At the time of its release, the LGA1366 platform was an extremely expensive purchase. In fact, Intel brought the near-server connector to the desktop segment with all its pros and cons. In this article, we will talk about one of the most affordable motherboards for a somewhat outdated, but still relatively current LGA1366 platform. We are talking about the DELL 09KPNV motherboard, better known as DELL T3500, which is also the main component of the workstation of the same name.

In this article I will try to highlight the pros and cons of the reviewed motherboard.

Let’s start with the characteristics and advantages of this board:

PROS:

Processor support

“DELL T3500” motherboard is based on the X58+ICH10 system logic set. Supports almost all processors developed for the LGA1366 platform:

Absolutely useless, due to its pricing policy, the Core i7-900 line. Chips of this series are based on 45 and 32 nm technical process, have 4 cores, 8 threads, and 6 cores/12 threads, respectively;

Relatively profitable line of Xeon W35xx/W36xx series processors – based on the same 45/32 nm technical processes, having 4 cores/8 threads and 6 cores/12 threads, respectively (full analogs of Core i7 9-hundredth).

And finally, the most cost-effective Xeon X55xx/X56xx series of processors is based on a 45/32 nm technical process and has 4 cores/8 threads and 6 cores/12 threads, respectively (slightly faster than their counterparts from the desktop Core i7 line).

More details about the difference in performance between the “X5” and “W3” lines, we will talk in one of the following materials. Now let’s move on to the next point:

RAM

The official website of the manufacturer says it supports 24 gigabytes of DDR3 RAM with a frequency of up to 1333MHz in six slots. However, as far as we can tell, this is not true for all RAM.

On the Internet, there are often enthusiasts who have paired the Xeon X55 / 56xx processor with the “T3500” and successfully use 48GB of RAM dialed from six eight-gigabyte sticks. Slightly less often, mentions of 8-gigabyte modules and W35xx / W36xx series processors come up. Nevertheless, situations often pop up in which the only one of the three 8GB modules functions and the board does not see the rest.

In other words: Officially, the motherboard is only friendly with four-gigabyte modules. However, unofficially, in conjunction with the top-end processors of the line, it will also be able to master 8-gigabyte modules in each slot. What’s in the box with a Xeon X5650 hex-core processor or higher frequency CPU, will give you a powerful enough system not only for gaming but also for professional applications.

But in any case, if you decide to install 8GB modules, you should test them for compatibility before purchasing them, and in no case should you buy the strips one at a time!

PCIexpress

Thanks to the X58 system logic set, the motherboard supports two full PCI-express x16 connectors of the second version and two PCI-e x4 connectors. That allows you to build a bundle of two video cards on its basis.

Again, a little warning: This post uses a single graphics card. We did not test SLI/Crossfire. However, you can observe the successful operation of several video cards on the network. Which, frankly, is an extremely dubious plus, given the performance of compatible processors.

In addition, it must be remembered that the platform is not young, and installing, for example, two GTX 1060, or RX580 is likely to bring meager dividends. Because the PCI-Express 2.0 bandwidth for a duo of such cards will no longer be enough.

Sound, SATA, USB.

DELL T3500 is equipped with five SATA 2.0 ports. Remember this, since it is desirable to use SATA 3.0 for modern SSD drives. Otherwise, you will not receive the bandwidth declared by the manufacturer. This does not apply to traditional hard drives, with rare exceptions, since SATA 2.0 is still enough for them.

The rear panel of connectors of the reviewed motherboard offers us six USBs of the same second version. The absence of USB 3.0 / 3.1 at the moment can already be called critical, however, they, like SATA 3.0, can be added by installing PCI-Express expansion cards, since the board has an abundance of the latter connectors. It is definitely not worth worrying about. Using the proprietary utility supplied with the audio path drivers, you can reassign the microphone to the line input. Thus, unfortunately, you will have a choice: Either a microphone, or use, for example, an electric guitar, or any other device connected to the line-in.

There is also a third option. Purchase front panel from DELL T3500 workstation. Or the body with her. In this case, you do not have to choose between inputs – there is a separate microphone jack on the front panel.

We will not consider this option, since the price for the case is extremely high. And everyone can figure out the purchase of the front panel on their own.

Let’s sum up the pros:

  • Supports ultra-low-cost and still powerful Xeon processors for LGA1366 up to six cores with HT.
  • Six DDR3 memory slots with a maximum frequency of 1333MHz.
  • Motherboard price. ~ $30-45 depending on the seller or store.

On this, the characteristics-advantages have come to an end.

