Lenovo Thinkcentre/ThinkStation Tiny (Project TinyMiniMicro) Reference Thread

[livmatus]

how much space do we have for m2 heatsink to be mounted on m2 drives like hynix pc801 on back of m920q/m920x/p330tiny ? '0.5mm' heatsink + '0.5mm' thermal pad maybe? trying to make everything run even tiny bit cooler since 10gbe adapters heat up uncontrollably. does not cause issues running 24/7 but want to make it run even tiny bit better

basically none ... I wasn't even able to fit SSD with original Lenovo 2242 to 2280 adapter in there (pulled from an IdeaPad)...was lazy to move the blue clip to 2242 position but had to do it eventually

also there's a thermal pad under the SSD ... so I don't really think it's necessary to add anything else

 

[serpro69]

UPD: OK, so I did that. Pins 2-4 gave me 2 short beeps, a pause and 2 short beeps just like in the video in the first post. After that I unplugged the power, placed the jumper back to 5-6 and tried to turn on the machine (did the power cycle also). Now when it powers up, I'm also getting 2 short beeps (they're much louder though), and the screen is still black.
According to POST Beep symptoms – ThinkCentre - Lenovo Support US , 2 short beeps says it's a POST error. But since the screen is still black, I don't actually see the error number or anything.
Any suggestions?

OK, so I read a bit and some people say it could be related to RAM, but I don't see why it would only start happening after I've cleared the CMOS.
I did try to take out the RAM sticks and placing them back in, but that didn't change anything. Also w/o RAM I'm getting a different signal signature, so I suppose that kind of crosses it off.
I'm out of ideas so far, so would really appreciate any tips.

 

[serpro69]

OK, the solution was to enter bios and do a save of settings.
I saw the error 0162 after connecting the display via miniDP port to the gpu. The beeps are gone now.
I'm still not getting any output on the screen when I connect via HDMI/DP though.
Ran quick diagnostics - all pass.
How can I debug this further?

 

[serpro69]

OK, so if you have a dGPU and want to connect monitor to iGPU, then you need to set iGPU as priority for video in BIOS.
I'd assume that it should work in Auto, but apparently not.

 

[Jimmeh_get_to_tha_choppa]

Hi guys, i just came across this as i am researching how to upgrade my dell r210ii that i use as my router. I really wanted to lower the power consumption.

It seems perfect, except - my router is running an intel X710-T2. Because my internet is through ATT fiber, its 5gb connection to the main box upstream (although my fiber speed is 2.5gbps).

So i run the X710-T2L - measuring my card it is about 7" though, i think thats too big for the M720q? Do i have any other options? i see many people are finding 10gb cards that work, but they dont support 2.5/5 GB.

There is also the X550-T2. Does that fit?

Does anyone have any 10gb NICs that fit, that also support 2.5 and 5gb?

my r210ii runs about 50 watts and it would save me a ton of money to find out how to get something so small running for this task.

 

[damex]

Hi guys, i just came across this as i am researching how to upgrade my dell r210ii that i use as my router. I really wanted to lower the power consumption.

It seems perfect, except - my router is running an intel X710-T2. Because my internet is through ATT fiber, its 5gb connection to the main box upstream (although my fiber speed is 2.5gbps).

So i run the X710-T2L - measuring my card it is about 7" though, i think thats too big for the M720q? Do i have any other options? i see many people are finding 10gb cards that work, but they dont support 2.5/5 GB.

There is also the X550-T2. Does that fit?

Does anyone have any 10gb NICs that fit, that also support 2.5 and 5gb?

my r210ii runs about 50 watts and it would save me a ton of money to find out how to get something so small running for this task.

do you need copper or fiber?

with 10gb your best option is something like x520-da2 (best ever made 10g cards). there is 4 port version that literally has double everything onboard but that is just hotrod in that tiny lenovo 1L machines.

so let's say you take something like x520-da2 in Supermicro AOC-STGN-i2S variant (shorter, cooler and nicer. will let more space inside for extra stuff to fit inside) and then you're left with two (2x) sfp+ ports. what you can do is to use sfp+ copper transceivers like ASF-10G2-T from 10GTek SFP-T (1G/2.5G/10G) Transceiver - 10Gtek that could negotiate at 1g/2.5g/5g/10g. cons? extra heat!

with dual sfp+ you will have option of rolling different transceivers which x550-t2 won't offer. plus x540/x550 is quite quirky.

