Question 1

What size power supply? I don't want to buy a supply that is too small or too big.

Accepted Answer

I used a basic 350W power supply as I plan to eventually have (with PCIe add-on card) six 3.5 inch hard drives in a Fractal Design Node 304 case as a NAS/media server.  The drives will draw far more power than the motherboard.

For a single SSD application, one of the picopsu modules should be fine.  If you're nervous, pickup the 90W model.

In any case (no pun intended) make sure you're looking at total peak power of your configuration.  The CPU has a max TDP of 6W, so figure doubling (or so) that for the motherboard, an SSD typically has a max power under 5W, a spinning harddrive will briefly hit 30W during startup, attached USB devices can draw power (up to 5W per USB 3 port, and 1.5W per USB 2 port), and add any fans.

Question 2

What kind of memory is this compatible with?

Accepted Answer

It is compatible with both DDR3 and DDR3L memory module, but with 1333 module the speed is maxed at 1066 if  used 1600 module you get 1600. Here is the list of supported memory from manufacturer.

Memory Support List

Note: Each RAM whose frequency is 1333 will downgrade to DDR3 1066.
TypeSpeedSizeVenderModuleChipPart NoSS/DSSingle
ChannelDual
ChannelOC
DDR316008GBAsintSSBC04G08-GGN1B 1402DSv2pcs
DDR316008GBCrucialBLS8G3N18AES4.16FERDSv2pcs
DDR316008GBKingmaxFSGG43F-D8MMB YXEDSv2pcs
DDR316008GBKingstonKVR16LS11/8DSv2pcs
DDR316008GBPanramPSD3L1600C118G2VSDSv2pcs
DDR316008GBTranscendTS1GSK64W6HDSv2pcs
DDR316004GBA-DATAADDS1600W4G11-BDSv2pcs
DDR316004GBKingmaxFSGF63F-D8KMB YXEDSv2pcs
DDR316004GBKingstonKVR16LS11/4DSv2pcs
DDR316004GBPanramPSD3L1600C114G2VSDSv2pcs
DDR316004GBTranscendTS512MSK64W6HDSv2pcs
DDR316002GBA-DATAADDS1600C2G11-BDSv2pcs
DDR313334GBA-DATAAD3S1333C4G9-RDSv2pcs
DDR313334GBApacer78.B346G.C670CH5TQ2G83CFRDSv2pcs
DDR313334GBKingstonKVR1333D3S9/4GDSv2pcs
DDR313332GBAsintSSZ3128M8-EDJ1DDSv2pcs
DDR313332GBKingstonKVR1333D3S9/2GDSv2pcs
DDR313332GBTeamTSD32048M133C9-EDSv2pcs
DDR313332GBTranscendIBD77D9LGKDSv2pcs
DDR313332GBUMAX84EA2G83UM-13BSPJHTDSv2pcs

Question 3

Does the network card work out of the box for Windows Server 2012 R2?

Accepted Answer

No idea. But you should be able to use the Win8.1 drivers. Also, Hyper-V might cause problems when you install it in WinSvr2012R2. WinSvr2012 did not cause any problems when Hyper-V was installed, according to internet search/blogs.

Moreover, if you're going to use it as a server of any kind or 24/7 serving for your needs, the heatsink comes loose out of the box so fixing that would be your first thing to do before installing an OS.

Question 4

Does the case or power supply need a fan or will it get too hot?

I'd like a fully passive box if possible and was looking at fanless Pico PSU.

Accepted Answer

I just built the htpc machine with this mother board, m2atx psu and Ceton infinitv 4.  I observed the internals becoming hot. (May be because of tv tuner card producing lot of heat). Did not observer any issues so far. But I am thinking of using a case with passive cooling with heat pipes.

Question 5

What do you mean by "up to 2.4 GZ"?

Accepted Answer

The processor is power managed in such a way to optimize performance within the designed thermal power limit.  The processor is capable at running at 2.4GHz in a "burst" until continuing at that speed would cause the chip exceed thermal limits.  As computer tasks (like redrawing a web page) can be quite intermittent, the burst response capability gives better responsiveness for a given maximum power rating.

Additionally, the power and thermal management can respond to power usage on a chip-wide level.  For example, with a demanding graphics load, the CPU's burst capability may be more limited than when graphics are simpler (or idle).

I would imagine this can be impacted by the thermals of the case or ambient environment (how well ventilated, room/case temperature etc.), but don't have any data or pointers on that

Question 6

is the ps/2 combo port an active port? can you hook up a ps/2 splitter and connect ps/2 keyboard and mouse at the same time?

Accepted Answer

yes it is active and you can use y adapter for keyboard and mouse.
can be setup in bios for y adapter.

Question 7

Is the CPU socketed/removable, or soldered/embedded onto the motherboard? And what's the MAX TDP supported by the motherboard?

Accepted Answer

there is no removable n3700
why you worry about TDP in non removable cpu !!

Questions & Answers