Our standard 2U 8-bay, 650mm-depth server chassis (Model BC-R208H-650A) provides seven low-profile PCIe expansion slots and is designed to support a wide range of server configurations.

For one recent project, however, the customer needed something different: a full-height, dual-slot GPU, redundant CRPS power, and a PCIe-to-M.2 adapter — all within the same 2U platform.

Meeting these requirements meant more than simply adding components. The internal and rear layout had to be reconsidered around the complete system.

Making a Full-Height GPU Work in 2U

A full-height GPU cannot be installed vertically within the height limitation of a standard 2U chassis.

To solve this, we developed a custom riser solution that allows the GPU to be installed horizontally. This made it possible to accommodate the customer's full-height, dual-slot graphics card while retaining the 2U form factor.

But changing the GPU orientation also meant that the original seven low-profile PCIe slot layout could no longer be retained.

Retaining PCIe Expansion

The customer also required a PCIe slot for a PCIe-to-M.2 adapter.

With the original rear layout already redesigned around the horizontally mounted GPU and redundant power configuration, we looked at the remaining available space and incorporated two low-profile PCIe expansion slots.

This preserved the expansion capability required for the customer's M.2 adapter while making better use of the available space for future add-in cards.

Solving the Cooling Constraints

The revised hardware layout introduced another challenge: CPU cooler clearance.

With limited vertical space inside the 2U chassis, many commonly available CPU coolers were too tall for the configuration. Drawing on our hardware experience and established supplier resources, we helped identify a low-profile CPU cooler from a Taiwanese brand that met the required height and installation constraints.

Cooling the components was only part of the consideration. With both the CPU and GPU operating in a dense 2U configuration, the heated air also needed an effective path out of the chassis.

We therefore added dedicated ventilation to the top cover, providing a more direct exhaust path for hot air and helping reduce heat recirculation around the CPU and GPU area.

Designed Around the System

The final configuration brought together:

• A full-height, dual-slot GPU installed horizontally
• 2 × low-profile PCIe expansion slots, including support for the customer's PCIe-to-M.2 adapter
• Redundant CRPS power
• A compatible low-profile CPU cooling solution
• Dedicated top ventilation designed around the revised CPU and GPU configuration

This project is a good example of why chassis customization is rarely about changing just one part.

A different GPU affects the PCIe layout. A different layout affects power and available space. Reduced space affects cooling. And cooling is not only about the heatsink, but also about how heat moves through and out of the chassis.

At Blackcase, we don't just look at whether the hardware fits. We look at how the complete system works together.