Background:
I own a Lenovo x3650 M4 2U server with E5-2600 v1 processors and 24x16GB RAM. I purchased two E5-2667 v2 processors ($330) and later realized that the x3650 M4 requires a motherboard upgrade to handle the newer procs. The current motherboard is model 00Y8457. Similar models are 00Y8499/00MV221/00MV220. The models that accept v2 processors are 00AM209/00MV219.
Sadly, the CPU vendor does not accept returns. This beings my efforts to dig myself out of this hole.
Option 1:
Buy the replacement motherboard, gut the x3650 M4, and try to get it running with the new equipment. This is my primary server and to take it down for an upgrade would be a huge impact to me, my job, and my family. Furthermore, there is no guarantee of success. This option starts at $450 and goes up quickly. I don't really like the 2U form-factor of this server. 4U is much better suited to my needs.
I looked through my server rack and found a couple of unused 4U Supermicro CSE-846 ABC-03 chassis with plenty of 1KW power supplies.
Option 2:
Buy the Supermicro X9DR3-LN4F+ REV 1.20 motherboard with heat sinks from ebay and try to fit it into the CSE-846 ABC-03 chassis. Problem is, "ABC-03" is at most "Revision L", and the X9DR3-LN4F+ wants a "Revision M" chassis. This [H]ardForum post suggests retrofitting the motherboard is a possibility, but would require retail/aftermarket heat sinks and fans that provides and uses a heat sink back-plate instead of screwing into the Revision M chassis. The motherboard starts at around $250. I don't know what aftermarket heatsink/fans will cost, nor do I know which will fit. Add at least $50 twice for cooling.
Option 3:
Buy a chassis with motherboard, heatsinks, fans, power supplies, and use my new procs and old RAM. Ebay has a SuperMicro CSE-846 with a X9DRi-F motherboard for $500. It is a running unit, so I know all the parts fit. The X9DRi-F motherboard will accept the E5-2667 v2 processors, but only has 16 DIMM slots. My available RAM would be reduced by one third. Having the full 384GB of RAM is great for giving ZFS and my VMs/projects room to breath.
Option 4:
Sell the processors.
Option 5:
* This is where you come in. I spent $330 on some nice processors, but it seems like the only way to use them is to spend more money. What suggestions can you offer?
Thank you for your time and assistance.
I own a Lenovo x3650 M4 2U server with E5-2600 v1 processors and 24x16GB RAM. I purchased two E5-2667 v2 processors ($330) and later realized that the x3650 M4 requires a motherboard upgrade to handle the newer procs. The current motherboard is model 00Y8457. Similar models are 00Y8499/00MV221/00MV220. The models that accept v2 processors are 00AM209/00MV219.
Sadly, the CPU vendor does not accept returns. This beings my efforts to dig myself out of this hole.
Option 1:
Buy the replacement motherboard, gut the x3650 M4, and try to get it running with the new equipment. This is my primary server and to take it down for an upgrade would be a huge impact to me, my job, and my family. Furthermore, there is no guarantee of success. This option starts at $450 and goes up quickly. I don't really like the 2U form-factor of this server. 4U is much better suited to my needs.
I looked through my server rack and found a couple of unused 4U Supermicro CSE-846 ABC-03 chassis with plenty of 1KW power supplies.
Option 2:
Buy the Supermicro X9DR3-LN4F+ REV 1.20 motherboard with heat sinks from ebay and try to fit it into the CSE-846 ABC-03 chassis. Problem is, "ABC-03" is at most "Revision L", and the X9DR3-LN4F+ wants a "Revision M" chassis. This [H]ardForum post suggests retrofitting the motherboard is a possibility, but would require retail/aftermarket heat sinks and fans that provides and uses a heat sink back-plate instead of screwing into the Revision M chassis. The motherboard starts at around $250. I don't know what aftermarket heatsink/fans will cost, nor do I know which will fit. Add at least $50 twice for cooling.
Option 3:
Buy a chassis with motherboard, heatsinks, fans, power supplies, and use my new procs and old RAM. Ebay has a SuperMicro CSE-846 with a X9DRi-F motherboard for $500. It is a running unit, so I know all the parts fit. The X9DRi-F motherboard will accept the E5-2667 v2 processors, but only has 16 DIMM slots. My available RAM would be reduced by one third. Having the full 384GB of RAM is great for giving ZFS and my VMs/projects room to breath.
Option 4:
Sell the processors.
Option 5:
* This is where you come in. I spent $330 on some nice processors, but it seems like the only way to use them is to spend more money. What suggestions can you offer?
Thank you for your time and assistance.
