RocketStor 8531AW

Datasheet

PCIe Gen4 x16 eGPU Expansion Chassis

Key Features:

Dedicated x16 lanes of host-to-device PCIe Gen4 bandwidth

Universal GPU Compatibility –Supports full-height, 2-slot and 3-slot NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc. GPUs

Addresses the growing power demands of modern GPUs (up to 850W)

Product	RocketStor 8531AW
Adapter Hardware Features
Bus Interface	PCI-Express 5.0 x16 (Operates at PCIe Gen4 x16)
Hardware Architecture	Broadcom PEX 89048 PCIe Switch Technology
CooprLink Compliant	Yes (CDFP Pin Definition)
Number of Channel / Devices	1 x CDFP (Dedicated PCIe 4.0 x16 per port)
Port Type	CDFP (Gen4)
Data Transfer Rate	32GB/s
Adapter LED Indicators
Host Status LED	68.9 mm X 165 mm
CDFP Status LED	Indicates the CDFP Connection Status (to External Chassis)
Power Measurement	Yes
FRU Support	Yes (Stores VPD data)
CDFP Hotswap	No
Form Factor	Low Profile
Dimensions	68.9 mm X 165 mm
Enclosure Hardware Features
Hardware Architecture	Asteralabs PCIe 4.0 Retimer Technology
Bus Interface	PCI-Express 4.0 x16
Number of Channel / Host	1
Host Port Type	CDFP (Gen4)
Data Transfer Rate	32GB/s
Number of GPU Supported	1
GPU Support	full-height, 2-slot and 3-slot GPUs
	360mm x 120mm (to Gold Finger) x 75mm & below
	Real Time Power Measurement
Audible Alarm	High Temperature, Low-Fan Speed Warnings
Smart Fan Control	Dynamically adjusts fan speed to address changing temperature conditions
	Manually Select from 5 Speed settings (Ultra-Low to Full)
Front Panel LEDs
Power Switch	Powers On/Off the unit. Illuminates blue when powered On.
Back Panel
CDFP Port	Port for CDFP cable
Mute Button	used to mute the audible alarm
Supported Systems
OS Support	Any OS with native PCIe device support
Software Secure Boot	Yes
Hardware Secure Boot	Yes
Management Software
Firmware Upgrade Tools (MPT Utility)	Used to upgrade both the MCU firmware and Retimer Firmware
Operating Environment
Work Temp	+5°C ~ + 55°C
Storage Temp	-20°C ~ +80°C
Operating Voltage	100V ~ 240V AC In; 850W
Power	TBA
MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure)	TBA
Kit Contents
Kit Contents	1x Rocket 1634C
	1x External PCIe Chassis (RocketStor 8531A)
	1x CDFP-CDFP-1M Cable (Gen4 , 1M)
	1x QIG
	4x 2x4 connectors to 2x4 connectors Cable
	1x UL Cable

RocketStor 8531AW: PCIe Gen4 x16 eGPU Expansion Chassis

HighPoint’s RocketStor 8531AW is a high-performance eGPU expansion chassis designed for applications requiring high bandwidth and low latency. The RocketStor PCIe GPU Expansion chassis represents the industry's only true dedicated PCIe Gen4 x16 solutions, designed to unlock the full potential of top-tier NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs. This breakthrough technology is ideal for platforms constrained by limited PCIe slot space or encounter performance bottlenecks with Thunderbolt or OcuLink solutions.

POC Request Form

Meeting Request Form

Key Features:

Unrestricted Performance: Industry Leading PCIe Switching technology guarantees x16 host to device bandwidth
Universal GPU Compatibility – Supports full-height, 2-slot and 3-slot NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc. GPUs
Directly Provides up to 850W of power for high-end GPUs

Robust, Enterprise Grade External PCIe x16 CDFP connectivity
Low-profile host interface adapter is Ideal for compact systems
Advanced Dual-Fan Cooling System with Programmable Smart Fan Control prevents thermal throttling
Seamless, Plug-and-Play Software-less Installation for Linux & Windows Platforms

Industry Leading PCIe Switching Architecture

RocketStor 8531AW is powered by HighPoint’s revolutionary PCIe Gen4 Switching Architecture, which leverages Broadcom’s industry-leading PEX89048 IC to optimize signal integrity, minimize latency, and maximize data transfer speed.This solution provides 48 lanes of internal PCIe Gen4 bandwidth; 16 lanes to the upstream connection for both the host platform and GPU; achieves a maximum data transfer rate of 32GB/s; and minimizes latency through optimized design and components.

Learn More About HighPoint PCIe Switching Architecture...

Advanced Field Service Feature Suite

FRU (Field Replicable Unit) Support: Rocket 1634C is field replaceable units (FRU); the VPD stored on each adapter enables customers and service providers to easily procure replacements with the correct firmware/driver combination.

Superior Performance and Universal GPU Compatibility

Leveraging industry-leading PCIe switching technology, the RocketStor 8531AW ensures x16 host-to-device bandwidth, delivering unrestricted performance for demanding workloads, superior performance than conventional Thunderbolt or OCuLink solutions.

The RocketStor 8531AW supports a wide range of full-height, 2-slot, and 3-slot GPUs from leading manufacturers like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, making it a versatile choice for diverse computing needs.

Advanced Cooling System

An integrated dual-fan cooling system with programmable smart fan control prevents thermal throttling, ensuring consistent high-performance operation.

