Expansion cards and expansion-card risers
NOTE: A missing or an unsupported expansion-card riser logs an SEL event. It does not prevent
your system from powering on and no BIOS POST message or F1/F2 pause is displayed.

Expansion card installation guidelines

Depending on your system configuration:
The following PCI Express generation 3 Expansion Card Risers are supported :
Table 3. Supported expansion cards
Riser PCIe Slot Processor
Connection Height Length Link
Width Slot Width
1 1 Processor 2 Low Profile Half Length x8 x16
1 2 Processor 2 Low Profile Half Length x8 x16
1 3 Processor 2 Low Profile Half Length x8 x16
2 4 Processor 2 Full Height Full Length x16 x16
2 5 Processor 1 Full Height Full Length x8 x16
3 (default) 6 Processor 1 Full Height Full Length x8 x16
3 (alternate) 6 Processor 1 Full Height Full Length x16 x16
3 (default) 7 Processor 1 Full Height Full Length x8 x16
NOTE: To use PCIe slots 1 through 4 on the riser, both the processors must be installed.
NOTE: The expansion-card slots are not hot-swappable.

Removing an expansion card from expansion-card riser 2 or 3

CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only
perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as
directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is
not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions
that came with the product.
1. Ensure that you read the Safety instructions.
2. Follow the procedure listed in Before working inside your system.
3. When removing a card from Riser 3, ensure that the PCIe holder latch is closed.
NOTE: The procedure for installing and removing a full length PCIe card is similar to the procedure
for removing and installing a GPU card.
1. Disconnect any cables connected to the expansion card.
2. Lift the expansion-card latch out of the slot.
3. Hold the expansion card by its edges, and remove it from the expansion-card connector.
4. If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler bracket over the empty expansion slot
opening and close the expansion-card latch.
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