15h.org - User contributions [en]

ASUS KGPE-D16

2026-03-05T10:56:53Z

15huser:

{{Infobox motherboard
|image = Kgpe-d16.jpeg
|image_size = 300

|introduced = 2010
|manufacturer = ASUS

|socket = 2x [[G34]]
|northbridge = [[AMD SR5690]]
|southbridge = [[AMD SP5100]]
|superio = [[Winbond W83667HG-A]]
|bmc = [[ASPEED AST2050]]
|bmcflash = Removable Module
|ram = 16 slots (8 channels) DDR3-1600 ECC UDIMM/RDIMM/LRDIMM, up to 512GB on coreboot
|bios = 2 MiB socketed DIP-8 (W25Q16V)
|formfactor = SSI EEB
|power = 2x 8-pin EPS

|slot1 = PCIe Gen2 x16 (disabled if Slot 2 in use)
|slot2 = PCIe Gen2 x16 (disables Slot 1 if in use)
|slot3 = PCIe Gen2 x8 (electrically x4)
|slot4 = PCIe Gen2 x16 (x8 if Slot 5 in use)
|slot5 = PCIe Gen2 x16 (electrically x8)
|slot6 = 32-bit Legacy PCI
|slot7 = ASUS [[PIKE2008]] Interface

|gpu = [[ASPEED AST2050|AST2050 Integrated VGA]]
|nic = 2x Intel 82574L Gigabit
|storagecontroller = SP5100's SATA2 (3.0 Gbps), no SAS unless [[PIKE2008]] installed
|usbcontroller = SP5100's onboard USB 2.0
|serial = One SIO-provided RS232, one virtual BMC console port
|audio = None (ASUS recommended a PCI sound card)
}}

The '''ASUS KGPE-D16''', commonly referred to as the '''D16''', is a dual-socket server/workstation motherboard released by ASUS on April 7th, 2010<ref>https://www.techpowerup.com/119540/asus-releases-kgpe-d16-socket-g34-motherboard-for-12-core-amd-opteron-processors</ref>, for use with [[Socket G34]] Opteron processors. Originally sold as a standalone board in a mostly-standard SSI EEB form factor, and intended for both desktop and rack-mounted uses, the KGPE-D16 is popular among enthusiasts as a relatively versatile and workstation-friendly G34 platform.

Ports of [[coreboot]] and [[OpenBMC]] to the D16 were initially developed by [[Raptor Engineering]] between 2015 and 2017. Among major coreboot versions, it was first supported in coreboot 4.2 in October 2015, and last supported in coreboot 4.11 in November 2019. The port was never completed and was removed in coreboot 4.12 due to lack of maintenance. Between 2021 and 2022, after seeking funding for such an effort for several years, [[3mdeb]] developed an out-of-tree fork of coreboot 4.15 for the board under their Dasharo brand. The effort to complete and re-upstream the [[Raptor Engineering|Raptor]] port was unsuccessful and officially abandoned in August 2025<ref>https://github.com/Dasharo/dasharo-issues/issues/478</ref>.

An independent port of [[coreboot]] to the D16, using AMD's open source AGESA and CIMx codebases, was released in October 2025 by 15h.org. It is currently the most complete and only actively developed port of [[coreboot]] for the KGPE-D16.

== Open Source Firmware ==
Open source firmware for the KGPE-D16 is provided by [[coreboot-15h]] utilizing AMD's open source AGESA and CIMx releases for platform initialization. The git repository for the firmware can be reviewed [https://git.15h.org/mrothfuss/coreboot-15h here].

=== KGPE-D16 ===
{{Excerpt|Coreboot-15h|[[KGPE-D16|ASUS KGPE-D16]]|hat=no}}

=== Display Output ===
[[File:KGPE-D16 VGA Jumper.png|frameless|400x400px]]

The mainboard VGA_SW1 jumper determines whether the onboard VGA ([[ASPEED AST2050|AST2050]]) or a PCIe GPU will be used as the bootup display. Set VGA_SW1 to "Enable" to use the onboard VGA. Set VGA_SW1 to "Disable" to use a PCIe GPU.

