SNAFU Mobo Question

I’m looking to build a new NAS/MV/Docker server. I first was thinking of a Supermicro X9DRD-7JLN4F-JBOD board but in my searches I discovered the X9DR7-LN4F-JBOD board. They are quite close in spec with the biggest differences being the X9DR7-LN4F-JBOD board has
2x PCI-E 3.0 x16 slots and
4x PCI-E 3.0 x8 slots
while the X9DRD-7JLN4F-JBOD has
6 (x8) PCI-E 3.0 slots.

The only other change I could detect is that the DR7 does not require the third power (4 pin) connector to the mobo, potentially making power supply choices a bit easier.

I have three questions.

  1. Is there any compelling reason to choose the DRD over the DR7? (I’m leaning DR7)
  2. Will a rev. 1.0 DR7 board be able to be flashed to IT mode?
  3. Will there be any limitations re CPU’s ? I’m looking at V2 10 and 12 cores

Thanks in advance for any insights/advice.

Cheers