Dell Workstation Owners Club

[lexluthermiester]

does the dummy plug affect WOL? i would assume no, right?

No idea. One would think it shouldn't, but if they're doing something funky with the LAN over HDMI protocols, maybe? Doubtful, but then again, I've seen crazier things.

 

[frigider]

No idea. One would think it shouldn't, but if they're doing something funky with the LAN over HDMI protocols, maybe? Doubtful, but then again, I've seen crazier things.

Will reinstall and light up some candles, sacrifice a goat, some chickens etc.

Stupidest thing yet:
Hit update driver for network card, went from 2021 version to 2019, that's what I call an update.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Stupidest thing yet:
Hit update driver for network card, went from 2021 version to 2019, that's what I call an update.

Turn off hadrware driver updates. They are notorius for getting things wrong and causing problems. Install your drivers for your Dell system hardware from Dell and ONLY Dell.

 

[frigider]

Turn off hadrware driver updates. They are notorius for getting things wrong and causing problems. Install your drivers for your Dell system hardware from Dell and ONLY Dell.

true that, completely forgot about this - had similar issue with an older laptop - windows always updated the driver (that time with a newer version) but it ruined the image , made it really bleek.

 

[lexluthermiester]

true that, completely forgot about this - had similar issue with an older laptop - windows always updated the driver (that time with a newer version) but it ruined the image , made it really bleek.

As a rules, I shut off anything automatic as it generally causes more problems than it solves.

 

[frigider]

As a rules, I shut off anything automatic as it generally causes more problems than it solves.

i assume there is a way to do this for all "devices"?
i know i did it for 1 particular device - video card.

 

[pashalis777]

Hi. I am totally unfamiliar with upgrading simple desktops let alone workstations.

I want to upgrade my t5500, and by 'I' I mean someone who is capable of doing it. I just want to give money to someone, tell them what my use would be for it and let them upgrade it.

I bought it used from a guy five years ago, and only once I had for something to be replaced.

As I said i am an amateur asking help from the big guns.

Could you help me pick the right components?
Its motherboard is 0crh6c. Its tag is D5XZ85J.
My main use is movies, playing with the system(not something serious), audio, letting the pc stay awake for days, and if my budget allows playing the latest games at the maximum, though my budget does not allow that but I still want to see what my t5500's options are. Plus multitasking like having countless browser tabs open while gaming(or paused) while winamp and VLC are on playing stuff, while burning a DVD, while I walk the dog and I'm back in twenty. I am half jocking of course.
I am really looking forward for answers and I am excited to share anything else regardingtthe upgrade.

Thanks a lot!

 

[mouks]

Hi. I am totally unfamiliar with upgrading simple desktops let alone workstations.

I want to upgrade my t5500, and by 'I' I mean someone who is capable of doing it. I just want to give money to someone, tell them what my use would be for it and let them upgrade it.

I bought it used from a guy five years ago, and only once I had for something to be replaced.

As I said i am an amateur asking help from the big guns.

Could you help me pick the right components?
Its motherboard is 0crh6c. Its tag is D5XZ85J.
My main use is movies, playing with the system(not something serious), audio, letting the pc stay awake for days, and if my budget allows playing the latest games at the maximum, though my budget does not allow that but I still want to see what my t5500's options are. Plus multitasking like having countless browser tabs open while gaming(or paused) while winamp and VLC are on playing stuff, while burning a DVD, while I walk the dog and I'm back in twenty. I am half jocking of course.
I am really looking forward for answers and I am excited to share anything else regardingtthe upgrade.

Thanks a lot!

Hi, what are your current specs? If you do a lot of multitasking, I would add the max amount of RAM, the T5500 can use server sticks and you can find them for really cheap. If you don't already have a SSD as a boot drive, that would also be a worthy cheap upgrade. I think the best CPUs for your board are Xeon X5690, they go for $80 a pair on Ebay. If you want to play recent games, you will have to upgrade the GPU and that would be the most expensive part.

