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- Hp Z820 V1? or V2 ? BIOS J63 V3.91 CPU SUPPORT

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06-17-2017 06:43 AM
Hi everyone !
I own an HP z820 workstation with 2 e5-2690 cpus and i want to upgrade it to 2 e5-2690 V2 cpus .
my problem is that i have no clue if i have v2 hp z820 or v1 and how to know ?? v1 and v2 are not the same motherboard ?
I have BIOS J63 V3.91 and Boot Boot Block Date : 03/06/2013 does this mean i can put in V2 CPUS ?
And if i can put V2 cpus in it where i can find the supported cpu types ?
Thank You
Gabriel
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06-18-2017 08:28 AM - edited 06-18-2017 11:28 AM
You have the version 2 Z820..... the v1 has a boot block date from 2011.
Best source for a listing of supported processors for the v2 is to find the latest HP QuickSpecs for the Z820. Google "Z820 QuickSpecs" and the top hit was version 5 from way back (version 1 era). The second hit down was v48, and from 4/15, and likely the last one. It is HERE.
That has all the latest officially supported processors. Then you can google those v2 processors you're interested in and see the Intel "Ark" hit, and go to that, and to to the ordering page link there and see the sSpec code, and check eBay for that. If there are two sSpec codes you'd want the latest one. These won't be cheap, but used ones actually already are reasonable in cost. Try CPUz from CPUID.com for accurate probe of the processor you currently have.... been using that for years, no cost.
If you only plan on having a single CPU in that box you can get a processor with a single QPI link, by the way. If you plan on adding a second identical processor later you'd want to buy one with 2 QPI links. You probably want to focus on the faster MHz memory ones.... top two speeds is what I'd look at and compare costs/features with a spread sheet. You can find ones that are faster/better but in better supply because of having been in retired servers in higher quantities. Thus they'll actually be significantly cheaper. So, you need to dig a bit for the best buy.
Processor TDP.... the higher ones like 130W will need the "Performance" heatsink/fan instead of the regular one, assuming there are mainstream and performance heatsink/fans like with the Z600/Z800. For the Z820 I just don't know if it is a 1 size fits all heatsink with its unique separation of the heatsink and the fan.....
06-18-2017 08:28 AM - edited 06-18-2017 11:28 AM
You have the version 2 Z820..... the v1 has a boot block date from 2011.
Best source for a listing of supported processors for the v2 is to find the latest HP QuickSpecs for the Z820. Google "Z820 QuickSpecs" and the top hit was version 5 from way back (version 1 era). The second hit down was v48, and from 4/15, and likely the last one. It is HERE.
That has all the latest officially supported processors. Then you can google those v2 processors you're interested in and see the Intel "Ark" hit, and go to that, and to to the ordering page link there and see the sSpec code, and check eBay for that. If there are two sSpec codes you'd want the latest one. These won't be cheap, but used ones actually already are reasonable in cost. Try CPUz from CPUID.com for accurate probe of the processor you currently have.... been using that for years, no cost.
If you only plan on having a single CPU in that box you can get a processor with a single QPI link, by the way. If you plan on adding a second identical processor later you'd want to buy one with 2 QPI links. You probably want to focus on the faster MHz memory ones.... top two speeds is what I'd look at and compare costs/features with a spread sheet. You can find ones that are faster/better but in better supply because of having been in retired servers in higher quantities. Thus they'll actually be significantly cheaper. So, you need to dig a bit for the best buy.
Processor TDP.... the higher ones like 130W will need the "Performance" heatsink/fan instead of the regular one, assuming there are mainstream and performance heatsink/fans like with the Z600/Z800. For the Z820 I just don't know if it is a 1 size fits all heatsink with its unique separation of the heatsink and the fan.....
11-21-2017 03:00 AM
Hi,
I read this question and answer with interest. I have a Z820 with a single CPU E5-2690.
BIOS is J63 v03.91
Boot Block Date is 12/28/2011
Based on your answer this appears to be a v1. I aussume a v1 cannot be upgraded to accommodate v2 CPUs and RAM. Could you confirm this please.
Thanks
11-21-2017 10:37 PM - edited 11-21-2017 10:46 PM
Yep, that is the case. It does not mean that you cannot improve your performance within the range of processors that HP certified for the v1 motherboards, however.
Careful shopping can result in a v2 motherboard that you could swap in. but then you sill need to do the swap and buy an approved V2 Xeon processor.....
08-09-2019 01:29 PM
I too have a version 1 boot block date 2011
My question is this;
Instead of upgrading the motherboard to a V2,
wouldn't it be better to go ahead and grab up a Z840 MoBo
If the price was nice ? You would think that chassis and power supply would jive.
Not so sure about the heat sink and fans though.
Doable or too much trouble ?
08-09-2019 01:57 PM
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