z400 upgrade help

[BambiBoomZ]

Auqa,

CPU: The Xeon X5677 should give good results over a wide range of uses.  We have three systems in the office using Core2 CPU's with single-thread rating under 1300 and with a good GPU, these are still very good visualization and research systems.  I acquired a new respect for LGA1366 when I learrned that the local particle research facility uses 2010, single CPU LGA1366 systems to model particle accelerator modules in Siemens NX - with Quadro K6000's.

In terms of  the Xeon / iCore equivalency, the Xeon X5677 average Passmark rating of 7005 is similar to the i5-4570 with 7010, the i5-6500 at 7012, and the Xeon E3-1225 v3 at 7022, and i7-2600S with 7045. Those do have quite a bit higher single-thread ratings, but the calculation density is about the same.

RAM: Wiith regards to RAM, if you're adding RAM, it should use the maimum speed for the CPU- 1333.  The selection depends on your uses and the z400 would have ECC error-correcting, but can use non-ECC. If the work is analytical or includes video editing or rendering, use ECC. 

If you use several programmes at once and /or have large file sizes, I'd recommend 6X 4GB. In our work, there are often several things going: 2D CAD, 3D CAD, photoediting, graphic design, Win Explorer, backup, browser, and file sizes can be large, we can have 4X 160MB CAD files and  20X 300MB photos open.  The two types can not be mixed.  ECC does a parity check to enusre high levels of precision, and is very slightly slower. The maximum is 24GB and I'd say 12GB is minimum. It's very inexpensive used and my suggestion is to have either 3X 4GB or 6X 4GB. 

Memory in workstations can be fussy.  Embarassingly, I had to buy RAM for a 2007 Xeon X3230 system three times before it worked properly.  In our LGA1366 systems, the X5677 one arrived with 3X 2GB and was upgraded to 6 X 2GB using the same, exact model RAM.  The Dual X5680 systems has 6X 4GB for CPU 1 and 3X 8GB for CPU 2 on the riser board- balanced quantity between the two CPU's. Again, the 8GB modules added for the 2nd CPU were as close as possible to the original 4GB.  There is a specific layout for RAM in the manual, If you mix module sizes, place the larger three in the first slots. It is best to use the same module throughout,  but as long as the channels are filled with three of  the same one, the system can have different sizes.  All the systems here except one are using Samsung  and when a system has original memory, it's best to try and find that same brand and series.  When one of the z420's added RAM, it was Samsung with an HP part number.   - Given the low cost,  I'd say have 6X 4GB- the maximum, and if it's done properly, you'll never need to think about RAM again.

GPU: Coming from the world of Quadros and the occasional Firepro, the GTX 750 Ti is really a great bargain. The GTX 750 Ti  for US $120 has a Passmark 3D GPU average of 3862 while the Quadro K2200 at 3442 cost $450 new

You might like to have the 30-day free trial of Passmark Performance test, run the z400 as is, and then compare the results with the upgraded version. It's very useful to identify weak components or settings that can improve it, e.g., the often overlooked "High Performance" setting in Control Panel /Power Options and avoiding interface effects like transparency and animation, a lot of scheduled tasks, and hibertation / sleep modes.  I only ever use Basic Theme as I found Aero and themes reduced overall graphics performance by 15- 20%.

Cheers,

BambiBoomZ

[SDH]

Figuring out the memory used in HP workstations takes some patience but there are patterns.  Below is information for your Version 2 Z400 (6 rather than 4 memory slots, and the later boot block date in BIOS):

Do a google search for Z400 Spare Parts.  The top result is the HP document you want.  Under the memory modules heading you'll see the 1,2, and 4GB sticks listed there with their "Spare Part Number" of 536888-001, 536887-001, and 537755-001 respectively.   The problem is that if you search on eBay for those three numbers you'll rarely find them.  That relates to the difference between the HP Spare P/N and the HP Assembly P/N for the same exact part.  So, here is the decoder ring for these:

1GB = 536888-001 = 500208-562 on sticker

2GB = 536887-001 = 500209-562 on sticker

4GB = 537755-001 = 500210-571 or -071 on sticker

Just checking.... on eBay right now I could find the same 2GB stick used for 23.00 each if searching under one P/N but 2 for 6.00 if searching under the other....

If you want to buy used from eBay look for the numbers on the sticker.  It is actually even more complicated than this, and you'll see that HP provides memory from multiple brands.  They also "bin" the memory to test that the sticks meet their higher specs and that is why I've liked to stick with HP memory.

