SUPERMICRO MBD-X7SPE-H-O Flex ATX Server Motherboard FCBGA559 DDR2 667

Pros: 6 SATA ports, on-board USB port for bootable flash, dual gigabit network (load balance/failover configurable), built-in video, PCI-E x4 slot for additional RAID controller

Cons: only minor ones: 2 USB ports on the back plate, no DVI output, DDR2 memory

Other Thoughts: Excellent choice for NAS biulder, it runs 27Tb file server at my home together with Intel SRCSATAWB RAID controller.

Pros: Small, low power, fast enough for most task, including web hosting, server class NICs

Cons: Generates more heat than expected

Pros: small quiet and easy setup. Intel network chip-set and not cheaper realtech

Cons: none so far working as expected

Other Thoughts: bought with the plan of running Endian for use as a firewall. so far running smoothly barely using the capacity of the dual core Intel Atom processor.

Pros: This motherboard is excellent for a NAS, especially the 6 SATA II ports, dual Intel Gig-E ports, and passive CPU Heatsink (quiet). It has an onboard Type "A" USB port to connect an USB flash drive for embedded OS booting, like FreeNAS or Linux (poor man's USB DOM). Lots of component monitoring for failure or heat issues.

This board has the same specs as the MBD-X7SPA-H-O, MBD-X7SPE-HF-O,MBD-X7SPA-HF-O, minus the measurements, video chipset, and IPMI.

Cons: The PCIe x4 is version 1.1 (wishing for version 2.0)

Data Rate (per lane & per direction): PCIe 3.0 = 1000MB/s, PCIe 2.0= 500MB/s, PCIe 1.1= 250MB/s

To avoid cons read the specifications, look at the photos, or ask someone. Too many low eggs giving this motherboard a bad review.

Other Thoughts: Memory - Use SuperMicro's tested memory list or G.Skill DDR2 667 Memory N82E16820231154 (problem solved).

I'm using it has a Windows 2003 NAS with Raid-5 (moving to FreeNAS later). I'm very pleased with the performance. I just transferred 750GB of data to it with 19% CPU utilization. The board measurements are between Mini-ITX (6.75" x 6.75") and Mini-DTX (8.0" x 6.75"), so this board could be classified as a Mini-ITX or Mini-DTX with its measurements (7.5" x 6.75").

Here's my build:
MoBo: SUPERMICRO MBD-X7SPE-H-O (N82E16813182237)
HHD-OS: Western Digital 320GB (N82E16822136109)
HHD-Storage: SAMSUNG 4x1TB (N82E16822152185)
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 (N82E16820231154)
Case: LIAN LI PC-Q08B (N82E16811112265)
PSU: Antec Eathwatts EA-380D (N82E16817371033)
OS: Windows 2003 Server

The Lian Li PC-Q08B has 6 HHD slots and small footprint with 140mm and 120mm fans. Also, you can install a Mini-ITX or Mini-DTX motherboard.

Pros: Can't say. Was not able to use it.

Cons: Not a Mini ITX board. I order this mother board thinking it would fit into a standard mini ITX case. My bad for not fully researching it. Despite what Newegg says this motherboard is NOT an Mini-ITX board. It has 6 mount points and is about an inch wider then the official ITX specs. It will not fit true mini-ITX cases. It will fit into larger cases that share 4 of the mount holes like MIcro ATX, Flex ATX or ATX. Perhaps others. Check carefully before you order. New egg did refund so props to them for that.

Pros: Intel Network Chipset (not Realtek garbage) + 6 SATA ports. No fans to break down.

Cons: Very fussy with memory - too fussy. If you don't have the exact memory modules Supermicro specifies you won't POST.