SUPER MICRO Computer X8DA3 About This Manual, About This Motherboard Manual Organization, Preface

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Preface

Preface

About This Manual

This manual is written for system integrators, PC technicians and knowledgeable

PC users. It provides information for the installation and use of the X8DA3/ X8DAi motherboard.

About This Motherboard

The X8DA3/X8DAi supports the Intel 5500 Series Processor platform, the first dual-processing platform that supports the Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) Technology and provides the next generation point-to-point system interface, replacing the current Front Side Bus. With the 5500 Series Processor platform built- in, the X8DA3/X8DAi substantially enhances system performance with increased bandwidth and unprecedented scalability, optimized for workstations, high-end CAD systems and intensive applications. Please refer to our web site (http://www. supermicro.com/products/) for updates on supported processors. This product is intended to be installed and serviced by professional technicians.

Manual Organization

Chapter 1 describes the features, specifications and performance of the mother- board and provides detailed information about the chipset.

Chapter 2 provides hardware installation instructions. Read this chapter when in- stalling the processor, memory modules and other hardware components into the system. If you encounter any problems, see Chapter 3, which describes trouble- shooting procedures for video, memory and system setup stored in the CMOS.

Chapter 4 includes an introduction to BIOS and provides detailed information on running the CMOS Setup utility.

Appendix A lists BIOS POST Error Codes. Appendix B and Appendix C provide the Windows OS and Other Software Installation Instructions.

Conventions Used in the Manual

Special attention should be given to the following symbols for proper installation and to prevent damage done to the components or injury to yourself:

Warning: Important information given to ensure proper system installation or to prevent damage to the components.

Note: Additional Information given to differentiate various models or to ensure correct system setup.

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Contents USER’S Manual Manual Revision Release Date March 17 Preface About This ManualAbout This Motherboard Manual Organization Conventions Used in the ManualAsia-Pacific Contacting SupermicroHeadquarters EuropePreface Table of Contents Vii Table of ContentsInstalling Software Programs Configuring Supero Doctor Starting Bios Setup UtilitySecurity Settings Boot Configuration Exit Options Bios Error Beep CodesIntroduction OverviewX8DA3/X8DAi Image Jumpers not indicated are for test purposes only X8DA3/X8DAi Motherboard LayoutX8DA3/X8DAi Quick Reference X8DA3/X8DAi Quick Reference CPU Motherboard FeaturesExt. ATX 13.05 L x 12.075 W 331.47 mm x 306.71 mm Bios flash upgrade utility and device driversBlock Diagram of the Intel 5520 Platform Introduction PC Health Monitoring Special FeaturesAcpi Features Slow Blinking LED for Suspend-State IndicatorWake-On-LAN WOL Super I/O Power SupplyInstallation Tools Needed Motherboard InstallationInstallation Instructions Install the IO shield into the chassisPlastic Cap Processor and Heatsink InstallationSocket Clip Load Plate Gently lift the socket clip to open the load plateLoad Plate Socket KeysInstalling a CPU Heatsink Removing the Heatsink Memory Installation Dimm InstallationBranch Possible System Memory Allocation & Availability Memory SupportDimm Module Population Configuration Dimm Population TableInstalling and Removing DIMMs Back Panel Connectors/IO Ports Control Panel Connectors/IO PortsJF1 Header Pins Power ButtonFront Control Panel NMI Button Power LEDPower LED Pin Definitions JF1 Front Control Panel Pin DefinitionsHDD LED NIC1/NIC2 LED IndicatorsPower Fail LED Overheat OH/Fan Fail LEDOH/Fan Fail LED B. PWR Supply Fail Reset Button Power ButtonReset Button PWR Button ATX Power 24-pin Connector Pin Definitions Connecting CablesATX Power Connector Processor Power ConnectorUniversal Serial Bus USB For pin definitionsChassis Intrusion Fan Fan 7 CPU1 Fan Fan 8 CPU2 Fan PWR LED/Speaker Speaker/Power LED HeaderSpeaker/Power LED Con Nector Fan HeadersKeyboard/Mouse ATX PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse PortsSerial Ports NC No ConnectionWake-On-LAN Overheat LED/Fan Fail JOH1Overheat/Fan Fail NC= No Connections Glan 1/2 Giga-bit Ethernet PortsSgpio Headers Two Sgpio Serial-Link GeneralSMB Header Pin Definitions Power SMB I2C ConnectorPin Definition High Definition Audio HD AudioCD Header/Front Panel Audio HD AudioExplanation of Jumpers Jumper SettingsGlan Enable/Disable EnabledCmos Clear Watch Dog Enable/DisableClear Cmos Watch Dog Enable Watch Dog Jumper Settings JWD1I2C to PCI-Exp I2C Bus to PCI-Exp. SlotsI2C Bus to PCI-X Slots JI2C1 JI2C2 JI2C3 JI2C4SAS RAID Config SAS Enable/DisableSAS Enable SAS RAID Select13941/13942 Enable Enable13941/13942 En- able Onboard Indicators Onboard Power LEDGlan LEDs Glan Port LEDs Fan1B. Onboard Power LED SAS LED IndicatorsMotherboard. See the table on Floppy Connectorfloppy connector is located close To the Front Panel Control onSerial ATA Pin Definitions Serial ATA Sata PortsSerial-Attached Scsi SAS Ports For X8DA3 only SAS 0~3 SAS 4~7Simlc Simlc Ipmi SlotPage Troubleshooting Troubleshooting ProceduresBefore Power On No PowerLosing the System’s Setup Configuration Memory ErrorsNo Video Technical Support Procedures Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestion How do I update my BIOS? Question Whats on the CD that came with my motherboard? Returning Merchandise for ServiceIntroduction Starting Bios Setup UtilityHow To Change the Configuration Data AMI BiosSystem Time/System Date Main SetupStarting the Setup Utility X8DA3/X8DAi User’s ManualSystem Memory ProcessorXboot Features Advanced Setup ConfigurationsXProcessor and Clock Options Power ConfigurationIntel SpeedStep Technology Hardware Prefetcher Available when supported by the CPUC1E Support Active Processor CoresXcpu Bridge Configuration XAdvanced Chipset ControlMemory Frequency Memory ModeHysteresis Temperature Closed Loop Only Guardband Temperature Closed Loop OnlyXNorth Bridge Configuration XSouthBridge Configuration XIDE/SATA Configuration DMA Mode PIO ModeXPCI/PnP Configuration XSuper IO Device Configuration XRemote Access Configuration XSystem Health Monitor Sredir Memory Display DelayCPU Overheat Alarm CPU Temperature/System TemperatureCPU Temperature Xacpi Configuration Xdmi Event Log XTrusted ComputingChange Supervisor Password Security SettingsSupervisor Password User PasswordPassword Check Boot ConfigurationXBoot Device Priority Change User PasswordXHard Disk Drives XRemovable DrivesXCD/DVD Drives Exit Options X8DA3/X8DAi User’s Manual Description Bios Error Beep CodesError Message Beep CodePage Appendix B Installing the Windows OS Installing the Windows OS to a RAID SystemInstalling the Windows OS to a Non-RAID System Installing Software Programs Appendix C Software Installation InstructionsDriver/Tool Installation Display Screen Configuring Supero Doctor Supero Doctor III Interface Display Screen-II Remote Control

