Z840 5 beeps with 64GB (8x 8GB) DDR4-2133P 1Rx4 Reg ECC (p/n 752368-581)

[Zogpy_CG]

Hi everyone

I have upgraded my Z840 1125W (The system has the Broadwell  logo sticker)  from Dual E5-2630 v3 to Dual E5-2680 V4

11 months ago and since then I have been struggling to upgrade memory and have tried to install many DDR4 dimms (2400T and 2133P) with certified part numbers for Zx40 series but with no luck, my most recent attempt was installing 64GB (8x 8GB) SkHynix DDR4-2133P 1Rx4 Reg ECC (p/n 752368-581) pulled from working Z440s  I have tried all possible scenarios but I always get 5 beeps - 5 blinks

The system boots fine only in the following scenarios:

1-With the original dimms 32GB (2x 16GB) Micron DDR4-2133 2Rx4 Reg ECC (p/n 752369-581) installed in the first memory slot for each processor

2-With original dimms  installed in the first memory slot for each processor along with any of the following part numbers (752368-581, 809078-581, 809080-591)

3-With any of the following part numbers (752368-581, 809078-581, 809080-591) installed in CPU0 (2016 batch)  slots

leaving CPU1(2017 batch) slots empty

I have updated the bios to the latest version 02.57 Rev.A

Mainboard is A/N: 710327-002 REV 0C

One of the processors is from a 2016 batch, the another one is from a 2017 batch.

I have ran Intel processor diagnostic tool and HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI) all passed with no errors.

Is it a must that both processors be of the same batch ?!

Is there a memory whitelist stored in bios?! 

What could be wrong causing the 5 beeps?!

[itsmyname]

@Zogpy_CG -- have you tried the "configurator" at www.crucial.com

It is good at telling you exactly which RAM (from CRUCIAL, of course) will be compatible with your motherboard.

[VH2000]

I run a Z440 (same Bios Version) with 

8 x 16 GB RAM

Samsung Module Part Number: M393A2K40BB1-CRC

Certain applications use up to 120 GB without any problem.

[DGroves]

you cannot mix "memory ranks" in a bank each memory bank must use the same "rank" modules

you have 1R = one rank and 2R=dual rank modules, they cannot be mixed together

Each processor supports up to 4 memory banks/channels of DDR4 memory

so if you have a single cpu system, with 4 memory banks (1-4)

bank 1 must be all rank one dimms (R1)

bank 2 must be all rank two dimms (r2))

[Zogpy_CG]

@itsmyname Thanks a lot for your suggestion

@VH2000 Thanks a lot for reply I have tried 2 of those before "M393A2K40BB1-CRC" unfortunately I got 5-beeps

@DGroves Thanks a lot for your reply I know mixing "memory ranks" is against recommendations in the manual, but I'm simply putting my findings and the steps taken while trying to solve the issue and get my z840 to boot successfully all the way into windows, because running by the manual (all one rank dimms with approved part numbers) didn't work
the original dimms 32GB (2x 16GB) Micron DDR4-2133 2Rx4 Reg ECC (p/n 752369-581) must be present as described in my post for the system to boot successfully any attempts without them ends with 5 beeps
I hope if anyone can help with this regard, why dimms with approved part numbers don't work in my system

[BambiBoomZ]

Zogpy_CG,

With dual processor systems, the best approach is to have as careful a symmetry of components between the two CPU's as possible. 

The array of what works, doesn't works combinations listed  is bewildering. The  suspect aspect is that the original RAM is dual rank and the added rank is single rank. These will have different timings. Dual Processor systems need to synchronize data streams extremely precisely and ECC is less tolerant of variation in timing. The date of  manufacture of the CPU, as long as the stepping is the same, should not be a an issue.

Consider having all the RAM in the system  exactly the same speed , ranks configuration, and exactly the same manufacturer, model, and part number being the same only means that model was tested by HP for that system.

Also. make sure that the BIOS is the latest.

Let us know what happens.