==== Onboard VGA Output ====
The onboard VGA, [[ASPEED AST2050|AST2050]], can be setup with a closed-source VGABIOS (full VGA support) or with an open-source coreboot driver (textmode VGA support). A compatible display, generally an old VGA monitor, will be required to use the open-source driver. The closed-source VGABIOS is only included in coreboot-15h release ROMs with the "VGA-OpROMs" tag.

==== PCIe GPU Output ====
To use a PCIe GPU as the bootup display, PCIe Option ROMs must be executed by SeaBIOS. This is enabled in 15h.org release ROMs with the "VGA-OpROMs" tag. The relevant coreboot-15h menuconfig option for SeaBIOS is "Payload > Execute PCIe Option ROMs". The "VGA Only" option is the recommended setting when using a PCIe GPU as the bootup display.

=== Fan Output ===
[[File:KGPE-D16 Fan Jumper.png|frameless|400x400px]]

The [[coreboot-15h]] release ROMs for KGPE-D16 are configured to adjust fan speeds based on temperatures measured at the CPUs and the Northbridge. The KGPE-D16 has two fan zones: one for CPU fans (CPUFAN_SEL1) and one for chassis fans (CHAFAN_SEL1). These can be assigned to either 4-pin (PWM regulated) or 3-pin (Voltage regulated) fan control outputs. The 4-pin (PWM regulation) mode offers better control over fan speeds and is the recommended setting for both fan zones. It is important to not use a 4-pin fan in a zone configured for 3-pin control; the fan will receive both voltage regulation and PWM regulation, causing irregular fan speeds. For quiet 3-pin chassis fans, it is recommended to leave the CHAFAN_SEL1 set to 4-pin (PWM regulation) mode. This will let the 3-pin chassis fans operate at 100% speed regardless of thermal readings.

=== Missing Features ===
* The two black SATA ports are inactive.
* S3 Suspend/Resume is unsupported.
* Opteron 6100 series CPUs are unsupported.
* TPM support is untested.
* ASUS MIO audio cards are untested.

=== Flashing ===
To switch from the stock firmware to coreboot, [[External Flashing | external flashing]] is required. The DIP-8 flash chip is located at the bottom right corner of the board (labeled BIOS in the motherboard diagram). A 3.3V CH341a programmer can be used to flash coreboot onto the KGPE-D16. When switching to coreboot-15h, clearing the CMOS is required.

'''Clearing the CMOS'''
# Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord and any powered peripherals (Monitors, USB devices, etc)
# Move the CLRTC1 jumper (located under PCIe Slot 2) to positions 2-3
# Wait 20 seconds
# Restore the CLRTC1 jumper to positions 1-2
# Connect the power cord and turn on the computer

== Deployed Systems ==
* [[Qubesotron]]
* [[EmCAST]]
* [[Atlas]]
* [[Orion]]
* [[Unc]]
* [[RAD01]]
* [[RAD03]]

Outside of the 15h.org community, it is known that, at least as of 2022, the [https://fsf.org Free Software Foundation] uses KGPE-D16s with 6200-series Opterons [https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/closing-in-on-fully-free-bioses-with-the-fsf-tech-team for their servers].

== Motherboard Diagrams ==
[[File:KGPE-D16 Diagram.png|frameless|400x400px]]
[[File:KGPE-D16 BlockDiagram.png|frameless|400x400px]]

There is an undocumented 9-pin VGA header next to the rear-IO VGA port. The pins are shared between this header and the rear-IO VGA port.

