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Troubleshooting HDD Connections with RTX 5090 on a Supermicro Board

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Navigating slot blockages and thermal concerns in your workstation build with RTX 5090 and Slimline SAS

Building or upgrading a workstation after a long break can feel a bit like trying to solve a puzzle where some pieces just don’t seem to fit. If you’re diving into arranging your components like I was, dealing with tricky hardware placements can really slow you down. For instance, when I was setting up a system with an RTX 5090 GPU on a Supermicro X14sbi-tf motherboard, figuring out the HDD connection became its own headache—that’s what I want to share with you today about HDD connection troubleshooting.

Why the trouble with HDD connections?

When you’ve got a beast of a GPU like the RTX 5090, it doesn’t just take up space; sometimes, it physically blocks other parts you need to use. In my case, this GPU fit only in SLOT 1 due to CPU and M.2 slot constraints. However, this slot placement blocked the Slimline SAS connector that connects to several SATA drives, including the HDD I needed to hook up.

Possibilities to keep your drives connected

If you find yourself with the same blockage between a GPU and a drive connector, here are a few options that worked or could work:

  • Use a right-angle Slimline SAS cable adapter: Just like I solved the USB connector blockage with a right-angle adapter, there are right-angle adapters available for Slimline SAS connectors that let you reroute the cable to avoid the GPU’s bulk. This may require some hunting, as they’re less common, but it’s a neat solution.

  • Relocate drives or use different connectors: Sometimes swapping out the HDD for an SSD with M.2 capabilities frees a SATA port. Alternatively, check if your motherboard supports other ports or if you can use a PCIe SATA controller card in a different slot.

  • External drive enclosure: If internal placement and cables become a nightmare, using an external USB or Thunderbolt enclosure for the HDD can be a practical workaround, keeping your rig neat and accessible.

What about thermals with that big GPU in SLOT 1?

Another concern with placing a large GPU like the RTX 5090 in SLOT 1 is airflow and heat. My case had ventilation holes along the bottom, but unfortunately, some were blocked by the PSU. This setup can potentially cause warmer temps.

Here’s what you can do to keep things cool:

  • Improve case airflow: Add or reposition fans to promote good air circulation, especially front-to-back or bottom-to-top.

  • Monitor temperatures regularly: Use software tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to keep an eye on GPU and CPU temps during use.

  • Consider aftermarket cooling: Depending on your workload, adding or upgrading GPU and CPU cooling might be worth it.

Wrapping it up with some tips

HDD connection troubleshooting around a powerful GPU and limited motherboard slots isn’t rare. The key is to stay flexible and consider alternative cabling or external storage options. Also, keeping an eye on airflow and temperatures prevents surprises down the line.

If you want to dive deeper, official Supermicro documentation (https://www.supermicro.com/) and NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 tech specs (https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/graphics-cards/5090/) are great places to start learning.

In the end, it’s about making your setup work smoothly — even if that means thinking outside the box and adapting as you go. I hope these ideas help you overcome similar challenges!

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