ASRock Rack 1U8S4E-EGS/2T Block Diagram
Since this system is based on the ASRock Rack SPC741D8UD-2T/X550 motherboard, we can use that motherboard for the block diagram.
Here we can see the PCIe Gen5 lanes are to the MCIO connectors that feed the front NVMe bays and the four PCIe Gen5 x16 slots. The M.2 slot is a PCIe Gen3 x4 slot that goes into the Intel C741 PCH. Likewise, the Intel X550-AT2 also feeds into the PCH.
Still, all of the high-speed I/O goes directly to the CPU.
ASRock Rack 1U8S4E-EGS/2T Management
For management, the system uses an ASPEED AST2600 BMC and ASRock’s standard management interface. Instead of going into this in-depth, since we just did that in the ASRock Rack AM5D4ID-2T/BCM review we are just going to show the key features from that. Logging in, we can see an ASRock Rack skinned management interface. This is an industry-standard IPMI interface.
Included are features like HTML5 iKVM with remote media. Companies like Dell, HPE, and Lenovo charge a lot for iKVM functionality. Now, companies like Supermicro charge for remote media mountable via the HTML5 iKVM. This is a small feature, but one that is handy for many users and it is great that ASRock includes this with the board.
Another new feature with this generation is that the default password is admin/ admin, but then it immediately prompts for a change with some validation rules (e.g. you cannot just make “admin” the new password.) This is done to comply with local regulations.
Next, let us get to building the system around this motherboard.
ASRock Rack 1U8S4E-EGS/2T Performance
We tested this system both with 4th Gen and 5th Gen Xeon processors and saw results around what we would expect.
For this class of server, specifically, both generations of processors can offer some great features. The new 5th Gen Xeon processors have much lower idle power consumption. On the other hand, there is a better chance to find a deal on 4th Gen chips now that the 5th Gen chips are out.
Next, let us get to our power consumption findings with this server.
Kinda a shame they are using a generic MB here, as such 3 of the 4 PCIe slots are completely useless and the DMI is overloaded. The SATA drives alone could saturate DMI. The M.2 and X550 should be connected directly to the CPU instead of one of the unusable PCIe slots.