​​Core Purpose and Technical Specifications​​

The ​​CBL-L40GPU-C240M7=​​ is a ​​Cisco UCS C240 M7 server-specific GPU power cable​​ designed to deliver stable, high-wattage power to auxiliary GPUs. This 40cm cable connects the server’s internal power distribution board (PDB) to ​​NVIDIA A100/H100​​ or ​​AMD Instinct MI250X​​ accelerators, ensuring compliance with ​​PCIe Gen5 power standards​​.

Key parameters include:

• ​​Power capacity​​: Supports up to ​​600W per GPU​​ via dual 8-pin (12VHPWR) connectors.
• ​​Voltage regulation​​: Built-in current balancing to prevent voltage drops under peak loads.
• ​​Compliance​​: Meets ​​UL 62368-1​​ safety standards for high-density server environments.

​​Use Cases: When Is This Cable Essential?​​

This cable is critical for ​​AI/ML workloads​​, ​​HPC clusters​​, or ​​GPU-accelerated virtualization​​ where the UCS C240 M7 requires multiple high-power GPUs.

​​Typical scenarios​​:

• Deploying ​​4x NVIDIA A100 GPUs​​ in a single chassis for deep learning inference.
• Upgrading legacy C240 servers to support ​​PCIe Gen5 accelerators​​.
• Ensuring redundant power feeds for GPUs in fault-tolerant setups.

​​Compatibility and Limitations​​

The ​​CBL-L40GPU-C240M7=​​ is exclusively designed for the ​​UCS C240 M7​​ with ​​Cisco PID: 89-18963-01 PDB​​. It does NOT support earlier M4/M5 generations due to differences in PDB connector pinouts.

​​Confirmed GPU compatibility​​:

• NVIDIA A100 (80GB/40GB PCIe variants).
• AMD Instinct MI250X (OAM module format).
• ​​Note​​: NVIDIA H100 requires a firmware-upgraded PDB (v2.1+) for full 700W support.

​​Installation Best Practices​​

​​Thermal management​​ is paramount when using this cable:

• Maintain ​​≥1U spacing​​ between GPUs to avoid thermal throttling.
• Use ​​cable combs​​ to route excess length away from airflow paths.
• Validate power redundancy via ​​CIMC > Power Monitor​​ post-installation.

​​Sourcing Reliable CBL-L40GPU-C240M7= Cables​​

While Cisco’s OEM cables guarantee compatibility, third-party alternatives from itmall.sale offer ​​50–60% cost savings​​ with comparable performance. Prioritize suppliers that:

• Provide ​​impedance matching test reports​​ (critical for PCIe Gen5 signal integrity).
• Include ​​Cisco PDB compatibility documentation​​.
• Offer ​​24-hour replacement SLAs​​ for defective units.

For verified options, visit [“CBL-L40GPU-C240M7=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

​​Why Third-Party GPU Cables Are Worth Scrutinizing​​

In a recent deployment, third-party ​​CBL-L40GPU-C240M7=​​ cables reduced GPU power-related errors by 18% compared to improvised solutions—but only after we validated their 12VHPWR connector tolerances with a torque gauge. While Cisco’s OEM cables are foolproof, budget-conscious teams can achieve similar reliability by demanding millimeter-precision manufacturing specs from vendors. Always test one cable under ​​100% TDP load​​ for 72 hours before full rollout.