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SC440 Processor Upgrade To Xeon?
Hi everyone,
We have an SC440 we purchased in 2007 that we'd like to upgrade the processor in. Our hope is to upgrade to a Xeon processor that supports x64 VT so we can run 64-bit VMs on it. Currently the server has a Pentium D 925 processor that does not support VT.
If we purchase a Xeon 3040 or 3060 and install it will we then be able to run 64-bit VMs? I can see those processors are available to purchase directly from Dell so I assume they are supported by the motherboard.
Thanks!
Dev Mgr
9.3K Posts
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July 23rd, 2009 08:00
Per the tech specs in the "getting started guide" <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> it wouldn't support Xeon, however, it seems this data is dated, as the Dell outlet shows that it does support the Xeon 3040, 3050, or 3060.
Based on Intel's info about the 3060, it supports VT and x64, which are needed to run 64bit VMs (in ESX, Hyper-V, XenServer or Virtual Iron (probably also needed for other hypervisors as well)).
The only concern is that with some of the Dell servers a newer motherboard version was built to support newer processors. So it might be that your current motherboard doesn't support the Xeons. I'm not sure if there's a way to check/test this other than just trying.
at5147
884 Posts
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July 23rd, 2009 14:00
If you look at Information Update on that page posted previously, it lists the Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® 3000 sequence as supported, which I think include the 3040, 3050 and 3060.
Dev Mgr
9.3K Posts
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July 24th, 2009 07:00
The problem is that for instance the 2950 documentation also says it supports the Xeon 5400-series, but that only applies to the 2950-III. It's possible that the SC440 had updates since the original release as well (it doesn't mention either way on the support site, but it wouldn't be the first time this happened with Dell systems).
at5147
884 Posts
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July 24th, 2009 14:00
Ya, the 2900 and 2950 are a bit of a mess when it comes to proc upgrades. Its the different motherboards they came out with to support the newer procs. With the SC440 though, I am pretty sure you just need a BIOS update; 1.5.0 I think.
sc440
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February 13th, 2010 17:00
Just wanted to let everyone know that I did successfully upgrade the processor in my SC440. I received the sc440 in 11/2008 with the Intel E2180 Dual Core Pentium. I just installed the Xeon 3040 and it has been working fine for weeks. I was actually able to find one really cheap from a company called OEM XS. So far Server 2008 R2 installs just fine...soon will try out VMware so I can run multiple servers on it.
Jason Hollenber
6 Posts
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June 22nd, 2012 18:00
I have an SC440 with a Xeon 3050 and and can confirm 64-bit guests do NOT work under VMware ESXi 4.1. Haven't tried with 5.0 but I assume it would be the same. The BIOS shows VT-x is listed as a processor feature but there is no way to turn it on or off. Additionally, I ran the vmware processor check utility from Windows before installing ESXi and it said this host can run 64-bit guests. Obviously that was wrong.