PCIe Bifurcation in cMP 5,1

[abdyfranco]

Hi,

Currently, I have 3 of the 4 PCIe slots occupied, leaving only the second x16 slot free.

I want to install 1 more PCI card and an NVMe SSD, but with a single PCIe slot available it is not possible.

Looking in Google for a few hours, I found this SuperMicro PCIe card, which converts a single x16 slot into 2 x16 slots actively with a PLX chip (According to the Supermicro website)

https://www.amazon.com/Supermicro-RSC-R2UG-A2E16-A-Riser-Card/dp/B00D3O2ZE4

I know that the cMP does not support passive PCIe bifurcation, but I do not know if this active card would work in a cMP.

Any thoughts?

 

[Flint Ironstag]

Contact Supermicro support. Ask them if it's proprietary to their motherboards or not. The chances of someone here having knowledge of that specific board in a Mac Pro are probably pretty slim. No harm in asking, though!

 

[abdyfranco]

I'm going to contact the Supermicro support, I'll post an update as soon as they respond.

 

[AidenShaw]

I know that the cMP does not support passive PCIe bifurcation, but I do not know if this active card would work in a cMP.

Any thoughts?

In the Windows and Linux worlds, PLX switches are pretty transparent to the OS and drivers. Many combo cards have PCIe switches - I've seen four-port Fibre Channel cards that were two two-port controllers on a card with a switch.

And the MP6,1 has a PLX switch - so Apple OSX probably would understand them.

If SuperMicro can't answer - search for a seller with a good return policy.

 

[abdyfranco]

In the Windows and Linux worlds, PLX switches are pretty transparent to the OS and drivers. Many combo cards have PCIe switches - I've seen four-port Fibre Channel cards that were two two-port controllers on a card with a switch.

And the MP6,1 has a PLX switch - so Apple OSX probably would understand them.

If SuperMicro can't answer - search for a seller with a good return policy.

Unfortunately I didn't receive any response from SuperMicro, I think my only option is to risk buying it and trying it out.

 

[the_zee]

Unfortunately I didn't receive any response from SuperMicro, I think my only option is to risk buying it and trying it out.

Have you tried it?