 

[pashalis777]

Hi, what are your current specs? If you do a lot of multitasking, I would add the max amount of RAM, the T5500 can use server sticks and you can find them for really cheap. If you don't already have a SSD as a boot drive, that would also be a worthy cheap upgrade. I think the best CPUs for your board are Xeon X5690, they go for $80 a pair on Ebay. If you want to play recent games, you will have to upgrade the GPU and that would be the most expensive part.

I'll attach some images for my specs. For booting I have the 850 Evo 250 gb, I think. The first couple of years it was in a laptop. Then I have a couple 1tb hdds for games and files. Server sticks are the ECC, right? I'd say for my use I'd put 20gb max 24, I don't know. Should I put a pair of Xeons x5690 and not one? I read in a forum that the x5687 might perform better on games, is that correct? Also in another site I read that the motherboard 0crh6c supports a PCI 2. graphics card. But afterwards I saw that my current GPU is PCI 3. so regardless of my motherboard's recommendations, it would work great with pci 3. cards right?

Thank you so much!

 

[80-watt Hamster]

I'll attach some images for my specs. For booting I have the 850 Evo 250 gb, I think. The first couple of years it was in a laptop. Then I have a couple 1tb hdds for games and files. Server sticks are the ECC, right? I'd say for my use I'd put 20gb max 24, I don't know. Should I put a pair of Xeons x5690 and not one? I read in a forum that the x5687 might perform better on games, is that correct? Also in another site I read that the motherboard 0crh6c supports a PCI 2. graphics card. But afterwards I saw that my current GPU is PCI 3. so regardless of my motherboard's recommendations, it would work great with pci 3. cards right?

Thank you so much!

Hypothetically, sure; games love clock speed. But we're talking 140 MHz stock, so it probably won't make an appreciable difference. My 2p: grab whatever X5677, -80, -87 or -90 is cheapest.

And while I'm spitballing (full disclosure: I've never had a dual-socket system), if you're going to run a pair, go 5687. You'll pay the same money for two of those as for one 5690, and get the higher clock speeds you're looking for.

You're correct; a PCIe3 card will run on PCIe2. A very fast card could theoretically saturate the bus, but your processor(s) will probably become the bottleneck first.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Hi. I am totally unfamiliar with upgrading simple desktops let alone workstations.

I want to upgrade my t5500, and by 'I' I mean someone who is capable of doing it. I just want to give money to someone, tell them what my use would be for it and let them upgrade it.

I bought it used from a guy five years ago, and only once I had for something to be replaced.

As I said i am an amateur asking help from the big guns.

Could you help me pick the right components?
Its motherboard is 0crh6c. Its tag is D5XZ85J.
My main use is movies, playing with the system(not something serious), audio, letting the pc stay awake for days, and if my budget allows playing the latest games at the maximum, though my budget does not allow that but I still want to see what my t5500's options are. Plus multitasking like having countless browser tabs open while gaming(or paused) while winamp and VLC are on playing stuff, while burning a DVD, while I walk the dog and I'm back in twenty. I am half jocking of course.
I am really looking forward for answers and I am excited to share anything else regardingtthe upgrade.

Thanks a lot!

First, Welcome to TPU!

Next, what specs do you currently have? What CPU, RAM, Video card SSD/HDD?
Now tell us what you want to do with the system and what your spending budget is.

I think the best CPUs for your board are Xeon X5690, they go for $80 a pair on Ebay.

While true, that will not be very cost effective. An X5680, X5675, W3680 or W3670 would provide about 95% the performance at less than half the price.

I'll attach some images for my specs. For booting I have the 850 Evo 250 gb, I think. The first couple of years it was in a laptop. Then I have a couple 1tb hdds for games and files. Server sticks are the ECC, right? I'd say for my use I'd put 20gb max 24, I don't know. Should I put a pair of Xeons x5690 and not one? I read in a forum that the x5687 might perform better on games, is that correct? Also in another site I read that the motherboard 0crh6c supports a PCI 2. graphics card. But afterwards I saw that my current GPU is PCI 3. so regardless of my motherboard's recommendations, it would work great with pci 3. cards right?

Thank you so much!

Those are WEBP images. Please upload standard JPG or PNG images.

