XEON CPU Upgrade

[Gualtiero]

Hello,

I own a Z8 G4, Dual FCLGA3647 (Socket P), loaded with Xeon Silver 4214R CPU @ 2.40GHz, 64 GB RAM (DDR4, Part #HMA84GR7DJR4N-XN), mid range NVIDIA T1000 4GB, Win 10 pro, Adobe and DxO software used.  I would like to upgrade the existing CPU to a Xeon Gold 6226R @ 2.9. My first question is if this upgrade will provide me with substantial performance benefit considered that not only the clock speed will be increased, but also that RAM speed will change from the actual configured 2400MT/s to the new enabled 2933MT/s. My second, and key question, is if it is possible to install the new CPU and continuing to use the existing heat sink, or if the adoption of new Xeon Gold 6226R will involve the purchase of a new, dedicated, heat sink. If yes, could you provide me with directions (i.e. model or part number of the heat sink).

Thank you in advance for any help or advise

Gualtiero

[DGroves]

you may want to read HP's quickspecs on your model workstation

https://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/getpdf.aspx/c05527763.pdf

your current cpu is a 85 watt unit, and the cpu you want is a 150 watt unit 

looking around i see one that has numerous heatpipes and a massive base and one that has no visible heatpipes and a thin plain base

it also appears (if i'm reading this right) that the heatsinks are different for each socket

cpu -0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-STANDARD-HEATSINK-AND-FAN-ASSEMBLY-FOR-HP-Z6-Z8-G4-WORKSTATION-900197-00...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSUDiE3hfFQ

cpu-1

https://www.itcreations.com/product/103966

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgEpOc76ANo

ram speed is controlled by the cpu's onboard memory controller so if the cpu(s) support a speed and that speed ram is installed then yes it should run at that speed

Memory technology
The HP Z8 G4 Workstation introduces support for DDR4 2933 MHz Registered DIMMs.3 The speed that the memory runs is
determined by the processor and is limited to 2933 MHz for the Cascade Lake-SP processor generation. DDR4 LR DIMMs
(load-reduced DIMMS) are also supported and enable a total system memory size up to 3 TB based on supported DIMM
capacities*. NUMA and Non-NUMA modes are supported and dynamic power saving is enabled.
* May not be available at launch.

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=4AA7-1334ENW#:~:text=Memory%20technology%20Th....

[Gualtiero]

I was aware of HP QuickSpecs, accordingly with which my Xeon Silver 4214R has a 100 TDP(W) (85 TDP is referred to 4214, instead) vs 150 TDP(W) of Xeon Gold 6226R.

My plan is to remove the Silver 4214R and have it replaced with GOLD 6226R. Both are designed for socket GA3647. The second socket available on the motherboard will not be used, as it is now.

What is unclear to me is the compatibility of the heat sink I’m currently using with silver 4214R: may I use the old/existing heat sink with new gold 6226R once the silver 4214R will be removed? In other words, I’m wondering is if the current heat sink that now works fine with a 100 TDP(W) processor, will properly support the new 150 TDP(W) processor. I’ve got lost in the web searching for specifications of heat sinks, but with no results.

Even searching for Option Kit Part Number (9VA86AA is the one for Intel® Xeon® Gold 6226R processor), search results are very poor.

Thank you in advance for any further advise

[DGroves]

hp partsurfer only shows one heat sink type for this workstation

https://partsurfer.hp.com/search.aspx

[joselso]

Indeed, when I enter in the Quick Search field of https://partsurfer.hp.com/search.aspx the base model product number Z3Z16AV of HP Z8 G4 workstation, the resulting Component BOM list of parts contains only one cooler (heat-sink), part number L25076-001, intended for HP Z8 G4 2nd CPU.

