HELP required to max out my first Z420 Project PC

[BambiBoomZ]

Rhothgar,

RE: Optimizing HP z420: There are many good comments and recommendations from our friends SDH and DGroves.

At the moment, on Pasmark Performance Test, the highest rated z420 is the office's z420_3:

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.6GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / ASUS Essence STX + Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 6337 / CPU = 15851 / 2D = 861 / 3D = 11147 / Mem = 3072 Disk = 13651 /Single Thread Mark = 2604 [7.3.21]

The "(R12)" references that there were 11 revisions for the optimization.

As others have mentioned, "optimized" is a question; optimized for what use?

This requires some research into the relationship between hardware and use.  The first important decision is core count or clock speed.  As the most demanding real-time applications are 3D modelling, clock speed is the primary element.  There are three Xeon E5-v2 processors: E5-1650 v2, E5-1660 v2, and E5-1680 v2 that may be overclocked using the free Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU).  Z420_3 is using an E5-1650 v2 overclocked to 4.6GHz on all cores employing XTU v. 5.0.14. The 1650 and 1660 are 6-core and the 1680 is an 8-core. The 1650 was not stable over time at 4.7GHz, but the E5-1660 v2 may be. The previous z420_3 CPU was an E5-1680 v2 8C and that was run at 4.3GHz all cores. If the subject system needs a lot of cores, there are some quite fast 10 and 12-core CPU's but they can not be overclocked.

The cooling needs to be uprated for this and the z420 all-in-one is very good- just plug it in and it works.  I run that in both z420_3 and z620_2 with supplemental fans and temperatures under 100% load - CPU rendering-are rarely above the low 60's C.

For the RAM, I strongly consider  using only HP-labelled 1866 ECC registered.  I use 64GB because some very large 4K renderings require 38GB to set up, but 32GB may be sufficient.  Use 8GB modules placed according to the installation sequence and that may start with as little as 16GB and be upgraded to 64GB later.

The boot drive if M.2  must be AHCI- not NVMe.  420_3 uses a 256GB HP Z Turbo Drive (contains 167GB)  and z620_2 has a Samsung SM951 AHCI 512GB on a Lycom DT-120 PCIe adapter (contains 187GB) .   The data drive may be NVMe and z620_2 uses a Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe m.2 .  Z420_3 has a  Samsung  2.5" SSD, a 500GB Samsung 860 EVO.  For a main system consider finding an SM951 AHCI of the appropriate capacity.

The GPU is important, but for example, 3D CAD, the single-threaded CPU speed is more important, but the rasterization, applying the attributes is done by the GPU. My preferred rendering is ray-tracing and that also runs off the CPU. Ray tracing  rendering- in which  one sees the "tiles" being finished in a sequence- though benefits from more cores, so there is another slightly complicated equation.

Anyway, that is a summary of quite a lot of experimentation and testing.

BambiBoomZ

HP z620_2 (2017) (R11) > Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.7GHz) / z420 Liquid Cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) /GTX 1070 Ti 8GB / Samsung SM951 M.2 512GB AHCI + Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe 500GB + HP/HGST Enterprise 6TB / Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 sound interface + 2X Mackie MR824 / 825W PSU / Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit (HP OEM) > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)
[ Passmark Rating = 6485 / CPU rating = 16420 / 2D = 854 / 3D= 13835 / Mem = 3159 / Disk = 14786 / Single Thread Mark = 2606 [11.29.21]

HP ZBook 17 G2: (2015 ) i7-4940MX Extreme (4C@3.1/ 4.0GHz) / 32GB / Quadro K3100M 4GB / Kingston 480GB SATA SSD > 17.3" LCD 1920 X1080 panel > HP docking station> video externally to HP 2711x 27" LCD + Dell 17" (2007) / Logitech 533 _2.1 speaker system
[Passmark System Rating: = 3980 / CPU = 10140 / 2D = 618 / 3D = 2779 / Mem = 2559 Disk = 4662 / Single Thread Mark = 2387 [1.3.20]

[Rhothgar]

SDH

As I cannot find the Dow Corning, I am going to order some of this Noctua NT-H1.  The Dow has a k-value of 0.67W/mk which is much lower than most pastes on the market.