== Motherboard Components ==
=== Socket G34 ===
{{Excerpt|Socket G34|inline=yes|bold=yes}}
==== AMD Opteron 6100 Series ====
{{Excerpt|AMD Opteron 6100 Series|inline=yes|bold=yes}}
==== AMD Opteron 6200 and 6300 Series ====
{{Excerpt|AMD Opteron 6200 and 6300 Series|inline=yes|bold=yes}}
=== DDR3 Memory ===
[[File:KGPE-D16-DIMM-Diagram.png|frameless|1000x1000px]]

{{Excerpt|AGESA 15h|DDR3 Support|inline=yes|bold=yes}}

[[File:KGPE-D16 DDR3 Setting.png|frameless|600x600px]]

The KGPE-D16 provides an external method to override the BIOS DDR3 voltage. BIOS control is configured to select a voltage that maximizes performance for all DIMM modules attached to a socket. Forcing a different voltage may cause stability problems. Use the default jumper setting (1.5V / BIOS control) when using coreboot-15h.

=== PCIe 2.0 Slots ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Slot
!Width
!Wired Lanes
!Notes
|-
|PCIe1
|x16
|x16
|A special PCIe slot designed for the ASUS MIO audio card. Disabled if PCIe2 is occupied.
|-
|PCIe2
|x16
|x16
|Disables PCIe1 if occupied.
|-
|PCIe3
|x8
|x4
|
|-
|PCIe4
|x16
|x8 or x16
|Switches to x16 mode if PCIe5 is empty. If motherboard jumper PCIE5_SW1 is set to position 2-3, it will always be in x8 mode.
|-
|PCIe5
|x16
|x8
|Disables if no card is detected. Set motherboard jumper PCIE5_SW1 to positions 2-3 to always enable PCIe5.
|}

=== PIKE Slots ===
The two PIKE slots, PIKE1 and PIKE2, are used together to attach an ASUS PIKE module to the KGPE-D16. This is required to utilize the 8 onboard SAS ports. These SAS ports support SAS2 and SATA3, making them faster than the onboard SATA2 ports provided by the SP5100. Drives attached to these ports are accessible to the operating system when the PIKE card is configured for [[IT Mode]], but SeaBIOS will not boot from them. The [[PIKE2008]] card, flashed to [[IT Mode]], is recommended to utilize these features.

=== DIP-8 Socket ===
The DIP-8 Socket houses the mainboard's BIOS ROM. The following DIP-8 chips are known to work with coreboot on the KGPE-D16.

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Model
!Size (MB)
!Size (Mb)
|-
|W25Q16BVAIG
|2
|16
|-
|W25Q64BVAIG
|8
|64
|-
|W25Q128FVIQ
|16
|128
|}

=== ASPEED AST2050 ===
{{Excerpt|ASPEED AST2050|inline=yes|bold=yes}}

Remote administration features on the AST2050 are only activated when a firmware module (ASMB4 or ASMB5) is attached to the KGPE-D16 mainboard (BMC_FW1 slot).

=== AMD SR5690 ===
{{Excerpt|AMD SR5690|inline=yes|bold=yes}}
=== AMD SP5100 ===
{{Excerpt|AMD SP5100|inline=yes|bold=yes}}
=== Winbond W83667HG-A ===
{{Excerpt|Winbond W83667HG-A|hat=no}}
=== Nuvoton W83795G ===
{{Excerpt|Nuvoton W83795G/ADG|hat=no}}

== Motherboard Revisions ==
Four KGPE-D16 revisions are known: 1.02G, 1.03G, 1.04, and 1.05. The differences between the four revisions have not been disclosed. The more recent boards (1.04 and 1.05) are generally in better condition and are recommended. Board revisions 1.03G, 1.04, and 1.05 are known to perform equally well when in similar condition. No community members have tested a 1.02G revision board. The KGPE-D16 can be found rebranded for distribution in China (KGPE-D16/CHN). The CHN variant can also run coreboot like the other KGPE-D16 variants, there are no known differences.

== Board View ==
Board views are available for the KGPE-D16. These files can be opened with [[OpenBoardView]].

