HP Workstations Owners Club

[bibikalka]

Hello, thanks so much for this.
I was wondering if since this post you'd had any experience or reports of people using this on a Z820?
I am considering it because I would like to have the NVME Boot but mostly for the ReSizeable Bar support so I can use the Intel GPUs
I am wary of wrecking the machine though

I tested the full write access procedure on Z820 - it works. You must have the newer Z820 motherboard with the E14 BB jumper to follow the procedure.

Have not heard about modded BIOS versions on Z820. I think the version cJ63_0396_NRE.zip has the least changes, and should be reasonably safe to try. But of course - the first time and everything ...

 

[Magic Cube]

Good day to everyone - this is my first post here and am trying to solve some memory issues with a newly purchased HPZ4 G4 workstation.

I purchased a used HPZ4 G4 and it came with 32GB memory - (4) 8GB DIMMS that were installed in DIMM slots labeled DIMM1, DIMM2, DIMM7 and DIMM8 on the system board. All was fine and I had no problems configuring the workstation or its performance - it was a big upgrade from my 10 year old HPZ400 workstation!

I decided to upgrade the memory to 64GB as I want to run a couple of VM's and picked up another (4) 8GB DIMMS. The additional DIMMS were Lenovo branded but had the same Samsung PN as the HP branded DIMMS. So now the 8 DIMM slots on the system board are fully populated with Samsung 8GB 1Rx8 PC4-2666V-RD1-12-MAO DIMMS.

The issue is that the system BIOS only recognizes 6 of the 8 DIMMS and reports 48GB memory - it completely ignores the DIMMS in the slots labeled DIMM3 and DIMM4 on the system board.

Here's what I have done to troubleshoot so far:
1) Plugged the HP branded DIMMS into the DIMM slots they were originally installed in (DIMM1, DIMM2, DIMM7, DIMM8) and the BIOS reports 32GB memory

2) Removed the HP branded DIMMS and plugged the LENOVO branded DIMMS into the same DIMM slots (DIMM1, DIMM2, DIMM7, DIMM8) and the BIOS reports 32GB memory

SO - after 1) and 2) - I'm feeling I don't have any bad DIMMS.

3) Removed the CPU and checked for bent pins on the system board - none found.

4) Replaced the system board with a new system board - same exact issue.

At this point - I have to admit that I'm a bit puzzled. I know that there is an optional memory cooling fan for the HPZ4 G4 - which I do not have. Is the memory cooling fan required when all the DIMM slots are populated with 8GB modules? I thought it was only needed when using 32GB DIMMS.

I've attached pics of the memory I'm using - any advice much appreciated - I'm running out of ideas

I cannot see processor mentioned in anywhere. I have been thinking possibilities. Have you run any actual memory test program. If every module works fully after testing->I would say problem is processor.

 

[CompSMART]

I cannot see processor mentioned in anywhere. I have been thinking possibilities. Have you run any actual memory test program. If every module works fully after testing->I would say problem is processor.

Thanks - I have run the memory test from the BIOS and the 6 DIMMS it recognizes all pass the test. I played musical DIMMS and move the 2 DIMMS the BIOS does not recognize (DIMM slots 3 and 4) to other slots and re-run the memory test - and all pass. So at this point - I'm fairly confident it's not the memory. Having ruled out the memory and system board - I guess the processor is the next suspect. I'm going to run the processor test from the BIOS tonight (it takes a while to run) and see what it reports.

 

[basisma]

Hi to all. I'm completely new here. 30 years always with Macs now with my "new" HP Z230 / E3-1280v3 / K2200 and 32GB RAM. Seems like K2200 will be the first to be replaced as I need more than PCIe 2.0 bandwidth for my graphic design job.

But I was looking here for the issue I can't resolve myself. Regardless CPU load both fans works just the same speed around 1500rpm now as I moved one level up to ++ in BIOS (upgraded to the newest one) Fan Idle Mode which seemed to me to be the only fan settings related only. When it was just one + when I first opened up the system to see how it worked during CineBench R23 tests CPU temp raised to +80C which concerned me a little bit. I know my CPU max is around +65C so I found that BIOS settings and moved this fan BIOS setting one level up from + to ++. Now under really heavy CPU load it is close to +65C max and +30/45C the most of the time but fans speed are still always 1500rpm… any clue? HP Performance Advisor claims everything is ok.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Now under really heavy CPU load it is close to +65C max and +30/45C the most of the time but fans speed are still always 1500rpm… any clue?

