My box runs fine with 2 xeons E5...@2.83 GHz and 40GB RAM (max 64GB) possible
without riser boards
I use only 1 of two possible monitors at the moment.
To fight against noise of a turbo jet starting install i8k
and have the following in
/etc/rc.local
i8kfan speed 1 1
this sets the speed of cpu and chassis fan to lower speed.
Also one can disable the big fan that sits on the RAM modules. By unplugging.
The box will scream at boot-up about "compromised" thermal solution,
but one can press F1 and boot.
The RAM has its own heat sink and the other fans will blow enough I guess.
So at least my box did not die of over temperaure.
Have fun.