PowerEdge 2950 CPU Unsupported E5320 Help

Question

I have a second hand 2950 that I wanted to upgrade from a single Dual Core 5110 to a Quad Core E5320. I didn't know about the generation issues until after trying out the CPU and getting the unsupported cpu configuration message. I don't have the front plate so I don't know exactly what the generation is, but when I entered the service tag into the parts support it showed up as a generation 3. Is there any other way to check which generation the server is?

Also I did update the BIOS and BMC to the latest versions as the BIOS was too old and I read that the BMC should be updated too, is there anything else that needs to be updated in order to make sure that the CPU can work if it is not a generation issue?

And if I am just out of luck on that CPU would a Dual Core 5160 or 5060 work?

5160 - 3.0Ghz Dual Core 4M 1333Mhz

5060 - 3.2Ghz 4M 1066Mhz

theflash1932 · Answer

If you have Windows installed and OpenManage Server Administrator running, you see it there (if you are running a fairly recent version of OSMA and BIOS at least 2.3.1).  You should have already updated the BIOS to 2.5.0 (minimum - 2.7.0 recommended) and your ESM/BMC firmware before attempting the upgrade.

PreparationH · Answer

It's running linux and I used the update scripts for Red Hat. The BIOS is on version 2.7 and the BMC firmware is on 2.37. But it is still showing the unsupported configuration.

techpanda · Answer

A true Gen 3 System board, and I am pretty sure a Gen 2, should have no issues running that quad core proc. Could you list your system board part number and we can then verify if that is indead a true gen 3 board? And because I was curious, I booted one of my 2950's on my bench up with the following specs:

Gen 2 2950

Bios VER: 2.6.1

e5320 proc w/ step code: SL9MV

Could you verify which step code is on your processor to?

- Techpanda

PreparationH · Answer

It is the same step code, I'll try and find the board part number.

PreparationH · Answer

So I looked at the board and the stickers on it say: REV A00 and CN-0CW954-13740-691-00YC and FOXCON LS-36 I don't see anything else that looks like a part number so I assume one of those is it.

theflash1932 · Answer

The actual part number is CW954, and it is the first version of the 2950, meaning it will not support the 5300-series CPU's:
http://stores.velocitytechsolutions.com/-strse-1307/Dell-cw954-poweredge-2950/Detail.bok

PreparationH · Answer

Wonderful. However, it is a bit confusing that the item description in your link says that the board supports quad-core CPUs. I'm guessing the 5160 should work in this system then?

techpanda · Answer

Correct, any 4M proc should work in a gen 1 2950 board. As far as I know, there are not any 4M quad core procs.

http://www.velocitytechsolutions.com/products/Dell-WJ560-3.0Ghz-Dual-Core-4M-1333Mhz-5160-Processor-for-Poweredge-2950.html

I have bought from these guys before, Very helpful and would recommend giving them a call. They tested a few processors for me specifically for my board to ensure I bought what I needed.

cheers,

- Techpanda

EDIT: posted wrong link originally.

PowerEdge Hardware General

PowerEdge 2950 CPU Unsupported E5320 Help

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