Dell Workstation Owners Club

[sepheronx]

It's a pretty common thing to do for the Russians, they use both Dell and HP motherboards for this.

Because it's cheap and effective. Although, some wiring is needed to be done to bypass sensors and proprietary connections. Harnesses can be picked up online though.

 

[bgguy]

Anyone have any experience with their T3600 computer shutting off abruptly during gaming or heavy loads? (Basically the computer trips off kind of like you've pulled the plug, but it actually automatically boots up after a few seconds without needing to press the power button)
I have checked the temps and it is not an issue.

My T3600 Specs:
E5-1660
4x8GB DDR3 ECC RAM
NVIDIA RTX 2080
2 HDD in RAID + 1 SSD
WiFi PCIe card
635W PSU

The desktop runs fine in 99% of situations but 3 particular cases causes it the do a hard shutdown.
-Running GPU@100% and CPU@100% Using Kombustor and CPU Burner, it usually shuts down immediately or within 30 seconds of reaching 100% on both.
-Playing Assassins creed Odyssey on max settings (GPU was at ~95%, CPU also ~95% when it shut down), this occurred in one particular boss fight. I later on reduced game settings to prevent any crashes.
-Playing Half Life Alyx in VR on medium settings 1440p in one very specific elevator scene (Chapter 1) when a drone starts scanning you (GPU is close to 80% and CPU is maybe 60% ?). After I ran into this issue, I ran this scenario 4 more times times and the first 3 times it kept shutting down in the exact same spot of the game. On the 4th run, it actually kept going with no problems.
The last one is important because it's super weird. The CPU and GPU are not even maxed out....it's almost like something in the graphics or game is triggering the computer to trip out. Also odd that neither are reaching 100%, is something else bottlenecking it? Perhaps memory? Perhaps VRAM?


Things I have checked:
-Temperatures are all below spec and max out at 83C and in some cases it doesn't even exceed 80C.
-Used HWINFO to log all the sensors and checked if anything was out of the ordinary. Nothing stood out.
-Plugged in the desktop to an energy monitor and at the time the desktop shuts down, the PSU is running ~500W which is below 635W PSU limit.
-Tried reseating video card and some of the cables, including swapping around the 8-pin cables. (Noticed the original Dell cable doesn't even bother grounding 2 of the extra ground pins).
-Updated Graphic Card Drivers
-Updated BIOS to the newest A18 (I think)
-Running only the CPU at 100% for several minutes. No issues, no shutdown.
-Running only the GPU at 100% for several minutes. No issues, no shutdown.Further testing and it does indeed shuts down now. Definitely PSU not able to supply enough power to GPU.
-Windows Memory Diagnostic

Everything seems to point to the PSU but before I go out and buy a new PSU, is there anything else I can test?
Could it be the motherboard? Could it just be a faulty wire that causes this?

I did a search and one person seemed to have similar issues when playing games but I never saw a resolution and he disappeared.

Dell Workstation Owners Club

The very early T5500 MB D883f had active SB cooling. 0G422G is the part#. Prices vary wildly on this item and other MB wont have the 4 pin header to run the fan...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[KLiKzg]

Just my 5cents worth:

Your Tcase is 64°C. Check more info here: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...60-15m-cache-3-30-ghz-0-0-gt-s-intel-qpi.html

Did you do a:

• clean-up of the dust on coolers?
• vacuum/blow air on all fans & coolers?
• rework the thermal paste between CPU & cooler? (might be old & not working, with your (83°C on CPU)
• check which cooler you have? Maybe you don't have a proper cooler for 130W CPU.

I would say it's your CPU, who is faulty.
Here's a list of possible alternatives, which might work on your T3600 system: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...622,64583,64595,64597,64602,64593,64591,64620
Check the text for A18 BIOS to confirm that.
& no, you don't need fastest lower core count for CPU - you're not running CAD programs like CATIA. All games support multi-CPU architecture, so no problem with having more cores.

2nd guess is the RAM, which can be checked with MEMtest bootable program.
3rd guess would be the PSU (but don't think it is).

 

[elfoam]

It's just pulling too many watts on the 2080, you might be able to work around it if you supply some of the power to the card from another rail. Or try under volting the card a bit. The limit is somewhere around 200 watts and you'll be right on that with a 2080. Try use a cable that pulls 75 watts from the sata line or something like that.

 

[bgguy]

@KLiKzg Why do you think it's CPU? I have tried CPU burner and it runs fine at 100% consistently.
And the times when it shutdown in Half Life:Alyx temps were only 75C and 65C for CPU/GPU respectively.
I just tested with a separate set of RAM and same issue. Still shuts down.
And yes, bootup screen shows bios A18.


