PowerEdge SC1430 CPU Upgrade Redux

Question

My first attempt to upgrade the CPUs in this machine failed. Now I need to know if an Intel Xeon E5240 processor will work.

This SC1430 has a motherboard that does not support quad-core processors. It's the HD812 PESC1430 motherboard (part number TM894).

I upgraded the BIOS to 1.04 (the latest) and supplied RAM at the correct speed (667Mhz vs 533Mhz), but still ended up with the "Unsupported CPU Combination" message flashing in yellow. I cleared the CMOS, swapped the processors, even attempted running just one of the processors. No effect.

After all of this I found a discussion on these forums (http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/servers/f/956/p/19095857/19218843.aspx#19218843) that informed me of a systemboard revision allowing for quad-core processors. A systemboard revision that I didn't have.

So, the E5345 didn't work. From what I understand now, no quad-core processor will work with this SC1430. But before I make another purchase, I'd really like to confirm that the CPU is compatible. Intel's page for the 5000V Chipset won't help, because it lists the E5345 (and other, more beefy CPUs) as supported.

I can send my Service Tag in a personal message, if that would help. My question is this:

Will a matched pair of Intel Xeon E5240 processors work in a PowerEdge SC1430 with the HD812 PESC1430 motherboard (part number TM894)?

Thanks in advance for anyone that can help.

Daniel My · Accepted Answer

Will a matched pair of Intel Xeon E5240 processors work in a PowerEdge SC1430 with the HD812 PESC1430 motherboard (part number TM894)? No, that is a Wolfdale series processor. The SC1430 with a first revision board supports the Dempsey and Woodcrest processor families. The updated board supports the Clovertown processor family. Here is a list of the validated models you can use: Dempsey 5050 Woodcrest 5110 5120 5130 5140 5148 5150 Some of the other models may work, but these are the models we supply and have validated for the server. You can review the Xeon models here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeon Thanks

theflash1932 · Answer

The E5240 will not work.

Maybe someone from Dell can give you a more exhaustive list of processors supported on the SC1430, including confirmation that there is another undocumented motherboard revision required (like some other 9G systems, but for which adequate documentation exists), but we can create a "safe" list of processors, based on the specifications given here:

http://www.dell.com/downloads/emea/products/pedge/en/sc1430_Spec_Sheet_Quad.pdf

If indeed a motherboard revision (which you do not have) is necessary for quad-core processors (despite there not being ANY documentation to that effect), and given the FSB, L2, and speed specs listed as supported, any of these processors should work:

http://ark.intel.com/compare/27208,27209,27210,27214,27215,27216,27217,30562,30564,27223

If a motherboard revision is not necessary, then these are the quad-core processors that meet the criteria in the above spec sheet that should work in the SC1430:

http://ark.intel.com/compare/28030,28031,29774,35129,29767

This does NOT take into account ANY processors for which support MAY have been added by the latest BIOS updates, which likely added support for greater clock speeds and FSB (but not necessarily all variations):
http://ftp.dell.com/bios/PESC1430-010400BIOS.txt

Note that the E5345 exceeds the listed supported specifications in clock speed and FSB, so is not a "safe" bet for an upgrade.

Also note that NO 5200-series processors are listed as supported in the specifications, nor are they mentioned in the BIOS updates as having support added for them.

mdMcAlister · Answer

Thank you. The 5150s will still be a nice upgrade over the stock 5110s. Not as nice as the 5345, but still a worthwhile upgrade. Thanks, again.

PowerEdge Hardware General

PowerEdge SC1430 CPU Upgrade Redux

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