ASRock E3C204 manual Expansion Slots PCI and PCI Express Slots, Installing an expansion card

Page 33

2.6Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)

There is 1 PCI slot and 5 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.

PCI slot: The PCI slot is used to install expansion cards that have 32-bit PCI interface.

PCIE slots:PCIE2 (PCIE 2.0 x4 slot) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width cards.

PCIE3 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for PCI Express x1 lane width cards, such as a Gigabit LAN card or SATA2 card, etc.

PCIE4 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x8 lane width graphics cards.

PCIE5 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for PCI Express x1 lane width cards, such as a Gigabit LAN card or SATA2 card, etc.

PCIE6 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width graphics cards.

1.In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Express x16 graphics card on PCIE6 slot.

2.Only PCIE6 and PCIE4 slots support Gen 3 speed. To run the PCI Express in Gen 3 speed, please install an Ivy Bridge CPU. If you install a Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express will run only at PCI Express Gen 2 speed.

Installing an expansion card

Step 1. Before installing an expansion card, please make sure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware settings for the card before you start the installation.

Step 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a chassis).

Step 3. Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screws for later use.

Step 4. Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is completely seated on the slot.

Step 5. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.

Step 6. Replace the system cover.

33

Image 33
Contents E3C204-4L E3C204-V4L E3C204-V+ Disclaimer Copyright NoticeContents Software Support TroubleshootingIntroduction Package ContentsSpecifications E3C204-4L / E3C204E3C204-V4L / E3C204-V+ E3C204 / E3C204-V+ E3C204-4L / E3C204-V4LE3C204-4L E3C204Bios ASRock Instant Flash Unique FeaturesMotherboard Layout E3C204-4L IntelC204 Page E3C204 Page E3C204-V4L Page E3C204-V+ Page LAN Port LED Indications I/O Panel E3C204-4LE3C204 98 765 Green 1Gbps connection LGA1155 Block Diagram E3C204-4LSATA0 Marvell SATA2 SATA3 SATA1 SATA4 SATA5 SATA3M0 SATA3M1 Intel PCI-E X1 SLOT3 PCI-E X1 SLOT5 Screw Holes Pre-installation PrecautionsCPU Installation Page Page Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink Installing a Dimm Installation of Memory Modules DimmPage Expansion Slots PCI and PCI Express Slots Installing an expansion cardJumpers Setup Onboard Headers and Connectors USB 2.0 Headers and Ports Auxiliary Panel Header Speaker Header CPU Fan Connectors Intelligent Platform Clear Cmos Pad Driver Installation Guide Hot Plug for Hard Disk Drives What is Hot Plug?Uefi Menu Bar IntroductionNavigation Keys Main Screen Instant Flash Advanced ScreenIntel Hyper Threading Technology CPU ConfigurationActive Processor Cores Intel SpeedStep TechnologyCPU C3 State Support Enhance Halt State C1ECPU C6 State Support Package C State SupportNorth Bridge Configuration South Bridge Configuration Storage Configuration Page Super IO Configuration Serial Port 1 ConfigurationSerial Port 2 Configuration Acpi Configuration USB Mouse Power On USB Configuration USB 2.0 ControllerLegacy USB Support Security Device Support Trusted ComputingWhea Support Whea ConfigurationIntel Txtlt Support Intel Txtlt ConfigurationIntel ME Subsystem Console Redirection Settings Serial Port Console RedirectionConsole Redirection Voltage Control Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen Clear Status Case Open FeatureBoot Screen Boot From Onboard LAN Security Screen Secure BootExit Screen Restore DefaultsSave Changes and Exit Discard Changes and ExitBMC Network Configuration Server Management For E3C204-V4L, E3C204-V+ onlySystem Event Log Change Smbios Event Log Settings Event LogsView Smbois Event Log Support CD Information Install Operating SystemRunning The Support CD Drivers MenuIf there is no power Troubleshooting ProceduresIf there are memory errors If there is no videoOther problems Unable to save system setup configurationsReturning Merchandise for Service Technical Support Procedures

E3C204 specifications

The ASRock E3C204 motherboard is an enterprise-grade solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses, featuring an LGA 1151 socket that supports the Intel Xeon E3-1200 v6/v5 and 8th/9th generation Core processors. This motherboard provides a robust platform for various applications, including data centers, file servers, and workstations.

One of its standout features is the dual-channel DDR4 memory architecture, supporting up to 64GB of ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory. This capability ensures enhanced reliability and stability critical for enterprise operations, minimizing the risk of memory errors and data corruption. The E3C204 also boasts four DIMM slots, allowing for flexible memory configurations tailored to specific workload demands.

The ASRock E3C204 comes equipped with multiple expansion slots, including one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and several PCIe x4 slots, providing ample opportunities for customization and upgradeability. These slots make it easy to integrate high-performance graphics cards, RAID controllers, or other expansion cards, catering to diverse needs such as virtualization or high-performance computing.

For connectivity, the motherboard features eight SATA III ports, enabling users to configure a reliable storage solution. RAID support (0, 1, 5, 10) further enhances data protection and performance by leveraging multiple drives to create redundant arrays. Additionally, the integrated Intel i210 Gigabit Ethernet controller ensures fast and reliable network connectivity, making it suitable for demanding network environments.

ASRock has also prioritized security with the E3C204 by incorporating Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support, offering advanced data encryption and protection features. This is particularly crucial for businesses that handle sensitive information and are focused on compliance with various security standards.

On the technological front, the E3C204 motherboard leverages ASRock's proprietary software and features such as ASRock's Instant Flash for BIOS updates and ASRock Cloud for remote management capabilities. These tools simplify system maintenance and ensure that administrators can keep their environments up-to-date and secure efficiently.

In summary, the ASRock E3C204 motherboard represents a well-rounded and versatile platform for enterprise applications, combining powerful processing capabilities, extensive memory support, flexible expansion options, and strong security features. Ideal for businesses looking for performance, reliability, and value in their server infrastructure, the E3C204 is a compelling choice for modern computing demands.