REQUEST (question maybe..) IBM xSeries 236 + xeon 7020(SL8UA)

[B0D_Mr4ZU]

Hello, I wanted to ask, whether it's possible to add the microcode to the bios of a IBM server board. The original cpu from the board is SL7PF.

Server: IBM xSeries 236, PN:13N0859, MT-M: 8841-2AG, SN:KDPRZ44, productid 88412AG
MotherBoard: SN:13N0879, EC:H17596G
Original CPU: SL7PF, 3.2GHz, 800FSB, 1 core (step E0)

Wanted CPU: SL8UA, 2.6GHz, 668FSB, 2 core (step A0)

This seems to be the bios:

Code:

https://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=migr-57444

But I do now know, where to find microcode for the wanted chip.

Could you help me? Will it be possible? Can I supply any aditional information? Thank you very much for your effort.
(I have boxes of two of the wanted chips, the server has only one of the original chip inside)

[DeathBringer]

Your system is based on E7525 chipset. This chipset supports legacy Xeons with FSB=800 Mhz only. So try these CPUs (CPU's list from Intel motherboard).

[B0D_Mr4ZU]

Ooooh that's a pity.. I have several 604 cpus, but they are all 667MHz. But thank you very much for the information.
So.. from what you sent.. do you think, I can put a 65nm CPU inside? Say xeon 7140M? In that case, I will probably need the microcode injection, right?
Thank you very much for your help.

[DeathBringer]

No, you can use only legacy Xeons with Irwindale and Nocona cores.
You need a motherboard with E8500 or E8501 chipset to run your dual-core Xeons.

[B0D_Mr4ZU]

OK thank you very much. These are both just single cores with HT, as i see. So the best option would be to buy the same CPU I already have so I can have a pair.
Good, thank you very much for all your help.

[ChipInNC]

OK thank you very much. These are both just single cores with HT, as i see. So the best option would be to buy the same CPU I already have so I can have a pair.
Good, thank you very much for all your help.

Actually that information isn't 100% accurate.  The Intel 7520 chipset (and the 7525) will work just fine with a dual Intel SL8MA (Paxville) CPU setup.  That's two cores, and 4 threads per processor, times two CPUs.

Even better for you, it's supported on the IBM Standard BIOS version for your machine (above "Version 1.06") available from IBM:
Flash BIOS Update (DOS Package) - IBM eServer xSeries 236


I've got an couple of servers running dual SL8MA CPUs in them and have been very happy with the performance!  It's not as good as an Intel 7140M CPU, but that one is not supported on the motherboard.

[DeathBringer]

ChipInNC
Thanks! I forgot about legacy Xeons with Paxville DP (not MP) core. This core is a dual-core equivalent of the single-core Irwindale. The only one model was released - Xeon 2.80 GHz (SL8MA).

[B0D_Mr4ZU]

woooow, really guys?
That is a good news there! So ebay shopping time I will buy two of these cpus then and try them. I want to use the server as a controller nod for small OpenStack environment so the cpus will help a lot.
One questions.. Can I use a VRM from one of the cpus I already have? (the SL8UA - 2xfull box , SL8UM - 2xfull box), the later one is also 90nm cpu. What do you think? (It is hard to find whole package with VRM and heatsink...)
Thank you so much!

[DeathBringer]

Post part numbers of them.

[B0D_Mr4ZU]

sorry, ofcourse..
FRU 24R2691, DELTA P/N: D12S1R3130-1 AF, 11S24R2690ZJ1W9C6271HT 00M
FRU 74P4485, DELTA P/N: D12S1R3205 A, 11S74P4484ZJ1ZVD63R4JM 01
I have two of both.
Thank you.