DL380 Gen9 DIMM Failure after CPU upgrade V3 to v4

[ninin06]

Hello

I have an HPE DL380 Gen9 server, which was previously operated with a Xeon V3 CPU with 4 RAM DIMMs. This meant that all four 32GB DIMMS could be used.

Now I have bought several V4 CPUs (E5 2680 and 2690). Before I installed these (2680 or 2690), I followed the following steps from HPE: https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=c04849981&docLocale=en_US

This went without any problems. Then I inserted a V4 CPU and 2 DIMMS (9 and 12) gave this error:
POST Error: 295-DIMM Failure - Uncorrectable Memory Error - Processor 1, DIMM 12. This memory will not be available to the operating system. ACTION: Replace the failed DIMM to restore the full amount of memory.

These are the Memory Details

Processor 1  1 Good, In Use  HPE SmartMemory   752372-081  DIMM DDR4  32768 MB  2133 MHz  1.2 V  4  LRDIMM 

Processor 1  4  Good, In Use  HPE SmartMemory   752372-081  DIMM DDR4  32768 MB  2133 MHz  1.2 V  4  LRDIMM

Processor 1  9  Degraded  HPE SmartMemory   752372-081  DIMM DDR4  32768 MB  2133 MHz  N/A  4  LRDIMM 

Processor 1  12 Degraded  HPE SmartMemory   752372-081  DIMM DDR4  32768 MB  2133 MHz  N/A  4  LRDIMM 

Have I overlooked something? Or what can I do so that I can use all 4 DIMMS again?

Strangely enough, when I use the V3 CPU again, all 4 DIMMs are read in correctly again. So I exclude the RAM DIMMS.

Would be very happy for support

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear ninin06

As you know v3 and v4 Proc supports different type of DIMMs. Earlier installed DIMMs(HPE SmartMemory   752372-081  DIMM DDR4  32768 MB  2133 MHz  1.2 V  4  LRDIMM) is compatible for v3 Proccessor. Can you please inform us clear picture for below points. Also please go through the QuickSpec (Page 4) for details information for supported memory modules.

1. Earlier installed Proccessor model with version? Part no if possible

2. New installed Proccessor model with version? Part no if possible

3. As per your shared HPE Advisary what is current BIOS firmware version?

[ninin06]

Hello @rabindra11sharm 

Thanks for the support

I can't remember which CPU version I had installed before and can only check later. But it was a V3.

I have tested the following two new CPUs:
Intel Xeon E5-2680 v4 835606-001
Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 835607-001

As BIOS I have this version: P89 v3.30 (09/21/2023)

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  ninin06 

 as per your given information DIMMs details given below. please check once.

Model        CPU frequency Cores L3  Cache  Power     QPI     DDR4 Hz 

E5-2680v3        2.5GHz          12          30MB    120W   9.6GT/s     2133

E5-2690v4        2.6GHz         14           35MB     135W  9.6GT/s     2400

 Some Noteable points - 1. All processors support Hyper-Threading except E5-2609 v4/v3 and E5-2603 v4/v3    2. Processors consuming up to 120w ship with standard heatsink. Processors consuming over 120w ship with a High Performance heatsink as standard except the Intel Xeon   3. Mixing of 2133 and 2400MHz memory is not supported   4. High Performance Heatsink Requaired 775404-001

As per the Advisory just need to downgrade BIOS before changing CPU:
“For all systems with System ROM version 2.5x or higher, the ROM must first be down-flashed prior to upgrading the ME Firmware.”  

The Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 processor will not be installed until the end of the upgrade process. See below for detailed instructions.

The common ME flash smart components can be found at:

For Windows:

https://downloads.hpe.com/pub/softlib2/software1/sc-windows-fw/p122584544/v118124/cp029724.exe>

For Linux:

https://downloads.hpe.com/pub/softlib2/software1/sc-linux-fw/p247060132/v115760/CP028985.scexe

Hope, I could provide you with clear and helpful instructions.If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help!

Have a great day!

[ninin06]

Hello @rabindra11sharm 

I followed exactly these instructions with the BIOS Downgrade to 2.42, ME Flash and BIOS Update to 3.30 with the V3 processor. This also worked successfully.

However, this made no difference to me whether with or without the update of the ME package.

The Xeon V4 supports both 2133 and 2400 MHz RAM DIMMs. I use four with 2133 so that's fine too.

I don't see why the memory error occurs.

Do you have any more advice?

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  ninin06 

As per Quickspec v4 Processor supports 2400MHz DIMMs. except few models which are running on 2133MHz. details given below.

E5-2640v4 2.4GHz 10 25MB 90W 8.0GT/s 2133

E5-2630v4 2.2GHz 10 25MB 85W 8.0GT/s 2133

E5-2630Lv4 1.8GHz 10 25MB 55W 8.0GT/s 2133

E5-2623v4 2.6GHz 4 10MB 85W 8.0GT/s 2133

E5-2620v4 2.1GHz 8 20MB 85W 8.0GT/s 2133

[ninin06 · Accepted solution]

Hello @rabindra11sharm 

The two CPUs E5 2680 V4 and 2690V4 both support 2133 and 2400, so this does not matter.

I have now analyzed the problem further and found out that there is a high probability that the processors each have a memory defect. This is because I have also tested them in a Dell R730 and a Supermicro system and each has a memory error. This did not occur with another E5 2680v4 processor, which has been in productive use for some time.

So the problem is not with the HPE DL380 Gen9 and the RAM used.