https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517189#M13166 <P>Yes it's the chipset limitation. If you want to use a PCI-e graphics card, probably you should go for a workstation board, like WX58BP, or S975XBX2. </P> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:10:59 GMT Edward_Z_Intel 2012-02-20T03:10:59Z https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517188#M13165 <P>I'm pondering getting a motherboard that supports VT-d and also the Q6700 and ECC DDR2; the 3210/3200 chipset appears the only option without an upgrade to DDR3.</P><P></P><P>There are various limitations with the PCI-e cards that may be used on this board and the documentation is confusing. The 3200-3210 chipset memory controller hub datasheet says :</P><P></P><P>'The 3210 MCH supports either two PCI-E x8 or one PCI-e x16'. This is confusing, as the manual for the 3210SHLC shows it as having a x16 and a x8, but the datasheet shows 2 off x8. I suspect, therefore, it is two x8 slots.</P><P></P><P>(There is also a x4, but that is off the ICH9R).</P><P></P><P>It also says 'if a VGA adapter is inserted into this slot (this is referring to the first 'x16' slot) the VGA card will only work at PCI-e x1 speed. This is a chipset limitation'. This sentence does not appear against the other MCH PCI-e slot in the Intel motherboard manual, but does appear in non Intel boards using the 3210 chipset.</P><P></P><P>The chipset datasheet says 'The 3200/3210 MCH do not support PCI-e graphics. The PCI-e ports are intended for external device attach'. </P><P></P><P>Can I verify that this is the case and that all MCH slots are incompatible with PCI-e graphics. Is it also possible to understand what the precise limitation is - I presume there is no difference between attempting to run a PCI-e graphics card in an MCH PCI-e slot whilst booting up a normal operating system (i.e. direct hardware I/O), and running the same operating system through VM software (Xen, VMWare etc) accessing the card remapped from a VM box directly to the hardware using VT-d?</P><P></P><P>I rather suspect my only option here is to go X38/X48/X58 and change the RAM/CPU, or choose one of the Qxx chipsets, if I want to use a PCI-e graphics card at a reasonable speed.</P><P></P><P>Thanks!</P> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:28:54 GMT https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517188#M13165 idata 2012-02-19T23:28:54Z https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517189#M13166 <P>Yes it's the chipset limitation. If you want to use a PCI-e graphics card, probably you should go for a workstation board, like WX58BP, or S975XBX2. </P> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:10:59 GMT https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517189#M13166 Edward_Z_Intel 2012-02-20T03:10:59Z https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517190#M13167 <P>Thanks Edward, I'll probably look at other boards then. The WX58BP would be a possibility with a new CPU/RAM, but the S975XBX2 wouldn't as it doesn't support VT-d (I'm currently using the D975XBX2, which is practically the same).</P><P></P><P>Cheers!</P> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:30:31 GMT https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Xeon-Processor-and-Server/VT-d-and-PCI-e-limitations-in-3210-chipset-s3200SH-and-3210SHxx/m-p/517190#M13167 idata 2012-02-20T03:30:31Z