Supermicro X8DTT-HF+ Motherboard

Description

The Supermicro X8DTT-HF+ motherboard is a pinnacle of computing excellence, harnessing the unparalleled capabilities of the 5500/5600 Series Processor platform to provide high-performance and a rich feature set tailored for dual-processor-based systems optimized for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Cluster server platforms. This motherboard is at the forefront of innovation, capitalizing on the power of the 5500/5600 Series Processor platform, which comprises the 5500/5600 Series processors (LGA 1366), the 5520/5500 IO Hub, and the ICH10R South Bridge. The integration of the Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller within this platform revolutionizes the landscape of dual-processing platforms, introducing the next-generation point-to-point system interconnect interface that supersedes the traditional Front Side Bus Technology. This transition brings about a substantial enhancement in system performance, thanks to serial link interconnections that provide increased bandwidth and scalability.

Intel 5500/5600 Series Processor Platform: The Supermicro X8DTT-HF+ motherboard thrives on the capabilities of the Intel 5500/5600 Series Processor platform, which includes the 5500/5600 Series processors, the 5520/5500 IO Hub, and the ICH10R South Bridge. Central to this platform’s innovation is the groundbreaking Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller, marking the advent of the next-generation point-to-point system interconnect interface. This technology leapfrogs the traditional Front Side Bus (FSB) architecture, delivering a significant boost in system performance. The incorporation of serial link interconnections results in expanded bandwidth and scalability, ushering in a new era of computing capability.

High-Speed Connectivity and RAS Features: The IOH (Input/Output Hub) establishes dedicated QPI (QuickPath Interconnect) links with each processor, ensuring efficient and independent communication. Each QPI link comprises an impressive 20 pairs of unidirectional differential lanes for data transmission and reception, along with a differential forwarded clock. A full-width QPI link pair provides a staggering 84 signals. Each processor is equipped to support two QuickPath links, with one directed toward the other processor and the other linking to the 5520/5500 IO Hub.

The 5520/5500 IO Hub boasts support for up to 36/24 PCI Express Gen2 lanes, facilitating peer-to-peer read and write transactions at high speeds. Complementing this, the ICH10R South Bridge provides multiple PCI-Express SATA and USB connections, bolstering connectivity and compatibility with an array of peripherals.

In addition to its remarkable performance attributes, the 5500/5600 Series Processor platform features a comprehensive suite of Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) features. These encompass memory interface ECC, x4/x8 Single Device Data Correction (SDDC), Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), parity protection, out-of-band register access via SMBus, memory mirroring, and Hot-plug support for the PCI-Express Interface.

Main Features of the 5500/5600 Series Processor and the 5520/5500 Chipset:

• Each processor boasts four cores, further enhanced by an 8MB shared cache among these cores.
• The platform incorporates two full-width Intel QuickPath Interconnect links, each offering data transfer rates of up to 6.4 GT/s (GigaTransfers per second) in both directions.
• Support for Virtualization Technology and Integrated Management Engine enhances the platform’s capabilities.
• The point-to-point cache coherent interconnect facilitates efficient data exchange, featuring fast/narrow unidirectional links and concurrent bi-directional traffic.

Special Features and Management: The Supermicro X8DTT-HF+ motherboard features a plethora of specialized features and robust management capabilities, including:

Recovery from AC Power Loss: The BIOS offers user-configurable settings to determine the system’s response to AC power loss and subsequent restoration. Users can opt for the system to remain powered off, necessitating manual power-on, or configure it to automatically return to a powered-on state. The default setting is Last State.

PC Health Monitoring: This motherboard integrates an onboard System Hardware Monitor chip, which continually scans critical onboard voltages, including CPU1 VCore, CPU2 VCore, +5Vin, 12Vcc, VP1 DIMM, VP2 DIMM, +3.3Vcc, and Battery Voltage. When a voltage becomes unstable, the system issues warnings or displays error messages on the screen. Users have the flexibility to fine-tune voltage thresholds to adjust the sensitivity of the voltage monitor.

Fan Status Monitor with Firmware Control: The PC health monitor has the ability to check the RPM status of cooling fans. The onboard CPU and chassis fans are regulated through Thermal Management via BIOS settings accessible under Hardware Monitoring in the Advanced Setup.

Environmental Temperature Control: The thermal control sensor continuously monitors CPU temperature in real-time and activates the thermal control fan when the CPU temperature exceeds a user-defined threshold. The overheat circuitry operates independently from the CPU and automatically initiates thermal fan control to prevent CPU overheating. Additionally, the onboard chassis thermal circuitry can monitor overall system temperature and notify users when the chassis temperature exceeds acceptable levels. Adequate system airflow is recommended to mitigate potential system overheating.

System Resource Alert: This feature is available when used in conjunction with Supero Doctor III in a Windows OS environment or Supero Doctor II in Linux. Supero Doctor is employed to notify users of specific system events. For example, users can configure Supero Doctor to issue warnings when system temperature, CPU temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds deviate from predefined ranges.

ACPI Features: The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support empowers seamless integration of power management features across hardware, operating system, and application software layers. ACPI facilitates the automatic powering on and off of peripherals such as CD-ROMs, network cards, hard disk drives, and printers based on system requirements.

Suspend-State Indicator: When the CPU enters a suspend state, the chassis power LED initiates a slow blinking pattern to indicate the CPU’s status. Upon pressing any key, the CPU awakens from its suspended state, causing the LED to cease blinking and remain steadily lit.

Main Switch Override Mechanism: When an ATX power supply is in use, the power button can serve as a system suspend button, placing the system in a SoftOff state. During this state, the monitor enters standby mode, and the hard drive ceases spinning. Pressing the power button again reactivates the entire system. In the SoftOff state, the ATX power supply continues to provide power to essential circuitry to maintain functionality. In situations where the system malfunctions and immediate power-off is necessary, users can simply press and hold the power button for four seconds to achieve this. These options are configurable within the Power section of the BIOS Setup routine.

Power Supply: A stable and reliable power source is critical for the proper operation of computer systems, especially those featuring high CPU clock rates. It is strongly recommended to use a high-quality power supply that complies with ATX power supply Specification 2.02 or higher. SSI compliance is also advised for areas with noisy power transmission, where the installation of a line filter may be beneficial to shield the computer from noise. Furthermore, it is recommended to install a power surge protector to safeguard against problems stemming from power