However, when I enter in the Quick Search field a specific part number of a specific HP Z8 G4 workstation, different Component BOM and Spare BOM lists of parts appears. This time it contains two different coolers (heat sinks):

L24865-001  SPS-COOLER - HP Z6/Z8 G4 - 1ST CPU  and:

L25076-001

SPS-COOLER - HP Z8 G4 - 2ND CPU

COOLER - HP Z8 G4 - 2ND CPU

Heat Sink

They also appear in those lists as:

900197-001  COOLER, MB CPU, STANDARD, Z6-Z8 G4     and:

907572-001

COOLER, REAR CPU, STANDARD, Z8 G4

[DGroves · Accepted solution]

HP like IBM have several different part numbers assigned for the same item which can be confusing, however as i said they reference the exact same part

the only difference for the two HP numbers is that the first number references just the heatsink itself (L24865-001 )

and the second number references the "upgrade" kit part number which includes the heatsink and fan (900197-001)

[Gualtiero]

Great, thank you so much. Your search is confirming what I was thinking about: it looks like that the heat sink of the first CPU (which I' intersted on) fits almost all the CPUs list in the QuickSpecs sheet.

[SDH]

Agree that is looking good.  Here's a few things:

1.  Make sure to have the latest BIOS installed before upgrading to a new processor.  An old BIOS might not support a newer processor.  That situation paints you into a bad corner.

2.  Your Gold 6226R new processor is in the latest QuickSpecs (released 2/1/22) so it is HP certified for that workstation.

3.  For both the Silver and the Gold you listed there is only one sSpec code so they are easy to search for using that code in eBay.  About 750.00 vs 1680.00 USD used from eBay.  Obviously, use a highly rated seller, and I only buy from US sellers.  Only buy using the sSpec code listed in the Intle Ark site.... there are "Q" code ones that are "qualification" samples that you don't want.

4.  CPU Benchmark scores 18598 vs 26981 for single processor install.

5.  Dual CPU for the Silver gives you 30290 score... you sure you don't want to just add a second one of those?

6.  Agree your current DDR4-3200 memory will not be the limiting factor in MHz speed.

7.  I searched for a "Performance" heatsink/fan for that workstation... HP uses that term.  Agree that your current CPU0 one looks like it will handle the higher max TDP of the Gold vs the current Silver.

8.  Yes, the CPU0 and the CPU1 (front/rear) heatsinks are different... easy to find pics of those two types using the numeric part numbers provided.

Here's an abbreviated set of links and resources:

Latest QuickSpecs, released 2/1/22, version 48:
https://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/getpdf.aspx/c05527763.pdf

Xeon Silver 4214R
SRG1W (single sSpec code)
$750.00 USD eBay
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/197100/intel-xeon-silver-4214r-processor-16-5m-...

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+Silver+4214R+%40+2.40GHz&id=3711

Score: 18598

100W max TDP
DDR4-2400 max
Dual silvers:  https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+Silver+4214R+%40+2.40GHz&id=3711&cpuCount=2

Score: 30290

Intel® Xeon® Gold 6226R Processor
SRGZC
$1680.00 USD eBay
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/199347/intel-xeon-gold-6226r-processor-22m-cach...

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+Gold+6226R+%40+2.90GHz&id=3728

Score: 26981
150W max TDP
DDR4-2933 max

Your memory: SK HYNIX MEMORY HMA84GR7DJR4N-XN - SK Hynix 1x 32GB DDR4-3200 RDIMM PC4-25600R Dual Rank x4 Module

[Gualtiero]

Hi SDH, thank you for jumping in this topic,

1. Lucky me, I’ve just update the BIOS to the latest recommended version for my Z8 G4 system (P60 v02.75).
2. Got it. It is listed there and reported in the ark.intel as well
3. I’m writing for Italy and it is expensive for me to purchase from US seller due to the custom fees. However I’ve found a seller in Italy which provide accurate info/specs (matching all the ark.intel provided ones) and reliability.
4. Good to know
5. Not sure: The Adobe and DxO software I’m using would not take so much advantage from a second processor. Furthermore, my RAM will run at 2400 under the silver configuration, instead of 2933 allowed by gold 6226R.
6. Thank you
7. And this is the great news
8. Ok

Again, many thanks for you kind and valuable feedback (to include links and resources)

[SDH]

Ah, Italy.  So beautiful.

5.  Well, two of those Golds would give you score of 41463, and your memory then would then run at 2933 MHz... for a small fee.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+Gold+6226R+%40+2.90GHz&id=3728&cpuCount=2

🙂