Gigabyte has launched its G250-G52 2u high performance computing (HPC) server chassis in the UK. Perhaps the key feature of this HPC server is its capacity to support up to 8x double slot GPU/processing cards. Add to that dual-Intel Xeon E5-1600/2600 V3 family support, a multitude of DDR4 DIMM slots and the capacity for an octet of hot swappable 2.5-inch drives, and you have a bold, potent first step into the UK rackmount HPC server market from the Taiwanese firm. A fully kitted out G250-G52 is expected to be particularly appealing to those working in scientific simulation and modelling, engineering, visualisation and rendering, data mining and related tasks.
As mentioned in the intro, the G250-G52 is aimed at those looking for teraflop performance in a 2u chassis (448 x 87.5 x 800mm) server fuelled by up to 8x GPGPU cards. Gigabyte's solution is Nvidia validated, supporting up to 8x Tesla K80 GPU accelerators but you can also choose to populate it with Xeon Phi coprocessors or AMD FirePro GPUs.
Gigabyte's 2u server with MG50-G21 motherboard and Intel C612 chipset has the capacity for users to install up to 2x Intel Xeon E5-2600 V3 processors, 24x DDR4 DIMMs and 8x hot swappable 2.5-inch drives. In addition to the expansion capacity just mentioned, users have access to 1x Half-length low-profile slot, 1x PCIe x16 (Gen3 x8 bus) connector and 1x Proprietary PCIe x8 (Gen3 x8 bus) mezzanine connector. The server supports 2 x GbE LAN ports (Intel I350-AM2) and includes an 80 PLUS Platinum 2000W redundant PSU. A full detailed spec list is available on Gigabyte's product page.
Interestingly Gigabyte has furnished its HPC server barebone with some of the durability and stability features we are used to seeing in its PC wares, including; ultra-long lasting capacitors, high-end ferrite core chokes and its 'industry leading' IR power design.
Gigabyte has partnered with X-Case in the UK to offer configuration, building and distribution of its G250-G52 HPC servers. The barebone chassis costs £2,250 plus VAT and there are a multitude of components which are priced and can be configured on the X-Case page. Worldwide shipping is available.
