Joined on 04/10/08
Very picky
Pros: Small form factor Quiet Works great if you can find the right memory.
Cons: Documented memory selection small and useless.
Overall Review: As another reviewer said, these things are VERY picky with memory, and the supported memory list contains two entries, neither of which you can find. I've purchased several of these units over the years (obviously not exactly the same, but the same series/level), and it seems like the memory type required changes slightly every time. I don't know why they have to make a product this picky without giving a decent size supported memory listing. FWIW, I also recently purchased an X9-SAX board for a lab server, and encountered the same issue. I'm very seriously considering never ordering another supermicro product.
Product has changed
Overall Review: We used to love these cabinets , but they've changed the design to a closed back instead of open, which means if you have a long switch or rackmount UPS, you can't use the cabinet. We will no longer be purchasing these, and will be searching for another option.
Memory support is junk.
Pros: Stable, runs well - when it works
Cons: Memory support for this product is horrible. I have purchased 64GB worth of memory that, according to specs, should work - but it doesn't. Now I'm stuck with a useless server and a ton of server memory I can't use. This isn't the first one of these units I've purchased, and even purchasing the same memory I used in the previous server, it won't work. SuperMicro is of no help, they say it's a memory problem and leave it at that.
Overall Review: I'm pretty well done with SuperMicro at this point. I have multiple servers with SM boards in them, and about 10 of these 5017's in service. I'm going to look elsewhere from now on. Problems like this are unacceptable.
Junk
Pros: Don't know ; never got the thing to POST.
Cons: Memory. Memory. Memory. Can't get the stupid board to work with ANY type of RAM. Tried 3 boards. Contacted ASUS and they gave 3 types that were guaranteed to work. Guess what? They didn't.
Overall Review: I'll never purchase another.