As for gaming performance, a W3680 or W3670 would provide the best experience. 24GB(6x4GB) would be excellent, but 18GB(3x4GB + 3x2GB) would be great too. PCIe3.0 cards will work as they should in the T5500. I had an RTX2080 in my T3500(which is a similar system) for nearly two years and it ran perfectly.

 

[pashalis777]

First, Welcome to TPU!

Next, what specs do you currently have? What CPU, RAM, Video card SSD/HDD?
Now tell us what you want to do with the system and what your spending budget is.


While true, that will not be very cost effective. An X5680, X5675, W3680 or W3670 would provide about 95% the performance at less than half the price.


Those are WEBP images. Please upload standard JPG or PNG images.

As for gaming performance, a W3680 or W3670 would provide the best experience. 24GB(6x4GB) would be excellent, but 18GB(3x4GB + 3x2GB) would be great too. PCIe3.0 cards will work as they should in the T5500. I had an RTX2080 in my T3500(which is a similar system) for nearly two years and it ran perfectly.

Thank you for having me!

8gb Ram
(1) Evo ssd 850 250gb (2) HDDs WD 1TB
750gtx TI 2Gb, MSI most likely
Xeon E5620 2.4ghz

Regardless of the budget (around 700€) I am thinking a gtx 1660 (Super or Ti) or rtx 2060, and maybe upgrade down the line. For the others, processor for games (plus multitasking). I am leaning into one X5687. Any search on the internet recommends one CPU for gaming, and some even say two CPUs would decrease my gaming performance. What do you think?
I mentioned my use just a bit above (Though I don't want to be that excessive with the workstation.) I want 24gb of ram max, for my use seems fine, I think.

About the Wxxxx processors you listed, I thought my motherboard only supports E56XX and X56XX series. I just heard about the Ws.

Thank you!

 

[lexluthermiester]

8gb Ram

Definitely upgrade your RAM to 12GB(3x4GB or 6x2GB) at least and consider 18GB(3x4GB+3x2GB). If you have the dual CPU riser board, then do 6x2GB on each CPU which will give you 24GB. DDR3 2GB dimms are cheap currently. Also go with 1333mhz. The extra speed will make a difference.

(1) Evo ssd 850 250gb (2) HDDs WD 1TB

Unless you want more SSD space, you seem to be in good shape with storage.

750gtx TI 2Gb, MSI most likely

That's an ok GPU and it will , however upgrading to play more recent games is a good idea.

rtx 2060

This would be a very solid upgrade. But if you can afford it, an RTX 2070 or RTX 3060 would be a great upgrade.

Xeon E5620 2.4ghz

This needs upgrading. Fortunately, that should not be expensive.

For the others, processor for games (plus multitasking). I am leaning into one X5687.

If you're going to go with that CPU, do two of them as long as you have the CPU riser board. However, I would go with an X5680/X5675 or 2. You can use a W3680, but only in a single CPU configuration.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

If you're going to go with that CPU, do two of them as long as you have the CPU riser board. However, I would go with an X5680/W3680 or 2.

Are W processors not single socket only?

Product Specifications

quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

 

[pashalis777]

If you have the dual CPU riser board, then do 6x2GB on each CPU which will give you 24GB. DDR3 2GB dimms are cheap currently. Also go with 1333mhz. The extra speed will make a difference.

Should I buy 12x2GB 1333mhz total like this one, or buy 4x4GB same speed, because I already have 4x2GB 1066mhz? I doubt it would be a problem adding 1333mhz speed next to 1066mhz, right?

edit: Should I buy new, refurbished or used processors/memory? I know new products are ideal, but would I have problems with the others(from ebay or Amazon)?

 

[mouks]

Should I buy 12x2GB 1333mhz total like this one, or buy 4x4GB same speed, because I already have 4x2GB 1066mhz? I doubt it would be a problem adding 1333mhz speed next to 1066mhz, right?

edit: Should I buy new, refurbished or used processors/memory? I know new products are ideal, but would I have problems with the others(from ebay or Amazon)?