[https://15h.org/images/f/f0/ASUS_KGPE-D16_Rev_1.04_-_Schematics.zip ASUS_KGPE-D16_Rev_1.04_-_Schematics.zip]

== Custom Parts and Mods ==
=== Northbridge Fan ===
[[File:KGPE-D16-40mm-Noctua-chipset.png|frameless|300px]]
[[File:KGPE-D16 Northbridge Cooling Fan.jpeg|frameless|300px]]

This file is designed to work with a Noctua NF-A4x10 fan. If your motherboard is not in a high-airflow server case, the northbridge fan is highly recommended. The fan bracket mounts onto the northbridge heatsink by snapping onto the metal arms that secure the heatsink. The file may need to be edited to accommodate the exact placement of your 40mm fan cable (the provided design has a cable hole at the bottom right position).

[https://15h.org/images/8/8a/KGPE-D16_Chipsetfan_40mm.stl KGPE-D16_Chipsetfan_40mm.stl]

[https://15h.org/images/9/98/KGPE-D16_Chipsetfan_40mm.blend KGPE-D16_Chipsetfan_40mm.blend]

=== Chipset Thermal Paste ===
[[File:KGPE-D16_North_bridge_picture.png|frameless|300px]]

Removing the NB/SB heatsinks to reapply the thermal paste can be daunting due to glue used for the NB heatsink, limited wiggle room, and marginal benefit. It is generally considered not worth it.

=== RAM Fan ===
[[File:KGPE-D16-80mm-Noctua-ram.png|frameless|300x300px]]

This file is designed to work with a Noctua NF-A8 fan. When two of these fan mounts are attached to a Noctua NF-A8 fan, they will be spaced correctly to snap onto the KGPE-D16 RAM clips (white). These clips vary between boards. The included file is designed to work with L-shaped RAM clips. It will not fit as nicely onto the parallelogram-shaped RAM clips.

[https://15h.org/images/f/f8/KGPE-D16_Ramfan_80mm.stl KGPE-D16_Ramfan_80mm.stl]

[https://15h.org/images/9/9c/KGPE-D16_Ramfan_80mm.blend KGPE-D16_Ramfan_80mm.blend]

== References ==
[https://15h.org/images/4/48/KGPE-D16_Manual.pdf]

2025-03-26T14:33:58Z

15huser: added GA-2DASL

Motherboards

2025-03-26T14:31:25Z

15huser: added gigabyte entry

== [[Asus]] ==
{{Excerpt|Asus|Motherboards|hat=no}}

== [[SuperMicro]] ==
{{Excerpt|SuperMicro|Motherboards|hat=no}}

== [[Dell]] ==
{{Excerpt|Dell|Motherboards|hat=no}}

== [[Tyan]] ==
{{Excerpt|Tyan|Motherboards|hat=no}}

== [[Jingsha]] ==
{{Excerpt|Jingsha|Motherboards|hat=no}}

== [[HP]] ==
{{Excerpt|HP|Motherboards|hat=no}}

== [[Gigabyte]] ==
{{Excerpt|Gigabyte|Motherboards|hat=no}}
== References ==

AMD Documentation

2025-03-16T13:59:26Z

15huser: added 15h revision guides

AMD publicly released a significant amount of documentation for its fam15h-era hardware. This page archives and lists some relevant files documenting various parts and subsystems.

=== SR5690/SR5670/SR5650 Northbridge ===
* [[:File:AMD SR5690 5670 5650 Register Programming Requirements.pdf|AMD SR5690/5670/5650 Register Programming Requirements]]
* [[:File:AMD SR5690 5670 5650 Register Reference Guide.pdf|AMD SR5690/5670/5650 Register Reference Guide]]
* [[:File:AMD SR5690 5670 5650 BIOS Developers Guide.pdf|AMD SR5690/5670/5650 BIOS Developer's Guide]]
* [[:File:SR56x0 Product Errata.pdf|SR56x0 Product Errata]]
* [[:File:AMD SR5690 Databook.pdf|AMD SR5690 Databook]]
* [[:File:AMD SR5670 Databook.pdf|AMD SR5670 Databook]]
* [[:File:AMD SR5650 Databook.pdf|AMD SR5650 Databook]]