I think I can see the logic behind using the Noctua paste.  Non conductive so less likely to have issues for an amateur like me.  I've not received the E5-1650 v2 chip as yet that I bought yesterday but I have stripped the Quadro FX3800 (1Gb) down because it was only performing marginally better than the Quadro FX570 (256Mb).  Original paste looks like they were applied as adhesive pads at the factory.  It was very dry and flaky.  The original paste had quite a thick uniform thickness maybe as much as 1mm. thick.

Plus I will get brownie points as my partner is Austrian!  She approves its usage...

BambiBoomz et al.

Quadro K2200 arrived today!  It has boosted the overall Passmark from the Quadro FX570 from 316 to 3026!!!

HP z420_1: (2013) (Original) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 16GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro FX570 256Mb / Kingston SA400S37/240G / ???W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 316 / CPU = 6753 / 2D = 26 / 3D = 142 / Mem = 2703 / Disk = 1857 /Single Thread Mark = ???? [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

HP z420_1: (2013) (R2) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 16GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB / Kingston SA400S37/240G / ???W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 3026 / CPU = 6671 / 2D = 490 / 3D = 3707 / Mem = 2725 / Disk = 1892 /Single Thread Mark = 2028 [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

[Rhothgar]

Gradually creeping up guys!

Thanks for all your help. That Noctua HT-1 heatsink compound is lovely to use.  I'm still running on standard HP Z420 cooler at the moment.

HP z420_1: (2013) (R3) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 16GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB / Kingston SA400S37/240G / 600W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 3225 / CPU = 9283 / 2D = 516 / 3D = 3956 / Mem = 2528 / Disk = 1739 /Single Thread Mark = 1894 [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

Interesting to see in the above that the Single Thread Mark reduced for some reason.  I imagine you have to be rigorous in testing protocol ie a fresh restart of the machine with Performance Test only open and allowing machine to lie in peace for a short while?

HP z420_1: (2013) (R4) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 32GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB / Kingston SA400S37/240G / 600W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 3535 / CPU = 9638 / 2D = 485 / 3D = 3700 / Mem = 2789 / Disk = 3109 / Single Thread Mark = 2109 [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

Going to be popping a Samsung 870EVO 500Gb in it this afternoon just to see how that affects any metrics.

[Rhothgar]

Really pleased with the results of the SSD change!

I re-ran the test on build R4 with all unnecessary start-up programmes closed down and nothing open.

This was the result:

HP z420_1: (2013) (R4) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 32GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB / Kingston SA400S37/240G / 600W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 3258 / CPU = 9701 / 2D = 474 / 3D = 3944 / Mem = 2875 / Disk = 1912 / Single Thread Mark = 1912 [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

With the change to Samsung 870 Evo:

HP z420_1: (2013) (R5) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 32GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB / Samsung 870 Evo 480Gb / 600W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 3811 / CPU = 9613 / 2D = 489 / 3D = 3701 / Mem = 2884 / Disk = 5828 / Single Thread Mark = 2102 [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

I'd be really interested to see some of BambiBoomZ earlier iterations to see how this compares.  I think the next set will be to source the AIO cooler and turn the cores up to 4.0/4.1 depending on results.  I have been reading up on overclocking.  Found a really good article by BambiBoom on hwbot I think it was.  If I can live without overclocking then it makes sense to leave well alone.

Just astounded by how quick passmark wise BambiBoomz units are and left wondering if the higher rated graphics card makes all the difference, and the AHCI drive and 64Gb ram.

[BambiBoomZ]

Rhothgar,

Well done on the incremental performance improvements.

