At Computex 2025, we saw the new ASPEED AST2700 BMC. These processors may seem like lower-cost and lower-excitement chips, but they go into almost every server out there. The next generation of baseboard management controllers adds more performance and more integration.
This is the ASPEED AST2700 Next-Gen BMC
In the Pegatron booth at Computex 2025, we saw the DCM2700-01, which is an ASPEED AST2700 OCP DC-SCM 2.1 module.
Here is what the new card looks like. We actually expect these to be more used in the PCIe Gen6 generation of servers with newer features like 16-channel memory and so forth so it was a special treat to see one at this show. You can see the ASPEED AST2700 here. The sets of dual ROM chips for firmware and so forth.
Just for some reference, here is the more current generation ASPEED AST2600 version.
One of the big features of the ASPEED AST2700 is integrating some of the platform features that previously required a CPLD. We have the 1Gbps LTPI interface as an example of new features. The AST2700 also has a new processing core going from dual Arm Cortex A7 cores and a Cortex M3 to quad Arm Cortex A35 cores with two Cortex M4 cores. The AST2700 also adds PCIe Gen4 and DDR5 support as DDR4 production is ramping down. The new BMC also adds silicon root of trust features with Caliptra.
Final Words
We did not think we would see the ASPEED AST2700 BMC this early as it feels more like something that would be a 2026 or later device. Still, getting to see one during the mid-2025 Computex was neat. More performance and more integration are important for ASPEED since it now has competition from upstarts like Axiado in the BMC space.
Considering how painfully slow most BMCs are, I’m perpetually surprised that they don’t splurge for *slightly* faster ARM cores. I mean, they’re basically upgrading the CPU here from a Raspberry Pi 2 to somewhere short of a Raspberry Pi 3. The A35 is still a 10 year old design.
Would an A72 or something have killed them?
“core goring”?
“In the Pegatron booth at Computex…”
Wait. Stop. Hold on there…
No way is there a company called “Pegatron”.
There is no way anyone would…
…oh…okay. Wow. There really is…
That is…unfortunate.
Do they realize it?
Or is it some inside joke or something?
I’m a pretty well put together adult, and even I’m giggling whenever I read it…
> Scott
This literally is going into every single server out there, so they will be selling millions of it and at that volume, every fraction of a cent adds up, so they want to keep the manufacturing costs and the die area at an absolute minimum. Besides, it doesn’t need to do a lot, so I don’t really see why it would need to be a lot more performant. It controls fans and runs a simple web server.
The main features are the integrated NIC and support for DDR5 and they are both present to ultimately make the platform less expensive to use.
@Ian what is the joke? Something is funny about the name? I guess I don’t get it.