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PowerEdge T410 & Xeon X5680 Compatibility
Anyone know if the PowerEdge T410 with the 1.12.0 BIOS is compatible with Xeon X5680's? The release notes indicate the system is compatible with 5600 series processors but I am unable to get the server to actually boot with them installed.
What I have tried:
Reset BIOS - NO-GO-
Reflashed BIOS to 1.12.0 - NO-GO-
Removed all other processors and RAM leaving only bank 1 - NO-GO-
Installed a single (didn't have another) "known-good" X5650 6-Core 130watt processor - ALL-GOOD-
I am now under the impression that BIOS 1.12.0 is NOT compatible with X5680 processors.
Can someone assist and verify this for me? My Google-Fu is not returning any results...
Thanks in advance for your time...
>Aaron
inn0v8
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September 7th, 2015 12:00
The fact that the .pdf you linked to is buried several layers deep on the Dell website only solidifies my argument that it shouldn't take this much effort to find valid information such as that.
Furthermore, the 1.12.0 BIOS update simply states further support for more 5600 "SERIES" processors. The specsheet.pdf for the server states 5600 "SERIES" both of which are more easy to locate than the .pdf you linked to (i.e. Google Poweredge t410)
The technicalguide.pdf you linked to only solidifies my sentiment that Dell needs to be more clear about their documentation. Example 6.1 Overview (table 8) The Poweredge t410 provides support for up to two processors. It then lists 95 watt and 130 watt. Furthermore it gives reference to a set of supported processors but only goes up to the X5650. It gives no reference of what BIOS version was used during testing, however the date-stamp on the .pdf indicates July of 2011 but the newest BIOS version is from 2013. I hope with these examples you will be able to see that simply "assuming" things as "good indicators" can trip-up the most seasoned Sys Admins.
And FWIW the X5675's are the fastest highest watt TDP processors that can run in the T410. Thanks to me for figuring that out...
No response is necessary as I don't care anymore nor will I read it.
DELL-Daniel My
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September 6th, 2015 18:00
Hello
It is not in our list of validated processors for the T410
The X5650 is a 95 watt processor. I don't show any 130w CPUs validated for the T410.
Thanks
inn0v8
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September 6th, 2015 23:00
I actually found the answer a bit before you replied, but couldn't close the thread as it hadn't been accepts/posted yet. The answer I came up with was the same answer you replied with. The X5650 is a 95 watt processor which is easily verified on Intel Ark.
The Dell .pdf for the server states 5600 series processors, it would be nice if it correctly stated "95 watt only".
Oh well nothing a quick RMA can't fix...
Thanks anyway,
>Aaron
theflash1932
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September 7th, 2015 08:00
Only 95W processors (and 80W) are listed, which would be a pretty good indicator:
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pedge/en/PowerEdge%20T410%20Technical%20Guide.pdf
theflash1932
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September 7th, 2015 14:00
I'm only posting because I know you will read this :)
The Technical Guidebook isn't buried. It is available from the primary page for the T410:
www.dell.com/.../pd
I'm in complete agreement though ... Dell does a pretty horrible job with documentation. No worse so than most, but I think that is a huge area they could improve upon. Documentation is never updated, nor is it ever complete. It gives an overview of the 5500/5600 processors, but they could have left off the irrelevant parts (workstations 130W, servers 95W, etc.). The T410 is a little unusual in that there are two guidebooks ... one for the early models (5500-series only) and one for the later models. Even the later version may not be comprehensive though.
All I'm saying is there IS information that can be used to make a somewhat educated guess at what will work and what "may" not. If you were to base it exclusively on Intel's site for the 5500 chipset, you would never try a 5600-series processor at all (except the X5660). Just like anything, to go outside of what is "supported" will always require trial/error.
It's ok if you didn't know about the Technical Guides ... Dell just started publishing them with the 10G/11G servers and workstations. No "seasoned sys admin" can know everything or is above making mistakes. This wasn't meant to berate you or start an argument ... simply to show there is more information out there that might have helped, even if it is not 100%.
luthermarcus
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October 1st, 2020 13:00
Hey did you find out if x5680 work in the T410. Bought a couple hoping I didnt jump the gun getting them. Seems like I may just upgrade to the newest bios and find out this is going to . My board pins were bent so I am doing a motherboard swap then upgrading bios. Nervous about the whole deal could use some pointers on upgrading the bios. Probably will do it with an older (single) processor before installing the duo.
Dell-DylanJ
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October 1st, 2020 14:00
Hello,
I can't speak to the processor question, but I'm happy to address any concerns you have regarding the BIOS update. I think the easiest way that you'll have to update on a T410 is going to be from within the OS. Our firmware catalogs are now hosting firmware for the 12G servers and up, last I checked. I'd recommend updating the Lifecycle controller first, though. It stages the firmware updates and I've seen an LC firmware being too far behind cause update packages to not run. Let me know what questions you have, if you'd like.
luthermarcus
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October 3rd, 2020 11:00
Is there a file to upgrade for the chipset or is a BIOS upgrade it? If all I had to do is upgrade the bios to 1.14.0 it didnt work.Could of sworn I seen these for sale with x5680's.
The documentation stated source
Updated the Intel Xeon Processor 5600 Series B1 stepping Microcode to version 0x1F.
Intel microcode 0x1F contains Intel® Xeon® Processor E5603, E5606, E5607, E5620, E5630, E5640, E5645, E5649Intel® Xeon® Processor L5609, L5618, L5630, L5638, L5640Intel® Xeon® Processor W3670, W3680Intel® Xeon® Processor X5647, X5650, X5660, X5667, X5670, X5672, X5675, X5677, X5680, X5687, X5690 source
Either I'm missing something or documentation is missleading.
DELL-Joey C
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October 4th, 2020 20:00
Hi,
I tried checking on the parts database, X5680 isn't listed for T410. It should be not compatible with T410. I understood the writing term on X5600 series could be misleading, I did provided a feedback to the authors about it.