Gigabyte GTX 970 and ProLiant 180 G6

[Ned_Metrik]

Is it possible to install Gigabyte GTX 970 graphic card on HP Proliant 180 G6 or do I have to buy a special PCIe riser card?

[Jimmy Vance]

I think the main issue you're going to run into is power. The quickspecs do list an optional grahics power cable kit, but it only supports 150W, specs on this card say it requires 550W. 

[Ned_Metrik]

Thank you very much for the comment, Jimmy! :)

For sure I will have to invest in new (or additional) power supply in order to have enough power to get the graphic card working. Since HP Proliant DL180 G6 is a little bit older I think that I will have no problem to get the power supply for a resonable price.

My problem at the moment is figuring out how can I fit GTX 970 card into the server case.

Gigabyte GTX 970 needs PCIe x16 and its dimensions are L=312mm, W=129mm, H=43mm.
If looking from the front of the server the original Proliant DL180 riser card has  PCIe x16 placed on the right part of the riser card case (low profile card sort) and it needs to be placed on the left side of the riser card case in order to use the server case space for two PCI expansion card slots.

[BK_HPE]

Hello @ned_Metrik

According to page 20 of the HP ProLiant DL180 QuickSpecs there are several power supply options.  HP has the part numbers to those power supplies on the HP Common Slot Power Supplies web site. 

Note: Many HP ProLiant Servers now offer new power options, including Common Slot Power supplies. These power supplies come in multiple power ratings and higher efficiency levels to offer the Right Size solution to fit your configuration. This provides improved power delivery and the advantage of reclaiming lost power. Prior to making a power supply selection it is "highly recommended" that the "HP Power Advisor" is run to determine the right size power supply for your server configuration.

CAUTION: Optional Power Supplies used for Redundancy "MUST" match the original supplied power supply. Upgrades for more power headroom, when replacing the original power supplies must match if purchased for redundancy. Option Kits contain optional power supply, an IEC power cable and PDU IEC cables. In ProLiant Servers that have more than one power slot (bay), same size power supplies are recommended. If non-matched power supplies are inserted you will get errors and operation will fail.

I hope this information is helpful.  I am happy to arrange a call with an HP Server Specialist for more information, let me know if that is a direction you would like to go in.

[Ned_Metrik]

Thanks for the advice BK_HP, but my problem is not power supply.

OK, now I am certain that I can not fit Gigabyte GTX 970 graphic card into Proliant DL 180 case.

Can anybody suggest me an alternative for GTX 970? My plan is to use the server for Oculus Rift development. 

[Jimmy Vance]

Even if the card would have fit, you still would have had an issue with power.  The Quickpecs state the optional graphics power cable kit only supports 150 watts. the GTX970 requires 550 watts

[BK_HPE]

Hello @ned_Metrik

Sounds like you will have a problem with the power supply even if you did find a graphics card to fit in your HP ProLiant DL180 server.  I have two suggestions, one is contacting HP Total care at 1-800-344-5144, 24hours a day 7days a week.  The other option is getting you in contact with an HP Server Specialist to talk about options you may have, I am happy to arrange a meeting, let me know if that is a direction you would like to go in.

[carrollh]

Um, the power quote of 500W is wrong. The recommended minimum *system* power is 500W. The *card's* power is 145W. So the 150W gpu cable will be fine.

Source - http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications

[Jimmy Vance]

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@carrollh wrote:

Um, the power quote of 500W is wrong. The recommended minimum *system* power is 500W. The *card's* power is 145W. So the 150W gpu cable will be fine.

Source - http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications

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You are correct, whatever spec came up when I searched just said power reqiurement 500w.