Those temps are fine. No need to worry. As for the fan curve, AFAIK, they are completely BIOS driven and they can not be changed. Kinda sucks, but it is what it is.

Seems like K2200 will be the first to be replaced as I need more than PCIe 2.0 bandwidth for my graphic design job.

While that is a good card, it is getting dated. An M4000 would be a very good upgrade and would more than double the GPU performance while staying just under $75. For example..

HP NVIDIA QUADRO M4000 GRAPHICS CARD | 818241-001 | 8GB GDDR5 | eBay

<p>Experience high-performance graphics with the HP NVIDIA Quadro M4000 Graphics Card. This powerful card boasts 8GB GDDR5 memory and a PCIE X16 3.0 connection, providing reliable and quick connections to your displays. With 4x DisplayPort ports, you can connect to multiple displays and monitors...

www.ebay.com

Another good option is an P4000, which triples the performance of the K2200 and comes in at about $155,

NVIDIA Quadro P4000 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card 699-5G410-0501-230E - Good Cond. | eBay

NVIDIA Quadro P4000 Graphics Card 699-5G410-0501-230E. PROCESSOR NVIDIA GP104. Pictures above areACTUAL photos of the type of wear the item you receive may have. Pre-cleaned with specialized cleanser and reset to factory settings.

www.ebay.com

You have a system with potential and you don't have to break the bank.

BTW, Welcome to TPU!

 

[basisma]

Those temps are fine. No need to worry. As fan curve, AFAIK, they are completely BIOS driven and they can not be changed. Kinda sucks, but it is what it is.

Thanks for your confirmation my CPU is not going to burn anyway. I was used to howling fans through all Mac and PC workstations I had been working on earlier. This particular one seems to be the quietest I've ever sat at. I was prepared for CPU paste changing but as soon as temp not exceed the max I think I will wait with it.

While that is a good card, it is getting dated. An M4000 would be a very good upgrade and would more than double the GPU performance while staying just under $75. For example..

HP NVIDIA QUADRO M4000 GRAPHICS CARD | 818241-001 | 8GB GDDR5 | eBay

<p>Experience high-performance graphics with the HP NVIDIA Quadro M4000 Graphics Card. This powerful card boasts 8GB GDDR5 memory and a PCIE X16 3.0 connection, providing reliable and quick connections to your displays. With 4x DisplayPort ports, you can connect to multiple displays and monitors...

www.ebay.com

Another good option is an P4000, which triples the performance of the K2200 and comes in at about $155,

NVIDIA Quadro P4000 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card 699-5G410-0501-230E - Good Cond. | eBay

NVIDIA Quadro P4000 Graphics Card 699-5G410-0501-230E. PROCESSOR NVIDIA GP104. Pictures above areACTUAL photos of the type of wear the item you receive may have. Pre-cleaned with specialized cleanser and reset to factory settings.

www.ebay.com

You have a system with potential and you don't have to break the bank.

BTW, Welcome to TPU!

I can see a little bit of renaissance of these workstations now so I think I stick around for a while with mine especially till Windows 10 is supported.

 

[CompSMART]

I cannot see processor mentioned in anywhere. I have been thinking possibilities. Have you run any actual memory test program. If every module works fully after testing->I would say problem is processor.

Running the Processor Test from the BIOS passed and then I ran the stress test for 15 minutes resulting in the attached temps. I'm not sure if the reported temps are good/bad or how much weight to place on the self-test or the stress-test, regarding my dead DIMM slot issue.

 

[basisma]

Another idea to be considered or not… what is HP Z230 the best processor available and reported that it works well? Is there a point in changing to the fastest possible based on official HP specs Xeon 1281v3 which seems to be just 1-2% faster than my E3-1280v3 based on CPU Mark test I found? My intuition tells me to jump from K2200 and invest in P4000 graphic card for my Adobe Creative Suite instead but maybe some of you have some other experience to share? I have max RAM installed already.

