Xpander Desktop Series II


Xpander Desktop Series II updates GPU-Xpander Desktop 2 with 4 PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 2 x16 slots. Connecting Series II to your Apple® Mac® Pro, Linux or Microsoft® Windows® 7 host computers provide your desktop operators with four single-wide or two double-wide GPUs or other PCIe cards such as Red Rocket, NVIDIA® SDI Capture or other cards.

Series II is an economical way to add GPUs or other PCIe cards to your host computers. Installing the Cubix host interface controller (HIC) in an available PCIe Gen 2 x16 slot within your host computers assures your operators that they will enjoy a full 80Gbps (5Gbps x 16 lanes = 80Gbps) transfer rate to and from the GPUs or other cards you install in Xpander Desktop Series II.

Xpander Desktop Series IIOverview

Just like GPU-Xpander Desktop 2, Xpander Desktop Series II enables you to add slots to your watt- and slot-limited computer so you don't have to buy a new computer. Cubix Xpander Desktop Series II is a desktop expansion enclosure that connects to a host computer using a HIC in a PCIe Gen 2 x16 slot and a cable. Xpander Desktop Series II provides four Gen 2 x16 slots (x16 electrical) that support two double-wide or four single-wide controllers such as GPUs or multi-function / multi-port cards, including audio, FireWire, Gbit Ethernet and USB 2.0. Xpander Desktop series II provides its own power supply and cooling.

Xpander Desktop Series II is an economical way to enhance the Input/Output (I/O) power of your computer. Series II is a hardware-only solution that expands the I/O capability of your computer by adding slots, power and cooling. Each Series II adds four PCI Exress (PCIe) slots to your computer. Add high-powered GPUs for mathematical high-performance computing (HPC) to your existing computer with Xpander Desktop Series II. Each available PCIe Gen 2 x16 slot in your computer can support a Xpander Desktop Series II.

Add two NVIDIA® Quadro® 4000 / 5000 / 6000, GeForce® GTX 480 / 580, Tesla C2050 / C2070 / C2075 graphics or other controllers to any computer that has an available PCIe expansion slot using Xpander. Install the HIC in the computer's PCIe x16 slot and connect it to Xpander Desktop Series II. You have just added two double-wide or four single-wide CUDA-capable graphics or HPC controllers to the computer without buying a new computer.

Features

  • Install blazing fast graphics or calculations within minutes
  • Four PCIe 2.x x16 expansion slots (x16 electrical) in each Xpander Desktop Series II
  • Two double-wide or four single-wide GPUs like NVIDIA® Quadro® FX 1800 / 3800 / 4800 / 5800 or Quadro 4000 / 5000 / 6000
  • Two double-wide or four single-wide powerful HPC processors like NVIDIA® Tesla® C2050 / C2070 / C2075
  • Two double-wide or four single-wide GPUs like GeForce® GTX 470 / 480 / 580
  • An independent power supply to meet any expansion requirement
  • Simple, quick installation with minimal impact per operator desktop; just install a host adapter and a graphics driver
  • Each x16 cable and connector provide a 250 mating cycle duty cycle

Benefits

  • Add two double-wide or four single-wide PCIe x16 graphics controllers or HPC processors to a computer that does not have the available slots
  • Add two double-wide or four single-wide graphics controllers or HPC processors to any computer with only a single PCIe x16 slot available
  • Add two double-wide or four single-wide graphics controllers or HPC processors to any computer regardless of power supply limitations
  • Add two graphics controllers or HPC processors without having to specify, purchase, install and configure new computers
  • No power or cooling needed from the host computer; Xpander Desktop Series II provides its own power and cooling
  • Zero or minimal impact on operators' desktop screen configuration
  • Minimal impact on operators' desktop space
  • Connect two or more GPU-Xpander units to one computer (using two or more PCIe x16 slots available in the host computer)

Don't let your computer's lack of 'watts and slots' hold you back. Get your graphics or HPC processing on with Xpander Desktop Series II for each operator's desktop. It will give your operators the graphics or HPC, CUDA-capable performance they demand at a reasonable cost with little or no interruption to routine or workflow.