Here is the whole history of z420_3:

_____________________________________________________________

HP z420_3: (Original) Xeon E5-1607 v2 (4-core / 4 Thread @ 2.8GHz) / 4GB (1X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / NVIDIA GeForce 7100 GS / WD Blue 500GB / 400W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > HP 2711x 27" 1980 X 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 569 / CPU = 5492 / 2D = 538 / 3D = 60 / Mem = 1117 . Disk = 864 ] [Single Thread Mark = 1509] 9.27.17

HP z420_3: (Rev 1) Xeon E5-1607 v2 (4-core / 4 Thread @ 3.0GHz) / 16GB (4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti / WD Blue 500GB / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > HP 2711x 27" 1980 X 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 2555.7 / CPU = 6893 / 2D = 637 / 3D = 4877 / Mem = 2261 Disk = 785] [Single Thread Mark = 1665] 10.11.17

HP z420_3: (Rev 2 Xeon E5-1607 v2 (4-core / 4 Thread @ 3.0GHz) / 16GB (4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti / Samsung 850 Evo 250GB / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > HP 2711x 27" 1980 X 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 3816.4 / CPU = 6874 / 2D = 643 / 3D = 4874 / Mem = 2258 Disk = 5002] [Single Thread Mark = 1662] 10.13.17

HP z420_3: (Rev 3) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C @ 3.7/3.9GHz) / 16GB (4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / Quadro P2000/ HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 256GB+ Intel 730 480GB / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > HP 2711x 27" 1980 X 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 5002 / CPU = 9565 / 2D =751 / 3D = 8352 / Mem = 2507 Disk = 13897] [Single Thread Mark = 2045] 10.13.17

HP z420_3 (2017) (Rev 4) > Xeon E5-1680 v2 (8-core@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid Cooling / 64GB DDR3-1866 ECC Reg / GTX 1070 8GB / HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 256GB+ Intel 730 480GB 600W PSU /> Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440) / Logitech z2300 2.1 Sound
[ Passmark Rating = 5976 / CPU rating = 16290 / 2D = 779 / 3D= 11476 / Mem = 2823 / Disk = 14290 / Single Thread Mark = 2204 [5.23.18]

HP z420_3 (2014) (Rev 5) > Xeon E5-1680 v2 (8-core@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB DDR3-1866 ECC Reg / Quadro P2000 5GB / HP Z Turbo Drive 256GB AHCI + Intel 730 480GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / 600W PSU /> Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440) / Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB interface
[ Passmark Rating = 6227 / CPU rating = 17006 / 2D = 826 / 3D= 8877 / Mem = 3025 / Disk = 14577 / Single Thread Mark = 2373 [5.28.18]

HP z420_3 (2014) (Rev 6) > Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4-core@ 3.7 / 3.9GHz) / z420 Liquid Cooling / 16GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuf / GTX 660 Ti 2GB / Samsung 850 EVO 250GB _ WD Blue 2TB / 600W PSU /> Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit > Samsung 40" 4K / ASUS Essence STX sound card > Logitech Z2300 2.1
[ Passmark Rating = 6227 / CPU rating = 17006 / 2D = 826 / 3D= 8877 / Mem = 3025 / Disk = 14577 / Single Thread Mark = 2373 [5.28.18]

HP z420_3: (2014) (Rev 7) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7 / 3.9GHz) / 16GB (4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB/ Z Turbo Drive 256GB AHCI + WD Blue 2TB / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > HP 2711x 27" 1980 X 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 5307 / CPU = 10184 / 2D = 786 / 3D = 11417 / Mem = 2624 Disk = 14052] [Single Thread Mark = 2142] 6.24.18

HP z420_3: (2014) (Rev (TST) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7 / 3.9GHz) / 16GB (4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti / Samsung 850 Evo 250GB + WD Blue 2TB / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 4530 / CPU = 10175 / 2D = 735 / 3D = 4640 / Mem = 2561 Disk = 4969] [Single Thread Mark = 2088] 6.24.18

HP z420_3: (2014) (R9) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7 / 3.9GHz) / 16GB (4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC unbuffered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB/ Samsung 850 EVO 250GB + HGST 2TB / ASUS STX Essence soundcard / Logitech z2300 2.1 speakers / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 4715 / CPU = 10118 / 2D = 738 / 3D = 9662 / Mem = 2548 Disk = 4961 /Single Thread Mark = 2075 [4.24.19]

HP z420_3: (2014) (R10) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7 / 3.9GHz) / 32GB (4X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB/ Samsung 850 EVO 250GB + HGST 2TB / ASUS STX Essence soundcard / Logitech z2300 2.1 speakers / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 4783 / CPU = 10083 / 2D = 783 / 3D = 9786 / Mem = 2643 Disk = 4952 /Single Thread Mark = 2075 [5.9.19]

