Tyan Tomcat S3950 Server Motherboard – Broadcom HT-1000 Chipset, Socket AM2 PGA-940

Powerful, reliable, and engineered for demanding data-center workloads, the Tyan Tomcat S3950 server motherboard delivers enterprise-grade performance in a compact form factor. Built around the Broadcom HT-1000 chipset, this board is designed to handle a single AMD AM2 or Opteron 1000 Series processor with efficiency and stability. It blends robust expansion options, high-speed networking, and flexible storage capabilities to support virtualization, database, and compute-intensive applications in enterprise environments. Whether you are deploying a compact rack server, a dense blade solution, or a dedicated x86 compute node, the S3950 provides the versatility and reliability essential for today’s demanding workloads.

• Processor support: The Tomcat S3950 offers robust compatibility for a single AMD AM2 or Opteron 1000 Series processor, leveraging the Socket AM2 PGA-940 interface for a secure, energy-efficient CPU connection. This setup delivers solid performance per watt, enabling efficient virtualization, database operations, and general-purpose server duties. The platform is designed to scale with your needs, allowing straightforward CPU upgrades to extend the life of your server deployment.
• Chipset and expansion: Based on the Broadcom HT-1000 chipset, the board supports PCI-X and PCI expansion cards, offering broad compatibility with legacy and newer expansion options. This combination gives IT teams the freedom to deploy a wide range of accelerator cards, network adapters, and storage controllers, making it easier to tailor the server to specific workloads and performance targets while preserving investment in existing PCI/PCI-X peripherals.
• Networking and storage: The S3950 is equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports to ensure redundant, high-bandwidth network connectivity out of the box. For storage, it provides SATA2 RAID support with levels RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, delivering a balanced mix of performance and data protection. This combination helps achieve faster data access for active workloads while maintaining data integrity and fault tolerance in critical server roles.
• Remote management: Modern data-center operations rely on remote visibility, and the S3950 answers with IPMI 2.0 remote management. This feature enables out-of-band administration, remote health monitoring, and streamlined maintenance even when the host OS is offline or unresponsive. Administrators can monitor sensors, control power, and diagnose issues from a centralized management console, reducing mean time to repair and downtime.
• Reliability and integration: Designed for enterprise reliability, the S3950 consolidates server-grade hardware with thoughtful expandability. Its architecture supports consistent performance under load, simple integration with virtualization platforms, and compatibility with diverse software stacks. The board’s feature set makes it a solid backbone for a compact, scalable server node that can grow with your business needs while maintaining consistent reliability and support for enterprise workloads.

Technical Details of Tyan Tomcat S3950 Server Motherboard

• CPU Socket: Socket AM2 PGA-940; supports a single AMD AM2 or Opteron 1000 Series processor
• Chipset: Broadcom HT-1000 chipset
• Expansion: PCI-X and PCI card support
• Networking: Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Storage: SATA II (SATA2) with RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 10
• Remote Management: IPMI 2.0 compliant remote management
• Form Factor: Server-grade motherboard designed for enterprise rack deployments and dense server configurations

How to install Tyan Tomcat S3950 Server Motherboard

• Prepare the server chassis by verifying compatibility with a motherboard of this form factor, confirming the power supply capacity, cooling requirements, and clearance for the Socket AM2 PGA-940 CPU and heat sink.
• Install the CPU: unlock the socket, align the AMD AM2 or Opteron 1000 Series processor with the socket notch, carefully seat the CPU, and apply an appropriate amount of thermal compound if your cooler requires it. Secure the heatsink according to the cooler’s mounting pattern to ensure optimal thermal performance.
• Install memory modules: insert supported DIMMs into the recommended banks, observing memory type compatibility and capacity per channel. Ensure each module is fully seated and that the BIOS recognizes the installed memory promptly during POST (Power-On Self Test).
• Mount the motherboard: align the I/O shield and mounting holes with the chassis, secure the board using the correct standoffs and screws, and route power, data, and PCI-X/PCI cables in a clean, organized manner to maintain airflow and prevent shorts.
• Connect storage and expansion cards: attach SATA devices to the board’s SATA controllers, configure any RAID arrays in the BIOS/RAID utility if used, and install PCI-X or PCI expansion cards as needed. Verify that each card is seated correctly and that power connectors are firmly attached.
• Power on and configure: connect the power supply, power on the system, and enter the BIOS/UEFI to configure boot options, CPU/memory settings, and IPMI network parameters if remote management is desired. Set a suitable boot device order and enable any necessary enterprise features such as virtualization extensions if supported by the CPU.
• Install the operating system and drivers: proceed with the OS installation, then install chipset, storage, and management drivers. If you use IPMI-based remote management, ensure the IPMI interface is configured on the correct network and secured with strong credentials.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What processors does the Tyan Tomcat S3950 support? A: It supports a single AMD AM2 or Opteron 1000 Series processor via the Socket AM2 PGA-940 socket, making it suitable for a range of enterprise workloads while keeping upgrade paths in mind.
• Q: What storage options are available? A: The board provides SATA II storage with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support, balancing performance, reliability, and data protection for critical applications and databases.
• Q: Does it offer remote management? A: Yes. The S3950 includes IPMI 2.0 remote management, enabling out-of-band monitoring, hardware inventory, and remote control for maintenance tasks and troubleshooting.
• Q: What expansion options exist? A: The motherboard features PCI-X and PCI expansion support, providing compatibility with a wide array of legacy and contemporary expansion cards for networking, storage, or acceleration needs.
• Q: How many network ports does it have? A: It ships with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, offering reliable network connectivity out of the box with room for network segmentation and redundancy.
• Q: Is this motherboard suitable for virtualization? A: With a single AMD AM2/Opteron CPU and flexible RAID and PCI-X/PCI expansion, the S3950 can support light to moderate virtualization workloads, especially in combination with appropriate RAM and storage configuration.
• Q: Are there any special cooling or chassis considerations? A: Use a compatible CPU cooler that fits the Socket AM2 PGA-940 and ensures adequate airflow in your chosen chassis. Enterprise deployments often require rack-manageable cooling and proper airflow planning.