=== SP5100 Southbridge ===
* [[:File:AMD SP5100 Register Reference Guide.pdf|AMD SP5100 Register Reference Guide]]
* [[:File:AMD SP5100 Register Programming Requirements.pdf|AMD SP5100 Register Programming Requirements]]
* [[:File:AMD SP5100 BIOS Developer's Guide.pdf|AMD SP5100 BIOS Developer's Guide]]
* [[:File:SP5100 Product Errata.pdf|AMD SP5100 Product Errata]]
* [[:File:AMD SP5100 Databook.pdf|AMD SP5100 Databook]]

=== Opteron CPUs ===
* [[:File:BIOS and Kernel Developers Guide for AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Opteron Processors.pdf|BIOS and Kernel Developer's Guide for AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Opteron Processors]]
* [[:File:48063 15h Mod 00h-0Fh Rev Guide.pdf|Revision Guide for AMD Family 15h Models 00h-0Fh Processors]]
* [[:File:48931 15h Mod 10h-1Fh Rev Guide.pdf|Revision Guide for AMD Family 15h Models 10h-1Fh Processors]]
* [[:File:51603 Rev Guide 15h Models 30h-3Fh.pdf|Revision Guide for AMD Family 15h Models 30h-3Fh Processors]]

=== HyperTransport ===
* HyperTransport 3.1 Interconnect Technology (book, ISBN 978-0-9770878-2-2 - appears to still be on sale, PDF copies appear to exist online)

File:51603 Rev Guide 15h Models 30h-3Fh.pdf

2025-03-16T13:55:23Z

15huser:

File:48931 15h Mod 10h-1Fh Rev Guide.pdf

2025-03-16T13:54:54Z

15huser:

2025-03-01T10:24:17Z

15huser: updated information to current configuration

{{Infobox individual system
|image = unc.png
|image_size = 300
|caption = Unc internals

|name = Unc
|owner = Arha
|built = 2024 - present

|motherboard = [[KGPE-D16]]
|cpu = 2x [[Opteron]] 6282 SE
|ram = 32GB (2x Crucial CT16G3ERSLD4160B)
|gpu = Geforce 700 series card
|storage1 = 1x 1TB NVMe SSD
|psu = Corsair 750W
|cooler = 2x [[Dynatron|Dynatron A13]]

|firmware = Heads<ref>https://github.com/linuxboot/heads/pull/1910</ref>
|workload = Computer related stuff
}}

Unc<ref>https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Unc.</ref> can read floppy disks at a whopping 50KB/s.

2025-02-26T08:32:10Z

15huser:

SuperMicro has created a total of 23 motherboards

// todo write the manufacturing dates and a info box with logo maybe

== Naming convention ==
The SuperMicro board naming convention can be a bit awkward to navigate.

Lets take the [[H8QGi+-F]] as an example:

The "q" in h8'''q'''gi+-F stands for quad socket while "d" stand for dual socket and "s" stands for single socket

The "g" in h8q'''g'''i+-F stands for G34 while on the other hand if we were to be talking about a [[H8SCM|H8S'''C'''M]] ie a "c" that would indicate a [[C32]] socket motherboard.

The "i" in h8qg'''i'''+-F stands for no onboard SAS while on the other hand if it were to be [[H8QG6+-F|H8QG'''6'''+-F]] or [[H8QG7-LN4F|H8QG'''7'''-LN4F]] ie a "6" or a "7" instead of an "i" that would indicate onboard SAS.

The "+-" in h8qgi'''+-'''F represents a single north bridge while on the other hand if we were to be talking about the [[H8QGi-F|H8QGi'''-'''F]] ie a "-" that would represent dual north bridge. Note this indicator is inconsistent take the following as an example [[H8SCM-F]] has one NB, [[H8QGI-F]] has two NB, [[H8QGI+-F]] has one NB.