Contact Cubix for details about Xpander Desktop Series II. For part numbers, prices and purchase information, visit the Cubix GPU On-line Store.

Xpander Desktop series II Technical Specifications

Expansion Slots
4 PCI Express x16 slots, x16 electrical, standard
4 PCI Express x8 slots, x8 electrical, optional
Supports 2 double-wide or 4 single-wide graphics or other controllers

Graphics, Computing or IO Controllers
NVIDIA® Quadro® FX 1800 / 3800 / 4800 / 5800 
Tesla C2050 / C2070 / C2075
GeForce® 470 / 480 / 580
Red Rocket
NVIDIA SDI Capture or Output
FireWire
USB 2.0 multi-port
Audio multi-port
Gbps Ethernet multi-port

Host Interface Controller (HIC)
PCIe x16 HIC standard with external PCIe x16 136-pin connector
PCIe x8 HIC optional with external PCIe x8 68-pin connector

Host Connection
External PCI Express x16 136-pin cable standard or x8 68-pin cable optional
1.000meter (3.370feet) standard length
2.000meter (6.560feet) optional length
3.000meters (9.842feet) optional length
250 mating cycles maximum connector duty cycle

Front Panel
4 LEDs for system reset, cable present, power supply good and power supply on

Rear Panel
Power on/off switch and power input receptacle

Power
Single-phase, 50/60Hz, auto-ranging, 100-240VAC, 5.5-3.0A

Environment
0° to 30° Celsius (32° to 86° Fahrenheit) temperature
5% to 80% non-condensing humidity

Dimensions
10.25" H x 6.75" W x 16.00" D (26.03cm H x 17.14cm W x 40.64cm D)

Weight
19.60lbs (8.75kg)

Warranty
Parts/labor return to manufacturer 1 year
Optional 2 years

Xpander Desktop Series II Dimensions

xpander-desktop-sii
25 lb.
Xpander Desktop Series II

 








 

Support and Troubleshooting

Quick Start

  • Install a GPU in the host computer and install device drivers.
  • Once drivers are working, move the GPU to Xpander Desktop Series II, install the adapter in the host computer and connect GPU-Xpander to the adapter using the cable provided.
  • The host computer, if it is plug-n-play, will detect the new hardware configuration and install drivers.

Power on/off Xpander Desktop Series II normally.

  • With Xpander Desktop Series II connected to the host computer and running, shut down the host normally.
  • With Xpander Desktop Series II connected to the host computer and powered down, switch on Xpander Desktop Series II first and the connected host next; both will boot up.

Run a PC or Mac Pro with Xpander Desktop Series II powered off.

  • To run the host PC or Mac Pro without Xpander Desktop Series II connected, power down the host, remove power from GPU-Xpander and boot the host.
  • When you are ready to run Xpander Desktop Series II again, power down the host, connect power to Xpander Desktop Series II and boot the host.

Quickly test that Xpander Desktop Series II works with your computer motherboard as follows:

