HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus x16/x16 Slot 2/3 Secondary Riser Kit

Enhance your HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus server with the DL38X x16/x16 Slot 2/3 Secondary Riser Kit. This high-performance expansion component is designed to unlock additional PCIe bandwidth by delivering two full-size PCIe x16 mechanical slots on the secondary riser. Ideal for data-intensive workloads, GPU acceleration, and fast storage controllers, this riser kit enables you to scale compute power without swapping out the motherboard or main riser. Built for reliability in demanding data center environments, it preserves excellent airflow, supports enterprise-grade hardware, and integrates seamlessly with existing server configurations to help you maximize return on investment, accelerate AI inference, and boost virtualization throughput.

• Dual x16 PCIe expansion for maximum bandwidth: The DL38X Secondary Riser Kit provides two x16 mechanical PCIe slots, delivering the bandwidth needed for graphics processing units, high-performance accelerators, NVMe adapters, and other PCIe-based I/O devices. This dual-slot arrangement enables parallel data paths, reducing bottlenecks in memory-intensive applications, data analytics, and HPC workloads. By expanding the PCIe surface area available to your server, you can deploy compute-heavy GPUs for AI workloads, accelerate large-scale virtualization environments, and support high-speed storage controllers that rely on ultra-fast PCIe lanes.
• Secondary riser design for flexible expansion: Engineered as a secondary riser for HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus servers, this kit enables hardware expansion without removing or reconfiguring the primary riser or motherboard. The secondary riser frees up critical PCIe real estate while preserving a clean airflow path across the server, helping maintain thermal efficiency in busy data centers. With a straightforward installation path, you can add additional PCIe devices to support evolving workloads, run mixed-PCIe configurations, and adapt your server to changing business needs without major downtime or component churn.
• Optimized for GPU and accelerator workloads: Designed with performance in mind, the two x16 slots are well suited for GPU accelerators, AI inference cards, FPGA accelerators, and other high-bandwidth devices. This riser kit helps you realize higher compute density per node, enabling faster model training, real-time analytics, and richer graphics or rendering workloads in enterprise, research, or edge deployments. It’s an excellent choice for data centers pursuing cost-efficient scale-out HPC, virtualization, and AI-ready infrastructure, delivering the I/O capacity required for demanding workloads while maintaining stable, predictable performance.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and seamless management: Built to HP’s rigorous quality standards, the DL38X Gen10 Plus secondary riser is engineered for reliability in continuous-operation environments. It supports robust airflow, proven component-level integrity, and compatibility with HP ProLiant life-cycle management. When used with a supported server BIOS and firmware stack, the riser kit contributes to a stable platform for remote monitoring, firmware updates, and system health reporting—reducing engineering overhead and delivering predictable maintenance windows for your IT operations.
• Easy deployment and lifecycle support: The kit is designed for straightforward installation within the HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus server family, with clear labeling and mounting hardware that aligns with standard HP chassis practices. This means lower service time for deployment, simplified spare-part management, and better asset tracking. Whether you’re expanding for a GPU-heavy AI cluster, accelerating scientific simulations, or enabling faster I/O for data-intensive databases, the DL38X secondary riser helps you future-proof your server investments by accommodating evolving PCIe device requirements while preserving system integrity and manageability.

Technical Details of HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus x16/x16 Slot 2/3 Secondary Riser Kit

• Product: HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus x16/x16 Slot 2/3 Secondary Riser Kit
• Riser configuration: 2 x PCIe x16 mechanical slots designated for the secondary riser configuration on Gen10 Plus DL38X hardware
• Form factor: Riser kit designed to fit HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus servers, maintaining chassis compatibility and airflow integrity
• Compatibility: Validated for the DL38X Gen10 Plus server family; verify exact SKU compatibility with HP documentation and support resources
• Warranty and support: Standard HP warranty terms applicable to server hardware; consult HP support for precise coverage and service options

How to install HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus x16/x16 Slot 2/3 Secondary Riser Kit

• Power down the server, unplug all power cords, and discharge static electricity before handling internal components.
• Open the chassis access panel and locate the expansion region for the secondary riser slot on the DL38X Gen10 Plus platform.
• Align the riser kit with the corresponding connectors, ensuring that the PCIe edge connectors engage cleanly with the backplane and motherboard interface.
• Secure the riser using the provided mounting hardware and confirm that the device is seated firmly with no wiggling or misalignment that could cause intermittent connections.
• Route any required PCIe cables or ancillary connectors as per your server’s guidelines, then reassemble the chassis, plug in power, and power on the system. Enter the BIOS/UEFI to verify that the two x16 slots are recognized and ready for device installation; install or update drivers and firmware for your PCIe devices as needed.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the primary purpose of the HPE DL38X Gen10 Plus x16/x16 Slot 2/3 Secondary Riser Kit? A: The kit adds two PCIe x16 mechanical slots on the secondary riser to expand I/O capacity, enabling GPU acceleration, NVMe expansion, and other high-bandwidth PCIe devices in DL38X Gen10 Plus servers without modifying the primary riser or motherboard.
• Q: Which workloads benefit most from this riser kit? A: GPU-accelerated workloads (AI training and inference), HPC simulations, data analytics, virtualization with high I/O demands, and storage acceleration are ideal candidates for this expansion, thanks to the additional PCIe lanes and slot availability.
• Q: Do I need to update BIOS or firmware after installation? A: It’s recommended to verify BIOS/UEFI and firmware levels to ensure full compatibility and optimal performance with new PCIe devices. Check HP’s support articles for any required updates.
• Q: Is the riser kit compatible with all DL38X Gen10 Plus SKUs? A: Compatibility depends on the exact DL38X Gen10 Plus configuration; consult HP’s official compatibility matrix or your HP account representative to confirm support for your specific SKU.
• Q: What maintenance considerations exist after installation? A: Maintain airflow clearance around the riser area, monitor PCIe device temperatures, and apply firmware updates as part of standard system maintenance to preserve stability and performance.