HP ProLiant DL380p Gen8 User Manual page 85

If you do not have a full-length expansion board, the air baffle can be installed last.
Connect the other end of the SAS signal cables to the SAS controller board and to the system board.
20.
Then, install the PCI riser cage.
SAS cables can be connected to the PCI riser cage and the system board before or after the PCI riser
cage is installed. For ease of accessing connectors, HP recommends connecting the cables before the
PCI riser cage is installed.
Hardware options installation 85