Fastest processor on a HP Aloe-GL8E motherboard

[alpha_c]

I am wondering whether for the Aloe-GL8E motherboard I am using which is the same as the one in the HPE 360z

and the HP HPE 300z, whether the Phenom II x 4 945 is the fastest processor I can upgrade to (95 W TDP on the Athlon II X4 630 and the Phenom II x4 is 95W).

HPE 360Z

HPE 300z

I noticed the Phenom II X6 1055T also has a 95W version, but I suspect that the bottleneck will not be the processor but the motherboard if I upgrade to that. I don't think I will be spending more for the Phenom II x6 1090T since I don't overclock.
The computer will be used for rendering (using a single Firepro V4800, since the motherboard can't support CrossFire Pro) and 3D modeling.

As far as wattage, the PSU has been updated to an Antec 380W Earthwatts with 80PLUS Bronze certification. Is it possible to use a 125W processor in this case?

Also is there a motherboard data sheet anywhere? I can't seem to find anything on Foxconn about where to plug things and whatnot.

Edit: What I find odd is even though the boards all share the same internal name, some say RS880 (Foxconn H-RS880-uATX) instead of RS 780 ( H-RS780-uATX). I know my computer has a 785G chipset since that is what it says in AMD Overdrive and in dxdiag it said Radeon HD4200 before I installed the graphics board.

[Big_Dave]

The 360Z has a 460 watt PSU, USB 3.0 add in board, bigger optional video cards (GT 460) and faster processors.

[DxZen]

The 1st version of the HP RS880 Foxconn Aloe (AM3) motherboard -- noted with HP Part Number: 537376-001 --System board (motherboard) Aloe GL8E -- can not be materially distinguished from the later 2 of the same motherboard HP RS880 Foxconn 785G (Aloe-GL8E) AM3 with HP Part Numbers: 612498-001 & 618937-002. Difference is the BIOS and CPUs supported.

Aloe #1 -- 537376-001 --System board (motherboard) Aloe GL8E

System Model: NY554AA-ABA e9240f
System BIOS Date: 08/31/09 13:56:34 Ver: 5.02

BIOS Version: American Megatrends Inc. 5.02

Socket AM3 --- Supports AM3 (938-pin) --> Does not Support AM2+ (940-pin)

TDP Max -- Thermal Design Power Max less than or equal to 125 Watts

CPU Compatibility: Max CPU Upgrade for Aloe #1 -- Phenom II X4 965 -- doubtful it will pick up and utilize Phenom II X6 processors with E0 stepping. Uses older BIOS version versus #2 and #3 below. Should support 125W Phenom II X4 AM3 Deneb’s with C3 stepping.

Aloe #1: Phenom II X4 945 (3.0GHz X4), Phenom II X4 955 (3.2GHz X4) BE...Phenom II X4 965 (3.4GHz X4) BE [125W]

Aloe #2 and #3 --- CPU compatibility supports Phenom II X6 CPUs up to the Phenom II X6 1090T (3.2GHz X6) [125W]

BIOS System Date: 09/7/2010 (Version 6.09)

BIOS Version: American Megatrends Inc. 6.09

Socket AM3 --- Supports AM3 (938-pin) --> Does not Support AM2+ (940-pin)

TDP Max -- Thermal Design Power Max less than or equal to 125 Watts

HP Models: HP p6540f, HPE-300Z, HPE-570F, H8-1030...and so on.

HP System boards with HP Part Number: 612498-001 ---> may need to update to latest 6.09 BIOS.

Aloe #2 & #3 -- 612498-001 & 618937-002 -- same motherboard.

Both 612498-001 & 618937-002 are the same motherboard with the same latest BIOS (6.09) in place, same CPU compatibility up to the Phenom II X6 1090T (3.2GHz X6) AM3 Hexacore (125W).

Aloe #2 and #3 -- Support 95W Version Hexacore CPUs -- Phenom II X6 1035T, 1045T, 1055T, 1065T

Aloe #2 and #3 -- Support 125W Version Hexacore CPUs -- Phenom II X6 1055T, 1075T, 1090T

[DxZen]

Fastest CPU for the Aloe (Rev. 2) is actually the Phenom II X6 1100T (3.3GHz X6) AM3 Hexacore.

