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

Models: H8QM3-2

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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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SUPER MICRO Computer H8QM3-2 Chipset Overview, MCP55 Pro Media and Communications Processor, IO55, NEC uPD720404

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.