Z400 CPU Upgrade from XEON 3520 to XEON 5690

[FairwayFatty]

Currently running Z400 V2 with 28Gb RAM and Intel Xeon CPU W3520 @ 2.67GHz and recently upgraded Win11 using FlyBy Windows 11 method.

I just ordered a used Intel Xeon X5690 SLBVX 3.46 GHz on eBay.

I read this CPU will work fine but was wondering if there is anything I need to do or watch out for when I install it.

Will I need a new CPU cooler? (Currently running the cooler that came with the board for the 3520)

Thanks.

FF

[SDH · Accepted solution]

You probably have already found the good posts in here from the past on souping up the Z400 v2 workstations. Attached below is one of the last QuickSpecs for that workstation. The info in there, you'll see, shows no X5690 but there are multiple posts proving that works too. It was never officially "supported" by HP but works. I've built 3 of those workstations with that processor and had them running fine for years. The key is to make sure you have the latest BIOS installed... That will work but some earlier BIOS versions won't. 

Your big Z400 heatsink/fan is fine for both your current and your new processor. Both of those max out at 130W TDP. 1300 proper RAM is key also... slow RAM will slow down the faster processor to its own slower speed.

I've posted on getting USB3 on these workstations and also running a specific Kingston M.2 drive in a "Q1-out" modified HP Z Turbo Drive. A recent post here has a couple of links from the past on how to do that and exactly what RSTe driver from HP to use.

Good luck on your project!

[FairwayFatty]

Thanks for your response! Yes, I have read quite a few posts on the CPU upgrade and notable yours where you had said you had done so without any issues. You specifically mentioned the 3690 had slightly better performance but they are still fairly pricey and/or coming out of China and I didn't want to wait. I'm not sure if there is any more I can get out of this old tub so if im successful on this bump it will probably be the last!

Thanks for the reponse

FF

Edit: Any thoughts or opinions on "renewed" or "used" CPU's?

[SDH]

Happy to help. I think you'll be quite surprised at the performance your "tub" will give you.

Regarding used processors... that is all I use when I'm upgrading. You may know that a good number of the higher end processors used in HP workstations are also used in enterprise servers. Servers tend to be discarded faster than workstations so there can be a higher supply/lower demand ratio for those recycled processors we want to use in our HP workstations. Those are a few generations back from the newest processors. Once you get 2 generations back the prices really start to drop, so your next workstation should be a ZX40 or even a ZX G4. I have bought new and used parts from China, have not had a bad experience with that ever, but for processors I prefer a US seller with high ratings and a good number of prior sales.

I've gotten very few dead processors over the years and in each case with that type of seller they have just taken my word and sent out a replacement and told me to dump the bad one. I doubt any seller really tests each processor they sell other than looking at it. They leave real testing to us to do for them...

[FairwayFatty]

Thanks for the response - eases my mind on purchasing a used CPU. Cant wait for it to get here and install!

Thanks again,

FF