PowerEdge 2850 and Dual Core Xeon SL8MA

It seems that your processor isn't supported.

The release notes don't specify the SL8MA as being supported, just the Xeon with 2x2MB and the A0 stepping. There may be other cores than the SL8MA that meet these specs that are supported.

Intel(R) Xeon(TM) Dual-Core Processor with 2x2MB L2 Cache A0 Stepping is a SL8MA

Thera are only one stepping exist for SL8MA

 information from intel page http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL8MA

 

Core stepping: A0                     <---- As declared in A06 BIOS Release notes 

 CPUID String: 0F48h                 <---- A error code i get "Stepping 48 unsupported" 

 

 

Either way, your processor isn't supported and there's nothing that can 'fix' this other than getting a different processor.

So any ideas what this magic new processor would be?  The SL8MA is the only one listed by Intel as being the Paxville DP 2.8ghz 2x2m cache Socket 604 CPU. 

 

Does Dell have a special CPU build for their servers?   Seems strange.  The dell build sheet for 2850's with dual core CPU's show 80551K as the part number for the CPU which crosses to SL8MA.

  

--Chris

 

If you purchase them from Dell (and specify it's for your 2850) they'll guarantee compatibility.

Maybe just purchase 1 to see exactly which model it is and then buy a matching one elsewhere if the Dell price is too high.

It's not possible to buy Dell upgrade processor in Russia

Sunchi, is your 2850 a Rev II system or an original?  The II's should have a little 'II' sticker on the upper left corner of the box.  Also, the motherboard rev I think needs to be v3 or higher (use your service tag to lookup the original build motherboard part number & rev).  Not sure iv it was v2 mainboards or v3 that started support of dual core, but I know v3 + up could do it.  Any system that shipped with the 'II' sticker should support dual-core.  But none of the original few systems that went out (prior to oct of 2005 I think) would do it.

 

Still not sure if the SL8MA will work in a v3+ board yet... as I havn't plunked down the $$ to try on one of mine.  Still trying to find another 2850 that already has dual core to double check what Dell really put in it.

 

--Chris

 

I have that exact problem with the exact hardware and the exact processor. During power up, the system CORRECTLY identifies the processor as "2.8 GHz Dual Core", then continues on with the various hardware tests and the SCSI BIOS. Only when it's finally time to boot, I get the multi-colored error message.

PE2850, built 4/29/05

T7916

Assembly, Printed Wiring Assy Planar, Server, Multi Sheet Inserter, PE2800, V2

The processor is the ONLY Intel Paxville DP that exists! It does have the exact supported CPU ID F48 (Family 15, Model 4, Step 8), which is the A0 core stepping that BIOS Version A07 covers:
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL8MA

The system is under maintenance. Can someone confirm that this is an error in the motherboard revision and that it requires replacement to a corrected revision level?

Interestingly enough, I just confirmed that these processors DO work on another 2850 that was built 8/2/2006.

So there's clearly some system component that is deficient in the older builds that prevents processor upgrades to be accepted.

My machine was under support, so I was able to have Dell give me the definite answer:

Your system was ordered with the T7916 Motharboard and a Nocona Processor configuration.  This is the Version 2 board for this server.

 

The Paxville Processor requires the version 4 motherboard (Kit TF830). 
It also requires a different heatsink as the processor is "shorter" and the old one will not seat properly.  That part number is TD634.

"My machine was under support, so I was able to have Dell give me the definite answer:"

Just a note ... in warranty or not, support is always free on PowerEdge servers.

Interesting thread. I was interested in converting unused PE1850 machines into VMware vSphere 4.0 hypervisors for testing. Despite a surprising lack on info (and threads to the contrary) on the Internet I noticed that Intel VTx support was indeed available on Socket 604 - introduced with the Tulsa core:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeon#7100-series_.22Tulsa.22

I have several 8th gen PowerEdge servers ordered at launch time (so undoubtedly V1 mobos) but I have one that was ordered in later on which could possibly be ok. Any idea how to tell which mobo revision without unracking it and opening it? I've looked up the service tag and build config but it's very vague and doesn't mention the mobo at all.

EDIT -  It looks like Dell only ever supported Paxville DP on PE1850 & 2850, keeping Tulsa for PE6800 and 6850 :(

http://www.delltechcenter.com/page/Dell+Hyper-V+Server+Support

 

Well, I was able to pull the original invoice/order confirmation and pull the part numbers and kit numbers off mine. From there I was eventually able to research, which numbers represented which motherboard version.

However, even the PAXVILLE MP versions support VT:
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL8UB

But I never tried whether the BIOS and/or motherboard actually accept those CPUs. The highest DOCUMENTED one is the PAXVILLE DP (without VT).

My other concern was the heat generation. Knowing how critical it is the have the proper cooling assemblies, some of those CPUs show a lot higher wattage!

Would be interesting to see if you actually get the unsupported CPU to work for a few months without heat damage.

(I eventually did replace the motherboard in an IBM machine based on the same CPUs, which had the same issue with Motherboard version - and then the PAXVILLE DP upgrade was accepted)

Thanks. The TDP of all Paxville MP CPUs is 165W - quite a jump from the 110W (I think I read that somewhere) of the Nocona CPUs. As you say, even if could work it would probably damage the mainboard without some kind of adapted cooler which I doubt there's room for.

There's a V5 PE1850 motherboard to support Paxville though it doesn't mention Paxville MP:

http://www.server-upgrade.ru/katalog/servery-dell-poweredge/dell-poweredge-1850/rc130/

I think this one must be the only Paxville DP core, and its TDP isn't quite as high - 135W:

http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL8MA

Yes, the 1850 and 2850 are the same generation. If you have the right motherboard version you can use part number TD428 (the Paxville DP). But because of differnt thickness, you need to get the MATCHING heatsink PF424 for proper cooling!

(Don't take my word for it - I don't have that machine. So you'll need to check the above facts yourself.)

Of course, by the time you buy replace the motherboard, upgrade the processors, replace the heat-sinks... - one wonders if you're better of just getting a small, new server which will have a faster backbone, faster processor, more cores, faster disks...