Dell Workstation Owners Club

[Retrorockit]

We have a separate thread for overclocking these computers (and others).
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/throttlestop-overclocking-desktop-pcs.235975/
Many of us here follow both threads. But if that's not your thing then you're in the right place.
Skulltrail was an Intel 2xCPU LGA771 motherboard that supported the unlocked QX9775 CPUs. But the dual CPU chipset required the FBDIMM memory.
The problem with FBDIMM is each channel/ module adds it's own comtroller. Bandwidth is good but latency increases also which makes it bad for gaming. It also had some power and heat issues related to the RAM.

 

[lexluthermiester]

We have a separate thread for overclocking these computers (and others).

While that's true, there's no harm talking about it here.

 

[TechyTed]

I saw another thread on the forum about a build using an HP Z800 motherboard.

I’m too far along on my T5500 to think about switching, but it looked interesting.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...-workstation-with-hp-z800-motherboard.246598/


That HP had a lot in common with the Dell platform, similar to the Z400/T3500 situation.

 

[Retrorockit]

That HP CPU cooler is alot nicer than the Dell ones. I picked up a couple HP LGA1366 coolers to play with but mine only have 6 tubes.

 

[TechyTed]

I know this is a Dell thread, but for those who are exploring the HP option....there is a ton of info out there.

Just as the Dell support site has Tx500 support forums, HP also has support forums for the Zx00 series.

On the CPU coolers, the HP Zx00 series has some interesting kinks to be aware of.

Here is a particular interesting link explaining the difference between the regular and the higher performance coolers:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Busin...Z400-heatsink-fan-4-pin-to-5-pin/td-p/5707547

The Dell passive coolers are easier to understand.

 

[Retrorockit]

"i have 2 w3530 cpu's in my stash, would these be good to play with throttlestop in the t3500? at this point i could always make the freenas server (t7500) back into a dual x5675 workstation and the t3500 can just run a w3530 if it can be tweaked....i need more time to play around with my hardware "



Throttlestop requires an unlocked CPU so the multiplier can be adjusted. W3570,W3580 are the 4 core Nehalems, and W3680,W3690 are the 6 core Westmeres. The i7 -***X Cpus work also.
The nehalems are dirt cheap. None of the W3*** CPUs support Rdimms, but I don't think the X58 T3500 does anyway.

I came across something at OCN about overclocking a T7500 2x CPU machine with SetFSB. The SATA went haywire early on, but a PCIe add in card fixed it.
https://www.overclock.net/forum/5-i...locking-dual-xeon-dell-precision-t7500-3.html

 

[TechyTed]

... I came across something at OCN about overclocking a T7500 2x CPU machine with SetFSB. The SATA went haywire early on, but a PCIe add in card fixed it.
https://www.overclock.net/forum/5-i...locking-dual-xeon-dell-precision-t7500-3.html

Have not had time to look at doing that with my T5500 MB, but playing with FSB is on my long term TODO list.

I will have to say, maybe my needs are meager, but even the single X5675 and 24gb RAM that I am running here is quite adequate. Adding an SSD to the system, more that anything else, increased the overall responsiveness for me.

 

[david carey]

I just got a Asus P6X58D-E motherboard , having failed to find a 09kpnv so far . Has anyone fitted one to a Dell T3500 ?

 

[Retrorockit]

The Dell T3500 has the MB on the left side of the case. It's a modified BTX layout. "Son of BTX" I call it. They swapped the rear I/O, and the CPU/RAM area around but kept the front fan positive pressure ducted cooling. The HP Z400 is more of an ATX layout and would probably be a better candidate. The HP PSU has some bogus wiring that could harm an ATX MB.

 

[Aaron_Henderson]

The Dell T3500 has the MB on the left side of the case. It's a modified BTX layout. "Son of BTX" I call it. They swapped the rear I/O, and the CPU/RAM area around but kept the front fan positive pressure ducted cooling. The HP Z400 is more of an ATX layout and would probably be a better candidate. The HP PSU has some bogus wiring that could harm an ATX MB.

I have converted the Z400 PSU to work on a normal ATX motherboard, and a normal ATX PSU to work on the Z400 motherboard. Both are still working fine!

 

[Retrorockit]

Yes, but to do that you first need to be aware that they need to be converted. An HP PSU on an ATX MB would be sending 12V. to a couple places that weren't designed for it.

 

[TechyTed]

I just got a Asus P6X58D-E motherboard , having failed to find a 09kpnv so far . Has anyone fitted one to a Dell T3500 ?

My recommendation is to pick a good ATX case instead. There are many good choices at the $50-$75 level. The Deep Cool Dukase is a good one. I bought a slightly dinged up Nanoxia case that is as heavy and quiet as the T3500 case for $65 at a local salvage store for another Asus build.

