GIGABYTE G294-S42-AAP2 Server Motherboard Hardware Quick Installation Guide

Motherboard Components Overview

This section identifies the key components and connectors on the GIGABYTE G294-S42-AAP2 server motherboard. The layout includes two CPU sockets (CPU0, CPU1) and numerous DIMM slots for memory expansion.

Main Connectors and Slots:

• 1. HDD Back Plane Board Connector (BP_1): For connecting the hard drive backplane.
• 2-3, 6-7, 11, 15. MCIO Connectors: High-speed connectors supporting PCIe Gen5 (e.g., U2_P0_PE4A/PCIe Gen5).
• 4-5, 12-13. ATX Power Connectors: Multiple ATX power connectors (2x6 Pin and 2x9 Pin) for system power delivery (ATX1_2, ATX1_1, ATX2_2, ATX2_1).
• 8, 10, 14, 16. PCIe x16 Slots: Slots for expansion cards (PCIE_2, PCIE_4, PCIE_3, PCIE_1), supporting PCIe Gen5.
• 9, 19. Front Panel Headers: Connectors for the system's front panel controls and indicators (Primary and Secondary).
• 17-18. SSI Power Connectors: Additional power connectors (SSI_2X2P, SSI_2X9P).
• 20. System Battery Cable Connector (BAT): For the CMOS battery.
• 21. TPM Module Connector (SPI_TPM): For Trusted Platform Module.
• 22. PRoT Module Connector (PROT): For a specific protection module.
• 23. BIOS_1: BIOS chip (BIOS_2 is located at the back).
• 24. IPMB Connector (IPMB): Intelligent Platform Management Bus connector.
• 25-26. Proprietary PCIe Slots: Special slots for proprietary cards (GENZ_1/Gen5 x16, GENZ_2/Gen5 x16).
• 27. BMC Firmware Readiness LED (LED_BMC): Indicator for BMC firmware status.
• 28. BMC_FLH2: BMC related connector (BMC_FLH1 is at the back).
• 29. COM Port Header (COM1): Serial port header.

CPU and Memory Slots:

The motherboard features two CPU sockets, labeled CPU0 and CPU1. Each CPU socket is associated with a set of DDR5 DIMM slots, labeled as follows:

• For CPU0: DIMM_P0_H0, DIMM_P0_G0, DIMM_P0_G1, DIMM_P0_F0, DIMM_P0_E0, DIMM_P0_E1, DIMM_P0_A1, DIMM_P0_A0, DIMM_P0_B0, DIMM_P0_C1, DIMM_P0_C0, DIMM_P0_D0.
• For CPU1: DIMM_P1_L0, DIMM_P1_K0, DIMM_P1_K1, DIMM_P1_J0, DIMM_P1_I0, DIMM_P1_I1, DIMM_P1_M1, DIMM_P1_M0, DIMM_P1_N0, DIMM_P1_O1, DIMM_P1_O0, DIMM_P1_P0.

System Components and Layout

This section details the physical components and their locations within the server system, including storage, cooling, and processing units.

Front Drive Bay and Cooling:

• Hard Disk Drives: Locations for 2.5" Hard Drives, labeled HDD #0 through HDD #7.
• Fan Connectors: Multiple fan headers for system cooling:
  • GPU7/GPU8 FAN (GPU78_FAN1 / GPU78_FAN2)
  • GPU3/GPU4 FAN (GPU34_FAN1 / GPU34_FAN2)
  • System FAN2 (SYS_FAN2_1 / SYS_FAN2_2)
  • System FAN1 (SYS_FAN1_1 / SYS_FAN1_2)
  • GPU5/GPU6 FAN (GPU56_FAN1/GPU56_FAN2)
  • External GPU5/GPU6 Fan (GPU56E_FAN1/GPU56E_FAN2)
  • External GPU1/GPU2 Fan (GPU12E_FAN1/GPU12E_FAN2)

CPU and Memory Areas:

• Locations for CPU1 and Heat Sink and CPU0 and Heat Sink.
• Designated areas for CPU1 DDR5 Memory and CPU0 DDR5 Memory.
• A Riser Slot is also present.

System Appearance and Front Panel

This section describes the external appearance of the server chassis, focusing on the front panel interface.

Front Panel Interface:

• LEDs and Buttons:
  • Power Button with LED: Controls power and indicates status.
  • ID Button with LED: Used for system identification.
  • HDD Status LED: Indicates hard drive activity.
  • System Status LED: Provides overall system status.
  • LAN 1 Active/Link LED: Indicates network activity for LAN 1.
  • LAN 2 Active/Link LED: Indicates network activity for LAN 2.
• Ports:
  • VGA Port: For video output.
  • Management LAN port: Dedicated port for system management.
  • Data LAN Port x 2: Standard network ports.
  • USB 3.0 Port x 2: For connecting peripherals.
• Control Buttons:
  • Reset Button: Restarts the system.
  • NMI Button: Non-Maskable Interrupt button.

Rear Components: Power Supplies (PSU1, PSU2) are located at the rear of the system.

CPU and Heat Sink Installation

? NOTE! When installing the heatsink to CPU, use a T30-Lobe driver to tighten the 4 captive nuts in sequence (1-4). Please refer to the Heatsink Label for the screw tightening torque value.

Carrier Types for Package Types

This table outlines the carrier codes associated with different server package types for Intel Granite Rapids-SP processors.

GPU Card Installation and Airflow

This section describes the airflow direction and the mapping of PCIe slots for GPU card installation.

Airflow: The system is designed for Front to Rear Airflow.

GPU Slot Mapping:

• CPU1:
  • Top: Slot7 (PCIE_4_PCIE_2)
  • Bottom: Slot8 (PCIE_4_PCIE_1)
• CPU0:
  • Top: Slot3 (PCIE_2_PCIE_2)
  • Bottom: Slot4 (PCIE_2_PCIE_1)
• CPU1:
  • Top: Slot5 (PCIE_3_PCIE_2)
  • Bottom: Slot6 (PCIE_3_PCIE_1)
• CPU0:
  • Top: Slot1 (PCIE_1_PCIE_1)
  • Bottom: Slot2 (PCIE_1_PCIE_2)

Temporary slot indicators _TEMP are present for CPU1 (Slot10) and CPU0 (Slot9).

? NOTE! Please visit GIGABYTE's official website to download the GPU Card Option Kit Installation guide.

Memory (DIMM) Population Guide

These tables illustrate the recommended DIMM population configurations for different memory quantities and processor series.

6700E Series Memory Configuration:

6500P/6700P Series Memory Configuration: