15h.org - User contributions [en]

Freebee

2026-10-01T16:10:53Z

Freesist:

{{Infobox individual system
|image = Freebee.png
|image_size = 300
|caption = An inside view of Freebee

|name = Freebee
|owner = [[User:Freesist|Freesist]]
|built = 2026

|motherboard = [[KGPE-D16]]
|cpu = 2x [[Opteron]] 6386 SE
|ram = 256GB (16x Hynix HMT42GR7AFR4A-PB)
|storage1 = 1x 2TB SATA SSD
|psu = 850W (Corsair RM850e (2025))
|chassis = Fractal Design Meshify 2 XL
|cooler = 2x [[Be_quiet!_Dark_Rock_Pro_TR4|be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4]]

|firmware = [[coreboot-15h]]
|payload = SeaBIOS
|oproms = No
|os = Debian 13
|filesystem = ZFS
|workload = Compiling
}}

'''Freebee''' was built with the goal of creating a powerful server that is as free as possible.

The CPU coolers were mounted as described in [[Be_quiet!_Dark_Rock_Pro_TR4|be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4]] and the outer fan of the left cooler was replaced with a 120mm be quiet! Silent Wings 3 PWM fan.

A quiet Noctua NF-A8 PWM was attached to the Northbridge with two cable ties and its PWM pin was isolated to follow the wiki's recommendation for [[KGPE-D16#Fan_Output|fan output]].

The PSU in this chassis must be installed with the fan facing upward because some of the included cables would be too short otherwise.

Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4

2026-10-01T16:09:02Z

Freesist:

A [https://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/threads/sockel-g34-k%C3%BChll%C3%B6sung-als-ersatz-f%C3%BCr-noctua-nh-u12do-a3-gefunden.1240005/ post] on a computer forum by user ninioskl showed that it's possible to install this cooler on a G34 socket.

For installing this cooler on a G34 socket two hex standoffs for the included cooler mounting bridge are needed. The bottom part of the standoffs is #6-32 threaded. A distance of 18mm was measured between bridge and top of the silver threads from the backplate. Washers can help compensating the length of shorter standoffs.

On a [[ASUS_KGPE-D16|ASUS KGPE-D16]] using the standoffs and bridge, the coolers can only be mounted vertically as shown on [[Freebee]].
If you want to use two of these coolers both blowing the air upward and don't want the outer fan to cover the top PCIe slots, then a few additional steps are necessary:
* the left cooler needs to be rotated 180 degrees
* both of its fans must be mounted upside down
* its 120mm Silent Wings 3 PWM outer fan needs spacers or must be replaced with another one to prevent the fan blade rubbing against the rubber spacers of the heat sink
* (its included 135mm Silent Wings PWM inner fan seems to rub on the rubber spacers sometimes too)

This cooler was discontinued around 2025.
For an overview of CPU coolers see [[Coolers]].

== External links ==
Datasheet: https://objects.icecat.biz/objects/mmo_62327038_1539763668_1197_28348.pdf

Manual: https://web.archive.org/web/20241003023102/https://www.bequiet.com/admin/ImageServer.php?ID=33ed5a38144@be-quiet.net&lang=1&force=true&download=true&omitPreview=true

Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4

2026-10-01T15:56:32Z

Freesist: created

A [https://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/threads/sockel-g34-k%C3%BChll%C3%B6sung-als-ersatz-f%C3%BCr-noctua-nh-u12do-a3-gefunden.1240005/ post] on a computer forum by user ninioskl showed that it's possible to install this cooler on a G34 socket.

For installing this cooler on a G34 socket two hex standoffs for the included cooler mounting bridge are needed. The bottom part of the standoffs is #6-32 threaded. A distance of 18mm was measured between bridge and top of the silver threads from the backplate. Washers can help compensating the length of shorter standoffs.

On a [[ASUS_KGPE-D16|ASUS KGPE-D16]] using the standoffs and bridge, the coolers can only be mounted vertically as shown on [[Freebee]].
If you want to use two of these coolers both blowing the air upward and don't want the outer fan to cover the top PCIe slots, then a few additional steps are necessary:
* the left cooler needs to be rotated 180 degrees
* both of its fans must be mounted upside down
* its 120mm Silent Wing 3 PWM outer fan needs spacers or must be replaced with another one to prevent the fan blade rubbing against the rubber spacers of the heat sink
* (its included 135mm Silent Wing PWM inner fan seems to rub on the rubber spacers sometimes too)

This cooler was discontinued around 2025.
For an overview of CPU coolers see [[Coolers]].

== External links ==
Datasheet: https://objects.icecat.biz/objects/mmo_62327038_1539763668_1197_28348.pdf

Manual: https://web.archive.org/web/20241003023102/https://www.bequiet.com/admin/ImageServer.php?ID=33ed5a38144@be-quiet.net&lang=1&force=true&download=true&omitPreview=true

Coolers

2026-10-01T14:18:06Z

Freesist: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4 added

== CPU Coolers ==

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Cooler
!Socket
!Type
!Max TDP
!Noise Range
!Airflow Range
!RPM Range
!Connector
!Number of Fans
!Fan size
|-
|[[Dynatron A1]]
|
|1U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0<ref>https://15h.org/images/e/e0/A1.pdf</ref>
|N/A
|-
|[[Dynatron A10]]
|
|1U Passive
|115W
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|0<ref>https://www.dynatron.co/product-page/a10</ref><ref>https://15h.org/images/1/1c/A10-Specs-Dynatron.pdf</ref>
|N/A
|-
|[[SUPERMICRO SNK-P0042P]]
|G34
|1U Passive
|115W
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|0
|N/A
|-
|[[Thermaltake CLS0014]]
|
|1U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0<ref>https://www.dvhardware.net/article43440.html</ref><ref>https://www.ferra.ru/news/computers/thermaltake-cls0014-sistema-passivnogo-ohlajdeniya-dlya-servernyh-chipov-amd-socket-g34-29-06-2010.htm</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20200131093603/http://www.tehnari.ru/f86/t37515/</ref>
|N/A
|-
|[[Tyan CHSK-0450]]
|
|1U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0<ref>https://www.tyan.com/Files/FRU/GT24-B8236_FRU_v1.0.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.wselectronics.ru/product/chsk-0450-343791800001</ref>
|N/A
|-
|[[HP 602500-001]]
|
|1U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0
|N/A
|-
|[[Supermicro SNK-P0043P]]
|G34
|2U Passive
|140W
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|0<ref>https://store.supermicro.com/2u-passive-cpu-cooler-snk-p0043p.html</ref>
|N/A
|-
|[[Thermaltake CLS0016]]
|
|2U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0<ref>https://www.legitreviews.com/thermaltake-launches-2u-passive-cooler-for-amd-socket-g34-cpus_8431</ref>
|N/A
|-
|[[Dell 475DG]]
|
|2U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0
|N/A
|-
|[[Dell 0994RT]]
|
|2U Passive
|
|
|
|
|
|0
|N/A
|-
|[[Dynatron A3]]
|
|1U
|
|
|
|
|
|1<ref name=":4">https://15h.org/images/3/3f/A3-Specs-Dynatron.pdf</ref>
|70mm<ref name=":4" />
|-
|[[Dynatron A8]]
|
|1U
|
|
|
|
|
|1<ref name=":5">https://15h.org/images/0/0b/A8.pdf</ref>
|79mm<ref name=":5" />
|-
|[[Thermaltake CLS0015]]
|
|1U
|
|
|
|
|
|1<ref name=":9">https://mobilespecs.net/cooler/Thermaltake/Thermaltake_CLS0015.html</ref>
|70mm<ref name=":9" />
|-
|[[HSM 102517]]
|
|1U
|
|
|
|
|
|1<ref name=":10">https://www.electromyne.de/CPU-Heat-Sinks---Kuehler-G34-Heat-Sinks-1U-CPU-Heatsink-Cooler-Kuehler-Kuehlkoerper-aktiv-AMD-G34-Opteron-6136-6164-6166-HE.html</ref>
|10mm<ref name=":10" />
|-
|[[Dynatron A5]]
|G34
|2U
|115W
|16.85 - 51.0 dBA
|8.75 - 43.75 CFM
|1700 - 8000 RPM
|4-pin
|1<ref name=":8">https://store.cwc-group.com/a5.html</ref>
|60x60x25mm<ref name=":8" />
|-
|[[Dynatron A6]]
|G34
|2U
|115W
|20.6 - 51.4 dBA
|8.36 - 53.9 CFM
|1000 - 5500 RPM
|4-pin
|1<ref name=":3">https://www.dynatron.co/product-page/a6</ref>
|77x77x20mm<ref name=":3" />
|-
|[[Dynatron A13]]
|G34
|2U
|140W
|16.9 - 51.0 dBA
|8.85 - 43.75 CFM
|1600 - 8000 RPM
|4-pin
|1<ref name=":1">https://www.dynatron.co/it/product-page/a13</ref>
|60x60x25mm<ref name=":1" />
|-
|[[Dynatron F661]]
|C32
|2U
|
|16.0 - 44.7 dBA
|6.0 - 32.81 CFM
|1100 - 6000 RPM
|4-pin
|1
|60x60x25mm
|-
|[[Thermaltake CLS0017]]
|G34
|2U
|
|19 - 48 dBA
|9.40 - 46.98 CFM
|1200 - 6000 RPM
|4-pin
|1<ref name=":6">https://www.bayreviews.com/thermaltake-g34-cpu-cooler/</ref>
|70x70x15mm<ref name=":6" />
|-
|[[Tyan Chsk-0540]]
|
|2U
|
|
|
|
|
|1
|60mm?
|-
|Cooler Master S3K-7WUTS-04-GP
|C32
|3U
|
|47 dBA
|41 CFM
|5800 RPM
|4-pin
|1
|70x70x25mm
|-
|AMD Wraith Prism
|F
|3U
|105W
|42.0 dBA
|
|2800 RPM
|4-pin
|1
|
|-
|[[Dynatron A14]]
|G34
|3U
|140W
|16.0 - 43.4 dBA
|13.8 - 65.4 CFM
|1000 - 3800 RPM
|4-pin
|1<ref name=":2">https://www.dynatron.co/nl/product-page/a14</ref>
|80x80x38mm<ref name=":2" />
|-
|be quiet! Pure Rock Slim
|F
|4U
|120W
|13.1 - 25.4 dBA
|
|2000 RPM
|4-pin
|1
|92x92x25mm
|-
|be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 2
|F
|4U
|130W
|13.1 - 25.4 dBA
|34.9 CFM
|2000 RPM
|4-pin
|1
|92x92x25mm
|-
|[[Noctua NH-U9DO A3]]
|G34, C32, F
|4U
|115W
|17.6 dBA
|41.1 - 64.3 m³/h
|1000 - 1600 RPM
|3-pin
|2<ref name=":7">https://noctua.at/en/nh-u9do-a3/specification</ref>
|92mm<ref name=":7" />
|-
|[[Noctua NH-U12DO A3]]
|G34, C32, F
|4U
|140W
|19.8 dBA
|63.4 - 92.3 m³/h
|900 - 1300 RPM
|3-pin
|'''2'''<ref name=":0">https://noctua.at/en/nh-u12do-a3/specification
</ref>
|'''120mm'''<ref name=":0" />
|-
|Dynatron T757
|G34
|4U
|140W
|17.0 - 31.92 dBA
|17.34 - 43.36 CFM
|1000 - 2500 RPM
|4-pin
|1
|92x92x25mm
|-
|Thermaltake NiC C4
|AM3+
|4U
|220W
|20 - 39.9 dBA
|99.1 CFM
|1000 - 2000 RPM
|3-pin
|2
|120x120x25mm
|-
|upHere UE2K6
|AM3+
|4U
|265W
|< 25 dBA
|68.2 CFM
|600 - 1650 RPM
|4-pin
|2
|120x120x25mm
|-
|[[be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4]]
|TR4, sTRX4, (G34)
|4U
|250W
|12.8 - 24.3 dBA
|
|1500 RPM, 1200 RPM (inner)
|4-pin
|2
|120x120x25mm, 135x135x22mm (inner) <ref>https://objects.icecat.biz/objects/mmo_62327038_1539763668_1197_28348.pdf</ref>
|-
|[[EK-Supremacy AMD C32/G34]]
|
|Water Block
|
|
|
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
|-
|Alphacool Eisbaer LT360
|G34, C32
|Water Block
|
|
|
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
|}
== CPU Socket Adapters ==

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Product Name
!Motherboard Socket
!Supported Coolers
|-
|[[Supermicro BKT-0012L]]
|C32
|Socket F Coolers
|-
|Supermicro BKT-0048L-C32
|C32
|Supermicro SNK-P0048AP4
|-
|Supermicro BKT-0050L-G34
|G34
|Supermicro SNK-P0050AP4
|-
|[[Cooler Adapter|Dodoid G34 Adapter]]
|G34
|Thermalright Assassin King 120 SE
|}

== References ==

ASUS KGPE-D16

2026-10-01T12:06:05Z

Freesist: /* Deployed Systems */ Freebee added

{{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 rear USB 2.0 and additional controller via header
|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 and currently the only owner controlled system that can run the Qubes Linux distribution with the recommended security features.

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].

'''Microcode updates are recommended:'''

- Spectre related updates

- Secure usage of the IOMMU with a Piledriver CPU

- Solution to an undocumented problem which could result in strange issues such as objects in a video game not spawning in properly.

=== coreboot-15h ===
{{Excerpt|Coreboot-15h|[[ASUS KGPE-D16]]|hat=no|bold=1}}

=== 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. Once your OS has booted, drivers for any GPU of your choice can be used to setup a display. For blob-free opertions, it is recommended to use the onboard VGA in textmode for the bootup display but then switch to a FOSS driver (ie: amdgpu) for the user interface.

==== 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 only two fan outputs: one for 4-pin fans (PWM regulation) and one for 3-pin fans (Voltage regulation). Motherboard jumpers determine which fan output is sent to which fan headers: CHAFAN_SEL1 for the chassis fans and CPUFAN_SEL1 for CPU fans. The fan signals are poorly wired on this board; the PWM signal is sent to every fan header regardless of the CHAFAN_SEL1 and CPUFAN_SEL1 jumper settings. If a 4-pin fan is connected to a header configured for 3-pin output, it will operate at irregular speeds from receiving both voltage and PWM signals.

'''CPU Cooler Fans'''

CPU cooler fans should be connected to the corresponding CPU fan header. The CPUFAN_SEL1 jumper should be set to match the type of fan your cooler is using. Quiet 3-pin fans may be set to operate at 100% speed by setting CPUFAN_SEL1 to 4-pin mode.

'''Server Chassis Fans'''

Loud, high airflow fans should be connected to the CHA fan headers. The CHAFAN_SEL1 jumper should be set to match the type of fans used. Ensure sufficient air is flowing out the rear of the case at idle.

'''Desktop Chassis Fans'''

[[File:4pin to 3pin cables.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]

Quiet desktop fans should be connected to the CHA fan headers using only 3-pins; '''4-pin fans must use a 4-pin to 3-pin adapter'''. The CHAFAN_SEL1 jumper should be set to either 3-pin mode (variable fan speed) or 4-pin mode (maximum fan speed) depending on fan performance and noise preferences. Ensure sufficient air is flowing out the rear of the case at idle. It is recommended to select quiet 3-pin fans that can be operated at maximum speed (CHAFAN_SEL1 set to 4-pin mode) at reasonable noise levels.

'''Extreme Cooling'''

Extreme cooling of the CPU and Northbridge can cause chassis fans to operate too slow to properly cool the other motherboard components. For this scenario, a few solutions are recommended:
* Using 3-pin case fans at max speed (CHAFAN_SEL1 set to 4-pin mode)
* A separate fan controller for case fans
* A custom fan curve

=== Missing Features ===
* Hibernation and Suspend/Resume are unsupported.
* Opteron 6100 series CPUs are unsupported.
* 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 from the OEM BIOS or coreboot, clearing the CMOS is required.''' Not correctly clearing the CMOS when switching to coreboot-15h is associated with variety of faulty behavior, such as: broken fan control, broken VGA, and failure to boot.

'''Clearing the CMOS'''

# Turn off the computer, '''disconnect the power cord and any powered peripherals (Monitors, USB devices, etc)'''. Powered peripherals can backpower the SP5100 and prevent a CMOS clear.
# 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]]
* [[Ganoo]]
* [[RAD01]]
* [[RAD03]]
* [[Freebee]]

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}}

The 63xx Piledriver CPU's such as the 16 core 6386SE and the 8 core 6328 are recommended for acceptable performance as coreboot has never supported the 61xx and the 62xx is older and slower.

Applications and virtual machines must be aware of NUMA topology for optimal performance.

Please check the CPU for damage and misaligned components before placing it in the socket.

==== 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 ===

[[File:KGPE-D16 PCIE Jumpers.png|frameless|400x400px]]

{| 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. Set motherboard jumper PCIE2_SW1 to positions 2-3 to always enable PCIe2.
|-
|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.
|}

PCIe bifurcation of slots PCIe2 and PCIe4 in x8+x8 mode is supported. Bifurcation is a compile-time option that is available under the Motherboard menuconfig section in staging.

Four slot Bifurcated PCI-e x16 NVMe cassette cards can be used with dual NVMe SSD's in position 1 and 3

If you would like additional SSD's or more bandwidth you could alternatively purchase a switched NVMe PCI-e x16 card which would enable the full usage of your more modern PCI-e 4.0 x4 SSD's with an oversubscribed PCI-e 2.0 x16 uplink if the switch supports lane rate conversation.

Expect for switched cards to cost two or three times as much as their chipless counterparts.

=== 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.

The usage of a proper DIP-8 removal tool is recommended in order to not damage the slot or the ROM chip.

{| 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}}

The ASUS thermal sensor cable (10G090101035) can be used to control fan speeds based on case air temperature readings.

== 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 to avoid overheating. 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.

The ASUS manual states that you should avoid the touching or bumping the NB heatsink as it could crack the thermal compound and raise temperatures.

=== 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]

Showcase

2026-10-01T12:00:18Z

Freesist: Freebee added

{{ infobox
| aboveclass = fn
| above = [[Showcase|<span style="color:white">Showcase</span>]]
| abovestyle = background-color:#0ca266; padding:4px; text-align:center; font-size:1.35em;
| bodyclass = hproduct
| bodystyle = width:315px;
| header1 = The system below is a randomly-selected [[Add your build|shared build]] from a user of 15h.org!
}}
<choose uncached before="{{Excerpt|" after="|only=template|hat=no|templates=Infobox}}">


<option>Qubesotron</option>
<option>Atlas</option>
<option>Komos</option>
<option>Komos (H8SCM)</option>
<option>Talos</option>
<option>Ponos</option>
<option>Orion</option>
<option>EmCAST</option>
<option>Unc</option>
<option>Ganoo</option>
<option>Freebee</option>

</choose>
<noinclude>
The infobox to the right is the Showcase - a randomly-chosen [[Add your build|shared build]] from a user of 15h.org. Click on its title (at the top of the infobox) to learn more about it!

To add your machine to the showcase, create a page for it, then edit the source of the [[Showcase]] page by adding your page's name as an <code><option></code> tag (see the comment in the source).
</noinclude>

Freebee

2026-10-01T11:57:23Z

Freesist: created

{{Infobox individual system
|image = Freebee.png
|image_size = 300
|caption = An inside view of Freebee

|name = Freebee
|owner = [[User:Freesist|Freesist]]
|built = 2026

|motherboard = [[KGPE-D16]]
|cpu = 2x [[Opteron]] 6386 SE
|ram = 256GB (16x Hynix HMT42GR7AFR4A-PB)
|storage1 = 1x 2TB SATA SSD
|psu = 850W (Corsair RM850e (2025))
|chassis = Fractal Design Meshify 2 XL
|cooler = 2x be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4

|firmware = [[coreboot-15h]]
|payload = SeaBIOS
|oproms = No
|os = Debian 13
|filesystem = ZFS
|workload = Compiling
}}

'''Freebee''' was built with the goal of creating a server that is as free as possible.

The CPU coolers need standoffs for the included bracket. For the Northbridge a quiet Noctua NF-A8 PWM was used with the PWM pin isolated to follow the wiki's recommendation for [[KGPE-D16#Fan_Output|fan output]].
The PSU in this chassis must be installed with the fan facing upward because some of the included cables would be too short otherwise.

File:Freebee.png

2026-10-01T11:07:46Z

Freesist:

An inside view of Freebee