HP Z840 CPU Cooler clarification

[mc1903]

@DGroves & @SDH.

Again, thank you both for the great advice. Apologies for not thanking you sooner; but I didn't get notifications that you had posted replies.

I am still waiting on the 2 x E5-2699A V4's from France to arrive. The seller didn't manage to post them until yesterday 😞

They are SR30Y and not Engineering Samples (ES) or Qualification Samples (QS).

Once they are installed and I am happy, I will look to acquire the other 2.

Cheers,

M

[mc1903]

The first pair of E5-2699A V4's arrived today and have gone in without issue.

One thing I was not expecting was the really long POST time for the first boot. Took a good 3-4 mins with no video output. Fans gradually span up faster and then then it powered itself off and then back on again. It then POSTed normally and booted OK. A little heart stopping TBH.

I ran stress tests for a couple of hours and the CPU temps did not exceed 60 deg C.

Now I need to start looking for another pair... China looks most likely...

Cheers, 

[SDH]

Looking good...

You might want to take a look for those via the US eBay site. The sSpec code from intel is SR30Y, and there is only one stepping. Currently they're going for a bit under 200 USD each. Buying 2 at once gives you buying power and the interest in shipping to you from US would be raised.

These good US sellers are worth reaching out to via their eBay messaging link, explain you're ready to buy, and ask for free shipping across the pond. Might work... I'd bet it will. A slow boat can be cheap. They know China sellers will ship for free so there is some incentive for your business. Those were over 4k USD each new, from the Intel site. I bet they'd sell you two new at that price, too.

🙂

Heart stopping experience there... BIOS must have been thinking. Some of the same happens with BIOS upgrades... just did a few. Several full shutdowns, pauses, autostartups, repeated 3 times. There's a new BIOS upgrade just released for the Zx40 workstations... 2.62. HP has it listed here only if you filter for W11 but it is for all OS. I have a PDF on how to do the updates from within BIOS... HP keeps getting their directions incorrect. I keep reminding them this BIOS is not for a Zx20 or xw workstation! Let me know if you want me to post that as an attachment here... it has to do with a nest of 3 named folders on a thumb drive with the .bin file in the bottom folder.

[mc1903]

Thanks again @SDH.

I have been looking on eBay.com and they do have quite a few E5-2699A V4 (SR30Y) listed as shipping from the US.

The two I purchased from France were a 'matched pair', as in the batch numbers (FPO) were the same. Only one of the eBay.com listing offers a matched pair and that seller hasn't yet been able get the Global Shipping option to include the UK; so I can't order them.

I know the 'stepping' matters for multiprocessor systems and you confirmed that that the SR30Y only have one stepping (B0), but does it actually matter if they are FPO batch matched or not? My OCD would like them to be matched, but my wallet/lab isn't bothered if they don't need to be. 😅

Also, thanks for the BIOS v2.62 heads up. I've upgraded (and downgraded) these many times using the USB drive method. I wonder if the version unlocks the TPM upgrades again.

Cheers

M

[SDH]

I would not have an instant of concern regarding the non-issue of the "batch" the processors came from, nor does HP, for our workstations.

Way back HP said you should not mix steppings. That officially ended, but I still don't. I only want the latest stepping which is easy to check on, and if there is only one stepping that makes it really easy. You never want an engineering or qualification sample, but those have odd sSpec codes not in the HP Ark site.

[mc1903]

Fantastic, thanks for the quick reply. I will order two from the same seller and we will see what turns up. #ebaylottery

BTW - what is the " HP Ark site" - it's not one I have heard of before - public / partner / internal? I am now more HPE than HP these days though.

Cheers

M