@elfoam The 12V rail should be 18A, so 216W, plus another 75W from the PCIE slot which should be fine? I've run the GPU by itself at 100% for long periods with no issues.

 

[elfoam]

Maybe it can't make those watts anymore like it used to? it's just that the PSU switching off like that is totally typical when you run out of power. Happened to me when I was running Crossfire RX 480s both on one rail with my Dell T7500, but I could run them no problem on seperate rails.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Everything seems to point to the PSU but before I go out and buy a new PSU, is there anything else I can test?

I'm going to lean in this direction as well. That behavior you've described seems like a Dell PSU fault protection cut-off. You might be over taxing that PSU.

 

[bgguy]

Alright. So I realized I have a spare power supply so I hooked up one of the PCIE connections on the GPU to the spare PSU.
Dell PSU supplying essentially the whole PC and one 12V PCIE 8pin to the 2080 + one 12V PCIE 6pin connection from the spare PSU to my 2080.
Ran everything at 100% and it did not shutdown. So now I know it's definitely a power issue.


I guess the remaining question is whether I should get another 635W PSU hoping it won't trip? Or should I try to find a 825W PSU? Or will a new PSU help at all considering each rail is always 12V x 18A, so maybe even an 825W won't work?

I checked the manual and it says: "Total allowed graphics power allowed in slot 2 is 225W"

The cost for the PSUs would be.
635W ~ $100
825W ~ $200-300.

Could someone explain how the 12V rails work?
On the 635W they have 12VA, VB, VC, VD, VE, but there are only 3 cables from the power distribution block, 1 CPU (I'm guessing 2 rails), 1 MOBO (Also 2 rails?), and POWER_VGA2(1 rail?). Is this correct?

 

[elfoam]

Yeah there's a chance the 825w wont work either, I think I made a power cable adapter once to run a regular ATX power supply in a 5600? or 7600. Are the 3600 PSUs the same?

 

[lexluthermiester]

Or should I try to find a 825W PSU?

It's either this, downgrade your GPU to something like a GTX1080 or buy a new PC.

825W ~ $200-300.

You're paying too much where ever you're looking. You can get a 1300w for $171 shipped.

Dell Precision T7600 T7610 T3600 T3610 T5600 T5610 1300W POWER SUPPLY | eBay

Condition is Used. We will match it. All part numbers are available.

www.ebay.com

Dell Precision T7600 T7610 T3600 T3610 T5600 1300W Power Supply | eBay

Failure to do so may invalidate the warranty.

www.ebay.com

 

[KLiKzg]

@KLiKzg Why do you think it's CPU? I have tried CPU burner and it runs fine at 100% consistently.
And the times when it shutdown in Half Life:Alyx temps were only 75C and 65C for CPU/GPU respectively.
I just tested with a separate set of RAM and same issue. Still shuts down.
And yes, bootup screen shows bios A18.


@elfoam The 12V rail should be 18A, so 216W, plus another 75W from the PCIE slot which should be fine? I've run the GPU by itself at 100% for long periods with no issues.

Hi,
when GPU fails, then computers keeps on working. In my case it even fried the RAM on GPU, but CPU still was working.

When CPU fails, it abruptly shuts down the computer.
When RAM fails (with errors), then the app shuts down. If it's kernel, then computer shuts down. Thankfully that can be checked with MEMtest - did you run it?
When PSU fails, yes it's shuts down the computer. But usually it shuts down once & never works again.

My experience is with T5500 with X5650 in them. Neither of those comes over 75°C, while being stressed on BOINC (CPU & GPU computing) & working 24/7.
So I believe that my machine is more stresses then yours with games.

For me, the problem is the CPU on 83°C. That's too hot for CPU which should work up to Tcase of 63°C.
What might be the problems:
a) dust on cooler
b) not much air flow (check dust on fans & fans)
c) thermal paste is OLD
d) CPU cooler is not designed for 130W TDP CPU - did you check which cooler you have?
Getting yourself new CPU will cost $10~$50. So this is where I would 1st go & get myself a lower powered, same computing power CPU (you can see in my last link some 110W or 95W TDP CPUs).

If those won't help, then the more expensive solution would be to get yourself a new PSU.
But before that, did you dust out a PSU? It might be dusty & have same problems from overheating.

When fixing computers or cars, I always go from least expensive to more expensive.

Edit:
& about downgrading your GPU, don't go to 1080.
As you might need to downgrade the power of GPU, so it's better to go down to 2070 or 2060 then 1080.

 

[sepheronx]

Hello Friendo's

I purchased (for $150 CAD) a Dell t1650 with a E3 1275 v2 CPU. This machine will be used for a build I am gonna sell which will sport a R9 390X GPU. Anyway, I want to transplant it into a new case and aware of the ridiculous motherboard proprietary connections and was wondering if this will work for it?