  1. Do not install graphics or other controllers until instructed to do so within this procedure.
  2. Switch off AC power from the host computer and the Xpander Desktop Series II but leave the power cord in each connected.
  3. Install the Cubix host interface controller (HIC) in a PCIe x8 or x16 slot within the host computer. If you are installing the host adapter in an Apple® Mac Pro, install it in a PCIe x8 or x16 slot.
  4. Using a Philips #2 screwdriver, remove the 4 screws holding the GPU-Xpander top cover in place.
  5. Connect the external PCIe cable to the host computer port. Warning: Switch off GPU-Xpander power before connecting to or disconnecting from the adapter in the host computer.
  6. Plug AC power into the host computer and the Xpander Desktop Series II.
  7. On GPU-Xpander 40, switch on the AC power switch next to the AC receptacle.
  8. Power up the host computer. The Xpander Desktop Series II also powers on.
  9. Check BIOS configuration for spread spectrum settings for CPU and PCIe. Most vendors set spread spectrum to [Auto]. Change the CPU and PCIe spread settings to [Disable], save the settings and exit BIOS configuration, which restarts the computer.
  10. Confirm that exterior Link LED, the Link LED (D2) on both adapters and the interior Cable LED (P0) are lit green. The enclosure fan should also be spinning. If not, check the following: confirm that the Cubix adapter is firmly seated in a PCIe slot within the host computer and confirm that the cable connector is firmly seated to the host adapter connector.
  11. Xpander Desktop Series II is functioning properly once the Cable LED (P0) is either flashing or steady green. Proceed to the next step to install adapters.
  12. Switch off AC power to the host computer and the GPU-Xpander. Leave the power cords and the external PCIe cable to the host computer port connected. Warning: Before installing or removing cards from the GPU-Xpander, switch off AC power, leave the power cord connected and wait about a minute until the 5V Standby Power LED shuts off.
  13. Loosen the captured screws holding down the end brackets.
  14. Install the graphics or other controller(s) in the Xpander Desktop Series II PCIe slot(s) connect PCIe auxiliary (aux) power cables (see the image at the right). Each Xpander Desktop Series II provides two sets of aux power connectors, including two 6-pin connectors and one 2-pin connector. Your GPU may require a combination, such as two 6-pin receptacles, one 6-pin and one 2-pin or all connectors.
  15. Replace the hold-down bracket and tighten the retaining screws.
  16. Connect GPU video port(s), if present, to monitors. This step is especially important for Linux, because X Windows (X) will crash if you have not connected video ports to monitors. If you cannot connect monitors to installed GPU video ports, you can edit the Device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf to define which GPU X should use as the primary display device. For example:

    Section "Device"
        Identifier     "Device0"
        Driver         "nvidia"
        VendorName     "NVIDIA Corporation"
        BoardName      "GeForce GTX 480"
        BusID          "PCI:8:0:0"
    EndSection

    To determine the BusID for the GPU you wish to use as the primary display, run the scanpci tool discussed in Step 17.
  17. Power up the computer and the Xpander Desktop Series II to confirm that the appropriate slot link LEDs (P4 and/or P8 in the image above) are lit green, which confirms that you have installed the controller(s) correctly in each slot.
  18. Confirm that your operating system (OS) has detected the new controller(s). For instance, in a PC running Microsoft® Windows®, check Windows Device Manager. Within Windows, you can also run GPU-Z, a utility available for free download here. In a Mac Pro, check /System/Library/Core Services/Expansion Slot Utility (read morehere). In a PC running Linux, run the following:

    root# > XFree86 –scanpci 

    Read more about scanpci here.
  19. If all the Cable Link and slot LEDs are lit green but your OS does not detect the GPUs, shut down the OS gracefully, power down Xpander Desktop Series II and remove / replace the GPUs. Make sure that you seat each GPU firmly in its slot and that you connect all auxiliary power connectors properly. Switch on Xpander Desktop Series II and boot up the host computer.
  20. Xpander Desktop Series IIInstall the appropriate graphics or other controller driver(s) using the vendor’s procedure. Apple Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), 10.6.x (Snow Leopard) and Lion 10.7 do not support natively all NVIDIA® GPU products (e.g., GeForce® GTX 580). If you want to use such GPUs with a Mac Pro, download, install and run a supported Linux derivative or Boot Camp 3.x, which is free for download (here). With Boot Camp installed, you can install and run Windows 7 on your Mac Pro and use NVIDIA Windows drivers.
  21. Confirm that the Xpander Desktop Series II Fatal Error LED is not lit amber. If it is, reboot the host computer.
  22. Switch off AC power to the host computer and the Xpander Desktop Series II. Leave the power cords and the external PCIe cable to the host computer port connected.
  23. Replace the Xpander Desktop Series II top cover as shown in the image at the right and replace the screws holding it in place. Use all of the screws in the bag packed with the GPU-Xpander. Warning: Replace the cover as soon as possible to allow for proper cooling of controllers installed in the unit. Do not run GPU-Xpander without the cover for more than a few minutes. 
  24. Power up the computer and the Xpander Desktop Series II.

