Disable 1 processor on Hp z600

[mrhabuzz]

I am using Hp z600, has 2 processor xeon x5550, now i want to disable 1 processor to save power. how do i? don't tell unplug 1 cpu away tower. i think i can do it in Bios, but i can't 

[Ro808]

It's not possible to "switch off" one processor in BIOS. 

The connected devices and components are loaded and verified by the CMOS/BIOS. The installed processors are part of the primary hardware components, necessary and checked for proper operation of the system. 

The processor sockets are key-parts of the electric circuit on the system board. Once a processor is mounted in the socket it becomes part of this electrical circuit, therefore you have to remove the 2nd processor and cooler in order to let the BIOS detect a change in hardware configuration.

You have to follow the instructions in this document in reverse order.

[Ro808]

By the way, I am running a single X5670 in my Z600 with 48Gb RAM to great satisfaction. 

Apart from power users of multi threaded software, most people will hardly notice or use the extra processing power while performing their daily tasks.  They will notice the electricity bill, the extra noise and heat though.

[mrhabuzz]

DO U have unplug one cpu? or you only running cpu when you bought on stock, give me your case's pictures

[SDH · Accepted solution]

Mr. Habuzz,

Assuming you have a version 2 Z600 (with its later boot block date in BIOS being the easiest way to tell) then here is a very late HP Z600 QuickSpecs showing the processors from that time:

https://www.usedcomp.de/pdf/HP-Z600-Workstation-QuickSpecs.pdf

The Z600 has two sockets (CPU0 and CPU1).  To run only one processor you simply put only one processor into the socket for CPU0.  A number of the pins in each socket are "live wires" so that if a processor is inserted it will be seen always by the OS and the BIOS.  Think of it this way... you cannot turn off a socket unless you have no processor in it. 

If a two-socket motherboard workstation is bought configured with only 1 processor it will come with socket CPU0 having a processor installed, and socket CPU1 having a thin plastic cover over it to protect the delicate pins both physically and electronically.

A second identical processor can be added later into the second socket assuming the first processor has 2 QPI links (one for communications to the motherboard, and the second for communications to the other processor).  Adding a second processor is a delicate procedure that is often best left to skilled geeks.

[mrhabuzz]

THIS IS CORRECT. THANK FOR ANSWER. this way save my eleclicity bill monthly

[Ro808]

As mentioned by SDH: installing a second processor is a delicate procedure.
Removing one is far less complicated. Once you have removed the cooler, you can very carefully lift the processor from its socket. You should however obtain the plastic cover to protect the pins.

My Z600 is a late production V2 from 2013. I think it was originally bought in 2014, but I would have to verify that.

It came with a single processor from the factory. I cannot take images at the moment, because I am not at home, but the system board looks similar to this (except for the installed RAM for CPU1 in the red rectangle):

 

[Ro808]

There is one more advantage of running a single processor: cooling is less troublesome, because there is less heat to get out and more space for airflow in the cramped Z600 case.

Initially, I considered buying a Dual Processor Z600, but I have no regrets. 6 cores are plenty for 98% of my tasks.

It would be different if I had to render large video files or analyse large data sets on a daily basis.

[mrhabuzz]

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@Ro808wrote:

As mentioned by SDH: installing a second processor is a delicate procedure.
Removing one is far less complicated. Once you have removed the cooler, you can very carefully lift the processor from its socket. You should however obtain the plastic cover to protect the pins.

My Z600 is a late production V2 from 2013. I think it was originally bought in 2014, but I would have to verify that.

It came with a single processor from the factory. I cannot take images at the moment, because I am not at home, but the system board looks similar to this (except for the installed RAM for CPU1 in the red rectangle):

 

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thank your enthusiasm, i will do this