HP z420_3: (R 10) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7 / 3.9GHz) / 32GB (4X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB/ Samsung 850 EVO 250GB + HGST 4TB / ASUS Essence STX / Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 4748 / CPU = 10083 / 2D = 783 / 3D = 9768 / Mem = 2643 Disk = 4952 /Single Thread Mark = 2088 [5.9.18]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R11) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 32GB (4X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 4TB / ASUS Essence STX / Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K

[Passmark System Rating: = 5600 / CPU = 15120 / 2D = 842 / 3D = 10852 / Mem = 2920 Disk = 4975 /Single Thread Mark = 2385 [6.1.19]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 32GB (4X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 4TB / ASUS Essence STX / Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K

[Passmark System Rating: = 5644 / CPU = 15293 / 2D = 847 / 3D = 10953 / Mem = 2997 Disk = 4858 /Single Thread Mark = 2384 [6.27.19]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST K6000 4TB / ASUS Essence STX + Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K

[Passmark System Rating: = 5644 / CPU = 15293 / 2D = 847 / 3D = 10953 / Mem = 2997 Disk = 4858 /Single Thread Mark = 2289 [5.1.21]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / ASUS Essence STX + Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 5947 / CPU = 15268 / 2D = 773 / 3D = 11025 / Mem = 2931 Disk = 15530 /Single Thread Mark = 2383 [5.3.21]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.6GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / ASUS Essence STX + Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 6186 CPU = 15844 / 2D = 819 / 3D = 11216 / Mem = 3047 Disk = 13905 /Single Thread Mark = 2525 [7.3.21]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.6GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / ASUS Essence STX + Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 6337 CPU = 15851 / 2D = 862 / 3D = 11147 / Mem = 3072 Disk = 13629 /Single Thread Mark = 2540 [11.29.21]

^^ The winner of the "most improved system" award here; from a rating of  569 to 6337.

_____________________________________________________________________

>  Given all the PM tests run on about 12 systems here, it possible to guess the weighting on the subsystem tests and I would say that in order of importance, CPU clock speed (and consequential Single Thread Mark) is first, GPU 3D performance, 2D, then Disk, and Mem.

About memory, increasing the quantity does not increase and may in some cases actually reduce benchmarks. The key is having enough for needs in memory-intensive applications. In the example of z620_2, running large (5K) CPU-based (ray-tracing) renderings are requiring 38GB of RAM during setup. No other program can approach this demand.  I've checked memory usage with about the maximum number of  programs run simultaneously; typically web browser, 2D CAD, 3D CAD, Photo editing, desktop publishing ant that combination totals about 20GB.  

In my view, the Rhothgar Racer would benefit most from increasing the clock speed using Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU).  The E5-1650, E5-1660, E5-1680 in Version v2 and v3 are the only modern Xeons that may be overclocked. Consider adding XTU  and running the E5-1650 v2 at 4.2GHz all cores to start. 

The GPU is critical as well.  I've used the Quadro K2200 in several systems, currently:

Dell Precision 390 (2007) (R9_T2): Xeon X3230 (4C@ 2.67GHz) / 8 GB DDR2-667 ECC / Quadro K2200 4GB / Samsung 850 EVO 250GB + HGST 7K4000 1TB / Creative Audigy 2ZS S/C > Windows 7 Ultimate Professional 64-bit
[ Passmark PT9: Rating = 1964 / CPU = 3402 / 2D= 398 / 3D=3300 / Mem= 845 / Disk= 2691] [STM= 1021] 12.3.20

For comparison, the original system:

Dell Precision 390 (2007) (Original): Intel Core2 Duo E6300 2-core @ 1.86Ghz / 2GB (2X 1GB) DDR2-667 ECC / Quadro FX550  / 2X WD 320GB ( RAID 1) / 375W
[Passmark Rating = 397 CPU = 586, 2D= 339, 3D=75,Mem = 585, Disk = 552

The above with a GTX 660 Ti:

