Your file server is experiencing issues. The board appears to be offline.
Your file server is experiencing issues. The board appears to be offline.
So a friend gave me something he thought was a dual CPU socket board, thinking it came with many other components. He didn’t need to install anything, so I asked if I wanted it and of course said yes. I purchased the case and power supply for my build, but unfortunately every couple of days I discovered the motherboard was dead—no LED, no power, not even fans spinning. I confirmed the PSU works fine. I also set the motherboard up on a box to rule out a short circuit from a nearby wire. Here’s a list of parts I have in case it helps:
- PC case Fractal 7 XL
- Seasonic 750 Gold
- 80+ full modular 12 sticks, ECC registered DDR3 2Rx4 (48 GB total)
- Two 6-core LGA 1366 CPUs
- Two Xeon coolers for the back plate
- MX-4 thermal paste
Plus, I have several spare hard drives. My friend tested them before sending me, so they’re good to go.
My goal is to build a server. My question is: since the board is dead, should I replace it with another LGA1366 board so I can use my ECC RAM? Or should I wait a few months and buy an older model like LGA 2011 X79? Buying a new board now would be expensive—especially if I stick with 1366—I’d have to save up over time. I just need a new motherboard, not a full PC rebuild.
Also, could you let me know what the server will be used for? Knowing that might help answer my question better. I plan to use it mainly for file storage—backing up files from my gaming PC to the server, then turning it off after backup. I don’t intend to run VMs or anything complex; just basic storage for my Steam library and other files. Thanks for your time!
When dealing with server operations, unless you're certain every part is a verified component for the board, results might not appear.
I understand your CPUs function based on the documentation stating Dual 1366-pin LGA sockets accommodate up to two Intel® 64-bit Xeon® processors of identical type. The manual specifies that Intel® Xeon®Processor 5600 Series (Westmere) and Intel® Xeon®Processor 5500 Series (Nehalem-EP) support this configuration, while 6-core dual-core CPUs fall under the xeon X5600 or xeon L5600 series.
You're weighing two options: opt for a used 1366 server board now or invest in the X79, which includes a motherboard, CPU, and RAM. Consider what you truly need and your budget constraints.
I checked the motherboard by first removing any components that might stop it from turning on. I unplugged all drives, cables, and switches except the 24-pin and a couple of EPS (CPU 8-pin) connections. In each slot I kept only one RAM stick, using just one CPU per slot. I tried to boot by connecting the power switch pins directly in the header. I also looked into remote management features, as these boards often support network or serial connections. If the board powers up, it might be possible to access its management interface and view error logs. For a simple file storage purpose, consider cheaper options like an older ATM motherboard or an AMD Opteron G34 socket. If you need more power, a 16 GB DDR3 setup with two CPUs and heatsinks is available for around $75. Alternatively, a basic Atom board with two drives can work for basic file storage at about $50.
I set the motherboard onto a sheet of cardboard without connecting anything except the CPU in socket 1 and a memory stick in slot #1 as shown in the manual. After that I connected all power and turned it on, but it didn’t power up.
Edited November 10, 2022 by dreamcast4599