Architecture - Lenovo System x3850 X6 Quick Start Manual

The supported operating systems for both x3850 X6 server and x3950 X6 server include:
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.5+
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP1+
VMware vSphere (ESXi) 5.1 U1+
VMware vSphere (ESXi) 5.5

Architecture

To ensure proper function of the X6 server, the system should be configured correctly at the
time of purchase. The block diagram of the system in Figure 3 shows that proper memory and
I/O placement is critical for optimal performance. With the move to the Intel Ivy Bridge
processors in the X6 platform, the I/O is now directly attached to the processors. Additionally,
memory population rules have become more complex because each channel now has three
DIMMs and different memory modes.
There are a few general preferred practices in regards to configuring the system. Memory
should be installed in quantities of eight DIMMs per CPU for optimal performance and to
avoid any potential issues with memory installation order interfering with the memory mode
chosen. For best I/O performance, install the correct amount of adapters so that as many
processors as possible have a direct connection to I/O.
X6 DDR3
Compute Book
Figure 3 x3850 X6 system architecture
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Lenovo System x3850 X6 and x3950 X6 Quick Start Guide
MB 1
SMI
links
MB 2
Intel
Xeon
CPU 4
MB 1
MB 2
QPI links
MB 1
MB 2
Intel
Xeon
CPU 1
MB 1
MB 2
DMI
links
PCIe 3.0 lanes
MB 1
MB 2
Intel
Xeon
CPU 3
MB 1
MB 2
MB 1
MB 2
Intel
Xeon
CPU 2
MB 1
MB 2
PCIe 3.0 lanes
PCIe
switch
Slot 1: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16)
Slot 2: PCIe 3.0 x8 (x8)
Slot 3: PCIe 3.0 x8 (x8)
Half Length I/O Book
Slot 4: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16)
Slot 5: PCIe 2.0 x8 (x8)
Slot 6: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16)
Full Length I/O Book
Slot 7: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16)
Slot 8: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x8)
Slot 9: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16)
Slot 10: Mezz LOM (x8)
Primary I/O Book
Slot 11: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x8)
Slot 12: PCIe 3.0 x16 (x8)
Storage Book
8x USB
Intel
I/O Hub Serial
PCIe x1
IMM2 Management
Video