Locations of Mounting Holes

X8DA3/X8DAi User's Manual

2-2 Motherboard Installation

All motherboards have standard mounting holes to fit different types of chassis. Make sure that the locations of all the mounting holes for both motherboard and chassis match. Although a chassis may have both plastic and metal mounting fasteners, metal ones are highly recommended because they ground the mother- board to the chassis. Make sure that the metal standoffs click in or are screwed in tightly. Then use a screwdriver to secure the motherboard onto the motherboard tray. Note: Some components are very close to the mounting holes. Please take precautionary measures to prevent damage to these components when installing the motherboard to the chassis.

Tools Needed

1.Phillips Screwdriver

2.Pan head #9 screws

Installation

Instructions

1.Install the IO shield into the chassis.

X8DA3/i

2. Locate the mounting holes on the motherboard. Refer to the layout above for mounting hole locations.

3.Locate the matching mounting holes on the chassis. Align the mounting holes on the motherboard against the mounting holes on the chassis.

4.Install standoffs in the chassis as needed.

5.Install the motherboard into the chassis carefully to avoid damage to mother- board components.

Warning: To avoid damaging the motherboard and its components, please do not apply any force greater than 8 lb/sq.in (8 lbs. per square inch) when installing a screw into a mounting hole.

6.Insert a Pan head #6 screw into a mounting hole on the motherboard and its matching mounting hole on the chassis, using a Phillips screwdriver.

7.Repeat Step 4 to insert #6 screws to all mounting holes.

8.Make sure that the motherboard is securely placed on the chassis.

2-2

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SUPER MICRO Computer X8DA3 user manual Motherboard Installation, Tools Needed, Installation Instructions

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.