1st Aloe -- noted with HP Part Number: 537376-001 --- does not have the same BIOS as Aloe with HP Part Number(s): 612498-001 & 618937-002 as indicated in my first reply.

Aloe #1 may support Phenom II X6 processors to some extent....I'm not sure without testing??, and I don't have this board currently on hand to check other things such as the AGESA or Microcodes, patch CPUIDs...etc.

Rev #2 -- Aloe #2 and #3 (same board, same BIOS) -- as taken from a link to CTO with the H-RS880 Aloe from Japanese HP model -- exact model: HP Pavilion h8-1060jp -- with configurable CPU options indicates that the Phenom II X6 1100T (3.3GHz X6) AM3 is a feasible upgrade --- will also support the much, newer higher end Phenom II X4 Quads in which the clock speed(s) per core are just under 4.0GHz  -- if you're having to choose between a Quad or 6-Core, this a no-brainer, go with a 6-Core:

Must select one of the following options:

• Phenom II X4 830 (Deneb) (95W) 2.8 GHz
• Phenom II X4 840T (Zosma) (95W) 2.9 GHz
• Phenom II X4 955 (Deneb) (125W) 3.2 GHz
• Phenom II X4 960T (Zosma) (95W) 2.9 GHz
• Phenom II X4 965 (Deneb) (125W) 3.4 GHz
• Phenom II X4 970 (Deneb) (125W) 3.5 GHz
• Phenom II X4 975 (Deneb) (125W) 3.6 GHz
• Phenom II X6 1045T (Thuban) (95W) 2.7 GHz
• Phenom II X6 1065T (Thuban) (95W) 2.9 GHz
• Phenom II X6 1075T (125W) 3.0 GHz
• Phenom II X6 1090T (125W) 3.2 GHz
• Phenom II X6 1100T (125W) 3.3 GHz  

[Brian_Nystrom]

I have a Pavillion p6520f with the 612498-001 motherboard, which I have just upgraded to BIOS v6.09. What would you recommend for a processor upgrade (from the Althon II X4 635) for non-gaming applications? I may eventually do some video editing.

Also, the system came with 6GB of memory in a 3 x 2GB configuration, which slows the clock rate according to the spec sheet. I'm considering upgrading to 8GB in a 2 x 4GB configuration to gain memory speed. Does that seem worthwhile considing that it's pretty cheap (only $40 for high-performance, low-latency memory). If so, which configuration will give me the best performance, both DIMMs in one bank (either blue or black) or one in each bank (1 blue, 1 black)?

Thanks

Brian

[DxZen]

One of the best CPUs you could get for just under $100 (price for performance) is the Phenom II X6 1045T (2.7GHz X6) AM3. This would give you up to 6 cores at 2.7GHz for more labor intensive applications and 3 cores at up to 3.2GHz when there's less demand on the CPU. Reason I like the Phenom II X6 1045T 6-core CPU is that it's low wattage at 95W TDP and is very easy to cool with a more simple sleeve 3-pin CPU cooler such as that of Logisys (Deepcool) Beta 400ST or the HP stock cooler as examples. Video editing, video reencoding / rendering -- does indeed put a lot of stress on the processor. You won't see a big difference in going from an Athlon II X4 Quad to a Phenom II X4 Quad. OEM version of the Phenom II X6 1045T should suffice. Paying more for Retail gives you a 3-year warranty through AMD, but truth be told, it's hard to kill a CPU that's been properly installed and is not being overclocked. As you know, you won't be able to OC the CPU with an HP motherboard. If you buy an OEM CPU, make sure the seller ships the CPU in an AMD clamshell protector. One of the best sellers that sells and ships out OEM AMD CPUs such as the Phenom II X6 1045T in an AMD CPU plastic clamshell on eBay is eBay seller: GreatValueDeals. I do not do any gaming either, but I do like having 6-cores and would be reluctant to go back to a Phenom II X4 AM3 Quad (4-core) at this point after seeing what 6-cores can do.

http://myworld.ebay.com/greatvaluedeals?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Phenom-II-x6-1045T-2-7-GHz-Six-Core-AM3-Processor-/140899601033?pt=CPUs&...