The "F" in h8qgi+-'''F''' tells you this board has 2 ethernet ports this can be inconsistent as a board without -F could also have 2 ethernet ports take the [[H8DGi]] as an example while on the other hand if we were to replace "F" with "LN4F" as is the case with [[H8QG7+-LN4F|H8QG7+-'''LN4F''']] that would indicate 4 ethernet ports.

Supermicro

2025-02-26T08:31:34Z

15huser:

SuperMicro has created a total of 23 motherboards

// todo write the manufacturing dates and a info box with logo maybe

== Naming convention ==
The SuperMicro board naming convention can be a bit awkward to navigate.

Lets take the [[H8QGI+-F]] as an example:

The "q" in h8'''q'''gi+-F stands for quad socket while "d" stand for dual socket and "s" stands for single socket

The "g" in h8q'''g'''i+-F stands for G34 while on the other hand if we were to be talking about a [[H8SCM|H8S'''C'''M]] ie a "c" that would indicate a [[C32]] socket motherboard.

The "i" in h8qg'''i'''+-F stands for no onboard SAS while on the other hand if it were to be [[H8QG6+-F|H8QG'''6'''+-F]] or [[H8QG7-LN4F|H8QG'''7'''-LN4F]] ie a "6" or a "7" instead of an "i" that would indicate onboard SAS.

The "+-" in h8qgi'''+-'''F represents a single north bridge while on the other hand if we were to be talking about the [[H8QGi-F|H8QGi'''-'''F]] ie a "-" that would represent dual north bridge. Note this indicator is inconsistent take the following as an example [[H8SCM-F]] has one NB, [[H8QGI-F]] has two NB, [[H8QGI+-F]] has one NB.

The "F" in h8qgi+-'''F''' tells you this board has 2 ethernet ports this can be inconsistent as a board without -F could also have 2 ethernet ports take the [[H8DGi]] as an example while on the other hand if we were to replace "F" with "LN4F" as is the case with [[H8QG7+-LN4F|H8QG7+-'''LN4F''']] that would indicate 4 ethernet ports.

Supermicro

2025-02-26T08:30:39Z

15huser: added Naming convention

SuperMicro has created a total of 23 motherboards

// todo write the manufacturing dates and a info box with logo maybe

== Naming convention ==
The SuperMicro board naming convention can be a bit awkward to navigate.

Lets take the [[h8qgi+-F]] as an example:

The "q" in h8'''q'''gi+-F stands for quad socket while "d" stand for dual socket and "s" stands for single socket

The "g" in h8q'''g'''i+-F stands for G34 while on the other hand if we were to be talking about a [[H8SCM|H8S'''C'''M]] ie a "c" that would indicate a [[C32]] socket motherboard.

The "i" in h8qg'''i'''+-F stands for no onboard SAS while on the other hand if it were to be [[H8QG6+-F|H8QG'''6'''+-F]] or [[H8QG7-LN4F|H8QG'''7'''-LN4F]] ie a "6" or a "7" instead of an "i" that would indicate onboard SAS.

The "+-" in h8qgi'''+-'''F represents a single north bridge while on the other hand if we were to be talking about the [[H8QGi-F|H8QGi'''-'''F]] ie a "-" that would represent dual north bridge. Note this indicator is inconsistent take the following as an example [[H8SCM-F]] has one NB, [[H8QGI-F]] has two NB, [[H8QGI+-F]] has one NB.

The "F" in h8qgi+-'''F''' tells you this board has 2 ethernet ports this can be inconsistent as a board without -F could also have 2 ethernet ports take the [[H8DGi]] as an example while on the other hand if we were to replace "F" with "LN4F" as is the case with [[H8QG7+-LN4F|H8QG7+-'''LN4F''']] that would indicate 4 ethernet ports.