Lenovo 00KA498 PCI Express x8 Riser Card

The Lenovo 00KA498 is a PCI Express riser card designed for Lenovo System x3650 M5 servers that need more room for add-on adapters without changing the server’s chassis. By providing three additional PCIe x8 slots, the card lets administrators install extra network interfaces, storage controllers, or specialized accelerator cards and keep the server within its existing rack space.

Two of the added slots support full-height, full-length adapters, so high-performance cards that demand extra board real estate fit easily. The third slot supports a full-height card with a half-length board, making effective use of internal space for devices that do not require the full length. All three slots connect through a single PCIe x8 interface, maintaining reliable bandwidth while simplifying installation.

Typical users include data center teams that want to consolidate workloads on fewer servers yet still need flexibility for future upgrades. For example, an administrator who plans to expand storage with SAS controllers or to boost network throughput with additional Ethernet adapters can drop this riser into an x3650 M5 and have immediate slot availability. The card also helps service providers that build custom appliance configurations and need a straightforward way to integrate graphics or FPGA accelerators.

Installation follows Lenovo’s standard tool-less service guidelines, so technicians can add the riser during routine maintenance windows and redeploy the server quickly. Because it is purpose-built for the x3650 M5, there is no guesswork about physical fit or thermal impact, and firmware automatically recognizes the new slots.

• Expands a compatible Lenovo System x3650 M5 server with three PCI Express x8 slots
• Includes two full-height, full-length PCIe x8 positions for large form-factor adapters
• Provides one full-height, half-length PCIe x8 position for shorter boards
• Uses a single PCI Express x8 interface to deliver solid bandwidth to all added slots
• Ideal for administrators who need extra capacity for network, storage, or accelerator cards without modifying the server chassis