Given that DDR3 Desktop RAM is so inexpensive currently, I would put in 4->2Gb 1333MHz matched dual channel modules to increase the available RAM from 6Gb to 8Gb DDR3. As for the reported dropoff in speed(s) that HP indicates, I'm not sure if it's accurate that the speed goes from 1333MHz -> 1066MHz. At least I don't see it.

Windows 7 - 64 Bit uses about  2400Mb (2.34Gb) at idle, which is about 29.25% of 8Gb PC3-10600 / PC3-10666 (1333MHz) DDR3 Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered.

In my own PC with the HP RS880 Aloe motherboard, I'm using 8Gb (4x2Gb) Corsair XMS3 PC3-10666 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered Desktop Memory and an OEM Phenom II X6 1065T (2.9GHz X6) AM3 Processor.

Still you could use generic OEM stock RAM such as Samsung, Nanya, Elpida and have the same type of speed that gaming RAM would offer as the HP Aloe RS880 is not going to utilize higher speed RAM over the PC3-10600 / PC3-10666 (1333MHz effective.)

There's probably no need to go up to 12Gb (2x4Gb + 2x2Gb) or 16Gb (4x4Gb) DDR3 @ 1333MHz (yet.) I would pick up an 8Gb DDR3 PC3-10600 / PC3-10666 set at Newegg.com or on eBay to have a matched set of 8Gb DDR3 Desktop RAM @ 1333MHz running in dual channel mode. I believe HP's spec sheet may be wrong about the RAM's clock rate falling back to 1066MHz.

With 8Gb (4x2Gb) Corsair XMS3 DDR3 matched, I'm showing memory clock rate speeds of 1333MHz for all 4 modules. I see no indication that the clock rate frequency of the 4 -> 2Gb matched Corsair XMS3 modules has dropped to 1066MHz, as HP indicates.

Below is through Everest Ultimate 5.50 -- some of the readings might be a bit off as Everest does not recognize the motherboard correctly -- it is only for basic reference:

CPU Type: HexaCore AMD Phenom II X6 1065T, 3178 MHz (4 x 795)

CPU Alias: Thuban

CPU Stepping: PH-E0

Instruction Set: x86, x86-64, MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4A

Original Clock: 3400 MHz

Min / Max CPU Multiplier: 5x / 17x

Engineering Sample: No

L1 Code Cache: 64 KB per core

L1 Data Cache: 64 KB per core

L2 Cache 512 KB per core (On-Die, ECC, Full-Speed)

L3 Cache 6 MB (On-Die, ECC, NB-Speed)

Front Side Bus Properties Bus

Type AMD K10

Real Clock: 794 MHz

Effective Clock: 794 MHz

HyperTransport Clock: 7945 MHz

North Bridge Clock: 7945 MHz

Module Name: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9

Module Size: 2 GB (1 rank, 8 banks)

Module Type: Unbuffered DIMM

Memory Type: DDR3 SDRAM

Memory Speed: DDR3-1333 (667 MHz)

Module Width: 64 bit

Error Detection Method: None

Memory Timings @ 666 MHz 9-9-9-24 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 34-107-5-10-5-5 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP) @ 592 MHz 8-8-8-22 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 30-95-5-9-5-5 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP) @ 518 MHz 7-7-7-19 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 27-83-4-8-4-4 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP) @ 444 MHz 6-6-6-16 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 23-72-4-7-4-4 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)

DIMM1: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9

DIMM2: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9

DIMM3: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9

DIMM4: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9

Memory Module Manufacturer Company Name: Corsair Memory, Inc.

System Memory: 8183 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)

DIMM1: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz) (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz) (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

DIMM2: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz) (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz) (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

DIMM3: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz) (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz) (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

DIMM4: Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 592 MHz) (7-7-7-19 @ 518 MHz) (6-6-6-16 @ 444 MHz)

Memory Bus Properties Bus

Type: Unganged Dual DDR3 SDRAM

Bus Width: 128-bit

DRAM:FSB Ratio: 20:6

Real Clock: 2648 MHz (DDR)

Effective Clock: 5297 MHz

Bandwidth: 84747 MB/s

[Brian_Nystrom]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I was thinking the same thing regarding the CPU; I just wasn't sure what would give me the best performance per dollar. I'll go with the 1045 and buy it retail, since it's only $10 more than OEM to get the heatsink/fan and the warranty ($99.95 shipped at several vendors).

