Project: Proxmox Standalone GPU Passthrough Server Build

Date: May 31st 2025
Category: Virtualization / Homelab Build

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🧰 Hardware Overview

Component	Model / Spec
Motherboard	Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X (8-core / 16-thread)
GPU	NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super
RAM	32GB DDR4 3200 MHz
Drive 1 (OS)	Kioxia 512GB NVMe Gen4
Drive 2 (VMs)	Inland 512GB NVMe Gen3
Host OS	Proxmox VE 8.2.7
Primary VM	Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS (NVIDIA ISO)

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🧬 BIOS Setup for Proxmox + GPU Passthrough

Motherboard: Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2

🔧 1. Enter BIOS

• Press DEL repeatedly during boot to enter BIOS.

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⚙️ 2. Load Optimized Defaults (Recommended)

• Go to the Save & Exit tab.

• Choose Load Optimized Defaults

• Press F10 to reboot and re-enter BIOS.

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🧠 3. Enable Virtualization (SVM Mode)

• Navigate to: Tweaker → Advanced CPU Settings

• Set SVM Mode → Enabled

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🧱 4. Enable IOMMU

• Go to: Settings → IO Ports

• Set IOMMU → Enabled

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🧩 5. Enable Above 4G Decoding

• Also under: Settings → IO Ports

• Set Above 4G Decoding → Enabled

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🖥️ 6. Set Initial Display Output

• Go to: Settings → IO Ports

• Set Initial Display Output → PCIe 1 Slot

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🧬 7. Disable CSM for UEFI Boot

• Go to: Boot

• Set CSM Support → Disabled

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🔌 8. Resizable BAR Support (Optional)

• Settings → IO Ports

• Set Re-Size BAR Support → Disabled (recommended for stability)

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❄️ 9. Fan Control (Optional)

• Smart Fan 5 Settings

• Set profiles for optimal cooling: Silent, Normal, Full-Speed

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💾 10. Save and Exit

• Press F10, confirm changes, and reboot.

Now its time to install proxmox on the new setup.