AMCC 3WARE 9690SA - Manual (Page 14)

Chapter 1. Getting Started
10 3ware 9690SA SAS/SATA RAID Controller Installation Guide
Installation Considerations
Air Flow, Cable Length, and Routing Space
Adequate airflow and ventilation are particularly important for
3ware 9690SA RAID controllers. The on-board heat sink collects
heat, and must have adequate airflow in order to disburse it. It is
important that the cables do not obstruct the air flow or prevent
proper ventilation of the system.
Selecting the Slot in Which to Install the Controller
Consider these factors when deciding on the slot in which to insert
the controller:
„ 3ware 9690SA RAID controllers must be installed in PCI
Express® x8 or x16 slots.
Warning! Do NOT insert the 9690SA controller into a PCI-X
slot. Doing so could potentially damage the board or the
system, and void the warranty.
Note: Some low-cost motherboards have a single PCI Express
slot which is reserved for a video card. These slots cannot
accommodate a 3ware 9690SA RAID controller or other PCI-E
device.
„ Cable routing may be easier if you install the 3ware RAID
controller next to an open slot.
„ If you are using a BBU, you will need to install the remote
battery board separately from the controller. For details, see
“Chapter 3. Installing a Battery Backup Unit” on page 17.
Things to Watch Out For During Installation of the RAID
Controller
Be careful when installing the 3ware RAID controller into your
system. Excessive force can damage the board or your system.
Be sure to follow the installation instructions in “Chapter 2.
Installing Your 3ware RAID Controller” on page 11.