Hardware Installation

This document guides system administrators and users through the process of physically installing and connecting Tenstorrent Blackhole™ p100a, Blackhole™ p150a, and Blackhole™ p150b add-in boards into a host system. You will learn the necessary pre-installation steps, installation procedures for desktop workstations, and how to connect power.

Pre-Installation

Before you begin the installation process, complete the following steps:

  1. Disconnect power from the host computer.

  2. Verify that your system meets the following requirements:

    • PCI Express 5.0 x16 slot: For optimal performance, the board requires a x16 configuration without bifurcation.

      • Blackhole™ p100a and Blackhole™ p150a products are dual-slot width boards with active coolers. Tenstorrent recommends leaving the adjacent slot unoccupied to ensure optimal airflow.

      • Blackhole™ p150b is a dual-slot width board with a passive heatsink, designed for rack-mounted systems with sufficient active airflow.

      Warning

      An ATX 3.1 Certified power supply or better is required. Using an older or inadequate power supply may result in system instability.

    • One (1) 12+4-pin 12V-2x6 power connector.

  3. Discharge static electricity from your body by wearing an ESD wrist strap (recommended) or by touching a grounded surface before touching system components or the add-in board.

Desktop Workstation Installation (p100a/p150a)

Note

Images shown might not fully represent your specific system configuration.

Insert the Blackhole™ add-in board into the PCIe x16 slot and secure it with the necessary screws. (A Blackhole™ p150a is pictured below for reference.)

Connecting Power

Connect a 12+4-pin 12V-2x6 power cable to the plug on the back of the add-in board.

Important

Ensure the power cable is fully and securely connected to prevent instability or damage.

Software Setup

For instructions on how to set up software for your Blackhole™ p100a, Blackhole™ p150a, or Blackhole™ p150b, refer to the Installing the Tenstorrent Software Stack guide.

Need Additional Support?

If you encounter any issues, or have a question that isn’t covered in the documentation, please raise a support request. Our team will review your request and provide assistance.