SuperMicro X11 and Xeon v6

[K D]

Got my new X11SSL-CF-O and Xeon E3-1275 v6 delivered today and found that the boards require 2.0 and above firmware to recognize the CPU. Placed a request for an eval key with SuperMicro to enable IPMI to update the BIOS. But that usually takes a few days.

Also called in to WiredZone and they are checking if they can get the key to me today if I purchase it from them. Hopefully they will be able to get it today and I can finish the build this weekend

Just a PSA for others to plan for a BIOS update as part of your build if you get a board with an older firmware.

 

[Patrick]

That seems to be par for the course with every vendor's channel products when a new CPU comes out.

BTW I have a V6 setup that arrived today for next week's benchmarks! Let me know how you like that board as I am a big fan.

 

[K D]

It has one PCIEx8 and one x4. Would have been better with atleast one x16. The onboard SAS3 HBA sold me on it at this price point. For my use case, I needed a separate HBA and 10GBE. So with this board, I can just plug in an existing connect-x3 and I should be good to go.

 

[PigLover]

Let us know how this goes - especially with the CX3 card. I have this boards brother without the HBA (-f rather than -cf). When using the 2.x BIOS I couldn't get it to fully POST.

See here: Odd issue with X11SSH-f and Mellanox CX3-EN

I had to roll back to 1.1 BIOS. Haven't done any further testing or follow-up with SM on it because I got it stable with 1.1 and moved on. I am very interested to see if you can get past this.

 

[K D]

WinZone sent me the serial number. I activated OOB BIOS updates and applied the latest firmware. No luck. The BMC LED keeps blinking. But none of the fans spin up. I'll do some more tinkering later today.

Could it be due to the Kingston 64GB KVR24R17D4K4 I have installed.

 

[Evan]

Could it be due to the Kingston 64GB KVR24R17D4K4 I have installed.

Not likely but anything else you can try ?

What was the key you needed for IPMI I thought they didn't have any keys for that on supermicro boards like HPE does.

 

[K D]

I moved a E3-1245 v5 on to the board and the same issue. No power. trying the BIOS update again now. If it doesnt work I'm calling it a bust and doing an RMA of the board.

 

[Patrick]

My guess is the RAM. Kingston often does not work with SM.

 

[K D]

Tried with a Dell branded 8 GB stick that came with my R230 as well as the 1245V5 that came with the Dell. No Luck. Any recommendation for RAM that I can get from Amazon?

 

[T_Minus]

Check the list, and copy/paste part #s to find what they have.

 

[K D]

I went ahead and ordered MEM-DR416L-SL02-ER24 from SuperMicro eStore. Let's see if that helps.

 

[K D]

Recieved the RAM today. No luck yet. Either the board (and) or the processor is faulty. The new RAM is recognized in my R230 so atleast something is functional. Out of thermal paste. I was sure I had a few tubes lying around but unable to find them. Will pick up from Frys to again swap out the CPU with a V5 and see if it boots.

Feels like I'm Bull Murray in Groundhog Day. Past 6 days - Something doesnt work - Go to Frys (or) Microcenter to get a part - It still doesnt work.

 

[K D]

Final update on this thread :

Gave up on this build and RMA'd the board and CPU. Keeping the RAM for the R230.

 

[ISRV]

so what memory will work with this x11 boards? other than those from the list.
the cheapest 16gb 2400mhz from that list starts from $170, while i see lots of others starting at around $120.
ecc ddr4 2400 16gb | eBay
but which will work?

i have X11SSI-LN4F and X11SSH-LN4F

 

[T_Minus]

2400/2133/1866/1600MHz ECC DDR4 SDRAM 72-bit, 288-pin (UDIMM) gold-plated DIMMs

Most importantly what's underlined, UDIMM.
UDIMM is always more $$$ than RDIMM and much much much less of it to be found on ebay in qty/deals!!

I've actually yet to run into any memory compatibility issues with any of the 4 dozen + SuperMicro boards I've used in the last few years. With that said I have 8 or less TOTAL sticks of Kingston and 8 or less TOTAL sticks of Crucial. I've got Micron, Samsung and Hynix and maybe a couple other randoms working fine, even OEMs (HP, Cisco, etc with above manufc) never any issues with wrong ram.

Hope that may help some.

 

[Aluminum]

WinZone sent me the serial number. I activated OOB BIOS updates and applied the latest firmware. No luck. The BMC LED keeps blinking. But none of the fans spin up. I'll do some more tinkering later today.

Could it be due to the Kingston 64GB KVR24R17D4K4 I have installed.

Found the problem, 2nd R = registered. If they test and find it working and you get charged restocking it would be fair IMO.

E3 requires unbuffered, KVR24E17...etc

I have tons of kingston and crucial ECC of many types, all work fine as long as they match the cpu IMC specs.

 

[T_Minus]

Looks like @Aluminum is right!

 

[gzorn]

I've got an X11SSI-LN4F, and this RAM worked for me. I purchased it from Superbiiz.
Samsung DDR4-2133 16GB/2Gx72 ECC CL15 Samsung Chip Server Memory
D416GE21S (Superbiiz product code)
I pretty much did a search for the exact memory that was mentioned on the Supermicro website: M391A2K43BB1-CPB
I think it was $90/strip.

 

[K D]

@Aluminum That is a good catch. I should learn to decode the product codes... But in this case, the board did not POST with a E3-1245V5 and SuperMicro MEM-DR416L-SL02-ER24 which is on the QVL and purchased directly from SuperMicro eStore. I'm certain that the board was faulty. I actually ended up just returning the board and keeping the cpu. Looking to get a different board as a replacement.

 

[T_Minus]

I'd consider the CPU if you want to sell it, not sure if you can reutrn for full amount or not.
I'm looken to snag a 1270 v6 sometime in next few weeks so 75 would do