1. Introduction
This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your MACHINIST MD8-3 X99 Motherboard. The MD8-3 is an E-ATX motherboard designed to support dual Intel Xeon E5 V3/V4 series processors with LGA 2011-3 sockets and features 8-channel DDR3 memory support.
Overview of the MACHINIST X99 MD8-3 E-ATX Motherboard, highlighting its dual CPU sockets and multiple expansion slots.
2. Setup and Installation
Before proceeding with installation, ensure your power supply is sufficient to support this platform (at least 500W brand power supply is recommended).
2.1 Motherboard Layout
This diagram illustrates the various ports, slots, and connectors on the MD8-3 motherboard for easy identification during installation.
2.2 Processor (CPU) Installation
The motherboard supports dual LGA 2011-3 series processors. Only specific Xeon E5 V3/V4 processors are compatible with the DDR3 memory slots. Currently tested compatible processors include E5 2629 V3, E5 2649 V3, E5 2669 V3, E5 2666 V3, E5 2673 V3, E5 2676 V3, E5 2678 V3, and E5 2696 V3.
Visual representation of the dual LGA 2011-3 CPU sockets and important notes for single CPU operation.
Notes for Single CPU Operation:
- The CPU must be installed in the left slot.
- The 8-PIN CPU power supply needs to be inserted on the left.
- Memory needs to be inserted into the left memory slot bank.
- A graphics card must be installed in PCIe slot 1 or slot 5.
2.3 Memory (RAM) Installation
The motherboard features 8 DDR3 memory slots, supporting 8-channel memory configurations. It can accommodate a maximum capacity of 256GB (32GB x 8) with supported speeds of 1066/1333/1600/1866MHz.
- Use international brand memory modules such as Samsung, Kingston, Sandisk, or Micron for optimal compatibility. Other brands may be incompatible.
Illustration of the 8 DDR3 memory slots and their maximum capacity and supported speeds.
2.4 Storage Device Installation
The motherboard provides 10 SATA 3.0 interfaces and two M.2 slots.
- SATA Drives: Connect your SATA hard drives or SSDs to any of the 10 SATA 3.0 ports.
- M.2 Drives: The two M.2 slots support both NGFF M.2 (SATA) and NVMe M.2 (PCIe 3.0 X4) drives for simultaneous operation.
Depiction of the two NVMe M.2 slots, capable of simultaneous operation for high-speed storage.
2.5 Expansion Card Installation (PCIe)
The motherboard features 5 PCIe expansion slots:
- 3 x PCIe 3.0 X16 slots
- 2 x PCIe 2.0 X1 slots
- 1 x PCIe 3.0 X8 slot
These slots allow for the installation of graphics cards, network cards, and other expansion devices. PCIe 3.0 X16 slots offer up to 32 GB per second bandwidth for high-performance graphics.
Overview of the various PCIe slots available for expanding system functionality.
2.6 Connecting Peripherals and Power
- Rear I/O Ports: Connect your keyboard, mouse, USB devices, Ethernet cables, and audio devices to the corresponding ports on the rear I/O panel.
- Front Panel Connectors: Connect the power button, reset button, HDD LED, and power LED from your chassis to the front panel header (refer to Figure 2.1 for location).
- Power Connectors: Connect the 24-PIN ATX power connector and the 8-PIN CPU power connectors from your power supply to the motherboard.
Close-up view of the motherboard's rear input/output ports, including PS/2, USB, Ethernet, and audio jacks.
3. Operating Instructions
Once all components are securely installed and connected, you can power on your system. The motherboard features a diagnostic card to display POST codes during startup, which can be helpful for troubleshooting. It also includes convenient on/off and restart buttons directly on the board.
Highlights of integrated features such as the diagnostic card, on/off/restart buttons, and dual M.2 slots.
4. Maintenance
To ensure the longevity and stable operation of your motherboard, consider the following maintenance tips:
- Cooling: The MD8-3 features an optimized heat dissipation module with three alloy radiators (two MOS full coverage and one chipset heat dissipation). Ensure proper airflow within your PC case to maintain effective cooling.
- Cleaning: Regularly clean dust from your PC case and motherboard components using compressed air.
- BIOS Updates: Periodically check the manufacturer's website for BIOS updates to improve compatibility and performance.
Detail of the motherboard's cooling solution, including alloy radiators for MOS and chipset.
5. Troubleshooting
- No Power/Boot: Ensure your power supply is at least 500W and from a reputable brand. Check all power connections (24-PIN ATX, 8-PIN CPU).
- Diagnostic Card Codes: Utilize the integrated diagnostic card to read POST codes, which can indicate specific hardware issues during startup.
- Memory Incompatibility: If experiencing boot issues related to memory, ensure you are using compatible DDR3 modules from international brands (Samsung, Kingston, Sandisk, Micron).
- Single CPU Configuration: If using only one CPU, double-check that it's in the left socket, the left 8-PIN CPU power is connected, memory is in the left bank, and the graphics card is in PCIe slot 1 or 5.
- Missing Battery: Note that the CMOS battery is not included due to logistics restrictions. You will need to install one for proper timekeeping and BIOS settings retention.
6. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | MACHINIST |
| Model | X99 MD8-3 |
| Form Factor | E-ATX (320mm x 300mm) |
| CPU Socket | Dual LGA 2011-3 |
| Compatible CPUs | Intel Xeon E5 V3/V4 series (specific models for DDR3) |
| Chipset | C612 |
| Memory Slots | 8 x 288-PIN DDR3 |
| Memory Type | 8-channel DDR3 (ECC/RECC) |
| Max Memory Capacity | 256GB (32GB x 8) |
| Memory Frequencies | 1066/1333/1600/1866MHz |
| PCIe Slots | 3 x PCIe 3.0 X16, 2 x PCIe 2.0 X1, 1 x PCIe 3.0 X8 (Total 5 slots) |
| M.2 Slots | 2 (supports NVMe PCIe 3.0 X4 and NGFF SATA) |
| SATA Ports | 10 x SATA 3.0 |
| USB Ports (Rear) | 4 x USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0 |
| Ethernet | 2 x Gigabit LAN |
| Audio | Realtek ALC897 Audio Sound Card |
| PS/2 Ports | 1 x Keyboard, 1 x Mouse |
| Diagnostic Features | Diagnostic card, Buzzer |
| Onboard Controls | On/Off button, Restart button |
| Included Accessories | I/O shield *1, SATA cable *1, LGA 2011 cooling bracket *1 |
7. User Tips
- Power Supply: Always use a high-quality power supply of at least 500W to ensure stable operation, especially with dual CPUs and multiple expansion cards.
- Memory Compatibility: Stick to recommended international memory brands to avoid compatibility issues.
- Single CPU Setup: Pay close attention to the specific slot requirements for CPU, power, memory, and graphics card when running a single processor.
- CMOS Battery: Remember to install a CR2032 CMOS battery (not included) for the system to retain BIOS settings and time.
8. Warranty and Support
For technical support, driver downloads, and warranty information, please refer to the official MACHINIST website or contact your retailer. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase for warranty claims.
Disclaimer: The color of the motherboard's bottom plate may vary between production batches but does not affect product functionality. Products are subject to continuous optimization and upgrades without prior notice. Manual measurements may have a 1-3mm error. Display differences may affect the perceived color of the item in images.
