Dell PowerEdge 2970 - Manual (Page 72)

72
Installing System Components
Expansion Cards
The system supports up to three PCI Express (PCIe) expansion cards. The PCIe left riser board provides one
full-length PCIe x8-lane expansion slot and one half-length PCIe x4-lane expansion slot. The half-height
center riser board features one PCIe x8-lane expansion slot. The three expansion card slots are on separate
buses.
Expansion Card Installation Guidelines
To identify expansion slots, see "Expansion-Card Riser-Board Components and PCIe Buses" on page 144.
NOTE:
The expansion-card slots are not hot-pluggable.
NOTE:
Although the PCIe x4-lane expansion slot on the PCIe left riser option is physically a PCIe x8 connector, it
functions only as a PCIe x4-lane slot.
NOTE:
Slot 1 on the center riser and slot 3 on the left riser support half-length expansion cards only. Slot 2 on the
left riser supports a full-length expansion card.
NOTE:
Your system supports up to two RAID expansion cards to manage external storage.
Installing an Expansion Card
CAUTION:
Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the
components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety
precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTE:
The procedure for installing expansion cards into the left and center risers is the same except that slot 2 on
the left riser has a card guide for installing a full-length expansion card. The full-length expansion card installation
is illustrated in Figure 3-14.
1 Unpack the expansion card and prepare it for installation.
For instructions, see the documentation accompanying the card.
2 Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical
outlet.
3 Open the system. See "Opening the System" on page 55.
4 Open the expansion-card guide latch and remove the filler bracket. See Figure 3-14.
5 Install the expansion card:
a If the expansion card is full length, align its front edge with the front card guide. See Figure 3-14.
b Position the expansion card so that the card-edge connector aligns with the expansion-card
connector on the expansion-card riser board.
c Insert the card-edge connector firmly into the PCIe card connector until the card is fully seated.
d When the card is seated in the connector, close the expansion-card latch. See Figure 3-14.