Dell Optiplex 790 & 990 and Precision T1600 Front Panel Header Adapter Kit | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dell Optiplex 790 & 990 and Precision T1600 Front Panel Header Adapter Kit at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Now I am aware that it says T1600 and not T1650 but I am wondering if the connections are the same between the two mobo's?

 

[lexluthermiester]

Now I am aware that it says T1600 and not T1650 but I am wondering if the connections are the same between the two mobo's?

Sorry, but those will not work on a T1650. If you review the following, you see that they are very different systems.

Support for Precision T1600 | Documentation | Dell US

Support for Precision T1650 | Documentation | Dell US

 

[sepheronx]

Sorry, but those will not work on a T1650. If you review the following, you see that they are very different systems.

Support for Precision T1600 | Documentation | Dell US

Support for Precision T1650 | Documentation | Dell US

Hmm.

I'm on phone so I can't see the documentation. But I am curious why they changed the motherboards connections between the 1600 and 1650?

Anyway, do you know of an alternative?

Edit: so it's similar to optiplex 9010

Dell Optiplex 7010 9010 7020 9020 and Precision T1700 Front Panel Header Adapter | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dell Optiplex 7010 9010 7020 9020 and Precision T1700 Front Panel Header Adapter at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

So this one?

Ok, I'm a doofus. The description tells me for second item. So I gotta buy that one.

 

[TopHatProductions115]

I've got a Titan Xp coming in the mail, and am waiting on a possible offer for a pair of Xeon X5690's. Can't get any better than that for a T7500, can it? Aside from getting more RAM

 

[lexluthermiester]

Ok, I'm a doofus. The description tells me for second item. So I gotta buy that one.

No worries. Let us know how it works for you.

 

[sepheronx]

No worries. Let us know how it works for you.

I will!

 

[elfoam]

Since my T5500 is running like a champ again with the replacement IO board I decided to turn it into an Arcade machine for the moment. Got a HD 5450 gpu in it and running groovymame and CRTemudriver. With a RGB to component converter and a outputting it to a nice standard definition CRT I have. It's all running perfectly. I also seem to have an unlimited source of DDR3 ECC ram for my personal consumption at the local scrap yard. Grabbed another 3 sticks of 8gig from the scrap bin the other day.

I've got a Titan Xp coming in the mail, and am waiting on a possible offer for a pair of Xeon X5690's. Can't get any better than that for a T7500, can it? Aside from getting more RAM

CPU wise that's are powerful as you can go make sure you have the full three channels of ram running on each cpu.

 

[Susquehannock]

I got the replacement front I/O panel for the T5500 and plugged it in (just hanging out the side of the case for a test) and that seems to have fixed the full speed fan problem. That was a very helpful hero post, Thank you.

I will buy another for a spare since I still have two T5500s running.

Great news. Good to hear that fixed your problem.

 

[biffzinker]

Here’s a recent video for both the Xeon, and Dell Workstation Club threads everyone should enjoy.

 

[elfoam]

Been watching that kid since he had almost no subscribers, always liked his low budget builds. Great to see his channel went big

 

[rdizzle321]

Hi everyone, haven't posted in a while but just wanted to thank you for the support I got from ElFoam and Lex. I installed the 2x new processors and 48GB of ram and it was painless (nice change). I ended up also buying a 500GB SSD and directly passing it through to my VM which made the most difference of all.

I have a follow-up question as I want to buy a PCIe USB port card as a pass-through for the vm as the functionality when you use shared USB slots on the vm side and Unraid side is really finicky.

This card looks pretty good but I'm concerned about how "short" the PCIe connector is vs. my motherboard slot which are longer

PCIE USB 3.0 Card, ELUTENG 4 Ports PCI Expree to USB Expansion Card Super Speed 5Gbps PCI-e USB3 Hub Controller Adapter Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista-No Need Additional Power Supply : Amazon.ca: Electronics

PCIE USB 3.0 Card, ELUTENG 4 Ports PCI Expree to USB Expansion Card Super Speed 5Gbps PCI-e USB3 Hub Controller Adapter Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista-No Need Additional Power Supply : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

Will it work properly in the PCIe2 x8, PCIe2 x16, PCIe2 x8 slots? Another newb question, but the connector is so small?!

 

[biffzinker]

Will it work properly in the PCIe2 x8, PCIe2 x16, PCIe2 x8 slots? Another newb question, but the connector is so small?!

It’ll be fine for the expansion slot.

The bottom note is for legacy PCI.

 

[dorsetknob]

PCIx1 Card's will be functional and compatable with all PCIx Slots

 

[biffzinker]

The only time to be concerned is if you were looking at a card with x4/x8/x16 data lanes, and your board only has x1 slots. Some x1 slots are open on the back allowing say x16 card to slot in.