Processor Upgrade: W-2133/W-2135 to W-2255 on HP Z4 G4

[learning2024]

I have an urgent query regarding upgrading my HP Z4 G4 workstation. Currently, my machine is running on a Xeon W-2133/W-2135 processor. Since both the socket (LGA2066) and chipset (C422) seem compatible with the W-2200 series, I wanted to confirm:

• Is it possible to upgrade my processor to a Xeon W-2255?
• Are there any additional steps I need to take for compatibility, such as a specific BIOS version update. Will upgrading the bios to 2.94 make sure it becomes compatible?

Note: Both have the same 750W PSU. 

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

[SDH]

The best way to know if HP officially supports a newer processor is to get the latest HP QuickSpecs for that workstation, attached below, released 9/26/24. So, up to date. You are wise about getting the latest BIOS... old BIOS and a newer processor sometimes does not mix well and you get a failure to boot. Make sure to always use the latest BIOS for these processor upgrade projects. I have posted on how to update BIOS from within BIOS, the safest way in my experience.

You can look up the sSpec code for the processor and see if there is more than one sSpec code version. If you you'd only want the latest. Lately there have only been one. Yours is SRGV8. You can search for that on eBay and filter for lowest price, from a respected US seller to be safest.

There is an issue you need to do homework on. Note in the QuickSpecs that processor runs hot. There now are 3 levels of HP heatsink/fan/motherboard connections to know about. Mainstream for low max TDP. Performance for higher... except for unusually high max TDP in which case HP has developed some Premium kits. That is the case for the Z4 G4 and a lot has been posted in here about that kit. That is comprised of a Z440 bigger heatsink/fan plus a special fan adapter that interfaces from the fan's plug end to the Z4 G4 motherboard's CPU cooler header.

I posted on all the details here in the past and you can "roll your own" by knowing the parts to get and the source of that short special adapter. Good luck with your project!

Look a few pages in for the most current processors and their max TDP:

[learning2024]

Thanks, have went over the documentation manual which lists all the 2100 & 2200 series processor. Still, my question remains: "Is it possible to upgrade my processor to a Xeon W-2255 (TDP 165W) which already has either 2133/2135 (TDP 140W) processor?" Will upgrading the bios to 2.94 (currently latest) make sure it becomes compatible? 

Given that the PSU (750W) remains unchanged and that I plan to use the heatsink/fan/memory-cooler from the W-2133/W-2135 machine, are there any other compatibility issues or steps I should be aware of to ensure this upgrade works successfully?

[SDH]

I thought I was clear. The answer to both of your questions is yes, and also yes to the question you did not ask:

Yes, you will need to get the upgraded-to-"Premium" kit to provide HP-required cooling to your new hot processor.

I'll let you go find those posts in this forum... use both the search bar here and google.

[SDH · Accepted solution]

Found one of the prior posts on this issue via google, HERE and in my main post there I provide another link for added info. The HP kit is virtually impossible to find but it is easy to make your own equivalent. The ordering of that fan wiring adapter takes a couple of weeks to arrive from China, and those are from a respected company many of us have used for years now.

The reason that HP cooler works in the Z4 G4 despite it originally being for the Z440 is that the stainless steel parts of the cooler and socket are identical despite the processors for those two generations of workstations being different.

[SDH]

Here's added info on creating a "Premium" CPU cooler kit from a Z440 high cooling capacity CPU cooler (see eBay 749554-001, about $18.00 USD) plus about $10.00 for the MODdiy.com fan plug adapter for that which then is attached to the Z4 G4 CPU cooler fan header. The official HP kit is virtually impossible to find and a number of us want to upgrade to the newer processors that require the kit. This allows you to properly run the newer faster hotter (over 140W max TDP) processors that HP has approved for the Z4 G4 workstations:

HP's official fan plug adapter...

The MODdiy equal adapter...

[learning2024]

Thank you for helping me out!