Solved: Is my HP Z4 G4 Workstation's CPU not upgradable ? - HP Support Community

nico110 · ‎08-30-2024

Dear HP Community,

I am inquiring about upgrading my HP Z4 G4 workstation. It is a LGA2066 motherboard (81C5 baseboard). I have a BIOS version of 2.94

I currently have an Intel Xeon W-2123 CPU and I am looking to upgrade to an Intel Xeon W-2265. I was talking to HP Support and they indicated that even if a processor is compatible with the LGA 2066 socket, it has to be factory configured at the time of purchase. Therefore, an upgrade is not possible.

I am confused as I have seen others in this forum upgrade their workstation processors.

Would anyone be able to clear this up for me?

SDH · ‎08-31-2024

It is even more complicated... these workstations have the two types of motherboards and the ones that use Xeon processors are different than the other motherboard. You have the Xeon type. Then came changes in the Xeon processors over time. Faster, better, hotter, some requiring new microcode to be injected by new BIOS versions. Note that your W-2123 is now not even in the list of processors shown in the most recent Z4 G4 QuickSpecs, v59, released 4/2024, attached below.

But it was in older versions of the Z4 G4 QuickSpecs and the old listed processors can still be installed and run fine under the newer BIOS versions. Yours current processor runs at 120W max TDP but the W-2265 runs at 165W max TDP. The W-2295 runs even a bit hotter at 168W max. That is the key to your answer. Turns out that HP has had several tiers of processor heatsinks/fans for their workstations. The two common ones are termed Mainstream and Performance. Rarely there is a Premium one for really hot highest performance processors that HP has approved. That is what your helpful HP tech was referring to... this is a factory build-to-order configuration it appears. That does not mean you can't pull it off, however. You'll need a homemade Premium heatsink/fan kit on your motherboard to properly use that W-2265 processor, plus the latest BIOS and a little work. A good link to review is HERE and below is from the QuickSpecs below, page 32:

This is the "Premium" setup...

Turns out that is what HP created by use of the original Z440 big heatsink/fan plus a special adapter that converts the wiring signals to get RPM sense from pin 3 back to the motherboard so it knows it has a Premium heatsink/fan attached. I've posted on this here with the big breakthrough provided by forum member Z440Roger originally. Those Z440 heatsinks are available from eBay for under 20.00 USD and the adapter can be bought from a good company in China (ModDIY.com) that many of us have used over the years. To be clear, here is the LINK to their adapter that is equivalent to the one that HP provides in the HP kit (which seems nearly impossible to find and buy). You in fact can do it yourself.

A question you might ask... but the Z440 uses different processors which have different sockets than the Z4 G4 does... how can this idea work? The answer is that the stainless-steel superstructure above the sockets is the same even if the pinouts at the bottom of the socket are different. That same high cooling capacity Z440 heatsink/fan works fine in our ZX20/ ZX40/ ZX G4 workstations. It also fits fine under the optional HP memory cooling saddle in my personal Z4 G4 workstation.

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banhien · ‎08-30-2024

@nico110

Its specs

https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c05846113

You can use many different CPU/Processors which are on the list of Processors

Regards.

BH
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nico110 · ‎08-30-2024

This is what an HP Customer Support Agent Told Me:

Customer

Hello. I want to know if intel W-2265 processor is compatible with mu HP Z4G4. It is a LGA2066 motherboard (81C5 baseboard). My bios version is 2.94

HP FAW Front End Agent

Let me have a check Nicholas, one moment. The product model has the mentioned processor as an available option in this particular model, However it has to be factory configured. There is no after market option to upgrade the processor on this model of the unit. If you are looking to replace the processor, it has to be of the same model.

Customer.

Why is it impossible to upgrade?

HP FAW Front End Agent

That is the design Nicholas, it has to be configured at the time of purchase. The motherboard would be designed accordingly.

banhien · ‎08-30-2024

@nico110 wrote:
.. I was talking to HP Support and they indicated that even if a processor is compatible with the LGA 2066 socket, it has to be factory configured at the time of purchase. Therefore, an upgrade is not possible.

@nico110

Sorry, I have NOT heard thạt. Is it on the list ?

Regards.

BH
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nico110 · ‎08-30-2024

Yes it is on the list. I was quite surprised to hear this from the agent.

banhien · ‎08-30-2024

@nico110

Not on the list, the chance is 50/50

Regards.

BH
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nico110 · ‎08-30-2024

Even if the socket is compatible ? What would be the issue ?

banhien · ‎08-30-2024

@nico110

Could be BIOS and / or TPD

Regards.

BH
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nico110 · ‎08-30-2024

The Intel W-2265 processor is listed on th HP Z4 G4 quick specs. Does that mean it will be compatbile ?

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/c05527757.pdf?ver=4

Thank you for your help Banhien

DGroves · ‎08-30-2024

the HP agent was somewhat correct (and also wrong)

HP sells "workstations" as complete systems and as such does not officially support end users adding a sec processor to a dual socket system sold with only one cpu or changing the cpu to a different compatible one

also when adding a sec cpu or upgrading a existing cpu to a different cpu with higher wattage HP may add a additional cooling fan(s) or brackets that support additional fans

they also for SSF workstations have brackets for adding a secondary HD

both of the above cases might require parts that HP has elected not to make available after purchase and as such these parts are not available from the HP "partsurfer" catalog for end user purchase they are only available if you order a cpu/drive that requires these parts at time of the system purchase

most of the time you can work around this issue by buying the necessary part(s) used part from a seller on ebay

most CPU's that are in the same family can be added later but some exceptions do exist such as HP not having the necessary bios code for cpu's that were released but not tested/approved by HP for the system or blocked due to excessive heat or power draw on systems

(such as the z620 150 watt cpu not supported in this system) but supported in the z420 and z820 systems

Is my HP Z4 G4 Workstation's CPU not upgradable ?

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