GIGABYTE H262-Z6B (rev. ICU1)

Servers Designed for Single-Phase Immersion Cooling

Unlike air cooling, servers used in single-phase immersion cooling have some special considerations:

• Server installation mechanism
• Chemical phase changes
• Steady flow of coolant in the system

By partnering with the major single-phase immersion cooling suppliers in the market, GIGABYTE's single-phase immersion cooling servers can be installed directly in their off-the-shelf tanks from these partners, eliminating the need for product compatibility testing and customization. These systematic modifications greatly reduce the time for verification and adoption of single-phase immersion cooling technology.

Structural Integrity and Simplified Management

Servers must be installed vertically in the tank, and this lowering or raising of servers is due to an optimized tank design for single-phase immersion cooling. Therefore, the server installed upright needs to have rigid and firm structural integrity to ensure the chassis will not deform. Also, due to the vertical design, the cable routing and maintenance are also different than traditional data centers. Therefore, we re-examine the design and strengthen the server chassis for immersion cooling and reroute the cables. For instance, I/O ports are all arranged on the rear side facing up, and the network cables need to be rerouted to the sides so that maintenance can be quick and easy. Also, to make it more convenient for IT to install or remove a server, a bracket was added to allow hooks to move the server.

Design to Ensure Steady Fluid Flow in the Tank

When a server is submerged in a coolant, an important condition is that the fluid is circulated well, and the warm fluid is pumped out as cooler fluid is pumped in. Only by maintaining a stable coolant flow can the heat absorbed by the fluid be managed, and the system can automatically adjust the coolant flow rate according to the operation needs. To ensure efficient heat removal, the server design for single-phase immersion cooling not only must remove any components that negatively affect the fluid flow in the system, but they also must reduce the dead space in the chassis to avoid heat accumulation. Based on the viscosity of the coolant and the specific heat capacity of the coolant, the heat dissipation rate of the server must be constantly monitored and adjusted to avoid issues . Servers developed for single-phase immersion cooling can significantly reduce unnecessary barriers that users may encounter when adopting new technologies, allowing them to focus on productivity.

Made with Materials Suitable for Various Coolants

Single-phase immersion cooling submerges the server in a cooling fluid that removes heat by directly coming into contact with the heating elements. GIGABYTE had to evaluate how the chemical composition of the coolant may affect the components as well as the effect of the temperature and process on the coolant. Through theory and experimental experience, we perfected the design and will continue to explore materials that are suitable for immersion cooling.

H262-Z6B Product Overview

H262-Z6B Block Diagram

Architecture for Modern Data Centers

AMD EPYC™ 7003 Series Processors

GIGABYTE servers and AMD EPYC 7003 Series Processors deliver the highest possible I/O throughput to pave the way for fast communication between CPU and accelerator in HPC and data analytics.

• Up to 64 Cores
• 8 Channels of DDR4-3200
• Up to 4TB Memory Capacity
• 128 lanes PCIe 4.0
• 2-way SMT & Turbo Boost
• 4,6,8-channel Memory Interleave
• Synchronized Fabric and Memory Clock Speeds
• Secure Memory Encryption
• Secure Encrypted Virtualization

Power Efficiency

Cold Redundancy

To take advantage of the fact that a PSU will run at greater power efficiency with a higher load, GIGABYTE has introduced a power management feature called Cold Redundancy for servers with N+1 power supplies. When the total system load falls lower than 40%, the system will automatically place one PSU into standby mode, resulting in a 10% improvement in efficiency.

High Availability

Smart Ride Through (SmaRT)

To prevent server downtime and data loss as a result of loss of AC power, GIGABYTE implements SmaRT in all our server platforms. When such an event occurs, the system will throttle while maintaining availability and reducing power load. Capacitors within the power supply can supply power for 10-20ms, which is enough time to transition to a backup power source for continued operation.

Smart Crises Management and Protection (SCMP)

SCMP is a GIGABYTE patented feature which is deployed in servers with non-fully redundant PSU design. With SCMP, in the event of faulty PSU or overheated system, the system will force the CPU into an ultra-low power mode that reduces the power load, which prevents the system from unexpected shutdown and avoids component damage or data loss.

Hardware Security

Hardware-level Root of Trust *

Protection is built in the silicon to ensure systems will not be vulnerable to security attacks or cyber threats. This hardware-level root of trust (ROT) helps isolate the system as the boot process starts to make sure a verified code is used.

Provides:

• Integrity of cryptographic keys and secure key generation
• Boot process protected and verified
• Secure application environment and protection at runtime

* Available on select models

Optional TPM 2.0 Module

For hardware-based authentication, the passwords, encryption keys, and digital certificates are stored in a TPM module to prevent unwanted users from gaining access to your data. GIGABYTE TPM modules come in either a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) or low pin count (LPC) interface.

User Friendly

OCP 3.0 Ready

GIGABYTE offers servers that feature an onboard OCP 3.0 slot for the next generation of add on cards. Advantages of this new type include:

• Easy Serviceability:
  Simply slot in or pull out the card, without opening the server or using tools
• Improved thermal design:
  Horizontal position and optimal heat sink design allow for air cooling to eliminate the heat efficiently

Certified Ready with Software Partners

Being a member of key software alliance partner programs enables GIGABYTE to rapidly develop and validate joint solutions, enabling our customers to modernize their data centers and implement IT infrastructure and application services with speed, agility, and cost optimization.

Chassis Management Controller (CMC)

GIGABYTE H-Series servers feature CMC* for chassis-level management and multi-node monitoring by connecting nodes internally via BMC integrated on each node to the CMC. This results in easier managment as there are less cables and network switch connections needed.