Dell Precision 390 (2007) (R8): Xeon X3230 (4C@ 2.67GHz) / 8 GB DDR2-667 ECC / GTX 660 Ti / Samsung 850 EVO 250GB / Creative Audigy 2ZS S/C > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[ Passmark PT9: Rating = 1989 / CPU = 3406 / 2D= 404 / 3D=3814 / Mem= 851 / Disk= 2691] [STM= 1053] 12.2.20

With Quadro K4200 4GB:

Dell Precision 390 (2007) (Rev 2A) Xeon X3230 quad-core @ 2.67GHz / 8 GB DDR2 ECC 667 / Quadro K4200/ 2X WD 320GB / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[Passmark system rating = 1552, CPU = 3467 / 2D= 683 / 3D=4067 / Mem= 866 / Disk=570]

About Quadros: unless there is a need to run qualified drivers, a GTX will outperform the same market-level Quadro. In the z420, for example, a GTX 970 4GB can have a 3D = 9640 on an E5-1650 v2 running at 4.3GHz.  With a GTX 770: 6523

I use a Q K2200 in the 390 as it was sitting about spare and I like the idea of this sort of as-new 390 being a kind of pure, period (2007) WS. 

The other very strong improvement would be to have an M.2 C:  drive. There are limitations to the drives that will work without special configuration, for example the Samsung SM 951 AHCI, but the results can be astounding, and a z420: E5-1650 v2 / GTX 970 / SM951 AHCI 256GB system has a rating of 5815 , with  a Disk mark of 25562- certainly a RAID, probably  0. 

Sorry for a lot of letters and numbers: To summarize. the maximize the RR: consider: OC'ing the CPU,  change to a 7 or 9th series 4GB GTX and  an M.2 (AHCI) C: drive.

BambiBoomZ

[Rhothgar]

Hey BambiBoomz!  Don't apologise for the numbers.

Thanks ever so much for the full run down.  It will act as a valuable comparison and guide.

I reckon W7x64 must be allowing higher figures because that is the only thing I can think of that rates your original system higher than mine!

Can you imagine how frustrated I was with a Passmark of 316?

Here was the spec of mine before I did anything with it:-

HP z420_1: (2013) (Original) Xeon E5-1620 v2 (4C@ 3.7GHz) / Standard Z420 cooling / 16GB (SK Hynix 4X 4GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA Quadro FX570 256Mb / Kingston SA400S37/240G / 600W PSU > Windows 10 Professional 64 bit > HP w2228h 1650 x 1080
[Passmark System Rating: = 316 / CPU = 6753 / 2D = 26 / 3D = 142 / Mem = 2703 / Disk = 1857 /Single Thread Mark = ???? [Performance Test 10.2 Evaluation Mode]

Clearly, the monitor I am currently running this unit on causes PT 10.2 to penalise the graphics marks on certain tests.

Your original system appears to be much lower spec than this and was reporting 569!!!  The monitor may have helped and also W7x64 but with a WD Blue? Was that an HDD or SSD version?  I imagine it was the latter.

What are the figures after the brackets in your stats e.g. 9.27.17, 5.23.18?  And also the years in the brackets after HP Z420_3 go from 2017 to 2014 and then to 2015.  It makes me think these are different machines but I am sure it is just one of the machines.  You mention a HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 256GB+ in the 2017 Revision but I understand the only AHCI will work. Would love to know that part number for the specific HP Z Turbo Drive.

Have been chatting with DGroves behind the screens about the Refind/Duet boot option so am also feeding that into the mix of where I might go next with this.

As for Performance Test and I am sure you will already know this, they do show the equations they use with the weightings for each version made so it is technically possible to manually calculate what might have an affect on what I believe.

Finally secured an E5-1650 V2 system this evening, with 64Gb RAM, 480Gb HDD + 1 Tb HDD, HP Water Cooler and Quadro K2000 also with air shroud behind main top bays for £220.  It remains to be seen if it has the front fan and cage.  I'll run a test on it when it arrives and perhaps swap the K2000 out for the brand new K2200 I purchased.

In the meantime, I will try and create a clean unattended install using W7x64 if I can find any of my original software.

As an aside, it seems that Windows are just authorising digital licences for W10 on any hard drive irrespective because the Z420 I went to see yesterday was digitally licenced but the seller it had not been signed in to a Microsoft account ever.  Maybe he had a licence I am not sure.

