SUPER MICRO Computer H8QM3-2 Chipset Overview, MCP55 Pro Media and Communications Processor, IO55

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1-2 Chipset Overview

The H8QM3-2/H8QMi-2 serverboard is based on the nVidia MCP55 Pro and IO55 chipset. The MCP55 Pro functions as Media and Communications Processor (MCP) and the IO55 as a PCI-E Tunnel. An NEC uPD720404 chip is also included as a bridge for the GB LAN ports and the PCI-X slot. Note that the controllers for the system memory are integrated directly into the AMD CPUs.

MCP55 Pro Media and Communications Processor

The MCP55 Pro is a single-chip, high-performance HyperTransport peripheral con- troller. It includes a 28-lane PCI Express interface, an AMD Opteron 16-bit Hyper Transport interface link, a six-port (3 Gb/s) Serial ATA interface, an ATA133 bus master interface and a USB 2.0 interface. This hub connects directly to CPU1.

IO55

This hub connects directly to CPU2 via a 16 x 16 1 GHz Hyper Transport link. The IO55 includes an interface for the PCI-Express slots.

NEC uPD720404

This I/O bridge chip provides one PCI-Express x4 upstream port and two PCI-X domains. Each bridge supports PCI masters that include clock, request and grant signals. This hub links the MCP55 with the PCI-X slot (slot #1) and the Gb LAN ports.

HyperTransport Technology

HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, low latency point to point link that was designed to increase the communication speed by a factor of up to 48x between integrated circuits. This is done partly by reducing the number of buses in the chipset to reduce bottlenecks and by enabling a more efficient use of memory in multi-processor systems. The end result is a significant increase in bandwidth within the chipset.

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Contents Super Manual Revision 1.1a Release Date December 4 Manual Organization About This ManualTable of Contents Table of Contents TroubleshootingAppendices BiosOverview ChecklistAsia-Pacific Contacting SupermicroHeadquarters EuropeH8QM3-2 Image Super H8QM3-2/H8QMi-2 Quick Reference Jumpers Description Default SettingCPU Serverboard FeaturesOther NVidia MCP55 Pro/IO55 Chipset System Block Diagram NEC uPD720404 Chipset OverviewMCP55 Pro Media and Communications Processor IO55PC Health Monitoring Power Configuration SettingsWake-On-LAN Slow Blinking LED for Suspend-State IndicatorBios Support for USB Keyboard Main Switch Override MechanismSuper I/O Power SupplyUnpacking PrecautionsInstallation Procedures Static-Sensitive DevicesProcessor and Heatsink Installation Installing ProcessorsCPU Backplates Page Mounting the Serverboard into a Chassis Installing MemorySide and Top Views of DDR Installation Front Control Panel I/O Port and Control Panel ConnectionsPower LED Connector DefinitionsATX Power Connector Processor Power ConnectorsOverheat/Fan Fail LED Power Fail LEDUSB Headers Reset ButtonPower Button Universal Serial Bus Ports USB0/1Overheat LED Power LED/SpeakerSerial Ports Fan HeadersI2C Header JLAN1/2 Ethernet PortsATX PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Ports Chassis IntrusionWake-On-Ring Compact Flash Power HeadersJumper Settings Explanation JumpersCmos Clear I2C to PCI-E Slots VGA Enable/DisableJlan Enable/Disable I2C to PCI-X SlotsWatch Dog Enable/Disable PCI-X Slot SpeedSAS RAID Select SAS Activity LED LES1 Onboard IndicatorsOnboard Power LED DP2 JLAN1/JLAN2 LEDsFloppy, IDE, Sata and SAS Drive Connections Floppy ConnectorSata Ports IDE ConnectorSimlc Ipmi Slot SAS PortsSerial ATA Sata Installing the OS/SATA DriverEnabling Sata RAID in the Bios Enabling Sata RAIDInstalling the OS and Drivers Using the nVidia RAID UtilitySata RAID Utility Main Screen Driver Installation Display Screen Installing Software DriversPage No Video Troubleshooting ProceduresBefore Power On No PowerTechnical Support Procedures Memory ErrorsLosing the System’s Setup Configuration Question What type of memory does my serverboard support? Frequently Asked QuestionsReturning Merchandise for Service Introduction Starting the Setup UtilityAdvanced Settings Menu Boot Settings ConfigurationMain Menu Acpi Configuration Acpi Version Features Boot up Num-LockWait for ‘F1’ If Error OS InstallationCPU Configuration Floppy/IDE/SATA Configuration Onboard IDE Controller LBA/Large ModeFloppy B Onboard Floppy ControllerSerial ATA0/1/2 Primary/Secondary Channel DMA ModeA.R.T Bit Data TransferH8QM3-2/H8QMi-2 User’s Manual PCI/PnP Configuration Super IO Configuration CPU CPU HT Link Speed Serial Port 2 ModeHyper Transport Configuration Serial Port2 AddressNorthBridge Configuration Chipset ConfigurationBit ECC Mode Power Down ModeECC Configuration ECC Mode Dram ECC EnableSouthBridge/MCP55 Configuration USB Mass Storage Configuration USB Mass Storage Reset Delay USB Devices EnabledUSB 2.0 Controller Mode Bios Ehci Hand-OffRemote Access Configuration Event Log ConfigurationPCI Express Configuration System Fan Monitor System Health MonitorRemovable Drives Boot MenuBoot Device Priority Security MenuExit Menu H8QM3-2/H8QMi-2 User’s Manual Beep Code Error Message Description Amibios Error Beep CodesH8QM3-2/H8QMi-2 User’s Manual Uncompressed Initialization Codes Appendix B Bios Post Checkpoint CodesBootblock Recovery Codes Uncompressed Initialization Codes Checkpoint Appendix B Bios Post Checkpoint Codes Checkpoint A9h Aah Abh B0h B1h 00h