I think mixing RAM with different specs is not recommended, the 12x2GB you linked should work

Almost all the parts I bought to upgrade my T3500 were used and everything works. The only problem I had was solved after cleaning the socket, thanks to the helpful members of this forum who pointed me in the right direction. I wouldn't bother buying a used CPU or memory, especially if it's cheap. You won't find much new parts for these old systems anyway. Try to buy them where you have some kind of warranty or buyer protection

 

[lexluthermiester]

Should I buy 12x2GB 1333mhz total like this one

This...

or buy 4x4GB same speed, because I already have 4x2GB 1066mhz?

...not this. Remember, to maintain triple channel RAM speeds you need matching(speed and size) DIMMs in all slots. Installing mismatched DIMMs will cause your system to drop to dual or even single channel mode, which will hurt system performance.

Go with the 12x2GB. That will give you 24GB and will be more that you should really ever need.

Are W processors not single socket only?

Oh, right, they are. Corrected. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[pashalis777]

Remember, to maintain triple channel RAM speeds you need matching(speed and size) DIMMs in all slots.

Would this model (x6) work on a double Xeon X5687 ? Is that triple channel, as you said?
I just found it closer to me than the other link's location.

 

[mouks]

Would this model (x6) work on a double Xeon X5687 ? Is that triple channel, as you said?
I just found it closer to me than the other link's location.

Yes, the X5687 also runs triple channel RAM.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...60-ghz-6-40-gts-intel-qpi/specifications.html

 

[pashalis777]

This would be a very solid upgrade. But if you can afford it, an RTX 2070 or RTX 3060 would be a great upgrade.

yeah, but with the new processor would i really use all the power of these GPUs, even the rtx2060? would i not lose a solid amount of efficiency of those cards, paired with the x5687. I mean, regarding my budget isn't it wise to go with a gtx1660ti instead, so 1) i save money and 2) use the gpu's efficiency at its whole power (at least its most amount)? Thank you.

 

[mouks]

yeah, but with the new processor would i really use all the power of these GPUs, even the rtx2060? would i not lose a solid amount of efficiency of those cards, paired with the x5687. I mean, regarding my budget isn't it wise to go with a gtx1660ti instead, so 1) i save money and 2) use the gpu's efficiency at its whole power (at least its most amount)? Thank you.

A youtuber did some testing to find the best GPUs without CPU bottleneck, I posted the video on page 94 of this thread. According to his results, RTX 2070 super or similar is the best match. I just replaced the RX570 of my T3500 with an RTX 3060 and it made a massive improvement. I don't know the pricing where you live but in my country the 1660ti is almost the same price as the RX6600 which is 20-30% more powerful

 

[pashalis777]

This person has a workstation that sells it, but I am interested in their pc's components. He has a pair of Xeon x5687, which I am interested in. I asked for the price. He listed it (90€), but he also listed a pair of freezer + fan for them at 180€ each. I did not expect I would need such things, let alone for that price... Do I really need the freezers and fan? Isn't my T5500 with the E5620, currently equipped for that? Thank you.

 

[Susquehannock]

Good mention on the W processors. Not possible for our T5500s. The boards only accept 2 QPI link CPUs regardless if running single or dual. Best you can do is x5687 or x5690 for hex core. Both will allow 1333mhz RAM to run at full speed. Your E5620 is limiting to 1066mhz. One good thing about the T5500 being Intel 5520 chipset, as opposed to X58 in T3500, that they accept inexpensive registered / server RAM. Was able to populate mine with 48gb at $72 (usa dollars). RAM for the T3500 cost over twice as much.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Would this model (x6) work on a double Xeon X5687 ? Is that triple channel, as you said?
I just found it closer to me than the other link's location.

Yes. Are you thinking of buying 6 of them?

yeah, but with the new processor would i really use all the power of these GPUs, even the rtx2060?

Depends on the game. I had an RTX 2080 in my T3500 with a W3680 and there were some games that ran full speed no issues and some the were being held back by the CPU, but not by much. An RTX 3060 would give you an excellent experience with that system!

 

[Mr Bill]

While true, that will not be very cost effective. An X5680, X5675, W3680 or W3670 would provide about 95% the performance at less than half the price.

This is true, I don't know why they're still so proud of the X5690. I guess when some post an auction on eBay, they look at what others are selling them for. I'm not sure, but my guess is, the biggest percentage of the X5690 auctions never even sale their processors.