Install a GPU adapter

Use this information to install a GPU adapter.

Note

To prevent potential thermal issues, change the Misc setting in the BIOS from Option3 (default value) to Option1 if the following two conditions are met:

• The server is equipped with a GPU adapter.

• The UEFI firmware version is AFE128B or later.

For the method of changing the Misc setting, see https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/TT1832.

About this task

Attention

• Read Installation Guidelines to ensure that you work safely.

• Power off the server and disconnect all power cords for this task.

• Prevent exposure to static electricity, which might lead to system halt and loss of data, by keeping static-sensitive components in their static-protective packages until installation, and handling these devices with an electrostatic-discharge wrist strap or other grounding system.

• GPU adapters are supported on some server models with thermal requirements. See Thermal rules to ensure that the server is under permitted ambient temperature and the correct air baffle, heat sink, and system fans are used. If needed, replace your heat sink or system fan first.

  • Install a processor-heat-sink module

  • Install a system fan

  • Install the air baffle

Air baffle	Supported GPU adapter
Figure 1. Standard air baffle	Half length, low profile, single-wide: NVIDIA Tesla T4 NVIDIA Quadro P620 NVIDIA A2
Figure 2. GPU Air baffle	Full length, full height, double-wide: NVIDIA Tesla V100S NVIDIA A100 NVIDIA A30 NVIDIA A40 NVIDIA A16 NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000 NVIDIA Quadro RTX A6000 AMD Instinct MI210 NVIDIA A800 Full length, full height, single-wide: NVIDIA A10

Note

• All installed GPU adapters must be identical.

• If a double-wide GPU adapter is installed in slot 5, 7 or 2, the adjacent slot 4, 8, or 1 respectively is not available.

• If a single-wide 150W GPU adapter is installed on PCIe slot 1, 4, or 7, the adjacent slot 2, 5, or 8 respectively cannot be installed with an Ethernet adapter of 100GbE or higher.

• For thermal rules for supported GPUs, see Thermal rules.

Watch the procedure

• A video of this procedure is available at YouTube.

Procedure

1. Locate the appropriate PCIe slot for the GPU adapter. See PCIe slots and PCIe adapters
2. Install the GPU adapter into the PCIe slot on the riser card.
   Figure 3. Installing the GPU adapter
   

   

   
   
   1. Open the blue latch on the riser cage.
   2. Align the GPU adapter with the PCIe slot on the riser card. Then, carefully press the GPU adapter straight into the slot until it is securely seated.
   3. Close the blue latch.
3. Connect the GPU power cable to the GPU power connector on the riser card or system board. See GPUs.
4. Install the GPU air baffle.
   Note

   If a single-wide 150W GPU adapter (FHFL) is to be installed but the adjacent slot will be left empty or installed with a half-length adapter, install an add-on air baffle on the GPU air baffle first.

   Figure 4. Installing an add-on air baffle
   

   

   
   
5. Install the riser assembly.
   Figure 5. Installing the riser assembly
   

   

   
   
   1. Align the riser card with the PCIe slot on the system board. Carefully press the riser card straight into the slot until it is securely seated.
   2. If you are installing a full-length GPU adapter, open the blue latch on the GPU air baffle and fix the end of the GPU adapter. Then, close the blue latch.
   3. Tighten the screw to fix the riser cage.
6. Connect the GPU power cable to the power connector on the GPU adapter, and route the power cable properly. See GPUs.
7. (Optional) If a certain slot is not installed with a GPU adapter, install a filler on the GPU air baffle.
   Figure 6. Installing the GPU air baffle filler