Running Server with only 1 CPU installed

[lukesterboy]

I have one server that is a dual CPU motherboard it has only one Xeon CPU installed the other CPU slot is empty with a black blanking plate. Is it safe to start/use this server with only 1 CPU installed and should i remove or keep this blacking blanking plate in cpu2 slot?

[TheRandomness]

It's safe to start and use the server and you should keep the plate there to prevent any sort of damage to the socket. 

[lukesterboy]

Just now, TheRandomness said:

It's safe to start and use the server and you should keep the plate there to prevent any sort of damage to the socket. 

Thanks for the quick and simple response, let's fire this baby up then!

[Trey222]

You should be able to run it just fine with one CPU and you can keep the plastic plate in the other slot. Also, make sure that the CPU is the lower numbered CPU socket. For example, most boards are labeled CPU 0 and CPU 1, in that case, you would put it in CPU 0. If the board is labeled CPU1 and CPU 2 put the CPU in CPU 1. 

[Windows7ge]

Multi-socket motherboards can run with just one CPU. Just make sure the RAM that is installed is in the slots for CPU0

[lukesterboy]

Just now, Trey222 said:

You should be able to run it just fine with one CPU and you can keep the plastic plate in the other slot. Also, make sure that the CPU is the lower numbered CPU socket. For example, most boards are labeled CPU 0 and CPU 1, in that case, you would put it in CPU 0. If the board is labeled CPU1 and CPU 2 put the CPU in CPU 1. 

 

Ok got ya, i believe it is in CPU slot 0/1(the first slot) anyway/already. 

[thething55]

Providing that you protect the second socket from any sort of damage then it shouldn't cause any damage however, one thing that you might want to remember is that on some motherboards PCIe lanes are split between multiple CPUs for a higher total number of PCIe lanes in a server. For example, if a server had 2 40lane CPUS then technically a server could have more than 40 total PCIE lanes since they can be used on both CPUs. This means that any lanes connected to the second CPU simply will not work so make sure any pcie devices you connect are connected to the right CPU socket if that is the case on your hardware. Some integrated hardware such as RAID/SAS controls and Ethernet can also use pcie lanes which come off a second CPU which could cause some integrated devices to stop working depending on the server/motherboard.

You will also want to make sure that you use your RAM in the correct slots for the CPU socket that you are planning to use.

[lukesterboy]

30 minutes ago, thething55 said:

Providing that you protect the second socket from any sort of damage then it shouldn't cause any damage however, one thing that you might want to remember is that on some motherboards PCIe lanes are split between multiple CPUs for a higher total number of PCIe lanes in a server. For example, if a server had 2 40lane CPUS then technically a server could have more than 40 total PCIE lanes since they can be used on both CPUs. This means that any lanes connected to the second CPU simply will not work so make sure any pcie devices you connect are connected to the right CPU socket if that is the case on your hardware. Some integrated hardware such as RAID/SAS controls and Ethernet can also use pcie lanes which come off a second CPU which could cause some integrated devices to stop working depending on the server/motherboard.

You will also want to make sure that you use your RAM in the correct slots for the CPU socket that you are planning to use.

 

Ok thanks for all that, got my system up and running seems fine for now but i will be getting a second CPU soon.