T610 Upgrade CPU (X2)

Question

Hi, I've been an extremely happy customer of Dell forever. I have a workhorse T610 and it's just the best. I even have a 2nd T610 just in case the main one falls over (which it never has) to get going right away. But, it is now feeling it's age - and I should upgrade to the latest. But, I really just use the box as a host for VMWare workstation. I've tried ESX, but I just like Workstation running under Windows for lots of reasons. But, the problem is that the latest VMWare Workstation won't support the T610 CPU that I have (only by one version). I have the Xeon E5506 @ 2,13Ghz (2 of them) and from the VMWare site only the 5600 is supported for the latest VMWare Workstation. https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/51643 Yes, I still run VMWare Workstation V12 - which is fine enough for now, but I would like to upgrade to latest version. One idea was to just upgrade the CPU to the next tiny version of the CPU. One the site it says: ---------- Systems using Intel processors based on the 2010 'Westmere' micro-architecture (e.g. Xeon 5600 ---------- So, do you think this is a valid idea?  Yes, I know I should upgrade to the latest server - but if I just wanted to keep everything as is, could this idea work? If so, can you point to a CPU that would work? (Amazon or ebay or Intel site) I know I can't just jump to any CPU due to DIMM requirements.   Thanks for all suggestions.

DELL-Charles R · Accepted Answer

Hello bobuser,

I see you are checking on CPU upgrade to 5600 series. I was able to find two that we have validated for the T610. If neither of these are the one you are looking for you could contact sales to see if they have it.

Part# 0N8JG - 1.86/4.8Ghz, 12M Cache Westmere-EP Processor, L5609

Part# F2YJ6 - 2.13/5.86Ghz, 12M Cache Westmere-EP Processor, L5630

I would also mention to make sure you system firmware is up to date:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/poweredge-t610/drivers

Please let me know if this helps you.

DELL-Marco B · Accepted Answer

Hello,

Dell LIfecycle Controller Integration is not the upgrade, is the the most recent addition to the Dell OpenManage Integration Suite for Microsoft System Center.

Here for more information about this:

https://dell.to/2K9AtWc

The update of LCC is here:

https://dell.to/3i7LljS

If you receive the error "The Update Package is not compatible with your system configuration" maybe there is an hardware issue or the idrac is not fully initialized. Try to shutdown server, remove power cables and drain flea power.

Let me know if it helps

Thanks

Marco

bobuser · Answer

Perhaps you can help with advice.

Do you think it would be OK if my production server stayed on BIOS 3.0? When changing the CPU?

(I assume you will say No, I should update the BIOS, so I've listed the problem below):

I tried to update to the latest BIOS - and followed a few posts that mentioned the same problem I had:

https://www.dell.com/community/PowerEdge-Hardware-General/Updating-very-old-version-firmware-on-used-R710/m-p/5135027

When trying to update from 3.0 to 6.1 via the Windows Bios updater the app failed immediately with the message "Unable to get the System Generation".

Other posts suggest I need to update iDrac - which is on V1.70. That also failed when going to V1.85. The posts suggest upgrading step by step.

My backup server was OK to upgrade to the latest - but it was already on a relatively newer BIOS and iDrac.

I am a bit hesitant to screw around too much with the production server - but I can always swap backup to production if need be.

DELL-Young E · Answer

Hi, would you download this for updates?

Support for Dell EMC Repository Manager (DRM)

Summary: The Dell EMC Repository Manager (DRM) ensures that PowerEdge servers are up-to-date with the latest BIOS, driver, firmware, and software. DRM allows you to: create repositories of customized components and updates, create groups of related updates for systems running the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating system and generate comparison reports and update baselines of custom repositories

https://dell.to/3bvfGrj

Hope this helps and have a good one.

Dell-DylanJ · Answer

Hello,

It's possible that you need to first update the Lifecycle controller. Do you happen to know what version you're on at present? If it is below 1.7.5, I'd try updating that to see if you see a change in behavior.

bobuser · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion.

The installer has hung (for 8 hours) on the Pre-Installation Summary step - "Please wait, Dell EMC is being configured. This may take a moment..."

Win 2008R2 OS. I tried it twice, same thing - hangs at this stage.

bobuser · Answer

Thanks - nice hint.

Yes - it is on 1.5.0.671

I can't find a specific file to update the Lifecycle Controller. Perhaps you can direct me to it? If it exists as standalone updater.

The only entry I can find under my service tag is: Dell MD1000 Controller Card Firmware, v.A.04, A04

---**Edit**---I can see it now...please disregard

bobuser · Answer

I downloaded all 3 versions available to me - and tried to start with lowest version - 1.6.0.73. Launches, but fails to install:

'The Update Package is not compatible with your system configuration'.

So, I guess I may be stuck on this old Bios version - which I'm not too concerned about, as long as it continues to run...and will do so with the updated CPUs.

DELL-Erman O · Answer

Hi, I agree with what Dylan said while updating the BIOS, you should start by updating iDRAC and LCC. Could you try to install it https://dell.to/2XCvUHa if successful, you can try to update the BIOS gradually later. As far as I know, iDRAC can be installed directly, but situation may be different in 11G. if you can't install latest versşoni you may need staged install for iDRAC and LCC. for staged install you can use older versions hyperlink. https://dell.to/2XOC1Zb

bobuser · Answer

Thanks,

When I install the Dell_Lifecycle_Controller_Integration_3.3.0_for_Configuration_Manager:

'The installation cannot continue. Make sure that the Configuration Manager Administrator Console is installed on the system'.

bobuser · Answer

That was a nice suggestion. I was able to run the Lifecycle updater V1.7.5 after shutting down, removing power cables and pressing the On button for 15 secs. The installer ran fine. I probably should have run V1.6 then V1.6.5 then V1.7.5 (as was my plan earlier). But I just did what you suggested. Ran V1.7.5 expecting it to fail - yet it ran and completed in about 10 mins. Now, in iDrac it doesn't give me the current version number for Lifecycle Controller Firmware - it just says "Not Available".

But the box is up and running (I did a reboot).

On the weekend, I will get more courage I will try to update iDrac and see if that works now, and then try Bios upgrade. Hope it works.

DELL-Stefan R · Answer

Hi,   thanks for your reply. Let us know if the action was successful.   Wish you a nice weekend! Stefan

bobuser · Answer

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm now updated to the latest BIOS.

I upgraded the BIOS from 3.0 to 6.6 step by step through all the previous versions. I had one hiccup at going to 6.5, but did the power cord trick and that helped.

I'm now on:

BIOS Version 6.6.0
Firmware Version 2.80 (Build 03)
Lifecycle Controller Firmware 1.7.5.4

I could not get past iDrac 2.80. V2.85, and 2.9 and 2.91 all gave the inventory error as described in earlier posts. I did intertwine the BIOS updates with the iDrac updates. But, I'm Ok with where I'm at now.

Thanks again for the fast and helpful hints here.

DELL-Marco B · Answer

Hello, thanks for update, let us know if you need more support. Marco

PowerEdge Hardware General

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