As for the memory, I found a new Samsung module identical to the three I have for $15 and I like the idea of not wasting what's already in system. I also checked the memory performance using AMD Overdrive and the clock is 667Mhz, so you're correct that the memory doesn't slow down with 3+ modules installed, despite what the specs say. I wonder if that's true of the #1 motherboard version you described.

Now, I'll watch SSD prices until they come down enough to make it wortwhile installing one as a boot & application drive.

Thanks again.

[DxZen]

You're welcome, Bryan. That message I had put together somehow was consolidated without any spacing and I couldn't edit it after the fact through the pulldown on options. I think the Phenom II X6 1045T (2.7GHz X6) AM3 is a great processor for the money. I don't know how you can beat 6-cores for the price. The stock cooler that AMD gives with the retail boxed version will not work with the HP, given that the AMD stock cooler fan has a 4-pin connector with PWM functionality. I'm not sure of the reason, but you'll need a 3-pin CPU fan. The best CPU fan for an HP AMD system that I'll recommend is the Logisys Deepcool Beta 400st with 4 heatpipes -- it has a 3-pin connector and is a really nice Retail AMD cooler -- keeps temps at 28-31C with the Phenom II X6 1065T -- as I'm typing this Core Temp is showing 28C on all 6 cores:

Logisys Deepcool AM3 CPU cooler with 3-pin fan / 4-Heatpipes -- at Newegg.com:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835999013

If you can match up the three Samsung 2Gb modules in your HP with a 4th Samsung module for $15 -- this will definitely work to fill out 8Gb Samsung DDR3 @ 1333MHz. Make sure to run Memtest86+ 4.20 for all 4 modules when the 4th module arrives to check all 4-> 2Gb DDR3 modules for errors. If you've never done it, download Memtest86+ 4.20 from the link below and burn /mount the image to CD-R making a bootable disc using Nero, Roxio or CyberLink Power2Go. You'll boot from the disc prior with [Esc] at the HP Blue Splash screen, select your optical drive -- to check all of your memory with the bootable Memtest86+ disc. Any red read errors indicate error(s) with existing system memory modules installed. Modules with errors should be removed and replaced accordingly.

Memtest86+ does test system RAM in 32 Bit increments, but it does test almost all of the RAM and is a very thorough memory diagnostic tool that everyone should be utilizing especially when they first purchase or upgrade RAM for their system(s).

http://www.memtest.org/

[Brian_Nystrom]

Thanks for the tip about the CPU cooler. The one that's already in the system is working fine and the current CPU has the same wattage rating, so I'll probably use it and keep the other one for parts.

I used to do onsite PC service, so I'm quite familiar with Memtest.

[DxZen]

With the AMD stock cooler from a Retail Boxed AMD processor, it's a 4-pin fan with PWM. With any other system (non-HP,) a 4-pin connector would be no big deal, but with an HP AMD motherboard, the 4-pin CPU fan speed will register as failed or is far too quiet in the initial 10 seconds or so when starting up the PC -- this 4-pin fan failure is determined through the mainboard CPU sensor; the HP AMD system with a 4-pin CPU fan will automatically cause the system to go into auto-shutdown mode and something to the effect on a prompt at the top left corner of the screen: "to service PC immediately and the HP will automatically shut down to prevent damage"...this usually occurs just a second or two after the HP Blue Splash screen with a 4-pin CPU fan and HP AMD system motherboard. Actually, this isn't a problem at all with HP Intel systems such as with HP Intel Core 2 Quad motherboards (HP IPIBL-LB - Benicia and HP IPIBL-LA - Berkely) -- both Intel G33 based Express chipset microATX motherboards, the latter of which support 4-pin CPU fans with PWM functionality. As to why it's an issue exclusively with HP AMD systems, I'm not sure, but it is definitely a limiting factor on which cooler or heatsink/fan combo one can utilize. The higher end CPU coolers usually have 4-pin CPU fans. In any case, stock cooler with 3-pin HP fan will definitely work.

Some people might want to use Windows Memory Diagnostic, but I prefer Memtest86+ 4.20 as it works outside of Windows at first boot. Glad to know you have previous experience as an on-site technician. It's an intricate trade, sometimes stressful, though not lucrative -- and that's speaking from my own experience.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/gr/windows-memory-diagnostic.htm