BambiBoomZ

HP z620_2 (2017) (R11) > Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.7GHz) / z420 Liquid Cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) /GTX 1070 Ti 8GB / Samsung SM951 M.2 512GB AHCI + Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe 500GB + HP/HGST Enterprise 6TB / Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 sound interface + 2X Mackie MR824 / 825W PSU / Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit (HP OEM) > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)
[ Passmark Rating = 6485 / CPU rating = 16420 / 2D = 854 / 3D= 13835 / Mem = 3159 / Disk = 14786 / Single Thread Mark = 2606 [8.9.21]

HP z420_3: (2015) (R12) Xeon E5-1650 v2 (6C@ 4.6GHz) / z420 Liquid cooling / 64GB (HP/Samsung 8X 8GB DDR3-1866 ECC registered) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB/ Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / ASUS Essence STX + Logitech z2300 2.1 / 600W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (HP OEM ) > Samsung 40" 4K
[Passmark System Rating: = 6377 CPU = 15844 / 2D = 819 / 3D = 11216 / Mem = 3072  Disk = 13874  /Single Thread Mark = 2525 [7.3.21]

HP ZBook 17 G2: (2015 ) i7-4940MX Extreme (4C@3.1/ 4.0GHz) / 32GB / Quadro K3100M 4GB / Kingston 480GB SATA SSD > 17.3" LCD 1920 X1080 panel > HP docking station> video externally to HP 2711x 27" LCD + Dell 17" (2007) / Logitech 533 _2.1 speaker system
[Passmark System Rating: = 3980 / CPU = 10140 / 2D = 618 / 3D = 2779 / Mem = 2559 Disk = 4662 / Single Thread Mark = 2387 [1.3.20]

Network: Netgear GS108-400NAS

[DGroves]

this link may help you read pages 22-24

https://zworkstations.com/site/assets/files/1044/hp-z840-technical-white-paper.pdf

[Zogpy_CG]

@BambiBoomZ

Thanks a lot for your reply, I have already did that nearly 11 months ago  I have tested 8 identical SkHynix (HMA41GR7AFR4N-UH TD AC) 8GB DDR4-2400T 1Rx4 Reg ECC (p/n 809079-581) with the same specs, exact batch and manufacturing date, I got 5-beeps  5-blinks

With regard to CPU1 (2017 Batch) if we assume it's not seated well, not making proper contact for any faulty pin that I can't see (although I have carefully inspected the socket many times), causing one of the memory controllers not to work properly!

in that case could it still pass Intel processor diagnostics test and HP PC Hardware Diagnostics?!

could a dual rank dimm in slot 1 make up for that improper processor contact in any sort which I know is an illogical assumption !

I have tested that CPU in a Dell T7810 it worked fine with a mix of nonidentical dimms & no beeps it didn't complain!

@DGroves Thanks a lot for your reply, I have gone through it along with the user manual so many times

[DGroves]

your ram setup is wrong!!! looking at the screen i see two 8 GB modules and then ONE 4 GB MODULE!!!! followed by a 8GB module

i have told you that you CANNOT MIX RAM!!! both the rank and dimm size must match in a bank

on the z840 each bank is made up of two dimm slots

go back and CAREFULLY REREAD the picture showing allowed dimm configurations for a dual or single cpu setup

if you have two cpu's then the dimm modules for cpu 2 need to mirror the cpu 1 config

[Zogpy_CG]

@DGroves

Thanks a lot for your reply, you skipped the important part of my last post

if you read carefully, I have tested 8 identical SkHynix (HMA41GR7AFR4N-UH TD AC) 8GB DDR4-2400T 1Rx4 Reg ECC (p/n 809079-581) No Mixing was made in that scenario and still I got 5 beeps!

The picture you are referring to was from a Dell precision T7810 bios screen that I have tested the E5-2680 V4 (2017 Batch) in, I said it worked fine with a mix of nonidentical dimms (those were the available ones at then) & didn't hear any beeps! the system booted fine!