Category : Case Studies, Hardware News, News by T-Pole, Server | Server 2U | 3 September 2025
The 2U rack format is a popular choice in many industries due to its excellent compromise between computing density and height. However, this compactness brings with it a significant limitation: the near-total incompatibility with expansion cards that are not in a “low-profile” format. For customers who need to integrate standard peripheral cards, such as high-performance GPUs, data acquisition cards, or specific controllers, the options are drastically reduced. Finding a solution that satisfies both mechanical compatibility and the desired architecture becomes a real challenge.
The TPole solution
Aware of this need, TPole has engineered an innovative solution: a fully customized 19″ 2U rack, designed to eliminate all compromises. Our system is equipped with two expansion slots, capable of hosting two full-length, full-height PCIe 8x cards (with a 16x mechanical connector). To achieve this, we developed a two-pronged approach:
- First, we created a custom chassis, meticulously designed to optimize internal space and ensure perfect compatibility with the riser card needed to position the expansion cards horizontally.
- Second, we modified the motherboard at the hardware and firmware level. This intervention allowed us to support the latest 14th generation Intel® Core™ processors and, at the same time, guarantee the correct routing of the PCIe lanes to the riser card.
Conclusion
Thanks to our deep knowledge of PC architectures and PCIe lane management, we offer our customers a solution that not only solves an immediate problem but is also future proof. In this way, we free our partners from the constraints imposed by low-profile cards and provide a powerful, flexible platform that is easily upgradeable to new hardware architectures, protecting their investment over time.