A memory stick can be held back in speed by a slower processor..... there are different naming conventions for same speeds.  It can get quite confusing.

I personally like to get a set of sticks with the HP sticker on each, and the same brand for each so they are truly matching.  A HP engineer who is very helpful in this forum advises that filling all slots with matched memory is one of the most important things you can do to optimize performance.  I have mixed the brands but not the sticker numbers when necessary.

Finally, if you really want to dig deep then searching for the brand's code alphanumerics that HP uses in eBay may yield you HP sticks that were not listed by the HP sticker number.

[Auqa]

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@BambiBoomZ wrote:

CPU: The Xeon X5677 should give good results over a wide range of uses.  We have three systems in the office using Core2 CPU's with single-thread rating under 1300 and with a good GPU, these are still very good visualization and research systems.  I acquired a new respect for LGA1366 when I learrned that the local particle research facility uses 2010, single CPU LGA1366 systems to model particle accelerator modules in Siemens NX - with Quadro K6000's.

In terms of  the Xeon / iCore equivalency, the Xeon X5677 average Passmark rating of 7005 is similar to the i5-4570 with 7010, the i5-6500 at 7012, and the Xeon E3-1225 v3 at 7022, and i7-2600S with 7045. Those do have quite a bit higher single-thread ratings, but the calculation density is about the same.

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I'm getting that passmark trial, it seems very helpful.

And the X5677 is really cheap (<$100) but it performs similar to a 4th gen i5 (>$200)? What?! Are they being slept on or something?

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@BambiBoomZ wrote:

RAM: Wiith regards to RAM, if you're adding RAM, it should use the maimum speed for the CPU- 1333.  The selection depends on your uses and the z400 would have ECC error-correcting, but can use non-ECC. If the work is analytical or includes video editing or rendering, use ECC. 

If you use several programmes at once and /or have large file sizes, I'd recommend 6X 4GB. In our work, there are often several things going: 2D CAD, 3D CAD, photoediting, graphic design, Win Explorer, backup, browser, and file sizes can be large, we can have 4X 160MB CAD files and  20X 300MB photos open.  The two types can not be mixed.  ECC does a parity check to enusre high levels of precision, and is very slightly slower. The maximum is 24GB and I'd say 12GB is minimum. It's very inexpensive used and my suggestion is to have either 3X 4GB or 6X 4GB. 

Memory in workstations can be fussy.  Embarassingly, I had to buy RAM for a 2007 Xeon X3230 system three times before it worked properly.  In our LGA1366 systems, the X5677 one arrived with 3X 2GB and was upgraded to 6 X 2GB using the same, exact model RAM.  The Dual X5680 systems has 6X 4GB for CPU 1 and 3X 8GB for CPU 2 on the riser board- balanced quantity between the two CPU's. Again, the 8GB modules added for the 2nd CPU were as close as possible to the original 4GB.  There is a specific layout for RAM in the manual, If you mix module sizes, place the larger three in the first slots. It is best to use the same module throughout,  but as long as the channels are filled with three of  the same one, the system can have different sizes.  All the systems here except one are using Samsung  and when a system has original memory, it's best to try and find that same brand and series.  When one of the z420's added RAM, it was Samsung with an HP part number.   - Given the low cost,  I'd say have 6X 4GB- the maximum, and if it's done properly, you'll never need to think about RAM again. 

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Alright I'll go for 3x 4Gb for now and maybe upgrade it by adding 3 more (unlikely because I don't have too much stuff open at a time). And I don't know what ECC is but I might need that in the future, so I might as well get it now. Hopefully I get the right RAM stick first try!

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@BambiBoomZ wrote:

GPU: Coming from the world of Quadros and the occasional Firepro, the GTX 750 Ti is really a great bargain. The GTX 750 Ti  for US $120 has a Passmark 3D GPU average of 3862 while the Quadro K2200 at 3442 cost $450 new

Cheers,

BambiBoomZ

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Yeah I literally looked up on google: Best price-performance GPU and it came up with the 750 ti as one of the top. I'm definitely getting that but my only problem is I don't know how to take stuff out of computers xD. I've got a friend of mine who wants to help (more like he owes me) and I'm confident he can replace the parts as he says it's 'easy'.

Again, thanks. You've been really helpful man.

