Turnkey Server PCBs for GPU, General-Purpose, or Network

A server may involve AI acceleration, general-purpose computing, or high-speed networking. No matter what their application type is, their core chip — GPU, CPU, or FPGA, together with other components like PCIe interfaces, needs to be mounted on a high-density-interconnect (HDI) PCB to build the server electronic hardware.

At PCBONLINE, we provide turnkey server PCBs from prototypes to volume PCBA production, across AI computing, AIoT, server Automatic Transfer Switch, industrial control, cloud computing, and high-speed networking. Explore the types of server PCBs.

Part 1: Server PCBs are HDI of 12+ layers

First, let's put it clearly: Any server requires HDI PCBs with at least 12 layers, whether it is a GPU server, high-speed networking server, or general-purpose server. Server PCBs share these features:

• HDI multilayer design: To accommodate dense routing and stacked vias.
• Zoning principles: Separation of CPU/GPU core area, memory, power delivery, and thermal regions.
• Redundancy and reliability: Error-correcting memory, redundant power, and fault-tolerant PCB architecture.
• Thermal and mechanical considerations: Integration of heatsinks, airflow channels, and high-Tg PCB materials.

Regardless of the server type, the most important element of a server PCB is the core chip, which can be a GPU, CPU, or FPGA. Their array of solder balls or pins is all high-density, requiring microvias, fine traces, and dense routing of the PCB. Thus, any server PCB has to be HDI.

In addition, the server power is high, so for HDI connections, high-speed signals, grounding, and thermal dissipation, the server PCB has a high layer count. Our experience is that at least 12 PCB layers are required.

We often see the server PCB designs with 12–20+ layers for network server PCBs to manage high-speed signals (PCIe, DDR, Ethernet), power delivery, and thermal stress.

In contrast, GPU server PCBs are more intricate, with at least 24 layers and are HDI with internal interconnection. GPU servers PCBs have more demanding requirements than any other server PCBs, as they need to be not only HDI but also high-frequency and high-thermal-conductivity for parallel processing of the GPU.

At PCBONLINE, every server PCB, from GPU accelerators to network cards, aligns with the rigorous needs of modern server infrastructure.

Part 2: GPU Server PCBs

GPU servers focus on parallel computing tasks such as deep learning, high-performance computing (HPC), and rendering.

With the AI and HPC focus, a GPU server PCB handles extreme data rates, so its PCB materials have controlled dielectric properties with detailed impedance control. The GPU PCB features:

• GPU zones: Multiple GPUs or accelerators are mounted, each requiring a dedicated high-speed interface to the CPU
• High-speed signal routing: Fine traces (PCIe Gen5, NVLink, or CXL) are routed in inner PCB layers to maintain signal integrity and reduce EMI.
• Managing significant power consumption and heat generation
• Power delivery: GPUs consume hundreds of watts each; wide copper planes, busbars, and VRMs are placed close to GPU cores.
• Thermal management: Large thermal zones with reinforced copper, thermal vias, and dedicated heatsinks manage heat dissipation.

Zoning separates high-speed signal paths, high-current power regions, and cooling areas, ensuring both stability and scalability.

GPU server PCBs embody the high-end capability of PCB technology, which aligns perfectly with PCBONLINE's mid-to-high-end OEM PCB capabilities. You can order GPU server PCB manufacturing and assembly from us.

Part 3: Storage / Network Server PCBs

Network servers handle data transmission and switching in data centers, focusing on I/O throughput rather than raw compute power. The features of network server PCBs include:

• Core chips: Network processors, ASICs, or FPGAs dominate instead of CPUs or GPUs.
• High-speed interfaces: 25G/40G/100G/400G Ethernet, InfiniBand, or optical transceiver modules require dense high-speed routing.
• Power and signal separation: Strict zoning prevents crosstalk between power-hungry ASICs and sensitive optical modules.
• Reliability: Network PCBs emphasize low jitter, low signal loss, and redundancy.

Network server PCBs must accommodate high-speed Ethernet interfaces, multiple connectors, precise impedance, and robust thermal and power zones.

PCBONLINE recently partnered with a top-tier technology company to supply a high-performance network server PCBA. We produced the 12-layer HDI back-drilled PCBs in our own factory, assembled all components and metal enclosures, completed CPU and FPGA program burn-in, and finished all electrical testing to IPC-3 industrial standards.

We deliver high-layer, HDI PCB OEM manufacturing that meets rigorous signal, thermal, and reliability specifications for network-centric server applications. If you need storage/network server PCBs, contact PCBONLINE for OEM PCBA manufacturing!

Part 4: General-Purpose Server PCBs

General-purpose server PCBs (e.g., dual-CPU, memory-heavy variants) are HDI multilayers (12+) that balance compute, memory access, and I/O functions. Their features are:

• HDI multilayer design: To accommodate dense routing and stacked vias.
• Zoning principles: Separation of CPU/FPGA core area, memory, power delivery, and thermal regions.
• Redundancy and reliability: Error-correcting memory, redundant power, and fault-tolerant PCB architecture.
• Thermal and mechanical considerations: Integration of heatsinks, airflow channels, and high-Tg PCB materials.

A general-purpose server PCB design's considerations include multi-socket CPU layout, DDR memory channels, PCIe expansion lanes, RAID/storage controllers, and network interfaces. Signal integrity, thermal paths, and power delivery (VRMs) remain crucial.

PCBONLINE has manufactured and assembled many general-purpose server PCBs. For example, the network card PCBA.

Part 5: Server PCB vs Servo PCB

Although server and servo sound similar, their PCBs are designed for entirely different purposes. A server PCB is optimized for computing and data processing, while a servo PCB is built for controlling mechanical motion.

PCBONLINE not only focues on server PCBs, we also have advantages in industrial control PCB assembly. If you need servo PCBs, we can also bring the OEM manufacturing for your industrial control project.

Part 7. Partner with PCBONLINE for OEM Server PCB

PCBONLINE is your one-stop OEM manufacturing partner for AIoT, industrial control (automatic transfer switch), automotive electronics (cell connection system, BMS), and medical electronics.

Founded in 2005, PBONLINE has two large advanced PCB manufacturing bases and one PCB assembly factory.

PCBONLINE will check your Gerber carefully to make sure your server PCB design is feasible and help solve technical issues. Whether you're building GPU accelerators, general-purpose servers, or network appliances, our turnkey service can deliver OEM PCB manufacturing, yielding the best results. If you feel interested in server PCB/PCBA from PCBONLINE, send your inquiry by email to info@pcbonline.com.

Conclusion

No matter the compute paradigm—AI, networking, general data load, PCBONLINE's turnkey HDI server PCB solutions meet your server PCB project needs. If you need OEM server PCB manufacturing and assembly, contact PCBONLINE to start your project with confidence.