ASRock A320M-HDV R4.0 headless unit
ASRock A320M-HDV R4.0 headless unit
Hello everyone, I had to replace some old components for a home server but ran into an issue. I'm using an A320-HDV R4 with the latest BIOS, a Ryzen 7 1800X processor, and two 8GB Kingston ECC RAM sticks. The mainboard won't boot without a graphics card, even though I have unused Vedo cards nearby. There are two PCIe slots filled with SATA expansion cards and a network card, leaving no room for a graphics card. Is there a solution? Maybe a custom BIOS setup or a budget pass-through card that frees up the PCIe lanes while keeping the mainboard, or perhaps I can install a built-in GPU? I really need advice here, otherwise I might have to swap the mainboard or settle for the built-in Gigabit Ethernet. Thanks for your help, Plermpel.
These processors lack built-in graphics, meaning you must use a separate graphics card for video output.
It's listed in the QVL for the Revision 4 model. I understand it isn't the optimal pick, but since I already have the 1800X chip, it makes sense to keep it. It's now running at 2.8Ghz and performing well without excessive heat on the VRMs. I'm aware the server will still run headless, but I just need to trigger it to start up somehow.
You can purchase PCI-E splitters featuring a dedicated chip that generates multiple PCI-E lanes, expanding the number of slots available. For instance, you can find one here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCIE-PCI-Expres...SwFO9dccPK. Insert the small card into a PCI-E X1 port, and you’ll have two PCI-E X1 slots, each with one lane. Since your X1 slot supports PCI-E 2.0, you’ll achieve approximately 500 MB/s in total bandwidth, meaning each slot can reach up to around 480 MB/s when the other isn’t in use.
Alternatively, you might opt for an M.2 PCI-E adapter board. Connect it via its M.2 connector and link it to a board equipped with PCI-E slots. The M.2 receives PCI-E lanes directly from the processor, ensuring PCI-E 3.0 x4 connectivity. See here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NGFF-M-2-to-PCI...Swv-JdQL8j. This setup allows you to pair it with a riser cable that provides separate power, suitable for devices like graphics cards that require 3.3V. You can also use a riser cable with an extra power connector, as video cards typically need higher voltage. This method lets you use any compatible GPU, as long as it connects via the PCI-E X1 interface. If you choose option 1, you’ll need to modify your card or slot to fit the larger PCI-E lanes, possibly by cutting or reshaping the connector edges.
Not at all sadly. I'm actually using an old passively cooled 8400 now, that's been set up around me. It seems my main options are ricer cables or a custom BIOS because I need a mechanical X16 port for the 10G network. The only M.2 slot is already filled with the OS drive. I'm looking for something like this—do you think this cheap ricer adapter will be fast and dependable enough to support four SATA III connections while keeping the old graphics card in another slot?
I think the 10Gig board is either x4 or x8. Have you verified if the board can handle PCI_e dual routing? You might need a riser card to convert the x16 slot into two x8 slots or four x4 slots, allowing both a 10Gb link and a video card in the same location.
The 10g card functions on a single PCIe lane, albeit at a slower rate. A PCIe 3.0 x1 channel delivers up to 970 MB/s, meaning you'll typically achieve around 920-950 MB/s on one lane. This is lower than the PCIe x1 slot that connects from the chipset and caps at 500 MB/s. You might connect the card via a M.2 port, providing about 4 GB/s—more than sufficient for the card's requirements. For a PCIe x1 or x4 connection, you can use a riser cable with its own power supply. If you need an x16 to x16 adapter, you can modify the connector and fit it into the x4 slot by selecting the appropriate power option.
This situation makes me feel a bit discontent. For now, I might stick with 1Gig Network and occasionally switch to an ASUS PRIME A320M-K board. I’ll check if it allows headless booting; if not, I’ll use an X4 dummy card. The ASUS model also offers better power delivery for this board. I’m not confident in those budget PCIe risers because stability and reliability are essential for this machine.