 

[lexluthermiester]

My recommendation is to pick a good ATX case instead. There are many good choices at the $50-$75 level. The Deep Cool Dukase is a good one. I bought a slightly dinged up Nanoxia case that is as heavy and quiet as the T3500 case for $65 at a local salvage store for another Asus build.

This is the right idea. Trying to fit a standard ATX board into a BTX case is a recipe for expensive problems and frustration.

I just got a Asus P6X58D-E motherboard , having failed to find a 09kpnv so far . Has anyone fitted one to a Dell T3500 ?

BTW Welcome to the forums!

 

[SamirD]

I still have a Precision 670 that's running strong. Uses a lot of power though.

 

[TechyTed]

Precision workstations seem to be pretty tough and hard to kill.

Most are retired well before they are worn out.

Same with the portables.

I have a Precision M4400 laptop that is built like a tank, but getting to be quite obsolete (core2duo and 4gb RAM).

The only thing that has been replaced is the original battery.

 

[Retrorockit]

I have a Precision M4400 laptop that is built like a tank, but getting to be quite obsolete (core2duo and 4gb RAM).

I see a Core 2 extreme Q9300 running in those here.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-Precision-M4400/2925
Maybe a Throttlestop overclock would liven things up.
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/throttlestop-overclocking-desktop-pcs.235975/
TS actually started as a Laptop undervolting program. I started the desktop thread because it was little known in that area.

 

[TechyTed]

I see a Core 2 extreme Q9300 running in those here.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-Precision-M4400/2925
Maybe a Throttlestop overclock would liven things up.
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/throttlestop-overclocking-desktop-pcs.235975/
TS actually started as a Laptop undervolting program. I started the desktop thread because it was little known in that area.

Yes there are folks who ran a C2Q processor in them, but battery life suffered. It wasOK if you used it a desktop replacement and on AC all the time.

The main limitation of that generation mobile chipset is the 8gb max RAM.

But Its fine for what I am using it for now..a media streamer in my bedroom hooked to an HDTV.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I have a Precision M4400 laptop that is built like a tank, but getting to be quite obsolete (core2duo and 4gb RAM).

http://www.android-x86.org/releases/releasenote-4-4-r5
This version of Android runs very will on older hardware like that system. While an older version of Android, it's still supported til 2020 in the Play store.
http://www.android-x86.org/releases/releasenote-6-0-r3
Runs a little slower, but still runs well and will be supported til 2022.

 

[TechyTed]

http://www.android-x86.org/releases/releasenote-4-4-r5
This version of Android runs very will on older hardware like that system. While an older version of Android, it's still supported til 2020 in the Play store.
http://www.android-x86.org/releases/releasenote-6-0-r3
Runs a little slower, but still well and will be supported til 2022.

It probably would be a decent Android system. I’ve played with that x86 build before. Booted it off a USB drive on Asus eee pc.

The Dell actually run Windows 7 pro just fine. That’s what it came with and it still updates. If I bothered to upgrade it should run Win 10 with no problem, especially with an SSD.

I’ve run 64 bit Linux on it too. Actually have it setup to dual boot. But the best driver support for that particular system is still Windows 7.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Oops, forgot one;
http://www.android-x86.org/releases/releasenote-7-1-r2
The 64bit version can be glitchy so I recommend the 32bit version.

 

[Susquehannock]

Posting this here well as the TS thread since some may not be watching both.

Been playing around with this W3680 at 4.0ghz in my Dell T3500. Looks good. System gets buggy at 4.2ghz and will fail during IETU more often than not. Pretty sure it would be stable with more voltage.

Very happy with the temps so far. Max of 60c at full load with 25c room temp. Grizzly Kryonaut is expensive but seems to do the trick. Stock cooler with 80mm fan in pull config, both case fans set to 100% with SpeedFan.

Now the bad news ..... W3680 in the T5500 board is a no go. Get the same 'pb7' BIOS non-execution error with both UDIMM and RDIMM modules. Being thie W3680 is single QPI link, it would seem the BIOS requires a dual QPI chip regardless if we run only one CPU.

So unless someone knows of an unlocked dual QPI Xeon we are out of luck overclocking the T5500.

 

[lexluthermiester]

both case fans set to 100% with SpeedFan.

What version of SpeedFan?

 

[Susquehannock]

What version of SpeedFan?

v4.25. The latest version I believe.

[edit]
mistyped ... using SpeedFan version 4.52

 

[TechyTed]

I don't think Dell ever offered the W series Xeons in the T5500, so the BIOS probably doesnt recognize them.

The X55xx and X56xx series seems to work fine in my T5500. Latest BIOS update is needed for the X56xx CPUs.

 

[Retrorockit]

What Dell offers and what actually runs aren't always the same thing. It would make sense for them to only offer 2xCPU Xeons in case the customer wants to add another CPU to the T5500 later.
I've seen sellers offering T5500 with that CPU, and sellers offering that CPU as an upgrade for those.
I'm not finding any at userbenchmark with that CPU. Just dual X5687 scoring fairly well.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/8937301