 

[Jimmeh_get_to_tha_choppa]

do you need copper or fiber?

Copper for this device as it connects to my BGW320 which only has RJ45 @ 5gb.

The connection to my switch can either be copper or fiber, it has both.

with 10gb your best option is something like x520-da2 (best ever made 10g cards). there is 4 port version that literally has double everything onboard but that is just hotrod in that tiny lenovo 1L machines.

so let's say you take something like x520-da2 in Supermicro AOC-STGN-i2S variant (shorter, cooler and nicer. will let more space inside for extra stuff to fit inside) and then you're left with two (2x) sfp+ ports. what you can do is to use sfp+ copper transceivers like ASF-10G2-T from 10GTek SFP-T (1G/2.5G/10G) Transceiver - 10Gtek that could negotiate at 1g/2.5g/5g/10g. cons? extra heat!

with dual sfp+ you will have option of rolling different transceivers which x550-t2 won't offer. plus x540/x550 is quite quirky.

This is a very good suggestion. I was just stuck on trying to get my x710-t2l to fit into something since it was expensive, but it may be easier to flip it and go your route.

So bear with me, im a noob - but it would be the 5gb coming from my ATT box over RJ45, into SFP+ transceiver on the x550-da2, then other SFP port on the x550-da2 going to my switch? my switch has SFP+ 10gb ports so i can just use a SFP cable for that connection.

Also, i just realized i already user a transceiver on the switch side currently (from my 710-t2 router), so doing this would just simply move the transceiver from the Switch to the router.

 

[damex]

> This is a very good suggestion. I was just stuck on trying to get my x710-t2l to fit into something since it was expensive, but it may be easier to flip it and go your route.
regular x710-t2l should fit with front metal support removed on m720q/m920q/m920x/p330tiny (just a screw). which variant do you have? x710 is quirky and i would say x520-da2 is an upgrade (especially that supermicro shortie). we replace lots of 'new fancy shmancy' 700 series with something like x520-da2 since intel couldn't make 700 series work reliably (each firmware is a new kind of disaster)

> So bear with me, im a noob - but it would be the 5gb coming from my ATT box over RJ45, into SFP+ transceiver on the x550-da2, then other SFP port on the x550-da2 going to my switch? my switch has SFP+ 10gb ports so i can just use a SFP cable for that connection.
x520-da2, not x550-da2. but yes, it could work the way you described.

> Also, i just realized i already user a transceiver on the switch side currently (from my 710-t2 router), so doing this would just simply move the transceiver from the Switch to the router.
it is heavily depends on what kind of transceiver it is and what capabilities it has. it has to be sfp+ with 10g that can negotiate down. does not hurt to try.

 

[Jimmeh_get_to_tha_choppa]

regular x710-t2l should fit with front metal support removed on m720q/m920q/m920x/p330tiny (just a screw). which variant do you have? x710 is quirky and i would say x520-da2 is an upgrade (especially that supermicro shortie). we replace lots of 'new fancy shmancy' 700 series with something like x520-da2 since intel couldn't make 700 series work reliably (each firmware is a new kind of disaster)

Its Intel. has the authentic sticker on it. PN is X710T2LBLK

Honestly, i have minor issues with my internet that i wonder if its related to the x710. So im tempted to try the 520 that you recommended since its insexpensive. Im not sure why i didnt go x5 years ago, maybe i just thought bigger was better? i cant remember now.

x520-da2, not x550-da2. but yes, it could work the way you described.

Ah ok, thanks! for some reason i keep thinking 550.

it is heavily depends on what kind of transceiver it is and what capabilities it has. it has to be sfp+ with 10g that can negotiate down. does not hurt to try.

Do you recommend the ASF-10G2-T ? or is it just a case of buy, try and research until something works at 5gbps? This would be connecting to the AT&T BGW320, so i dont hold out hope for their port to be of a high standard.

