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Intel's™ FoxHollow Server, Grosse Point Server Mainboard (S3420GPLX) and Intel® Xeon® 3470 Processor

Entry server board with essential server-class features

Growing businesses need a reliable server solution for web servers, file and print servers, e-mail servers, storage servers and vertical-specific business applications. A general-purpose entry server platform plays a fundamental role in the success of a workgroup, department, small- to medium- sized business or high performance computing (HPC). The Intel® Server Board S3420GP provides server-class performance without sacrificing cost-effectiveness or reliability.

The features that the boards have to offer are huge as we see from the official listings below.

Features and Benefits
Intel® Xeon® processor 3400 series	Significant performance increase with new microarchitecutre and delivers world-class performance and superior energy/power efficiency
Intel® 3420 Chipset	Provides enterprise performance and reliability
6 DIMM slots for DDR3 1066/1333 MHz	Ensures ample capacity and energy-efficient performance for any application
Dual Intel® Gigabit Ethernet connections	Provide ample network bandwidth
*Expandable I/O architecture with PCI Express 2.0**	Maximum flexibility with up to six I/O slots, including up to three high speed PCI Express* 2.0 slots and optional Intel® I/O Expansion Module
Integrated manageability	Onboard IPMI 2.0 with optional Intel® Remote Management Module 3 (RMM3) offers integrated baseboard management with remote management capabilities
6 SATA ports at 3.0Gbps with embedded RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10	Allow for excellent data protection at no extra cost

With these points aside we see the following from the Product Specifications

Board order code	S3420GPLX	S3420GPLC
Form factor	ATX (12" x 9.6")
Processor support	Intel® Xeon® processor 3400 series
Chipset	Intel® 3420 chipset with IDT PCI Express* 2.0 switch	Intel® 3420 chipset
Memory	6 DDR3 DIMM sockets (Registered or Unbuffered) 2 channel native (800/1066/1333MHz)
Total slots	· One PCI Express* 2.0 x8 slot (x16 mechanical) · One PCI Express* 2.0 x8 slot (x8 mechanical) · One PCI Express* 2.0 x4 slot (x8 mechanical) · One PCI Express* x4 slot (x8 mechanical) · One PCI Express* x1 slot (x1 mechanical) One PCI 32/33 (5V) slot	· One PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot (x16 mechanical) · One PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot (x8 mechanical) · One PCI Express x4 slot (x8 mechanical) One PCI 32/33 (5V) slot
Storage	· 6 SATA ports (3Gbps) via Intel® 3420 chipset with Intel® Embedded Server RAID Technology and Intel® Matrix Storage RAID Technology Modular 4 port SAS and SAS RAID options via Intel® I/O Expansion Module	6 SATA ports (3Gbps) via Intel® 3420 chipset with Intel® Embedded Server RAID Technology and Intel® Matrix Storage RAID Technology
Intel® RAID support	· Integrated SATA RAID levels 0/1/5/10 · Optional SW RAID 5 with activation key for Intel® SAS Module Optional internal SAS RAID module available	Integrated SATA RAID levels 0/1/5/10
Integrated LAN	Embedded Intel® 82574L Gigabit Ethernet Controller and 82578DM
Integrated graphics	Server Engine* LLC Pilot II* Controller with 64 MB DDR2 memory, 8 MB allocated to graphics
Management hardware	· Integrated IPMI 2.0 baseboard management controller Optional Intel® Remote Management Module 3	Integrated IPMI 2.0 baseboard management controller
Management software	Intel® System Management Software 3.x Intel® Deployment Assistant 3.5	Intel® System Management Software 3.x Intel® Deployment Assistant 3.5

Looking closely at the offerings both mainboards have huge upgrade paths with many flexible offerings. The remit of PCI Express slots does in turn mean an additional raid card might be used if end-users already own one. Multi monitor solutions can be easily put into place, therefore not just a server unit, but to some, low cost workstation for some clever administrators.

With the mainboards swiftly covered we next look very briefly at the new ready to go Intel Chassis which backs up finally the package.

Intel® Server Chassis SC5650

A reliable and flexible server chassis for entry-level server and workstation applications.

The Intel® Server Chassis SC5650 delivers a reliable and cost-effective solution to small- and medium-sized businesses. This 5.2U pedestal chassis features up to six full-height PCI slots, fixed or hot-swap power supply options, and tool-less features on all drives, bays, and fans for ease of use. For the purpose of todays outing we will be looking at the 5.2U pedestal chassis.

Features and Benefits
Validated with Intel® Server Boards	Speeds integration and implementation
Fixed or hot-swap drive options	Fixed 3.5” hard drive bays upgradeable to hot-swap 3.5” SAS/SATA drive bays provide flexibility
Fixed or hot-swap power supplies	Various SKUs available with power supplies to fit specific requirements
Tool-less drives, bays, and fans	Simplified maintenance for lower service and support costs

Not stopping there, for the rackmount crew we see below two new chassis supports for the mainboard options. The laid out picture diagrams below speak clearly for themselves.

Page 1 - Intel® Xeon® processor 3400 series
Page 2 - Intel® Server Board S3420GP and Intel® Server Chassis SC5650
Page 3 - System Build Pictures
Page 4 - System Set-Up and Software Used
Page 5 - SiSoftware Sandra 2009 SP4 Part 1
Page 6 - SiSoftware Sandra 2009 SP4 Part 2 and Everest Ultimate 5.02 Cache and Memory Test
Page 7 - Hard Drive Test
Page 8 - PC Mark 2005 Advanced and Performance Mark Version 7
Page 9 - Rendering Tests
Page 10 - Stop. We Have More Money - Introducing the WD 2TB RE4 7200RPM Drive
Page 11 - 1 X WD 2TB RE4 7200RPM Drive Tests
Page 12 - 2 X WD 2TB RE4 7200RPM Configured into Raid 1 Drive Tests
Page 12a - Windows Shadow Back-Up and File Transfer Tests
Page 14 - Conclusions and Awards

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