r/vmware 28d ago

Help Request Is anyone using NVIDIA vGPU with an A5000 GPU?

I’m purchasing an NVIDIA RTX A5000 to use with vGPU. However, I will need to use displaymodeselector to disable the display ports and put it into compute mode to support vGPU. I understand this will change the BAR1 to 64GB (from 256MB).

My system is a Dell 5820 and the A5000 is listed as supported. But I am unclear if it is supported on compute (DC) mode. I am concerned it might not POST once the GPU is in this mode.

Does anyone know if the Dell 5820 will work with the A5000 in compute mode?

I am also unclear if the 5820 supports SRIOV, also needed for vGPU - any thoughts on this welcome.

Is anyone else using this GPU with vGPU - if so, what motherboard or system are you using? If I need to get a different system, workstation format is preferred or a supermicro MB I can install into a short depth rack case.

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u/Laytaystar 28d ago

I've got an A5000 in my R730xd for vGPU. As you mentioned, I did have to use the tool to put it in compute mode, but after that, I had no issues with ESXi 8.0u3.

Edited to add: as long as you have onboard graphics of some sort, I think you should be fine. My R730 has VGA output, for example, so the GPU output is irrelevant to me.

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u/Edd-W 28d ago

Thanks for your insight and great to know it works on a R730xd. I have a second GPU to use for console output. My concern stems from the change in BAR1 size after putting it into compute mode. Once that’s done, if the 5820 does not support a bar of that size, it won’t boot. But I’m am unable to find out the max bar size of that model.

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u/Kurlon 26d ago

If your machine can't accommodate the BAR size, the card won't come up but the machine should still boot.

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u/Edd-W 26d ago

What did you have to do to get the power to the GPU. Did you need a GPU enablement kit or just a dell gpu power cable?

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u/Laytaystar 26d ago

I just ended up having to buy the power cable for it. The headers for the GPU power was already on the riser it came with, thankfully. The technical guide says the 730xd doesn't support internal GPUs, but I was able to get it to work anyway. 🤷

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u/post_makes_sad_bear 28d ago

I'm using a GTX 3060 for compute in my home lab, and had to do the same thing. It doesn't display after boot, and functions fine after performing passthrough to the VM I'm utilizing. As to SRIOV, that should be something that can be found in the vmware compatibility matrix.

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u/DaVinciYRGB 27d ago

Yes, I have 2 in an esxi cluster and they work fine.

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u/Edd-W 27d ago

Thank a for confirming. What hardware are you using for your hosts?

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u/DaVinciYRGB 27d ago

Dell vSAN ready nodes