is unlikely to be installed in any existing PC. The connector has long ceased to be popular. Since he appeared in 2004, he worked with Pentium 4, Celeron, Pentium Dual-Core and Core 2 Duo.

Asus

Asus company became one of those who worked hard to create two-processor "motherboards". The manufacturer presented the buyers a whole series of these devices. All of them are executed qualitatively, but all the same are designed for server PCs.

It starts with the earliest modification - Asus Z9PE-D8 WS. This option was presented in early 2012. Positioned "motherboard" as a device for workstations. The main advantage then was considered to support the chip from the Xeon E5 series. Eight RAM modules could also be installed. At the same time, the volume reached 256 GB.

The overclocking potential proved to be good. The board showed a wide range of overclocking possibilities: voltage increase, processor multiplier adjustment, chipset setup and various interfaces. After the appearance on the market, this model did not become special. But her followers remembered more.

Jr

Asus Z10PE-D8 WS and Asus Z10PE D16 WS on sale appeared in 2014. Both models are designed for installation in servers or workstations. They support the well-known series of Haswell-EP chipsets.

"Mothers" are delivered in a stylish package. They look identical. On a black background there is a golden graphic element. There is a model of the board in front, there is a description of some special technologies. Behind the specification is an extended one.

The low-end model supports the connection of eight RAM modules of the type RDIMM / LR-DIMM / NVDIMM DDR4-1333 /.../ 2133. The total memory capacity can reach 512 GB. Also, several accelerators can be installed on the board, since the support of 4-Way SLI technology is indicated. There are slots available for connecting eight SATA HDDs, two Express and one M.2. The form factor of this model is standard for such variants of the system - EEB.

Sockets of the LGA2011-3 format are powered by 8 channels. Near the power elements are placed radiators, which allude to the fact that the board still needs additional cooling. "Motherboard" received a graphics adapter that supports a resolution of 1920x1200. Network controllers here are two - for gigabit. There is an audio codec, various indicators and the necessary connectors.

Older

Asus Z10PE D16 WS became an interesting model, due to the fact that the company decided to position it as "for enthusiasts". Here all the same packaging is in black and gold color. It shows the main specifications. Inside is the motherboard, which received a form factor, standard for server models, - SSI EEB.

This model is practically no different from the younger one. It runs on an Intel C612 chip. The first thing that catches your eye is the changed location of the processor connectors. By the way, their format has not changed - LGA 2011-3. This arrangement allowed to add as many as eight slots. Hence the changed index in the title. As a result, there are 16 connectors for memory. RAM by the way changed the format and began to support DDR4 RDIMM.

The expansion slots, on the contrary, decreased in quantity. But this moment was compensated by the fact that now the four connectors are of the x16 type not only mechanical but also electric. The rest of the pair works on the x8 construct.

This model has become the most popular, if you review the motherboard Asus. Although in addition to the above-described series there was a couple, about which we will talk further.

Forgotten

One of the long-forgotten motherboards was Asus NCT-D (E7525). In 2004, its cost was $ 450, and the model was considered very fast and expensive.

The box pointed to a minimum of information about the board. It had a black glossy color, displayed the company logo and motto. Inside there were special screws to screw the device to the PC case. There were some adapters, stubs and "waste paper". It is interesting that this model was made on the form factor ATX, which is now a rarity for server boards.

The batteries were protected by a radiator, although this cooling, of course, was not enough. For heat transfer, a rubber gasket was also placed. For additional power supply, voltage regulators were installed. But since they did not cool, the question arose about the designation of that radiator. Maybe it was just a decor.

The board's power is represented by a 24 + 8 circuit connector. The power supply should have a power of at least 400 watts. RAM is represented by four connectors, the maximum volume reached 8 GB.

Branded

At the same time, in 2004, the Intel motherboard SE7525GP2 appeared. The manufacturer, apparently, decided to show the world a universal "motherboard", which, among other things, received the integrated graphics chip ATi RageXL. Therefore, the model could be used safely not only for the server, but also for the workstation.

The box in which the model was delivered turned out to be very bright and colorful. For 2004, it was amazing and a wonder. In front, the board and some of its specifications were displayed. It is worthwhile to say at once that the schedule has become obsolete at that time, although for 2D graphics it could be used. The amount of memory it received 8 MB and, in principle, could cope with a resolution of 1600x1200.

For power supply, a 8-phase connector is used, with special levers that hold the connection cable. At that time, the stabilizers only decreased in size, so the fact that they became smaller in this model was a surprise. Now the back of the board is free.

This Intel motherboard has refused the slots for connecting four-pin fans. Operative memory here became the DDR400 format. It was possible to install four modules at once, thereby maximizing RAM to 8 GB.

Experiment

Despite the fact that earlier it was said that two-processor motherboards were useless to use on gaming PCs, there was the EVGA Classified SR-X model, which boldly solved this issue. As a result, the buyers were faced with a very interesting and creative task, as well as a difficult choice: whether to make a server board game or to save money and give preference to gaming models.

Of course, the gaming dual-processor motherboard does not exist in its direct manifestation. But EVGA Classified SR-X is approaching this rank as much as possible. It was first announced in 2012. It got an interesting appearance, which resembles modern gaming "motherboards". The manufacturer confidently assured that this model is a revolutionary standard for enthusiasts. In addition to the fact that it is possible to install two chipsets, there is a possibility of installing four graphics accelerators at once. Of course, such an application attracted the attention of many gamers.

As a basis for this motherboard, the processors from the Xeon E5-2600 series , Intel C606 are taken. The socket for the LGA 2011 chip is presented in two variations. To each leads a six-phase power supply. For RAM there are already 12 connectors such as DDR3-1600, which gives the user to install 96 GB.

Interestingly, the board accommodates seven PCI-E 3.0 x16 ports , which are controlled by proprietary technology. In the end, if you connect all four video cards, three of them will work at full capacity, and the latter will have to divide the 16x line in half with the third one.

conclusions

Recently, the market for these cards has become much smaller. Desktop versions increase in power and become more ergonomic. It makes no sense to buy a "motherboard" of the same performance, but with a cost several times more.

Previously, among all the products from Intel, it was much more. But the dual-processor motherboard AMD was represented by several models. For example, ASUS KGPE-D16, which worked on the AMD SR5690 processor. For 2010, this was a good option for server stations. The system could combine 24 cores, which received a bus frequency of 6.4 GT / s.

Despite the obsolete formats, you can find dual-processor motherboards for Socket 1150. This model is now considered to be the Supermicro X10SLE-DF card. This manufacturer is generally the most massive in the production of systems for server stations.

Reviews

Reviews users rarely leave, because this is a fairly unclaimed product. Yes, and for desktop versions it is rarely bought. But those who still decided to buy this device, advised immediately to buy a couple of coolers, a powerful power supply and, of course, put it all in a spacious case. Despite the fact that all current games will work perfectly well, you should be prepared for the noise of the PC.

In general, all those who decided to buy a server "motherboard" for 30 thousand rubles and more, praise the performance. In this case, the board will never show braking, the "FPS" drawdown and all other standard problems. This model has unlimited possibilities, allows you to experiment and install all sorts of peripheral devices. But it is worth remembering that the most high-quality system will be obtained if you do not spare money for it. A lot of money will go away.