I am somewhat surprised that your Rev 2 iteration is very close to mine but again much lower spec.  Maybe that GeForce GTX 660 Ti is ridiculously fast despite being only 2Gb.  That and coupled with Win7.  It would be interesting what Z420_3 (Current) gives on a PT10.2 test assuming that is not the version which has already been used.

I have downloaded some older PT's and intend to run the tests to see if the figures are higher as they have changed weightings presumably.

I note also that you mention the V3 processors being overclockable for the E5-1650, 1660 and 1680. Is this a typo?  Just looked it up and it is a socket FCLGA2011-3 which is not compatible with my LGA2011 boards.  I'd imagine they are for Zx40 series at a guess.

I also note your recommendations.  Started playing around with clocking with impunity last night and got to 90 deg C and very nervous!  Ramped the fans up and re-ran and they ran cooler at 73 deg C.  Once I have either the machine with the HP Pumped Water Cooler or the 749554 fan then I am not going to mess around again.

SDH is going to be furnishing me with decent BIOS settings in due course and that will be an immense help in final tweaking.

Anything now is better than the 1050 Passmark xw4600...  Though I have to say that Passmark did surprise me somewhat.

[itsmyname]

@Rhothgar -- the Z420 I went to see yesterday was digitally licenced but the seller it had not been signed in to a Microsoft account ever

If you start with an "activated" Windows 7 system, and you "upgrade" to Windows 10 (by browsing the DVD or USB stick that contains the Windows 10 Installer, and then launching the "SETUP.EXE" on the media), then the Installer will complete, even without a working Internet connection. The first time that you connect Windows 10 to the Internet, Windows 10 will "call home", sending your Windows 7 product-key, and will "activate" automatically -- even without having a Microsoft account.

If you do logon to your Microsoft account, you can view your activated Windows software (Windows, Office, etc.)

[Rhothgar]

Thanks for that @itsmyname

I was left pondering last night how I can collate licences numbers from the machines I have.

Purchased another Z420 last night which will arrive next week but I am hoping tomorrow so I will then have 4 PC's with Windows 10 on.  I also have another PC somewhere but that might be Windows Vista or hopefully my Windows 7 machine I cannot recall but neither am I going to try and get to it.

My main issue is I've got into the habit of doing clean installs so I cannot downgrade back to Windows 7.  I would dearly love to try one of these Z420's with Windows 7 64 bit on as it looks as though it improves the performance somewhat.

I believe I have hard drives sitting around that may have it on as there is a Windows.old folders on one I believe.  If I can get one up and running presumably I can just take the product key from it but I am confident that it was from an upgrade so this would not work on a fresh install even if I could find the genuine Windows 7 iso.  I don't want to be downloading just any ISO from the internet.

Back to my point on collating licences.   So I have 3 machines at present which are digitally licenced and another coming.  Are the 2 machines I may sell registered to my Microsoft account I wonder and if so is there any way I can 'park' the licences for  me. Worst case scenario I am entitled to remove the hard drives and retain them as emergency drives because if so I would probably reset them so they are a fresh install.

[DGroves]

I have a old mech HD that has a activated HP ver of win 7 pro on it,

i clone this drive to a  SSD or another HD and then do the win 7 to 10 upgrade

this takes about 20min from start to finish

as for the HP Z Turbo/ Z Turbo G2 pci-e cards as  i have previously told you there is only one model PCI-E Z Turbo Card

if equipped with the HP AHCI SSD it's a (Z Turbo Card)

if equipped with the HP NVME SSD it's a (Z Turbo G2 Card)

this  "G2" card came with a heatsink for the SSD, but people have separated these from the cards so you can no longer use this to id a "G2" model

and again the label on the SSD,............... MZHPxxxxxxxx = AHCI     MZVPxxxxxxx = NVME

PM me if you want a HP OEM image of the win-7 pro install disk 

[Rhothgar]

I get it with the HP Z Turbo card and the HP Z Turbo G,2 Card ie the differences.  My fear stems from the fact that buying on Ebay can be a minefield especially if someone mis-describes an item hence asking BbZ for the part number of the one he uses then I know it will be 100%.  Once I see a picture of the correct card, I will then have a visual reference.