ES Xeon Discussion

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DHamov

Active Member
Jan 12, 2024
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OK. Optane was ddr4 right? So what.... is this? Pcie based or using this other connector exotic connector on that mainboard.
 

SergILD

New Member
Sep 21, 2024
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My test CPU Xeon 3204 is good work with 32Gb memory modules KSM26RS4/32MFR and KSM26RS4/32HAI

I bought two Xeon 8259CL and testing with 8gbit 32Gb memory modules. All was Ok. But do not work with 16gbit above memory modules. Very strange.

I right understood that 8259CL have "old" memory controller of Skylake-SP family or may be another not know me problem?

Add: My motherboard is Lenovo P920 with VRM ICC_MAX mod.
 
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DavidWJohnston

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Sep 30, 2020
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I'm trying to upgrade my Supermicro X11SPM-TF (BIOS 2.0b) from a Xeon Gold ES 6142-QL28 to a Platinum ES 8260-QQ89 I just bought on eBay.

When I pop in the new CPU, my memory is not detected. ("Memory Training" error). I tried hard setting the speed down to 2400, no go.

Seller says to upgrade BIOS but I am skeptical because my understanding is only the 2.0b supports ES CPUs, and my old 6142 works fine so I am reluctant to attempt an upgrade.

I notice in Supermicro's page for the -F - It says BIOS 3.0a/3.2 is required for 2nd gen Scalable.

Has anybody got experience with this board and CPU combo?

Thanks!
 

RolloZ170

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Apr 24, 2016
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because my understanding is only the 2.0b supports ES CPUs
Skylake ES. you have cascade lake now. this gen was not alive the time your BIOS was build.

I notice in Supermicro's page for the -F - It says BIOS 3.0a/3.2 is required for 2nd gen Scalable.
Platinum ES 8260-QQ89 is stepping A0 50655
you need the BIOS with 2nd gen support.
 
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DavidWJohnston

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Sep 30, 2020
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Thank you, @RolloZ170 your expertise on this is much appreciated.

Do you know if I need a special ES BIOS mod or specific version? If it helps, this is the eBay listing: Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 ES QQ89 24C 2.4GHz 3.1/3.9GHz 35.75MB 165W LGA3647 DDR4 | eBay - 4.5 is the latest available on Supermicro's site.

If I get stuck with neither my new or old CPU working, what would be the best way to recover? Is there a way I can backup my current BIOS before I do anything?

I want to have a bit of a plan before I take an action that might require a lot of time to undo. I have 2 of these servers to upgrade, both identical.

Thanks so much
 

RolloZ170

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Apr 24, 2016
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If I get stuck with neither my new or old CPU working, what would be the best way to recover? Is there a way I can backup my current BIOS before I do anything?
i am not sure but you may have to stay on BIOS 3.x after upgrading to it for security reasons.
I want to have a bit of a plan before I take an action that might require a lot of time to undo. I have 2 of these servers to upgrade, both identical.
QQ89 is working with at least BIOS 3.0c - stepping A0 is used by Production units and QS as well.
you should get rid of that BIOS 2.x because so many bugs/vulnerabilities.
 
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DavidWJohnston

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Sep 30, 2020
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I got both servers done and everything is working now.

First I upgraded IPMI to 1.74.17 then BIOS to 3.8a. I'm not going to risk 4.5 since everything is fine so far. I did both upgrades through the IPMI web GUI.

A couple of hiccups I had to get through:

- After the IPMI upgrade, the remote console didn't work at first, and showed "undefined" where option is supposed to be. Clearing the browser cookies fixed that.

- One of my servers entered a reboot loop with a black screen with fast blink cursor at the point it should boot. I pulled all the PCIe cards, went into setup, and discovered legacy OPROM was enabled in a few places. I set everything to UEFI, that fixed it.

Thanks @RolloZ170 for the advice, @BlueFox for the amazing Supermicro BIOS indexing page.

Dave
 
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Anonymous411

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Mar 19, 2025
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Anyone know whee I could get an e0 stepping 8490h? I've been trying to get Q03J or a Q03Z, but I purchased from multiple sellers on ebay and have had multiple orders canceled as they actually only have d0 stepping QYFX. I contacted the rest of the sellers with Q03J and Q03Z listing's and they are also claiming only stock of QYFX. Infact almost all listing's of Q03J and Q03Z have been converted to list QYFX as well in the last 24 hkurs.


Makes me think Q03J and Q03Z were coming from a single source even though there were many sellers.
 

custom90gt

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Nov 17, 2016
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Well I purchased a QYK8 from ebay (at least that's what the picture shows) and I already have 8x32gb DDR5 4800 from my abandoned Epyc build. Now I am curious what people think I should do motherboard wise. I was thinking either the Gigabyte MS03-CE0 or the Asus W790E-Sage? The MS03-CE0 is actually cheaper, but I know it doesn't support overclocking. That's not a big deal to me, this is going to upgrade my 14900k W680 server.
 

RolloZ170

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Apr 24, 2016
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Well I purchased a QYK8 from ebay (at least that's what the picture shows) and I already have 8x32gb DDR5 4800 from my abandoned Epyc build. Now I am curious what people think I should do motherboard wise. I was thinking either the Gigabyte MS03-CE0 or the Asus W790E-Sage?
OC on W790 is limited to memory, QYK8 runs already at max. 4Ghz shortly before fused per core current limit.
And BCLK OC affects PCIe USB/Sata too and gives trouble with new PCIe GPU Cards.
On Gigabyte C741 you can use latest BIOS and you do have all PCIe lanes/outputs available.
 

custom90gt

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Nov 17, 2016
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OC on W790 is limited to memory, QYK8 runs already at max. 4Ghz shortly before fused per core current limit.
And BCLK OC affects PCIe USB/Sata too and gives trouble with new PCIe GPU Cards.
On Gigabyte C741 you can use latest BIOS and you do have all PCIe lanes/outputs available.
Awesome, I appreciate the info on the PCIe lanes, that is a bigger reason to go with the Gigabyte anyway. Sadly I've corrupted a few OS installs messing with BCLK overclocking in the past hah. I'm going to pick the Gigabyte. Thanks again for all of your help!
 

RolloZ170

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Apr 24, 2016
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Awesome, I appreciate the info on the PCIe lanes, that is a bigger reason to go with the Gigabyte anyway. Sadly I've corrupted a few OS installs messing with BCLK overclocking in the past hah. I'm going to pick the Gigabyte. Thanks again for all of your help!
if i had know Gigabyte is an option for you i would have hint to a look to the Emerald Rapids SP stepping A0 ES like Q2SR,Q2SP,Q30G,Q30H,Q2T7.
all have 4Ghz turbo(half of the core count) but you need a BIOS tweak because without they take over 6 minutes to POST.
e.g. Q2SR 64C 350W crrently only goofish/taobao for ¥2000 (+ ship/tax etc)
 

custom90gt

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
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if i had know Gigabyte is an option for you i would have hint to a look to the Emerald Rapids SP stepping A0 ES like Q2SR,Q2SP,Q30G,Q30H,Q2T7.
all have 4Ghz turbo(half of the core count) but you need a BIOS tweak because without they take over 6 minutes to POST.
e.g. Q2SR 64C 350W crrently only goofish/taobao for ¥2000 (+ ship/tax etc)
Ah bummer, I shouldn't have made it seem like I had the W790. But having said that, I don't know if I would know how to order from goofish/taobao hah. Are there any advantages of Emerald Rapids over Sapphire?