X8DA3 specifications

Super Micro Computer, also known as Supermicro, is a prominent player in the world of computing hardware, particularly known for its high-performance server solutions. One of their noteworthy offerings is the X8DA3 motherboard, which is designed for dual-processor systems and caters to various applications, including data centers, cloud computing, and enterprise-level operations.

The Supermicro X8DA3 motherboard supports Intel's Nehalem and Westmere architectures, accommodating two LGA 1366 sockets for Intel Xeon processors. This setup allows for impressive computational power and scalability. The motherboard can support up to 192GB of DDR3 RAM across six DIMM slots, enabling high memory bandwidth essential for memory-intensive applications.

One of the standout features of the X8DA3 is its robust I/O options. It comes equipped with six SATA II ports and two SAS ports, allowing for flexible storage configurations. Additionally, the board supports a range of RAID levels, including 0, 1, 5, and 10, providing data redundancy and performance optimization. For enhanced connectivity, the motherboard includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring reliable networking capabilities which are crucial for server environments.

In terms of expandability, the X8DA3 features multiple PCIe slots, providing users with the ability to add various expansion cards such as graphics cards, network cards, or additional storage controllers. This flexibility allows companies to tailor their server setups according to specific needs.

Power management is another critical aspect of the X8DA3. It supports ATX power supplies and features advanced power-saving technologies that help in reducing overall energy consumption. This ecological consideration is particularly important for organizations looking to minimize their carbon footprint while maintaining optimal performance.

For thermal management, Supermicro incorporates a design that allows for efficient airflow and cooling, which is crucial for maintaining system stability during intensive workloads. The motherboard is also equipped with multiple temperature sensors that provide real-time monitoring, ensuring components operate within safe thermal levels.

Overall, the Super Micro Computer X8DA3 motherboard is a reliable and high-performance choice for businesses requiring a versatile and powerful computing platform. Its support for dual processors, extensive memory options, advanced storage capabilities, and solid expandability make it an attractive option for enterprise applications in today’s computationally demanding environments.