I don't know about the 690, but on the server equivalent a particular motherboard version was required, not just a supporting BIOS - only the 2950 III supported the 5400-series processors. The latest BIOS would no doubt be required for it to even have a chance of accepting a 5400 processor.

Bios updates do not time travel chipsets and ram ddr versions into the future.

"Bios updates to not time travel chipsets and ram ddr versions into the future."

While I thank you for that somewhat less than constructive input, from my research the Intel 5000X chipset (used in the Precision 690) supports all LGA 771 Xeons including all X5400's up to the X5492.

And I realize that the 690 is restricted to DDR2 ram, no problem. It currently uses 2 x X5150 dual core cpu's and I happen to have a pair of X5450 quad core cpu's lying around. Thus the question; Is there possibly a bios update that will support the X5400's?

I already tried installing the X5450's to see if it might work, and it would not boot.

Anyone else know?

Thanks,

rstew

Your comment may also apply to the 690; don't know for sure. I was hoping perhaps someone here might have experience in this area.

I have both a 2950 III and a 1950 III server, and as you point out they will support the X/E5400 series cpu's. But I did not know that the earlier versions did not. I have seen them only with X5100 series cpu's and that must be the reason why.

Thanks,

rstew

There is almost no chance of them working without the most up-to-date BIOS, but I suspect they won't work even with the latest BIOS installed. Like I said, the 2950 also uses the 5000X chipset, but not all 2950 motherboards support the 5400-series. All versions have the 5000X chipset, but version I supports 5100, version II supports 5300, and version III supports 5400. Compatibility is more than just socket and chipset.

Try it and see. There is no harm in trying it.

I did in fact try the X5450's in the 690 originally; and it would not boot.

But as you say there is quite likely more to it than a mere bios update, but I thought I would ask at least?

Cheers,

rstew

OK I get you now; my misunderstanding.

I'll do some research on bios updates and go from there.

thanks,

rstew

I saw you said you tried them, but since you were asking about BIOS updates, I assumed you did not update the BIOS before trying. Depending on the BIOS version you are currently using, I'd say there is next to zero chance of them working without updating the BIOS, even if they do work in there. So, if you tried them with an out-of-date BIOS, I would recommend updating the BIOS then trying the 5400's ... that's what I meant by no harm in trying :)