GPU-Xpander Rackmount 2 Interior

The Cable Link LED (P0) inside Xpander Desktop Series II flashes green when connected with some computers and shines steady green with others.

  • The Cable Link LED (P0) insideXpander Desktop Series II shines green, indicating 5.0Gbps transfer, when connected with the host adapter plugged into a PCI Express Gen 2 slot.
  • The Cable Link LED (P0) inside Xpander Desktop Series II flashes green, indicating 2.5Gbps transfer, when connected with the host adapter plugged into a PCI Express Gen 1 slot.
    • LED blinking 0.5 seconds on, 0.5 seconds off indicates the link is 5.0Gbps with reduced lanes up
    • LED blinking 1.5 seconds on, 0.5 seconds off indicates the link is 2.5Gbps with all lanes up
    • LED blinking 0.5 seconds on, 1.5 seconds off indicates the link is 2.5Gbps with reduced lanes up

The Cable Link LED (P0) and the slot LEDs (P4 and P8) inside Xpander Desktop Series II light correctly but the operating system (OS) does not detect the installed GPUs. 

  • Power down the OS, the host computer and Xpander Desktop Series II.
  • Remove and replace the GPUs, making sure to seat the GPUs firmly within each PCIe slot and to seat firmly all of the auxiliary power cables into place.
  • Power up Xpander Desktop Series II and then power up the host computer. When the OS boots, it should detect the GPUs now.

The slot LEDs inside Xpander Desktop Series II flash green when the Cable Link LED (P0) shines steady green.

  • Download the latest driver for the graphics controller from the vendor's site.
  • Install the driver.
  • The slot LEDs shine steady green, which indicates the link each slot is 5.0Gbps.

GPU-Xpander Internal ViewXpander Desktop Series II is connected to both power and a host computer. Both are powered up, but Xpander Desktop Series II displays no external link LED and the fan is not spinning:

  • Check the internal 10-pin cable connecting the Master Interface Board to the front panel.
  • Make sure pin 1 of the 10-pin cable is connected as shown in the image at the right.

Warnings appear in Windows Device Manager.

  • You installed appropriate Intel chipset utility and other drivers for the host computer.
  • You installed current drivers for third-party graphics controllers or other adapters as appropriate.
  • Check your motherboard vendor's Website for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to see if others have posted questions similar to yours and to see if the vendor has posted downloads for applicable updates.

What slot options do I have for running BlackMagic Design® DaVinci Resolve™ on the Apple® Mac Pro™ with Xpander Desktop Series II?

  • In Apple Mac Pro, when using ATI® Radeon™ HD 5770 or NVIDIA® GeForce™ GT 120 in slot 1, install the Cubix host adapter in slot 2.
  • Use slots 3 & 4 for DeckLink™ and either an eSATA or fibre channel controller.
  • In Xpander Desktop Series II, use one of the following combinations: [a] two GTX 285s, [b] two Quadro 4000s and two Red Rockets (for stereo) or [c] three Quadro 4000s and one Red® Rocket™.

My Apple Mac Pro System Profiler displays no GPUs under PCI Cards.

  • Apple Mac Pro System Profiler shows GPUs with display capabilities under Graphics/Displays as shown in the image below.
  • The System Profiler utility does not display GPUs under PCI Cards; however, if you see the GPUs under Graphics/Displays, then the Mac Pro has loaded the drivers and applications (such as BlackMagic Design DaVinci Resolve) can access and use the GPUs.

Apple Mac Pro System Profiler

Before You Contact Cubix
Find the unique serial number (s/n) located on the Xpander Desktop Series II outside cover.  Have this s/n ready when you contact Cubix Customer Service.

Fill out and submit the Contact Cubix form.
Email customerservice@cubix.com
Hours  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific, Monday through Friday
Closed weekends and holidays
USA or Canada Telephone 800.829.0554
International Telephone 775.888.1000
DownloadSize
Xpander Desktop Series II User Guide693.79 KB