* IPMI only, no iKVM functionality

Ring Topology Management

GIGABYTE H-Series servers feature the ability to create a “ring” connection for monitoring & management of all servers in a rack for greater cost savings and management efficiency.

Typical Network Topology

Using CMC & Ring Topology Kit

Value-added Management

GIGABYTE offers free-of-charge management applications via a specialized small processor built on the server.

GIGABYTE Management Console

For management and maintenance of a server or a small cluster, users can use the GIGABYTE Management Console, which is pre-installed on each server. Once the servers are running, IT staff can perform real-time health monitoring and management on each server through the browser-based graphical user interface. In addition, the GIGABYTE Management Console also provides:

• Support for standard IPMI specifications that allows users to integrate services into a single platform through an open interface
• Automatic event recording, which can record system behavior 30 seconds before an event occurs, making it easier to determine subsequent actions
• Integrate SAS/SATA/NVMe devices and RAID controller firmware into GIGABYTE Management Console to monitor and control Broadcom^® MegaRAID adapters.

GIGABYTE Server Management (GSM)

GSM is a software suite that can manage clusters of servers simultaneously over the internet. GSM can be run on all GIGABYTE servers and has support for Windows and Linux. GSM can be downloaded from GIGABYTE website and complies with IPMI and Redfish standards. GSM includes a complete range of system management functions that includes the following utilities:

• GSM Server: A software program that provides real-time, remote control using a graphical user interface through an administrator’s computer or through a server in the cluster. The software allows ease of maintenance for large clusters of servers.
• GSM CLI: A command-line interface for monitoring and managing remotely.
• GSM Agent: A software program installed on each GIGABYTE server node that retrieves information from each system and devices through the OS, and this software integrates with GSM Server or GSM CLI.
• GSM Mobile: A mobile app for both Android and iOS that provides admins with real-time system information.
• GSM Plugin: An application program interface that allows users to use VMware vCenter for real-time monitoring and management of server clusters.

Review GIGABYTE H262-Z6B (Rev. ICU1)

The GIGABYTE H262-Z6B (rev. ICU1) is a high-performance server motherboard designed for enterprise and data center applications, supporting AMD EPYC 7002/7003 series processors (Zen 2 and Zen 3 architectures). Below is a detailed review covering its key features, performance, and potential drawbacks.

Key Specifications

• CPU Support: Dual-socket AMD EPYC 7002/7003 (up to 64 cores per CPU, 128 cores total)
• Chipset: AMD SoC (No separate chipset required)
• Memory: 16 × DDR4 DIMM slots (up to 4TB with 256GB LRDIMMs, 3200MHz support)
• Expansion Slots:
  • 6 × PCIe 4.0 x16 slots (supports x16/x8/x4 bifurcation)
  • 1 × PCIe 4.0 x8 slot (via riser card)
• Storage:
  • 8 × SATA 6Gbps ports
  • 2 × M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4)
  • Optional NVMe support via U.2/U.3
• Networking:
  • 2 × Gigabit Ethernet (Intel i350-AM2)
  • Optional OCP 3.0 mezzanine slot for 10/25/100GbE
• Management: ASPEED AST2500 BMC (IPMI 2.0)
• Form Factor: SSI-EEB (12" × 13")

Pros

1. High Core Density & Performance
   • Supports dual EPYC 7002/7003 CPUs, making it ideal for virtualization, HPC, and cloud workloads.
   • PCIe 4.0 provides double the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0, improving GPU/NVMe performance.
2. Excellent Memory Capacity
   • 16 DIMM slots (8 per CPU) with support for high-capacity LRDIMMs (up to 4TB total).
   • Supports DDR4-3200 (EPYC 7003) for improved bandwidth over EPYC 7002.
3. Flexible Storage & Expansion
   • Multiple PCIe 4.0 slots allow for GPUs, NVMe storage, or high-speed networking.
   • M.2 and SATA options provide storage flexibility.
4. Robust Enterprise Features
   • IPMI 2.0 via ASPEED BMC for remote management.
   • OCP 3.0 slot for modular high-speed networking.
5. Reliable Power Delivery
   • High-quality VRMs and cooling for stable operation under heavy loads.

Cons

1. Limited PCIe Slot Layout
   • Some slots may be blocked when using large GPUs or expansion cards.
   • No onboard 10GbE (requires OCP or PCIe add-in card).
2. No PCIe 5.0 Support
   • Newer platforms (like EPYC 9004) offer PCIe 5.0, but this board is limited to PCIe 4.0.
3. BMC Limitations
   • ASPEED AST2500 is older (lacks HTML5 KVM, requires Java for remote console).
4. Power Consumption
   • Dual EPYC CPUs + high memory load can draw significant power (requires robust PSU/cooling).

Target Use Cases

• Data Centers: High-density virtualization, databases, and storage servers.
• HPC/AI: GPU-accelerated computing with PCIe 4.0 bandwidth.
• Cloud Hosting: Scalable multi-core performance for VMs/containers.

Verdict

The GIGABYTE H262-Z6B (rev. ICU1) is a powerful dual-socket motherboard for EPYC 7002/7003 CPUs, offering excellent core density, memory capacity, and PCIe 4.0 expansion. While it lacks newer features like PCIe 5.0 or advanced BMC capabilities, it remains a strong choice for enterprise workloads where raw CPU performance and memory bandwidth are critical.

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For corporate clients and project customers interested in investing in or purchasing our products H Server - H Series, please contact our hotline 1900 0366 or email [email protected] to receive the most competitive pricing.

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