Avago Technologies 3ware SAS 9750-4i - Manual (Page 14)

Chapter 1. Getting Started
8 3ware 9750 SATA+SAS RAID Controller Card Installation Guide
Installation Considerations
Air Flow, Cable Length, and Routing Space
Adequate airflow and ventilation are particularly important for
3ware 9750 RAID controller card. 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 9750 RAID controller card must be installed in
PCI Express x8 or x16 slots.
Warning! Do NOT insert the 9750 controller card 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 9750 SATA+SAS controller card or
other PCI-E device.
„ Cable routing may be easier if you install the 3ware RAID
controller card next to an open slot.
Things to Watch Out For During Installation of the RAID
Controller
Be careful when installing the 3ware SATA+SAS controller card
into your system. Excessive force can damage the board or your
system.
Be sure to follow the installation instructions in “Chapter 2.
Installing the 9750 SATA+SAS Controller Card” on page 9.
Warning. Do not operate the 9750 controller card with
system cover removed, as this may disrupt proper airflow.