CONS:

As sad as it is, we’ll have to move on to the cons. And the DELL T3500, unfortunately, has much more than advantages:

First, let’s take a closer look at the sample:

The first thing that catches your eye is the non-standard location of the processor socket, slots for RAM, and… the saddest thing is the 24-pin power connector on the motherboard. This is perhaps the most basic drawback. The thing is that cheap power supplies, which are supposed to be installed in assemblies of this budget kind, are unlikely to reach it. If you have a case with a lower location of the power supply, then another problem arises: Will the four or eight-pin additional power supply of the processor reach its socket?

If you don’t have any problems with this, then welcome to the next, albeit not so serious, but rather unpleasant feature:

The motherboard has a W-ATX form factor. Or something like that. The latter is not particularly important, since in any case, it will not fit into the vast majority of cases without modification. If you have straight arms and you do not mind spending your time on finalizing the case, then go ahead:

You will need to remove the cage for hard drive and optical drives. Depending on the architecture of your case, the HDD cage will have to be moved either closer to the left cover or even fixed at the top (which in fact is an extremely bad idea and I do not recommend doing this in any case).

Personally, I did this in 2017:

I made a new cage from an old cage, but only for two drives and set it up in such a way that at any time it was possible to access the 24-pin connector.

Again, it all depends on the number of drives in your system. If it is only one, then all you need to do is fix it either at the bottom or at the top of the case. It is possible without a cage (but extremely undesirable), fortunately, on the bottom of the HDD, there are additional holes for standard bolts.

Cooling the CPU

Due to the non-standard location of the processor socket and the fasteners of a standard workstation cooler, not all cooling systems are suitable for DELL T3500.

In my case, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO came up without any problems. But if you do not want to spend money on such a cooling system, then you can purchase some kind of cooling for the AM2/AM3/AM4 connector and an adapter frame from LGA 1366 to AM2.

But before buying the cooling, be sure to check whether it fits under the adapter frame! For example, standard cooling systems from AMD Athlon 64 processors will have to be modified by cutting edges. Which is generally not very difficult, but you need it?

It is better to choose something with a narrow base – outwardly similar to the legendary Zalman CNPS7700-Cu:

But don’t choose the Zalman CNPS7700-Cu itself! This is not the best solution.

X58

The northern chipset (which is covered with a heatsink) should never be left without cooling. Get a fan from an AMD boxed cooler, or just buy a 70mm fan and install it on the chipset!

Overclocking

Or rather, its complete absence. The board does not know how to overclock processors at all. The same applies to RAM – a maximum of 1333 MHz and then only in auto mode. Try to choose a higher frequency chip, how it’s possible, but do not overdo it: the board does not have cooling on the power supply circuits and there are often cases of transistor failure due to severe overheating.

About additional power to the CPU, or spontaneous reboots on a 4-pin connection:

If you do not have an 8-pin CPU auxiliary power cable, you can jumper from your 4-pin one. However, this is an extremely impractical and barbaric solution. It’s much easier to buy the 8-pin connector itself and transplant it to your power supply. This, of course, will remove the guarantee from him, but if such an operation became necessary for you at all, you have a PSU purchased for a long time.

Tests

The DELL T3500 motherboard is our test board for the LGA 1366 socket. It follows from this that by reviewing any of the videos below you can get an idea of ​​its performance with Intel Xeon X5570 (4 cores, 8 threads), Xeon X5660 (6 cores, 12 threads), and Xeon E5506 (4 cores) on board.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to compare the speed of the LGA 1366 platform with LGA 1155 (Core i5-2500K processor), LGA 1156 (Xeon X3450 and 3470) and LGA 2011 (Xeon E5-2643 and Xeon E5-2670 chips).

Conclusion

As a result, I would like to say the following: The motherboard from DELL T3500 workstation will not suit everyone. First of all, you shouldn’t be afraid to work with your hands. Someone will have to work a little, but someone thoroughly.

Alternatively, you have the option to go the other way and buy one of the Chinese boards from AliExpress. They are of a standard size, do not require modification of the case, but you will have to pay for this with only two or four (four at best) RAM slots, problems with the BIOS, and a relatively weak processor power system.

In general, of course, this applies only to super-budget Chinese solutions (mid-range and top-end motherboards work stably and have no problems with cheap motherboards), however, only they fall into the T3500 price category.

Summarizing all of the above: If you have no desire to tinker with the modification of the case and cooling system – DELL T3500 is clearly not your choice.

If you are interested in remaking an old (or new) case for this capricious motherboard – why not? Go for it.

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