Supermicro Updates X9 Lineup with GPU-Enabled Solutions

NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference (GTC 2012) is around the corner (May 14-17), and Supermicro has indicated that their GPU-Enabled X9 server and workstation solutions would be showcased at the event.

The X9 series based on the Xeon-E5 class of processors was launched by Supermicro in March. The latest GPU-enabled solutions based on the X9 series are targeted towards HPC (High Performance Computing) applications, with support for up to 256 GB of memory in servers and 512 GB in workstations, PCI-E 3.0 connectivity, 10 GbE and 4x QDR (40 Gb) Infiniband support in a non-blocking architecture.

Supermicro claims to have the highest GPU computing density available today. They also suggest combining the units with the Kepler GPUs (which currently seem to be skimping on compute performance), to obtain green computing solutions.

Without further digression, let us take a look at the systems being launched:

1027GR-TQF:

This system has support for up to 4 GPUs in a 1U configuration. While Supermicro was not very forthcoming on the details of this system, it looks to be likely based on the 1027GR-TRF. The 1027GR-TRF has 4 x PCI-E 3.0 slots, with one of them being low-profile and operating in x8 mode. Any likely updates in the TQF model are probably related to this aspect because the model offers up to 4 double-width GPUs for maximizing compute density.

2027GR-TRF / 2027GR-TRFT:

The only difference between the 2027GR-TRF and the 2027GR-TRFT is related to the networking aspect. While the TRF model comes with a Intel i350 Dual-Port GbE Controller, the TRFT has a Intel X540 10GBase-T Controller. Both of them have 1800W redundant power supplies with 80Plus Platinum level ratings for more than 94% efficiency. There is support for up to 6 GPUs in this 2U form factor system. Four of the PCI-E 3.0 slots are x16, while we have one x8 PCI-E 3.0 in a x16 slot and one x4 PCI-E 2.0 in a x8 slot.

SBI-7127RG:

This GPU SuperBlade system packs 30 GPUs in a 7U form factor, and is claimed by Supermicro to have the industry's highest compute density.

7047GR-TRF / 7047GR-TPRF:

The 7047GR-TRF is an enterprise-class X9 SuperWorkstation with NVIDIA Maximus certification. Design and visualization tasks are accelerated with an NVIDIA Quadro GPU while compute intensive tasks are powered using up to four Tesla C2075 GPUs. The TPRF model is being announced on paper (Coming Soon!) and supports passively cooled GPUs. Instead of the FC475/409 4x NVIDIA C2075/C2090 GPU cards in the TRF model, this one comes with FM407/409 4x NVIDIA M2070/M2090. The specifications are otherwise identical to the 7047GR-TRF.

Supermicro's GPU-enabled solutions can be seen at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, May 14-17 in GTC Booth #75.