H8QM3-2 specifications

The Super Micro Computer H8QM3-2 is a cutting-edge server motherboard designed to meet the demanding needs of high-performance computing applications. Built upon the AMD Opteron architecture, it is tailored for enterprises seeking robust server capabilities with exceptional performance, reliability, and scalability.

One of the standout features of the H8QM3-2 is its support for dual AMD Opteron 6100 series processors. This allows for an impressive processing power that can handle resource-intensive tasks and demanding workloads. With a maximum supported RAM of 512GB via 16 DIMM slots, this motherboard can efficiently manage large datasets and applications that require substantial memory.

The H8QM3-2 also boasts a versatile I/O capabilities. It includes multiple PCI-E 2.0 slots to accommodate a variety of expansion cards, ensuring that businesses can customize their servers to meet specific requirements. The motherboard features up to six SATA III ports for enhanced data transfer speeds and reliable connectivity. These ports support both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations, which provide options for data redundancy and enhanced performance.

In terms of network connectivity, the H8QM3-2 integrates dual 1GbE ports, allowing for efficient data transmission and reliable networking. This integration is vital for servers that rely on continuous uptime and need to manage extensive network traffic.

Another significant advantage of the H8QM3-2 is its energy efficiency. Supermicro's commitment to green computing is evident in this motherboard's design, which balances performance and power consumption. Organizations can benefit from reduced operational costs while still enjoying high-performance capabilities.

The H8QM3-2 is also designed with advanced thermal management technology. It features dedicated cooling zones and support for multiple fans to ensure that components remain at optimal temperatures, thus prolonging their lifespan and maintaining performance standards.

Security features are paramount in server technology, and the H8QM3-2 does not disappoint. Its support for hardware-based security features helps protect sensitive data and integrity against various threats.

In summary, the Super Micro Computer H8QM3-2 motherboard stands out in the realm of server solutions. With its support for dual AMD Opteron processors, extensive memory capacity, versatile I/O options, energy efficiency, and advanced thermal management, it is an excellent choice for businesses looking to upgrade their server infrastructure while maximizing performance and reliability.