Installing a graphics processing unit in the 8001-22C system

Learn how to install a graphics processing unit in the IBM® Power® System S822LC for Big Data (8001-22C) system.

Before you begin

Power off the system and place it in the service position. For instructions, see Preparing the 8001-22C or 8005-22N system to remove and replace internal parts.

About this task

Notes for thermal limitations:
  • If the 8001-22C system has no GPUs, the system can support up to twelve 3.5-inch drives. The ambient temperature must not be more than 35°C (95°F). If all twelve 3.5-inch drives are installed, the system limits the 10-core POWER8 processor to 234 W and the 8-core POWER8 processor to 204 W.
  • Limitation on the number of supported drives if the 8001-22C system has one or two GPU accelerators (feature code EKAJ or EKAZ):
    • If your 8001-22C system with feature code EKB1 or EKB5 has feature code EKAJ or EKAZ, and if the system has storage adapters (feature codes EKEA or EKEB), the system can support up to eight 3.5-inch drives. The drives must be installed into the bottom two drive bay rows. The drives cannot be installed into the top drive bay row.
    • If your 8001-22C system with feature code EKB1 or EKB5 has feature code EKAJ or EKAZ, but has no storage adapters, the system can support up to six 3.5-inch drives. The drives must be installed into the bottom two drive bay rows in the leftmost positions. The drives cannot be installed into the top drive bay row nor into the rightmost positions.
    • The ambient temperature must not be more than 25°C (77°F). Reduce the maximum allowable dry-bulb temperature 1°C per 175 m above 950 m. IBM recommends a temperature range of 18°C - 27°C (64°F - 80.6°F). The system limits the 8-core POWER8 processor to 240 W.
    • The default Linux governor is "on-demand", which results in the CPU going to turbo frequency when the workload demands and the power and cooling parameters allow. The CPU can require up to 250W at turbo frequency and high utilization. For the cases described here which show less than 250W cooling capability, you might see the indicator "Performance Lags" in the system event log, when running a demanding workload in "on-demand" mode. That means that the maximum turbo frequency cannot be held all the time.

Procedure

  1. Attach the electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap.
    Attention:
    • Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap to the front ESD jack, to the rear ESD jack, or to an unpainted metal surface of your hardware to prevent the electrostatic discharge from damaging your hardware.
    • When you use an ESD wrist strap, follow all electrical safety procedures. An ESD wrist strap is used for static control. It does not increase or decrease your risk of receiving electric shock when using or working on electrical equipment.
    • If you do not have an ESD wrist strap, just prior to removing the product from ESD packaging and installing or replacing hardware, touch an unpainted metal surface of the system for a minimum of 5 seconds.
  2. A GPU adapter can share a PCIe riser card with other adapters. Systems with one processor can have a GPU in position 3. Systems with two processors can have GPUs in positions 3 and 5. Position 3 is preferred for optimal cooling. Label and remove any cables and plugs that extend out of the adapters. See Figure 1.
    Figure 1. 8001-22C PCIe adapter positions
    8001-22C PCIe adapter positions
  3. To install a GPU in position 3, complete the following steps:
    1. Retract the retaining pin (A) so the arrow is pointing to the system.
    2. Lift the PCIe riser from the system.
    3. Place the PCIe adapter riser on an ESD surface, with the PCIe adapter riser facing up.
    4. Remove the screws and the tail-stocks in position 3.
    5. Insert the GPU (A) into the PCIe adapter riser (B) as shown in Figure 2.
      Figure 2. Inserting the GPU into the riser
      Inserting the GPU into the riser
    6. Replace the screw to secure the tail-stock.
    7. Plug the GPU power cable (A) into the system backplane as shown in Figure 3. Using your thumb, press the release latch on the connector to remove the cable.
      Figure 3. Plugging in the GPU power cable
      Plugging in the GPU power cable
    8. Insert the GPU and PCIe riser card into the chassis as shown in Figure 4.
      1. Retract the retaining pin (B) so the arrow points to the system.
      2. Insert the riser, using the slots and alignment pins (A) to properly insert the riser. Push the riser firmly into the system backplane.
      3. Set the retaining pin (B) to secure the riser.
      Figure 4. Inserting the GPU and PCIe riser
      Inserting the GPU and riser
    Go to step 5.
  4. To install a GPU in position 5, remove the riser as shown in Figure 5.
    Figure 5. Removing the PCIe riser
    Removing the PCIe riser
    1. Retract the retaining pin (A) so the arrow is pointing to the system.
    2. Lift the PCIe riser from the system.
    3. Place the PCIe adapter riser on an ESD surface, with the PCIe adapter riser facing up.
    4. Remove the screws and the tail-stocks in positions 5 and 6.
    5. Plug the GPU (A) into the PCIe adapter riser (B) as shown in Figure 6.
      Figure 6. Inserting the GPU into the PCIe adapter riser
      Inserting the GPU into the PCIe adapter riser
    6. Replace the screw to secure the tail-stock.
    7. Plug the GPU power cable (A) into the system backplane as shown in Figure 7. Using your thumb, press the release latch on the connector to remove the cable.
      Figure 7. Plugging in the GPU power cable
      Plugging in the GPU power cable
    8. Insert the GPU and PCIe riser as shown in Figure 8.
      1. Retract the retaining pin (B) so the arrow points to the system.
      2. Insert the riser, using the slots and alignment pins (A) to properly insert the riser. Push the riser firmly into the system backplane.
      3. Set the retaining pin (B) to secure the riser.
      Figure 8. Inserting the GPU and riser
      Inserting the GPU and riser
  5. The GPU is installed.

What to do next

Prepare the system for operation. For instructions, see Preparing the 8001-22C system for operation after you remove and replace internal parts.

Parent topic: Installing and configuring POWER8 processor-based systems and system features


Last updated: Tue, November 17, 2020