Description
The Supermicro X8DAL-i motherboard is designed to meet the demanding performance needs of CAD workstations and graphic-intensive systems. Leveraging the Intel 5500 chipset platform, this motherboard offers exceptional dual-processor capabilities, making it ideal for tasks that require substantial computing power. The chipset includes the 5500 processor, 5500 North Bridge, and the ICH10R South Bridge.
One of the standout features of this platform is the inclusion of the Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller, which delivers a next-generation point-to-point system interconnect interface, replacing the older Front Side Bus Technology. This upgrade significantly enhances system performance by providing increased bandwidth and scalability.
The 5500 North Bridge connects to each processor via independent QPI links, with each link offering 20 pairs of unidirectional differential lanes for high-speed data transmission. A full-width QPI link pair comprises 84 signals, and each processor supports two QPI links—one to the other processor and the other to the North Bridge.
The 5500 Chipset also supports up to 24 PCI Express Gen2 lanes, enabling peer-to-peer read and write transactions. Additionally, the ICH10R South Bridge offers six PCI-Express ports, six SATA ports, and eight USB connections.
For added reliability and serviceability, the 5500 platform incorporates various features, including memory interface ECC, Single Device Data Correction (SDDC), CRC, parity protection, out-of-band register access via SMBus, memory mirroring, memory sparing, and Hot-plug support on the PCI-Express Interface.
Key features of the 5500/5600 Series Processor and the 5500 Chipset include four processor cores per processor with 8MB of shared cache, two full-width Intel QuickPath interconnect links with up to 6.4 GT/s of data transfer rate in each direction, support for Virtualization Technology, and Integrated Management Engine. The platform also boasts error detection via CRC and error correction via Link level retry.
The Supermicro X8DAL-i motherboard offers robust PC health monitoring features, including voltage monitoring, fan status monitoring, environmental temperature control, and system resource alerts, which can be managed via SuperO Doctor II or III.
Furthermore, the motherboard supports ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) features, enabling efficient power management and system event notification. Other noteworthy features include a Slow Blinking LED for Suspend-State Indicator and a Main Switch Override Mechanism.
To ensure stable operation, it is crucial to provide a reliable power source. The Supermicro X8DAL-i accommodates 24-pin ATX power supplies, but it is recommended to use high-quality power supplies that meet ATX power supply Specification 2.02 or above. Adequate power supply is ensured through the use of two 12V 8-pin power connections, and it is advisable to connect these connectors properly to avoid warranty issues with the power supply and motherboard.
The Super I/O chip on the motherboard simplifies interfacing with floppy disk drives and provides two high-speed, 16550 compatible serial communication ports (UARTs). These UARTs offer both legacy and advanced speed modes to support various peripherals. The Super I/O chip also supports ACPI power management and auto power management for reduced power consumption.
In summary, the Supermicro X8DAL-i motherboard combines high-performance computing capabilities with advanced features to cater to the needs of CAD workstations and graphic-intensive systems, making it an excellent choice for professionals requiring substantial computing power and reliability.
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