Systems and methods of fabricating circuit board assemblies may provide for a circuit board assembly that includes an expansion card having a first side and a second side, a first set of semiconductor packages coupled to the first side and a second set of semiconductor packages coupled to the second side. The circuit board assembly may also include a synergistic combination of cooling solutions for the expansion card such as a metallic duct, centrifugal fan or secondary plate, structural solutions for the expansion card such as a clamp structure or retention interlock, and volume reduction solutions for the expansion card such as one or more flipped power connectors.