@SDH

2GB DDR3-1333, PC3-10600E (ECC), 10.66GB/s bandwidth, CL=9 memory module

536887-001

1GB DDR3-1333, PC3-10600E (ECC), 10.66GB/s bandwidth, CL=9 memory module

536888-001

4GB DDR3-1333, PC3-10600E (ECC), 10.66GB/s bandwidth, CL=9 memory module

537755-001

So every RAM stick has these numbers on them, and I have to make sure it matches the above. Looks like I'll have to go into my local computer shop. The guys don't have much but I'm sure they at least have a couple of ram in stock. I'll print out the numbers and show it to them.

And I'll be upgrading the processor so I think I'm fine with that. Thanks 😄

750 ti

x5677

3x 4gb ddr3-1333 PC3-10600E (ECC), 10.66GB/s bandwidth, CL=9 memory module 537755-001 (same brand? hp sticker?)

^ So that's what I've concluded with. Thank you both for your help!

[maniacparasite]

bambiboom z I to have acquired a hp z400 workstation and i plan on upgrading it and i was wordering if you knew anything about how to upgrade the psu for this computer i cant seem to find any information on what to buy for it. Any help you could provide would be greatly appricated.

[SDH]

There is the common one at 475W and the rare one at 600W.

With almost all HP parts there is both an Assembly P/N and a Spares P/N.  Both are provided below, which will help in your search.  There also are hacks that you will be able to find for converting a non-HP power supply to one that will work with the Z400.  Personally, I would always search out the HP 600W one and pay the extra if I needed that extra wattage.

Z400 Power Supplies.  Search under both part numbers, for both:

Delta 475W DPS-475CB-1 A (have seen Revs 02F, 03F)  These are common to see on eBay...

SP P/N 480720-001 from Z400 Spare Parts web page (AS P/N = 468930-001)

Delta 600W DPS-650LB B (have seen Rev: 01)  These are rare to see on eBay....

SP P/N 626409-001 from Z400 Spare Parts web page (AS P/N = 626322-001)

[maniacparasite]

thank you SDH much appreciated i also plan on upgading the processor to the x5675 xeon processor do you think this processor will will work with this motherbored? i know i have seen on fourms that that people have used different processors other then the ones listed on the HP website

[SDH]

I'm assuming you have done in-depth reading on the Z400 and understand that there are two versions with two Boot Block dates (you can check for that in BIOS).  It turns out that a very easy way to know if you have an older version 1 Z400 or the newer motherboard, version 2, is whether you have 4 (older) or 6 (newer) memory sockets.  That is the key info you need to know first.

I am running a X5690 on my version 2 Z400.  I have no idea whether the processor you mention will work or not.  I'm sure it would not work on a version 1, however, so that is the first thing to check out.

I did a quick search for Z400 + X5675 and found ones for sale with that.  As with the X5690, which works on the version 2 Z400, there seem to be other unofficial processors that will work.... see  HERE.  Prices too high, versus eBay, but I'd assume they've proven all these can work.  There is something special about the Z400 because most HP workstations have a microcode built into BIOS that prevents that.

Now.... what about cost?  Search for X5675 with Google, go to the Intel Ark result, go to the sSpec link on the left, and you'll find there is only 1 (SSSLBYL, which is a typo.... it is SLYBL for the X5675).  Search eBay for SLYBL, and you'll find one costs about 80.00 USD.  You generally don't want to buy from China for this type of purchase..... go with a good US seller with good reputation.  That is a good price.  You can see my x5690 cost this way.... the Apple folks like this one too, so it drives up the price.  Maybe take a look at a X5680.....

[maniacparasite]

i have the newer version 2 i have six memory sockets so that should make things a little easier i assume i dont really plan on making this into a gaming computer but i do want to bump up the specs to do some stuff 

[Evosonic]

Hello to All,

I would like to upgrade my pc (z400) with stronger power supply due to changing of the vga for higher performance. Can I use the power supply of z420 in z400? (HP Z420 Workstation 623193-001 600W Power Supply Delta DPS-600UB A 632911-001)

Thank you.

[SDH]

You want the Z400 high power rated 600W official HP power supply.  HP parts have two part numbers, spares and assembly.  Sometimes eBay has these, but google will find them for you also.    If you want to take the time and risk you can look up the pinouts for the Z400 and the Z420 and compare pin to pin.  They virtually always are different due to HP's custom engineering.  My advice is to go with what is known to work officially.  Search under both of these:

626409-001        626322-001