Z6 G5 A - CPU upgrade

[djrwws]

Hi,

I've only had the machine a couple of months, but wondering about upgrading the CPU as I've been asked to run some CFD (which is fairly CPU/memory intensive). The machine has 8x32GB of memory, so could cope with a few more cores running.

The machine currently has a Threadripper Pro 7955WX as that was the only available off-the-shelf, I'm wondering whether to swap to a 7985WX - I'm assuming that it's a direct swap and check BIOS on first power-up?

Just wanted to check from those who might know.

Thanks

John

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@djrwws,

Welcome to our HP community forum!

Can't claim to "know", but I can claim where to look to make an informed guess:

Link: threadripper-pro-design-aec.pdf (amd.com).

This table suggests that you have some WX upgrade options -same TDPs too.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[djrwws]

Thanks, I knew you could buy a faster chip as an OE option (although they weren't available pre-configured), but didn't know whether any other changes were made to the system to facilitate or just a chip swap.

Thanks for adding the link.

[NonSequitur777]

@djrwws,

Here is another relevant link to keep in mind: HP Z6 G5 Workstation Desktop PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support.  It shows that the most recent BIOS update/version was released on July 31st (01.02.08 Rev.A), make sure you get it:

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[djrwws]

Just swapped to a 7995 and seems to work fine, I noticed that the psu is 1125W and not the 1450W I was told when I bought the machine though. Hp seem quite poor with info

[NonSequitur777]

@djrwws,

Outstanding! I'm betting that you're running circles around the neighborhood with your System!

Btw, the 1125-watt power supply should still be adequate to power your rig.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[djrwws]

Have only had a quick play so far, but seems good. The cpu is sitting at 95 C whenever I ask it to do anything though, which seems a little hot.

im going to have issues with the psu if i fit a second gpu im afraid, so put in a case with HP to ask about that.

thanks 

[NonSequitur777]

@djrwws,

The 95° C you mentioned is way too high, something that should be addressed at your earliest opportunity.

Some suggestions: increase overall airflow through your case AND especially through your CPU heatsink by adding one or more cooling fans, using a 4-pin PWM splitter cable, making sure that you use(d) a quality thermal paste such as Arctic MX-4.

Please verify that you got the stock copper 5-heat pipe CPU heatsink (p/n: N54096-001) which should be sufficient to cool your 7995WX:

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[djrwws]

Yes it has the standard heat sink fitted with similar heat sink paste used.

i don’t think there any issue with airflow through the chassis.

maybe I’ll just clean the cpu/heat sink and try a different paste on Monday.

i was wondering whether to get a water cooler but there’s not space in that chassis for a radiator so I’d have to do an external one.

editted to add that I just removed the heat-sink, and looks as though there might have been a few air gaps, maybe I used too much paste on my previous fitment. I've got some new stuff arriving later - will keep the processor intensive stuff to a mininum until it will easily hold <95C with all cores ablaze.

Thanks.

cheers

[djrwws]

I've cleaned and added new paste, I used noctua nt-h1. Idle is about 64-70 degrees, but will still hit 96 temporarily whilst using all cores.

The CPU fan seems to work but it's quite unresponsive, It doesn't seem to do much until the CPU exceeds 90 degrees C. Is there any way to adjust it to start cooling at at lower temperature?

Having read up a bit more on this topic, it seems as though the CPU will just throttle as it approaches 95C so that it doesn't impact durability - just performance.

I did find out that my machine is fitted with "CPU Cooler standard" - not sure whether the "CPU Cooler premium" version fits inside the Z6 G5A, as its significantly different to the intel xeon version (Z6 G5). I think I could probably get a 280mm radiator mounted vertically to the side panel, will have to check that it doesn't interfere with my gpu

Thanks