 

[lexluthermiester]

what is HP Z230 the best processor available and reported that it works well?

I looked that up. Your CPU is in the upper tier of what that system can take, which is why I didn't mention it.

My intuition tells me to jump from K2200 and invest in P4000 graphic card for my Adobe Creative Suite instead but maybe some of you have some other experience to share? I have max RAM installed already.

Hell yeah. The P4000 is an excellent card, which is why I mentioned it.

That card is really the best upgrade you can do. On top of the profession workloads, it'll do some respectable gaming as well, if you care.

 

[Magic Cube]

Thanks - I have run the memory test from the BIOS and the 6 DIMMS it recognizes all pass the test. I played musical DIMMS and move the 2 DIMMS the BIOS does not recognize (DIMM slots 3 and 4) to other slots and re-run the memory test - and all pass. So at this point - I'm fairly confident it's not the memory. Having ruled out the memory and system board - I guess the processor is the next suspect. I'm going to run the processor test from the BIOS tonight (it takes a while to run) and see what it reports.

This could also be somekind a undocumented HP bug in bios and these memory sticks. Bios probably is latest one. Processor contact pads are clean? As memory controller is inside of the processor this could also be reason.

I once had 1366 board, which once in a while lost one channel of 3. Cleaning ram sockets with canned air helped. These days I would use contact cleaner instead. So I would try to clean those memory slots.

Why I was asking about processor is: I don't remember what processors where available to Socket 2066. I was thinking if there was six memory channel version processors available. Board would default to use 6x8GB. But there are not.

 

[basisma]

I looked that up. Your CPU is in the upper tier of what that system can take, which is why I didn't mention it.

Hell yeah. The P4000 is an excellent card, which is why I mentioned it.

That card is really the best upgrade you can do. On top of the profession workloads, it'll do some respectable gaming as well, if you care.

Yes its specs also says so.
Meanwhile is it worth investigating why my newest Nvidia driver doesn’t wake up my system from sleep? Or just let it go and live with it?

I tried to downgrade to HP recommended drivers and only one 537.70 from 2023 lets my system to be waken up from sleep

 

[Solaris17]

Meanwhile is it worth investigating why my newest Nvidia driver doesn’t wake up my system from sleep? Or just let it go and live with it?

mine doesnt either and hasent for several driver versions at this point. I dont even own an HP workstation. I only saw this comment because I needed to approve it. If you ever figure it out, please post it and send me a PM.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I tried to downgrade to HP recommended drivers and only one 537.70 from 2023 lets my system to be waken up from sleep

Those drivers are really not very old. My advice is to stay with them unless you encounter a need for newer versions.

 

[CompSMART]

This could also be somekind a undocumented HP bug in bios and these memory sticks. Bios probably is latest one. Processor contact pads are clean? As memory controller is inside of the processor this could also be reason.

I once had 1366 board, which once in a while lost one channel of 3. Cleaning ram sockets with canned air helped. These days I would use contact cleaner instead. So I would try to clean those memory slots.

Why I was asking about processor is: I don't remember what processors where available to Socket 2066. I was thinking if there was six memory channel version processors available. Board would default to use 6x8GB. But there are not.

Just a quick post to update everyone who replied to my original post about my DIMMS in DIMM slots 3 and 4 not being recognized.
I just swapped out the CPU and upon booting up for the first time - bingo - all 8 DIMMS (64GB) were recognized.
Magic Cube nailed it with suggesting the memory controller in the CPU.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[lexluthermiester]

Just a quick post to update everyone who replied to my original post about my DIMMS in DIMM slots 3 and 4 not being recognized.
I just swapped out the CPU and upon booting up for the first time - bingo - all 8 DIMMS (64GB) were recognized.
Magic Cube nailed it with suggesting the memory controller in the CPU.
Thanks again everyone!

Excellent! Glad you got it sorted out, though the bum CPU is a downer. On the up side, at least it does work with 2 DIMMs.