Risers, PCIe Cards, and Brackets. The Basics and Pitfalls if You Are Adding Components to Your Dell Server
At TechMikeNY, we work a lot with the architecture of the Enterprise servers that we refurbish and resell. Since we field so many questions with customers wanting to expand the capability of their server through PCIe cards, we thought it would be helpful to give a summary of Risers. We’ll also share some caveats and pitfalls you may run into should you ever decide to upgrade your Dell server. (SPOILER ALERT – prepare for unforeseen variables with PCIe brackets when adding a second processor to certain Dell servers!)
Risers. The Basics.
A Riser is simply an expansion that connects to the server’s system board for the sole purpose of adding PCIe cards (RAID controllers, network cards, and graphics cards are common types of PCIe cards). Risers are exclusively for PCIe cards and the different sizes and configurations they come in (more on that below).
Here are two brief, key principles on Dell Risers:
- Risers are not interchangeable between Dell server models. For example, a Riser for an R640 server could not be installed into an R740.
- Dell servers must have the Risers installed, even if you are not utilizing any PCIe cards on that Riser. While technically the server will boot and run, you will be pestered ceaseless with a “riser interconnect failure” error message. (HPE servers have more flexibility with removing Risers.)
TECHMIKE SHARES HIS INSIDE KNOWLEDGE. While Risers are not cross-compatible between Dell server models, we’ve discovered some nuances with this rule. For example, Riser 1 on an R720XD will work in the R730XD Riser 1 slot – but not the other way around. If you know of more Riser exceptions, let us know! We love collecting knowledge from our customers and fellow experts!
And Then Things Get Complicated….
- The number of Risers can depend on the chassis – even if it is the same server model. For example, an R620 8-bay could have a different Riser configuration and capability than an R620 4-bay server.
- Some Dell servers will ONLY utilize/activate the Riser 2 or 3 if a second processor is installed. For example, an 8-bay R620 will only have the additional Riser active if the second processor is installed.
So How Can You Know Which Riser is Controlled by Which Processor?
One sure-fire way is to take a look at the Riser installed in the server. If you see “CPU2” on the Riser, that means that Riser will only be usable if that server has a second processor installed.
Keep An Eye on the Brackets!
While Dell servers can take Half Height and Full Height and Half Width and Full Width PCIe cards, adding or moving PCIe cards within a server can cause a compatibility pitfall. Specifically, a properly installed PCIe card’s bracket longer fits or aligns with the ports on the server after being moved to another Riser. Insanity!
For example, moving a PCIe NIC card from Riser 1 to Riser 2 – or even adding cards to Riser 2 could cause the network ports of the bracket to misalign – even though the card is installed perfectly into its Riser. Our Techs have run into this complicated scenario, so we share it as a heads-up: Be careful when adding or moving PCIe cards to Risers and may need to reconfigure or procure different brackets.
Final Thoughts
The variables and complexity that you can run into when installing PCIe cards into Dell servers can seem daunting at first. Fortunately, at TechMikeNY, we work with these servers all day and have seen it all.
So why not use us as a valuable resource? Never hesitate to email us at info@techmikeny.com. We love hearing from our readers and answering their questions! Really!
4 comments
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for your question. We have only installed some desktop graphics cards in these servers to use HDMI/Display ports. There is actually no documented support for GPU in the R440, but that GPU should work (due to its low power requirement of 50W). However, you’ll likely need a second CPU to enable the full bandwidth.
Hi Mike, I want to put a PCIe GPU card like the half-height single slot Sparkle A310 ECO Intel Arc card inside an R440 for Plex hardware transcoding. I have unsuccessfully tried it using the riser 2 (MC2DD) card, (no riser card) directly in the PCIe X16 slot 3 on the motherboard, and in the internal riser to no avail. After much searching, some says try I need two CPUs or using an 1100W power supply. Have you come across any GPU card that works in the PowerEdge R330/R440?
Hi Mike. Thanks for your question below. The frame of the chassis is the limitation. The R630 has a version that could take one half-height slot and one full-height/full-width slot. From what you describe, it sounds like your R630 chassis is the version that ONLY takes the half-height cards. The good news is that we can often accommodate customers who have specific riser needs when buying PCIe cards from us. Drop us a line at info@techmikeny.com.
Thank you for the information. I do have one question: I have an R630 6 bay that, in it’s current configuration. only accepts half-height PCI cards. Is it possible to replace a riser and allow a full height card?