The expansion card slots are on separate buses. To identify expansion slots, see Expansion-Card Riser-Board Components and PCIe Buses.
Expansion Card Installation Guidelines
Observe the following notes and guidelines regarding the expansion-card slots:
lThe expansion-card slots are not hot-pluggable.
lAlthough slot 2 is physically a PCIe x8 connector, it functions only as a PCIe x4 lane slot.
lSlots 1 and 3 support full-length expansion cards; slots 2 and 4 support half-length expansion cards.
lThe system supports up to two RAID expansion cards to manage external storage.
Installing an Expansion Card
1. Unpack the expansion card and prepare it for installation.
For instructions, see the documentation accompanying the card.
2. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
3. Open the system. See Opening the System.
4. Open the expansion-card guide latch and remove the filler bracket at the back of the system. See Figure3-14.
5. Install the expansion card:
a. If the expansion card is full length, align its front edge with the front card guide. See Figure3-14.
b. Position the expansion card so that the card-edge connector aligns with the expansion-card connector on the expansion-card riser board.
c. Insert the card-edge connector firmly into the PCIe card connector until the card is fully seated.
d. When the card is seated in the connector, close the expansion-card latch. See Figure3-14.
6. Connect any expansion-card cables for the new card.
See the documentation that came with the card for information about its cable connections.
7. Close the system. See Closing the System.
Removing an Expansion Card
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
2. Open the system. See Opening the System.
3. Disconnect any cables connected to the expansion card.

Figure 3-14. Removing or Installing an Expansion Card

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.
NOTE: The procedure for installing expansion cards into risers 1 and 2 is the same except that slot 3 on riser 2 has a card guide for installing a full-
length expansion card. The full-length expansion card installation is illustrated in Figure3-14.
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.