 

[damex]

Its Intel. has the authentic sticker on it. PN is X710T2LBLK

Honestly, i have minor issues with my internet that i wonder if its related to the x710. So im tempted to try the 520 that you recommended since its insexpensive. Im not sure why i didnt go x5 years ago, maybe i just thought bigger was better? i cant remember now.



Ah ok, thanks! for some reason i keep thinking 550.



Do you recommend the ASF-10G2-T ? or is it just a case of buy, try and research until something works at 5gbps? This would be connecting to the AT&T BGW320, so i dont hold out hope for their port to be of a high standard.

that x710 should fit (with front metal piece removed). check previous posts. people did fit x710 in m720q and other variants of tiny5 machines.
i can recommend getting 10gtek transceivers in general. good support, good products, been using their products for years.
in case of 5gbit - you have to try. i have never dealt with 5gbit yet but i did make it work with 2.5g and it still works wonderfully. you can ask 10gtek support to help you. they managed to make something that works on my tplink st1008 switch and banana pi r3 openwrt box.

 

[mazzy]

Great Deal in Europe on M70q gen 3 on lenovo store.
Just order a 12400t, 8GB, 256 NVME ,extra 2.5Gb LAN (realtek), 90W PSU , for €365 ($ 375) tax & shipping included .

Currently on Ebay M75q with 8500t running for at least 200+...

 

[evil_santa]

Great Deal in Europe on M70q gen 3 on lenovo store.
Just order a 12400t, 8GB, 256 NVME ,extra 2.5Gb LAN (realtek), 90W PSU , for €365 ($ 375) tax & shipping included .

Currently on Ebay M75q with 8500t running for at least 200+...

Do you have a link to the offer on the Lenovo store?

 

[mazzy]

Do you have a link to the offer on the Lenovo store?

lenovo.com, your country store should be loaded by itself, simply navigate to desktop computer, tiny size. and find m70q gen 3

 

[evil_santa]

lenovo.com, your country store should be loaded by itself, simply navigate to desktop computer, tiny size. and find m70q gen 3

Can't find one, doesn't matter.
I have a 20% coupon for Lenovo store if someone is interested.

 

[serpro69]

Same here. The cheapest option I'm getting is ~700 USD (with a 15% discount), and that's in lower config even.
Tried several EU-based websites also - nada.

 

[slek22]

Goodday, just registred to ask a question. Ordered 3 TC M710Q for a project and got the RTL8125B 2.5gbe pci-e for the pc's.
The thing is, card detection is erratic, sometimes it is seen by BIOS but mostly not, then only a BIOS settings change seems to force detection again.
Is also seems that detection persist during warm boots, but occasionally it disappears. Defiantly disappears after a cold boot.
Upgraded BIOS to latest and reset CMOS many times; added cohesive padding below the card, reinserted it many times.
Same pattern with 3 different cards and pc's. Could be blacklisted, but why is it detected at times.
Btw, when detected the card works just fine.

Hope anyone here has more clue.

 

[mazzy]

Same here. The cheapest option I'm getting is ~700 USD (with a 15% discount), and that's in lower config even.
Tried several EU-based websites also - nada.

Must be local, at least in Italy, it is 25% off. If you remove OS, Keyboard/Mouse and upgrade to i5-12400T & 90W adapter you pay around 365

 

[serpro69]

Oh yeah, I'm getting 25% when I visit Italian page also. Seems like a nice deal if you don't need to pay shipping/tax on that price.

 

[bobbysteel]

For the P350/P360 the fan uses the module for a nct6692 or nct6692d. Has anyone found the actual module though? I can't figure it out in Ubuntu and searches lead to dead ends mostly.

 

[Jimmeh_get_to_tha_choppa]

It should fit. The Tesla P4 is 167.64 mm long.
My X710-DA2 (also about 167 mm long) fits after removing the front wifi-antenna and the mounting.

View attachment 26720

Hey there, what baffle (if any) did you use in this instance?

I run an x710-T2 (not the DA2) - i think they are the same dimensions... and im wondering if i can fit it into my m720q (arriving soon).

It should, but im not sure on the baffle? the reference guide at the front has 3d printed ones for the more common supermicro 520 NICS etc. But i cannot see anything for more exotic cards like the x710.

Can the m720q card be installed without a baffle? Just wondering what you did here.

Thanks!