RocketStor 8531AW features a robust dual-fan cooling system with programmable smart fan control

Pro-Active Hardware Monitoring System

The RocketStor 8531AW includes automated smart modes and manual operation flexibility, paired with an intuitive user interface that tracks and logs the status of the GPU, enclosure, and hostAdapter hardware in real time. Additionally, the product is equipped with hardware monitoring capabilities, including GPU operating status, electrical characteristics, fan control features, GPU/enclosure temperature, and PCIe connection status, providing comprehensive insights into system health and performance.

Elegant & Robust: CDFP Connectivity&Power Delivery

Equipped with external CDFP cables, the RocketStor 8531AW offers enterprise-grade reliability and low-latency connectivity, ensuring seamless and high-performance data transfer for demanding workloads.

The chassis provides up to 850W of direct power, ensuring that even the most power-hungry GPUs operate at peak performance.

Applications and Use Cases

The design and performance of the RocketStor 8531AW make it suitable for applications that require high performance scaling. Its high bandwidth, low latency, high scalability, and flexible storage configurations make it ideal for AI/ML Computing & Deep Learning,Scientific Research & Big Data Analytics,Enterprise Workloads & Cloud Solutions,High-Performance Content Creation & Rendering,High-End Gaming/Media Platforms.

AI/ML Computing & Deep Learning

Use Cases: Neural Networks training, running AI algorithms, & real-time data analytics

Benefits: Accelerates data loading and model training times, supporting high-throughput data processing.

Scientific Research & Big Data Analytics

Use Cases: Applications that process immense volumes of data such as real-time analytics and business intelligence applications

Benefits: Rapid access to massive datasets, results in faster analytics and insights generation.

High-Performance Content Creation & Rendering

Use Cases: AAA Gaming and Esports，Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)，AI-Powered Gaming and Media Production

Benefits: The HighPoint RocketStor 8531AW is the ultimate solution for professionals in the content creation and rendering industries, offering the power, flexibility, and performance needed to turn creative visions into reality.

High-End Gaming/Media Platforms

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML)

Use Cases: Applications that process immense volumes of data such as real-time analytics and business intelligence applications

Benefits: Whether you're chasing victory in competitive esports, creating immersive virtual worlds, or delivering high-quality live streams, this solution empowers you to achieve exceptional performance and immersive experiences.

POC Request Form

Meeting Request Form

Frequently Asked Questions

The RocketStor 8000 Series are professional eGPU expansion enclosures that allow compact servers, mini-PCs, and workstations to fully harness the power of modern GPUs through dedicated PCIe Gen5 or Gen4 x16 bandwidth.
HighPoint has added a fully integrated 850W PSU and a smart cooling system to the RocketStor 8631CW and 8531AW enclosures, ensuring stable power delivery and efficient thermal management for demanding Gen5 GPUs.
Gen5 GPUs consume more power and experience transient power spikes. The 850W PSU provides the sustained current required to maintain stable performance during AI, HPC, and graphics-intensive workloads.
They support full-height, full-length (up to 370mm), 2-slot and 3-slot GPUs from all major manufactures including NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
These enclosures are ideal for professionals working with:

AI/LLM training

High-performance computing (HPC)

3D design, CAD/CAM, VFX

Scientific research
Integrated power and temperature sensors monitor GPU activity in real time, adjusting fan speed to prevent thermal throttling and maintain maximum performance.
No. The RocketStor 8000 series enclosures feature a plug-and-play, driver-less design for Windows and Linux platforms.

RocketStor 8000 series HighPoint eGPU enclosure RS8000 RS8531AW RocketStor 8531AW

eGPU Expansion Chassis

Product	PCle	Port Type	# of Devices	CDFP Hotswap	Data Transfer Rate
RocketStor 8631CW	PCIe 5.0 x16	CDFP (Gen5)	1 x CDFP (Dedicated PCIe 5.0 x16 per port)	No	64GB/s
RocketStor 8531AW	PCIe 4.0 x16	CDFP (Gen4)	1 x CDFP (Dedicated PCIe 4.0 x16 per port)	No	32GB/s

PCIe Gen5 Solutions

Product	PCle	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
Rocket 7638D	PCIe 5.0 x16	1 x CDFP; 2 x MCIO 8x	Up to 16x NVMe SSDs / 1x eGPU	Yes (MCIO ports)	Direct Connect U.2/U.3/E3.S; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S/E3.S
Rocket 7624A	PCIe 5.0 x16	2x MCIO 8x	Up to 4	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S
Rocket 7628A / Rocket 7628U	PCIe 5.0 x16	4x MCIO 8x	Up to 32	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3/E3.S; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S/E3.S

PCIe Gen4 (2nd-Gen) Solutions

Product	PCle	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
Rocket 7528D	PCIe 4.0 x16	4x SlimSAS (SFF-8654 8x）	Up to 32	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S

PCIe Gen4 Solutions

Product	PCle	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
SSD7580B	PCIe 4.0 x16	4x SFF-8654	Up to 8	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3
SSD7580C	PCIe 4.0 x16	4x SFF-8654	Up to 8	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3

PCIe Gen3 Solutions

Product	PCle	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
SSD7180	PCIe 3.0 x16	8x MiniSAS	Up to 8	N/A	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3
SSD7120	PCIe 3.0 x16	4x MiniSAS	Up to 4	N/A	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3
SSD7184	PCIe 3.0 x16	4x Int. & 4x Ext. MiniSAS	Up to 8	N/A	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3