ASUS P8B-X LGA 1155 Intel C202 ATX Intel Xeon E3 Server Motherboard

Pros: Works exactly as advertised. Has integrated video. Fit my processor with heat sink without issue. worked with my Linux Centos 6.X install just fine.

Cons: bios is organized in a very unintuitive way. It was difficult finding several settings.

Other Thoughts: I would buy this mother board again.

Pros: compatible to server 2k8, works fine with approved hardware list (probably why they do that research), ok-video, raid-1 all work fine. solid board, boots with no keyboard or mouse.

Cons: the video does not set properly through a KVM switchbox - weird. I am using a cheap 4-way KVM during rollout but still a pain to deal with. Immediately loaded VNC enterprise and then working at them that way.

Other Thoughts: Just deployed -8- of these at local business and branch offices. I used the kingston ram that they recommended. All worked fine. All have 500gb re4 drives running mirrored. Three of those have an extra 1tb caviar black drive running novastor backup. I bought some from NE and some from ingram. NE's showed up in two days. I called for ingrams drop-ship after two weeks and b!itched. GO NEWEGG!

Pros: easy setup for SRVR 2008, no boot floppy required for on-board raid. Adequate to use as a web server with a sql express database backbone serving 10-30 users. Follow the manufacturer approved list and go! ASUS reliability.

Cons: I installed 6 of these at a local bank and branch offices. I emailed tech support once and got a response that only pointed me in the right direction. Some Maroon in another post noted that it didn't fit his 16-pin case.

Other Thoughts: using with Kingston KVR1333D3E9SK2/8G ram and E3-1220-V2 Xeon processor, 2-WD 1Tb RE4 drives(raid) and 1- Hitatchi 2Tb drive(backup), Startech Pro 530w power supplies, Antec 300 case. I replaced 512mb-80Gb boxes that I had installed in 2004/5/6. I hope these last as long.

Pros: Technically 32GB RAM Capable board with good processor options.

Replaced older AMD Mobo running Windows Server 2008 R2, which the P8B-X runs fine.

Cons: Doesn't accept most 8GB RAM DIMMs, for some reason only tested with a very limited set and doesn't offer a lot of options for current inexpensive memory, even Kingston. Takes a 2x 4GB kit of the series but croaks when provided 2x 8GB (individual) from most similar types. I've tried three (3) different 8GB DIMMs so far, no dice.

BIOS Updates are easy, but don't solve the RAM issues with 8GB DIMMs.

Other Thoughts: ASUS needs to provide a greater range of tested 8GB DIMMS, at more reasonable costs. The days where we are willing to shell out $200 for 8GB DIMM are over.

Pros: Solid motherboard with everything needed to get the job done.

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: I'm using this motherboard as a home server. I'm running a private cloud that allows me to host a few internal servers. This is an upgrade from a Core i3 540. Night and day difference. I did my research and the Xeon E3-1270 plus this motherboard is the biggest bang for the buck.

Pros: Highpoint Raid contoller & this MB
You have to Disable Int13 using the RAID Contollers software.its enabled by default. This will allow the MB Bios to control the Boot selection.

Cons: Watch out for Freeze ups & check your cpu fan

Pros: They have updated the V2.0 Board with New Video, Hopefull corrected more Bios Defects.

Cons: Board has worked for last 6 Months , had Hard Drive corruption once. then lately started freezing up last couple days.
Found that the controller chip for the CPU fan Burnt out & CPU fan Quit causing over heat & Shut down problem
Trying to get RMA Overnight to Satisfy My customer

Other Thoughts: Intel will send you a replacement for dealers overnight FedX
ASUS makes you wait a day for a RMA form in your Email, then you have to fax it in & wait another day to get Replacement shipped Overnight FedX 2-3 Days on a Mission Critical Server- Never Again
Had to Buy a RAID Controller to Get the board to work with RAID 5 & SBS 2011

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Valued Customer,

We apologize for the issues you had with the motherboard.

The hard drive corruption may be due to the actual hard drive errors and not necessarily caused by problems with the motherboard. Please try changing CPU FAN1 Speed in BIOS to Full Speed Mode or High Density Mode to aleviate heating issues.

In addition, make sure that the CPU or chasis fan control are corrrected jumped. When using a 4-pin fan for either CPU or chasis fan, set jumper to positions 1 and 2. When using 4-pin fan, set jumper to positions 2 and 3.

If you continue to experience problems, please contact 1-812-282-2787. Please be ready to provide system parts and specs for faster troubleshooting.

Regards,
Benson
Asus Customer Loyalty

Pros: Just built a new server with a P8B-X mother board running Windows Home Server 2011. The installation was a breeze. Installed a Xeon E3-122 3.10GHz 8mb processor with 8mb of Kinston PC3-10600 CL8 ECC memory. I configured the primary boot device with the aboard Intel Rapid Raid Controller and setting the array as level 1, with (2) 250gb seagate Baracuda SATA drives. The system in this configuration is working flawlessly.

Cons: However, there looks to be a BIOS problem when a 2nd Raid controller installed. I’m using a High Point 2640-x1 RAID controller. The HP Array is setup as level 5, wth (4) Seagage Baracuda 1 tb SATA drives. When the HP Raid controller is installed the system attempts to boot from that array even though the BIOS is configure to only boot from the Intel Raid array first, and the CD/DVD Rom second. If I remove the HP raid controller and reboot the system, it boots correctly. Currently working with ASUS to get the BIOS problem resolved.

Other Thoughts: The system is quick, stable and has been running over a week with out any issues. WHS 2011 is very nice, I love the remote access ability..... It was easy to install and setup.

Pros: I used this mobo to build a WHS2011 server. Which has been almost 24x7 for the past 5 months. The performance versus power consumption is outstanding.

Cons: Warning: this board does not have any built in remote management capabilities. I didn't need the capability for this application, but I may have to consider another board for future servers.

Pros: built with xeon e3-1275 & kingston KVR1333D3E9SK3/12G.
worked with ubuntu 11.04 desktop 64 & vmware workstation 7.1.4-385536.x86_64 and no problems with vms' win7x64 & winxpsp3 so far.

Cons: loaded ubuntu server 11.04, but rev1 MB version with xgi Z9s driver had to be blacklisted due to no video after install. the xgifb module is in staging [not stable] in this ubuntu 11.04 ver. used ubuntu desktop instead for vmware.