Replace CPU on "Off the Shelf" ML350P G8

[AJBeaumont]

Hi there,

we have a customer who failed to mention that they have a CPU intensive application they will need to use quite regularly.

The server we have quoted on and already installed is the 646676-011.

We would like to swap out the current CPU (E5-2620) with either two E5-2643's, or one E5-2687.

I understand we can use the existing 10600 RAM with the 2643's, but we would need to upgrade to 12800 ram for the 2687.

The question I have: "Is it actually possible to swap out the CPU with one of the above?" Note we will not be keeping the existing CPU but replacing it instead.

We have been told by our supplier that it's not a recommended upgrade but I would like to know for sure before we attempt to replace the entire server (which may be an impossible task).

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[AJBeaumont]

Further Information:

The server we ordered was a Base model server that was pre-configured to use the 2620 CPU.

[Murali_V · Accepted solution]

Hi,

As per the Specifications, this server supports E5-2643's (But not the 2687), you can replace Intel® Xeon® E5-2620 (2.0GHz/6-core/15MB/95W)CPUs with Xeon E5-2643 (3.3GHz/4-core/10MB/130W) using Option part number 678242-21.

Refer the ML350P Gen8 QuickSpec Document for more information:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/productbulletin.html#spectype=worldwide&type=html&docid=14226

QuickSpec document will give more information specifications. 

For list of Option parts refer "HP ProLiant ML350p Gen8 Server series - Option Parts" document:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=125&prodSeriesId=5177961&prodTypeId=15351&objectID=c03263146

let me know if you have any other specific query.

Regards,

Murali Mohan

[AJBeaumont]

Thanks, yes that helps.

I'm not sure why the distributor I was talking to was trying to get me to buy an entirely new server then... sounds like a dishonest sales excersize to me....

[Sbrown]

no it's easy just get some HP kit to get support. The heatsink for 135W or 130W is likely to be different. This box runs hot as-is.

remember you lost half your pci-e slots if you run 1 processor! Like the dl380p it is a dual pci-e bus system (unlike the dl360p!)

Also remember you use identical ram on both cpu sides and not all banks so you can achieve maximum speed. If you fill it up with non-matching ram or fill all banks, you take a serious performance hit which will choke the cpu's.

I suspect it will be cheaper to buy the smart buy servers than to buy the supported HP kits for both processors.