Processor Swap

rmccullough

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May 17, 2018
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Should I expect any issues from FreeNAS 11.2 if I swap out 2 Xeon E5 processors? I was thinking of upgrading, but wasn't sure if I can just power down, swap the processors, power up, and everything takes advantage of the faster clock rates.
 

jgreco

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May 29, 2011
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Should I expect any issues from FreeNAS 11.2 if I swap out 2 Xeon E5 processors? I was thinking of upgrading, but wasn't sure if I can just power down, swap the processors, power up, and everything takes advantage of the faster clock rates.

It'll be fine.
 
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Just make sure that you verify the CPUs you are thinking about using are compatible with your motherboard and the current BIOS level. I believe some of the Supermicro X9 boards are limited to v1 CPUs depending on revision. (Mine included...)
 

rmccullough

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@Newfoundland.Republic thank you for the insight. I looked at my board (X9DRi-LN4F+) and it looks like BIOS v3.0 should support v2 CPUs.

I logged into the IPMI web interface, and it saws "Firmware Revision : 03.54", I am not sure if that is the same as the BIOS. Is there a place in the Supermicro IPMI web portal that I can view the BIOS version?
 
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@rmccullough - check the revision on the actual motherboard. I *think* it is only v1 of the board that is limited to which CPUs were supported. I read that when the board was still supported people were getting replacements to support current CPUs.

I actually not sure without a reboot. I poked around the IPMI for my X9DR3-LN4F+ and all I can find is update BIOS, but no actual BIOS revision.

You can log into your server and dmidecode (at the top - use more :smile: ) will tell you the BIOS version.

---Edit---
Here is what the revision states on my motherboard in the attached picture

---Edit 2---
This MAY be specific to my board, but STH has a thread on the E5 v1 v. v2: https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...i-ln4f-rev-1-10-dual-socket-lga-2011-r.14906/
 

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rmccullough

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The dmidecode command reports my BIOS being at v3.3:
Code:
BIOS Information
        Vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
        Version: 3.3
        Release Date: 05/23/2018
        Address: 0xF0000
        Runtime Size: 64 kB
        ROM Size: 12288 kB
        Characteristics:
                PCI is supported
                BIOS is upgradeable
                BIOS shadowing is allowed
                Boot from CD is supported
                Selectable boot is supported
                BIOS ROM is socketed
                EDD is supported
                Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
                8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
                Serial services are supported (int 14h)
                Printer services are supported (int 17h)
                ACPI is supported
                USB legacy is supported
                BIOS boot specification is supported
                Function key-initiated network boot is supported
                Targeted content distribution is supported
                UEFI is supported
        BIOS Revision: 4.6


It appears that my motherboard is reporting Revision 1.20A:
Code:
Base Board Information
        Manufacturer: Supermicro
        Product Name: X9DRi-LN4+/X9DR3-LN4+
        Version: REV:1.20A
        Serial Number: XXXXXXXXXX
        Asset Tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
        Features:
                Board is a hosting board
                Board is replaceable
        Location In Chassis: To be filled by O.E.M.
        Chassis Handle: 0x0003
        Type: Motherboard
        Contained Object Handles: 0


This looks to me like it will take E5-26xx v2 processors. Am I missing anything?
 
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@rmccullough - Looks like from everything I've read that you should be good to go. Good Luck!
 
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