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Go to SolutionT420 Graphics support?
I recently got a T420 for Desktop virtualization in a lab environment. I'm not doing VDI but I am going to be running multiple VMs at a time, one of which will be my daily work VM. I have no need for a several thousand dollar GPU but I would like better graphics than the on board [] that most servers are given. No crazy gaming but some GPU capability would be nice. Here is the rub. It seems the ONLY cards this guy supports are the Q4000 and Q6000 Nvidia cards? Seriously? Is this really the case? I don't care about Dell supporting it but I am not allowed to use my $100 Graphics card from Best Buy? I really hope I'm just missing something. Can the T420 use graphics cards other than the Nvidia Q4000 or Q6000? If not, does anyone know why? Is this a bios enforced limitation? Is it some other technical limitation?
IT Generalist
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Posted January 16th, 2014 13:00
Here are the specs of the machine I use everyday: - Dell PowerEdge T320 - Bios Version 1.5.1 - 350watt power supply - Intel Xeon E5-2420 @ 1.9GHz (6 cores - 12 threads) - 32GB DDR3 1333MHz 1.35V ECC RAM (2x 16GB) - EVGA GeForce GT 630 2GB graphics card - Asus Xonar DSX sound card - Samsung 840 PRO 256GB SSD (running at SATA3 not SATA 6 but still VERY fast) - Seagate 4TB Desktop drive (x2) - Windows Server 2008 R2 with HyperV This machine has been turned on 24/7 for just a little under 6 months now and I have had NO issues with it at all.Do you know what version bios you were running? I put in a radeon 5450 and the system will not show any video out on it after disabling the onboard video. I'm also using a T320 with a 350watt power supply. What are the specs of your machine?
Thanks
austinrohan
1 Message
2559
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Posted February 11th, 2014 21:00
“Please try to disable the MMIO item in BIOS setup. From 2.0.13 we change the default setting from disabled to enabled.”
Digitalmedia34
3 Posts
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Posted September 12th, 2015 17:00
Hello, I realize this is an old thread but I am having difficulties adding a second monitor to my T420. I installed radeon 5450 but when I go to disable onboard video the option is greyed out. I tried disabling MMIO as suggested but nothing. I tried installing older bios version but it will only let me go back as far as version 2.0.
Any ideas?
Torrenegra
4 Posts
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Posted January 6th, 2016 22:00
Hi Digitalmedia34, did you solve this? Facing the same problem... Trying to install an Asus GT730-2GD3...
Torrenegra
4 Posts
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Posted January 22nd, 2016 10:00
Digitalmedia34 Did you manage to solve this? Any help appreciated. Regards.
Torrenegra
4 Posts
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Posted January 22nd, 2016 10:00
Did you manage to solve this? Facing the same isssue... Any help appreciated.. Regards.
Torrenegra
4 Posts
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Posted February 5th, 2016 15:00
Ok, in case is of use for someone. I managed to get it working with: Bios 2.4.2 . Just plugged in an Asus Nvidia GeForce GT610 in Slot 3. Didn't disable onboard video(as all suggested). Booted into Windows 10 where the card was recognized. Downloaded all the appropiated drivers from Nvidia website, all perfect, video showing great. It even managed the other monitor plugged into the onboard card(dont know why). When booting I see video on a monitor still plugged into onboard card, when in windows I can choose where and how to see video in both monitors. Just be cautios in properly seating and securing the card, if it unseats even a little, for instance, when you are pluggin your hdmi cable, it will bring trouble. Good luck.
Digitalmedia34
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Posted April 11th, 2016 05:00
Hi Guys, I am sorry but I haven't been able to come up with a solution. I am willing to try Torrenengra solution and will report back.
If anybody has success please let me know. Thanks
Homer5105
2 Posts
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Posted January 16th, 2014 13:00
It was the bios version that was the road block for me. Rolled back and worked like a charm! I went back to 1.4.6 base on the date of all the entries since I didn't think I would get a response that quick.
Thanks for the info and quick response.