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Upgrading hardware in a server

cyphon21
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Hey all,

 

I posted a little while ago about setting up a server for home use. I've currently got an IBM X3650 M2 running at home for PLEX use right now. It's working brilliantly with Windows 2012 R2.

 

Now the server was donated to me with one CPU and 12GB of ram. The CPU in there is an Intel E5506 and I purchased a pair of matching CPU's from eBay just a little while ago for a cost of a mcdonalds meal, so it was a no brainer.

 

My question here is, do I need to put the "matching" pair in, or just the one in the empty CPU spot. (I'm comfortable replacing, I have thermal paste and all)... I am curious if I have to do this, or not. Also, so the RAM will need to be moved, as right now it's two 4GB sticks and two 2GB, so one of each needs to go in the 12 and 15 slots I think based on configuration in the manual for a second CPU.

 

I also was curious to know if this would require a completely re-install of Windows etc. Or since I'm just adding a CPU, I should be fine. Any experience here is appreciated!

 

Thanks as always!

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Use a matching pair of CPU's. When purchasing sever hardware you are only given a choice of one or two of the same spec CPU. It doesn't really matter how you plug in the RAM but you won't get the benefit of dual,triple or quad channel if you plug them incorrectly. You don't have to reinstall the OS if you replace the CPU. The OS is tied to the storage so no need to reinstall :)

See my blog for amusing encounters from IT workplace: http://linustechtips.com/main/blog/585-life-of-a-techie/

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i'm not too deep into dual-cpu systems, but i can say windows server seems to be very acceptable to hardware changes,

i had windows server 2008R2 running on an athlon 64, which then caught fire, so i moved the hard drive to an intel i3 540 system, and the OS booted without skipping a beat.

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Use a matching pair of CPU's. When purchasing sever hardware you are only given a choice of one or two of the same spec CPU. It doesn't really matter how you plug in the RAM but you won't get the benefit of dual,triple or quad channel if you plug them incorrectly. You don't have to reinstall the OS if you replace the CPU. The OS is tied to the storage so no need to reinstall :)

 

I was thinking the same, rather hoping! It's been years since I've attempted anything in the server world. Glad to see it's relatively simple still

 

i'm not too deep into dual-cpu systems, but i can say windows server seems to be very acceptable to hardware changes,

i had windows server 2008R2 running on an athlon 64, which then caught fire, so i moved the hard drive to an intel i3 540 system, and the OS booted without skipping a beat.

 

Perfect, thanks so much for the responses to both. Makes me feel a lot more comfortable upgrading them.

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  • 2 weeks later...
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Just wanted to bump this, rather then make a new thread.

 

So I went to upgrade the CPU's and just realized I didn't have a second heatsink on the CPU.... Now eBay has them for around CDN$40 shipped, which is somewhat reasonable. But does anyone suggest anything else? I'ts an X3650 M2 if that helps. I feel like I could use other heatsinks or coolers, but I'm not 100%... It's a passive cooler as well if that helps and it looks like it's held down by the tension bar on the side.

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Just wanted to bump this, rather then make a new thread.

So I went to upgrade the CPU's and just realized I didn't have a second heatsink on the CPU.... Now eBay has them for around CDN$40 shipped, which is somewhat reasonable. But does anyone suggest anything else? I'ts an X3650 M2 if that helps. I feel like I could use other heatsinks or coolers, but I'm not 100%... It's a passive cooler as well if that helps and it looks like it's held down by the tension bar on the side.

Well what socket is it? You may be able to get a basic aftermarket cooler that fits for that particular socket

"If a Lobster is a fish because it moves by jumping, then a kangaroo is a bird" - Admiral Paulo de Castro Moreira da Silva

"There is nothing more difficult than fixing something that isn't all the way broken yet." - Author Unknown

Spoiler

Intel Core i7-3960X @ 4.6 GHz - Asus P9X79WS/IPMI - 12GB DDR3-1600 quad-channel - EVGA GTX 1080ti SC - Fractal Design Define R5 - 500GB Crucial MX200 - NH-D15 - Logitech G710+ - Mionix Naos 7000 - Sennheiser PC350 w/Topping VX-1

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Well what socket is it? You may be able to get a basic aftermarket cooler that fits for that particular socket

 

Well its a Xeon E5506 CPU, so it's 1366 socket. I'm just more so confused because it's not a traditional motherboard, I wasnt sure if any aftermarket cooler would work.

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Well its a Xeon E5506 CPU, so it's 1366 socket. I'm just more so confused because it's not a traditional motherboard, I wasnt sure if any aftermarket cooler would work.

it will, unless there is a special narrow socket or something for 1366 but I dont think there is. 

 

You should be able to get any 1366 cooler you want, just make sure it doesnt collide with memory and fits in the case.

"If a Lobster is a fish because it moves by jumping, then a kangaroo is a bird" - Admiral Paulo de Castro Moreira da Silva

"There is nothing more difficult than fixing something that isn't all the way broken yet." - Author Unknown

Spoiler

Intel Core i7-3960X @ 4.6 GHz - Asus P9X79WS/IPMI - 12GB DDR3-1600 quad-channel - EVGA GTX 1080ti SC - Fractal Design Define R5 - 500GB Crucial MX200 - NH-D15 - Logitech G710+ - Mionix Naos 7000 - Sennheiser PC350 w/Topping VX-1

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it will, unless there is a special narrow socket or something for 1366 but I dont think there is. 

 

You should be able to get any 1366 cooler you want, just make sure it doesnt collide with memory and fits in the case.

 

Hopefully I can find something local then!

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So I've sourced a stock intel 1366 cpu cooler. Anyone know 100% if this can be used as well in my Server? I don't want to waste the money if it won't work at all.

Idk of anyone will know 100%, best thing to do is take all the measurements yourself and cross your fingers

"If a Lobster is a fish because it moves by jumping, then a kangaroo is a bird" - Admiral Paulo de Castro Moreira da Silva

"There is nothing more difficult than fixing something that isn't all the way broken yet." - Author Unknown

Spoiler

Intel Core i7-3960X @ 4.6 GHz - Asus P9X79WS/IPMI - 12GB DDR3-1600 quad-channel - EVGA GTX 1080ti SC - Fractal Design Define R5 - 500GB Crucial MX200 - NH-D15 - Logitech G710+ - Mionix Naos 7000 - Sennheiser PC350 w/Topping VX-1

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