R9 290x in IBM X3500 M2 not recognized. [Solved] NEW PROBLEM

Jkrawler · January 24, 2020

Need some help, I'd like to get this system working, its kind of a pet project.. I've modified the power supply module with 2 6/8-pin pcie power cables, updated the bios (most recent was released in 2018). The card powers on, fans spin, lights light, but alas its not recognized, and I get no signal from any of its outputs. I have tested it in my wife's FX-8350 system and it is recognized and works flawlessly. I've also tested my HIS IceQX2 r9 270 and it boots in this machine with no issues, powered with the modded PSU module.

IBM System X3500 M2.

Dual HS 920W PSUs

MB: IBM 49Y6715

UEFI Bios: Y4E161AUS-1.17

CPU: Xeon x5570 (single only, dual later if I can get this working)

RAM: 16GB ECC DDR3 1333MHz Triple channel

GPU: Sapphire Vapor-x R9 290x OC 4GB GDDR5, base clock is 1080MHz

Maybe someone can help me figure out if this is even feasible, maybe I need to mod the the UEFI, maybe there is an issue in the bios settings that I'm not really familiar with.. someone that is better with server hardware than I might have suggestions that I just cant see...

As it sits this system has similar cpu performance to my wifes FX-8350 system, and upgrading to more modern HW at this time isn't really a financial option (as much as I'd like a TR 2950 system, LOL).

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Jkrawler · January 25, 2020

Alright, managed to get the GPU recognized, now I have a new problem.

I Rolled back the UEFI to an earlier version, 1.08, which seams to have allowed the gpu to work correctly, but now the onboard NIC doesn't work. It recognizes that its there, but the MAC addresses are all zeros. Attempting to update their firmware gives an error stating that no NICs are found.

mferrocosta · May 18, 2020

Hi, i have the exact same server, an System X 3500 M2. How did you modified the Power supply ? I bought this for a casemod or even as modern system thinking It was like the System X 3500 M4 power supply board but It wasn't. It's a very large case with 920w Power supply. Unfortunately the M4 seems to have a BTX motherboard format, orherwise would be the perfect IBM case for upgrades. I have other old Netfinity 3500 case but with a non closing lid and it's to small for good dual processors motheboards.