X8DA3/X8DAi User’s Manual

is not used. Block Mode allows transfers of up to 64 KB per interrupt. Select Disabled to allow data to be transferred from and to the device one sector at a time. Select Auto to allow data transfer from and to the device occur multiple sectors at a time if the device supports it. The options are Auto and Disabled.

PIO Mode

The IDE PIO (Programmable I/O) Mode programs timing cycles between the IDE drive and the programmable IDE controller. As the PIO mode increases, the cycle time decreases. The options are Auto, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Select Auto to allow the AMI BIOS to automatically detect the PIO mode. Use this value if the IDE disk drive support cannot be determined.

Select 0 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 3.3 MBs.

Select 1 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 5.2 MBs.

Select 2 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 8.3 MBs.

Select 3 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 3. It has a data transfer rate of 11.1 MBs.

Select 4 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 4. It has a data transfer band- width of 32-Bits. Select Enabled to enable 32-Bit data transfer.

DMA Mode

Select Auto to allow the BIOS to automatically detect IDE DMA mode when the IDE disk drive support cannot be determined.

Select SWDMA0 to allow the BIOS to use Single Word DMA mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 2.1 MBs.

Select SWDMA1 to allow the BIOS to use Single Word DMA mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 4.2 MBs.

Select SWDMA2 to allow the BIOS to use Single Word DMA mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 8.3 MBs.

Select MWDMA0 to allow the BIOS to use Multi Word DMA mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 4.2 MBs.

Select MWDMA1 to allow the BIOS to use Multi Word DMA mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 13.3 MBs.

Select MWDMA2 to allow the BIOS to use Multi-Word DMA mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 16.6 MBs.

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SUPER MICRO Computer X8DA3 user manual PIO Mode, DMA Mode
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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.
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