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Metis PCIe 4-AIPU: Installation Guide

This guide covers installing the Metis PCIe 4-AIPU AI Accelerator Card into a host — a single card in a desktop or workstation, and multiple cards in a server.

Prerequisites​

  • A PCIe Gen 3.0 x16 slot
  • An 8-pin PCIe auxiliary power cable from your power supply
  • An anti-static wrist strap
Auxiliary power is required

The Metis PCIe 4-AIPU card requires auxiliary power. It will not function from slot power alone.

Install the card​

  1. Switch off the power to the host.
  2. Align the card with a PCIe Gen 3.0 x16 slot and insert it.
  3. Secure the card with the bracket screws.
  4. Verify the fan is securely attached and unobstructed.
  5. Connect the PCIe auxiliary power cable to the 2 x 4 connector on the card.

Connecting the power cable​

There is an 8-pin power socket on the card edge (the PCIe end) and on your PSU. The connector clips in with a soft click — press firmly until you hear it.

PCIe-to-PSU power cable connection for the Metis 4-chip PCIe card

Installing cards in a server​

  1. Power off the server and disconnect the AC power cables. Wait 30 seconds for the capacitors to discharge.
  2. Ground yourself with an anti-static wrist strap attached to the chassis before handling Metis cards.
  3. Remove the chassis cover, following the server's own manual.
  4. Remove the PCIe slot blank covers at the target positions.
  5. Seat each Metis PCIe card firmly and secure the retention bracket with the supplied screw.
  6. Verify all cards are fully seated — partial seating is the most common reason cards do not appear at POST.
  7. Connect the 2 x 4-pin PCIe power cable to each Axelera card. Power cables may be supplied by the server manufacturer as separate accessory parts; use the adapter if needed to connect to the server's power supply.
  8. Replace the chassis cover, reconnect AC power, and power on.
Balanced PCIe architecture

For balanced performance, distribute multiple Metis cards evenly across CPU sockets and PCIe root ports.

Server interior — power supplies, PCIe bays, dual Intel Xeon 6900 processors, 24 DDR5 DIMMs

Example: SuperServer SYS-322GA-NR​

The example below shows multiple Metis 4-chip PCIe cards installed in a SuperServer SYS-322GA-NR.

Multiple Metis 4-chip PCIe cards installed in a SuperServer SYS-322GA-NR

For this server, an adapter (part number CBL-PWEX-1362-45) is required to convert the 16-pin 12VHPWR cable to the 2 x 4-pin cable compatible with the 4-chip PCIe Metis card.

The SYS-322GA-NR's PCIe slots are divided between CPU 1 and CPU 2. Check the user manual or chassis slot labelling to identify which physical slots are tied to which CPU root complex, and distribute the cards evenly.

Post-install checklist​

  • Fan is running and unobstructed.

  • The system detects the card:

    lspci | grep Axelera