Asus P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL Server Motherboard

The Asus P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL is engineered for enterprise-scale storage and high-demand server deployments. Built on the Intel C224 chipset with Socket H3 LGA-1150, this micro ATX motherboard delivers a dense, reliable platform for scale-out storage, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads. It pairs server-grade components with robust networking and storage options, offering a compact footprint without compromising performance or expandability. Ideal for data centers seeking efficient, front-end connectivity and rugged reliability in a compact chassis, the P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL brings enterprise-grade features to a versatile micro ATX form factor. Whether you are building a rack-dense storage node, a compact virtualization server, or a high-availability compute node, this motherboard is designed to meet demanding I/O, storage, and processing requirements while keeping management simple and scalable.

• Powerful processor support for scale-out workloads: Supports Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3 family processors, enabling strong multi-core performance for virtualization, databases, and I/O-intensive services. The motherboard is designed to harness server-grade processing power within a compact micro ATX footprint, making it ideal for dense data-center environments and scalable storage nodes.
• Dual high-speed networking for performance and redundancy: Features Broadcom 10 Gb/s Ethernet alongside dual server-class Intel I210 LAN ports. This combination delivers ultra-fast data transfer rates, improved latency, and fault tolerance for network-intensive applications, storage arrays, and cluster communication. It also supports jumbo frames and virtualization features that help optimize traffic in virtualized environments and hyper-converged setups.
• Robust storage architecture with flexible connectivity: Equipped with an LSI SAS 2308 controller to manage SAS/SATA storage with high reliability and throughput. This controller streamlines multi-disk RAID configurations, improves IOPS, and simplifies management of large storage pools. The board also provides SATA 6 Gb/s ports for bulk storage devices, ensuring compatibility with modern SSDs and HDDs while supporting scalable storage expansion for data centers and enterprise workloads.
• Compact micro ATX design without sacrificing expansion: The micro ATX form factor delivers a versatile balance between space efficiency and expansion options. It fits into compact server enclosures and rack-mount chassis while still offering essential PCIe slots and I/O connectivity for additional controllers, accelerators, or I/O cards. This makes it suitable for scale-out nodes that require a small footprint but demand flexible I/O and storage pathways.
• Reliability, manageability, and enterprise-grade features: Built with server-grade components and optimized BIOS and firmware for stability under continuous operation. The platform is designed for high-availability workloads, long-term maintenance, and predictable performance, enabling data centers to deploy reliable storage servers with consistent uptime and lower total cost of ownership.

Technical Details of Asus P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL

• Form factor: Micro ATX
• Chipset: Intel C224
• Socket: LGA 1150 (Socket H3)
• Processor support: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3 family processors
• Networking: Broadcom 10 Gb/s Ethernet; dual Intel I210 LAN ports
• Storage controller: LSI SAS 2308
• Storage interface: SATA 6 Gb/s ports for storage devices
• Memory considerations: Supports server-grade memory configurations appropriate for Xeon E3-1200 v3 platforms (memory type and capacity in line with CPU/memory controller capabilities)
• Expansion: Standard PCIe expansion options compatible with a range of add-on cards and accelerators

how to install Asus P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL

Preparing for installation begins with selecting a compatible chassis and power supply. Ensure your server enclosure supports a micro ATX motherboard and provides adequate airflow to maintain thermal performance under load. Before you install, gather the following: a compatible Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3 processor, the appropriate memory modules, storage drives, and any PCIe expansion cards you plan to use. Power down all equipment and disconnect from the mains, then follow these steps:

1) Install the CPU: Open the CPU socket lever, align the processor with the socket notches, and carefully seat the CPU into place. Close the lever to lock the processor. Apply a small amount of high-quality thermal compound if the cooler requires it, and attach the CPU cooler securely to ensure proper heat dissipation.

2) Install memory: Open the memory slots by lifting the retention clips. Insert ECC/registered or unbuffered DIMMs (as supported by your Xeon E3-1200 v3 configuration) into the recommended slots, ensuring each DIMM is fully seated with an audible click. Verify proper channel configuration per your memory plan to optimize performance and stability.

3) Mount the motherboard: Align the motherboard with the chassis standoffs, aligning the I/O shield with the rear I/O cutout. Secure the board with screws at the standoff points, ensuring firm, level mounting without overtightening.

4) Connect storage and controllers: Attach SATA drives to the onboard ports or attach SAS drives through the LSI SAS 2308 controller as configured. Configure any RAID options in the controller’s BIOS/flash utility if required, and ensure cabling is routed to minimize obstruction to fans and other components.

5) Connect networking and power: Connect the Broadcom 10 Gb/s Ethernet and Intel I210 LAN cables to the appropriate network interfaces. Attach the power supply, verify the motherboard’s power connections, and check for correct voltage and stability before powering on.

6) BIOS setup and firmware updates: Power on and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup to configure boot order, storage controllers, and memory settings. Update firmware for the motherboard, LSI SAS controller, and network adapters to the latest stable releases to ensure security and reliability. Enable any enterprise features such as virtualization support, IOMMU (VT-d), and ECC memory options if applicable to your workload.

7) Install operating system and drivers: Install your chosen server OS, ensuring you install the motherboard chipset drivers, storage drivers for the SAS controller, and NIC drivers for the Ethernet adapters. Validate network connectivity, storage performance, and basic I/O operations to confirm a healthy baseline.

8) Testing and validation: Run standard server stress tests, storage I/O benchmarks, and network throughput tests to verify stability under load. Monitor temperatures, voltage rails, and fan speeds to ensure cooling remains within safe margins. Establish a baseline for future firmware updates and maintenance cycles.

Properly configuring this board requires attention to the workload and cabling layout. The P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL is designed to integrate into a variety of server setups, from dedicated storage nodes to virtualization hosts. By leveraging its dual 10 Gb/s and dual I210 LAN ports, administrators can segment management traffic from data traffic, optimize storage access, and achieve improved network efficiency in complex deployments. Take advantage of the LSI SAS 2308 controller for scalable storage arrays, and harness the CPU and memory capabilities of the Xeon E3-1200 v3 family to deliver dependable performance across multiple virtual machines or containers, while maintaining a compact footprint that simplifies rack space planning and power efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What processors does the Asus P9D-MH/SAS/10G-DUAL support? A: It is designed to support Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3 family processors using the LGA 1150 socket. This combination provides enterprise-grade performance for scale-out storage, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads.
• Q: What kinds of networking are available on this motherboard? A: The board includes Broadcom 10 Gb/s Ethernet for high-speed uplinks and dual Intel I210 LAN ports for additional redundancy and per-VM network traffic isolation, enabling flexible network topologies for data center environments.
• Q: What storage options does it support? A: The motherboard features an LSI SAS 2308 controller for SAS/SATA storage with SATA 6 Gb/s ports, enabling robust RAID configurations and scalable storage pools suitable for scale-out architectures.
• Q: Is this motherboard suitable for compact data-center builds? A: Yes. The micro ATX form factor combines a compact footprint with essential server features, making it well-suited for dense rack deployments, compact storage nodes, and virtualization hosts in modern data centers.
• Q: Can I use ECC memory with this board? A: The configuration supports server-grade memory options consistent with Xeon E3-1200 v3 platforms. For specific ECC/registered memory compatibility, refer to the official product documentation and verify memory compatibility with your chosen Xeon CPU model.
• Q: How do I perform firmware updates and BIOS configuration? A: Access the motherboard BIOS/UEFI during boot, apply recommended settings for your workload, and update firmware for the motherboard, LSI SAS controller, and NICs to the latest stable releases. This helps ensure reliability, security, and compatibility with new software features.