CPU upgrade for Dell Precision T5400 (what type of XEON)

[NetTomS2015]

Hello everyone. I open this topic of conversation for an help on the workstation "Dell Precision T5400" a computer now no longer produced and no longer under warranty. I am the possessor of one of these workstations. I have intention to upgrade the CPU to this workstation using two CPU XEON X5460. Where can I find a list of compatible CPUs for this DELL workstation in connection with the hardware release of the internal motherboard? Better one XEON X5460 SLANP or one XEON X5460 SLBBA for a two-CPU configuration?

 

[NetTomS2015]

I did some research in the web but could not find the information for this ungrade. Possible that DELL did not put on-line a part of the technical manual with XEON CPU models compatible with Dell Precision T5400?

 

[bambiboom]

I did some research in the web but could not find the information for this ungrade. Possible that DELL did not put on-line a part of the technical manual with XEON CPU models compatible with Dell Precision T5400?

NetTomS2015,

The way to find the compatible CPU's is to do search by the chipset on the very useful Intel ARK site. In the example of the Precision T5400, the chipset is the 5400 and these are the CPU's that are compatible:

http://ark.intel.com/products/34474/Intel-5400-Memory-Controller#@compatibility

The 5400 chipset is listed as supporting the X5492 3.4GHz, but it has a 1600 FSB, whereas the T5400 is a 1333. The fastest CPU for the Dell Precision T5400 is the Xeon X5470 4-core @ 3.33GHz:

http://ark.intel.com/products/35430/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X5470-12M-Cache-3_33-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

And, in Passmark results, the X5470 produces the top 10 CPU scores, ranging from 9013 to 8644 for a pair.

The X5460 has the next 31 highest scores: 8634 to 8257 for a pair.

The highest rated T5400:

Rating: 2702
CPU: 8666 (2X X5470)
2D: 521 (GTX 690)
3D: 5490
Mem: 717 (16GB)
Disk: 6168 (SiImage SCSI Disk)

I've had a 2008 Precision T5400 (2X X5460, 16GB RAM, Quadro FX4800, 2X WD RE4 500GB) since 2010 and that system has been perfectly reliable- I never had a hardware failure. I even especially liked the keyboard. The T5400 was sold with the SK-8135 keyboard and I still use one with my 2015 HP z420.

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 667 ECC> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 901] [Cinebench 11.5 CPU=7.54 OpenGL = 51.89 fps] 10.24.15

Depending on your use, I would suggest moderate expenditure on a T5400. The CPU is not-hyperthreading and does not have a turbo speed, plus the RAM is DDR2-667 ECC, which is a moderate speed and DDR2 runs very hot.

Not to throw cold water on your project, but you might look into selling the T5400 and buying and upgrading a T5500 or even a T3500 whihc is a single CPU model. The TX500 Precisions can use 6-core hyperthreading CPU's up to the W3690 or X5690 3.47 / 3.73GHz and the RAM is DDR3-1333 faster and much cooler. A dual X5460 has 8 threads for rendering at 3.16GHz, whereas a single 6-core T3500 with a W3690 has 12 threads @ 3.47 /3.73GHz. I upgraded a $53 T3500 in December 2015, spending $60 on an X5677 4-core at 3.06 /3.47GHz and $43 on 8GB of DDR3-1333, added a Quadro 4000, PERC 6/i controller and 300GGB 15K SAS drive left over from a T5500 upgrade and that system has a rating of 2751 - higher than the best dual CPU T5400 and having the same number of threads.

Precision T3500 (2011) (Rev 2) Xeon X5677 4-core @ 3.06 / 3.47GHz > 12GB (6X 2GB) DDR3-1333 ECC > Quadro 4000 (2GB) > PERC 6/i +Seagate 300GB 15K SAS ST3300657SS + WD Black 500GB > 525W PSU> Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > 2X Dell 19" LCD
[Passmark system rating = 2751, CPU = 7236 / 2D= 658 / 3D=2020 / Mem= 1875 / Disk=1221]

The T5500 I upgraded cost $171,

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Original): Xeon E5620 quad core @ 2.4 / 2.6 GHz > 6GB DDR3 ECC Reg 1333 > Quadro FX 580 (512MB) > Dell PERC 6/i SAS /SATA controller > Seagate Cheetah 15K 146GB > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[ Passmark system rating = 1479 / CPU = 4067 / 2D= 520 / 3D= 311 / Mem= 1473 / Disk= 1208]

> and spent about $850 more:

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6 -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 / CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3505 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)

And in this case, the system has 12-cores/ 24 threads up to 3.6GHz, 48GB of RAM. The investment is of course more- an X45680 cost $170 instead of $35 for an X5460, but the speed of the system is up to modern standards.

As mentioned, the T5400 is an excellent system, but the ultimate performance is limited, so spend on it accordingly and if you need a higher performance potential, consider changing to the next generation.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) > 32GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15

 

[NetTomS2015]

Thanks "Bambiboom" for the very complete answer to my question. In reply I have been found a lot of information. For the moment I think I shall upgrade my Dell T5400 ... then in the future I do not know yet.

I will put in my DELL T5400: two XEON X5460 (Steping E0, S-Spec SLBBA) and 32GB of RAM (8 x 4GB PC2-5300F CL5 ECC DDR2 667 Mhz)

I think it will be a good configuration!

 

[NetTomS2015]

OK, upgrade of my Dell Precision T5400 has been completed. After purchasing the following material:

2 CPU Xeon X5460 3.16 GHz LGA771 SLBBA
1 CPU Heatsink Cooler JD210
6 PC2-5300F Stick 4GB (for a total of 24GB)

Now my Dell Precision T5400 has 32GB and 2 CPU Xeon X5460. All right, the computer works perfectly, all with Windows 10 which recognized all the hardware of the workstation.

But now I had a doubt watching this screen from the management of the BIOS of my Dell Precision T5400 in the memory section.

############################################################
Memory Info

Installed Memory = 32,0 GB
Memory Speed = 667 MHz
Memory Channel Mode = Quad
Memory Technology = FB-DIMM DDR2 SDRAM (ECC)

Memory Slot Size ECC Rank Type Optimization
DIM 1 4 GB YES 4 FBD X8
DIM 2 4 GB YES 4 FBD X8
DIM 3 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 4 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 5 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 6 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 7 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 8 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
############################################################

The memories that use are the following (all PC2-5300F-555-11):

HYNIX HYMP151F72CP8D5-Y5 (2 stick - 2x4GB = 8GB)
SAMSUNG M395T5160CZ4-CE66 (3 stick - 3x4GB = 12GB)
SAMSUNG M395T5160QZ4-CE66 (3 stick - 3x4GB = 12GB)

From this table presented by the BIOS my two stick "HYNIX HYMP151F72CP8D5-Y5" (slots 1 and 2) are Rank 4 and Optimization X8, while all the other six stick "SAMSUNG M395T5160CZ4-CE66" and "SAMSUNG M395T5160QZ4-CE66" (slot from 3 to 8) are Rank 2 and Optimization X4. I do not understand what are the best (Rank 2 or 4) and if such a configuration can affect to the performance of my workstation. Someone can give me a help to understand this data?

 

[elvedin]

I did some research in the web but could not find the information for this ungrade. Possible that DELL did not put on-line a part of the technical manual with XEON CPU models compatible with Dell Precision T5400?

NetTomS2015,

The way to find the compatible CPU's is to do search by the chipset on the very useful Intel ARK site. In the example of the Precision T5400, the chipset is the 5400 and these are the CPU's that are compatible:

http://ark.intel.com/products/34474/Intel-5400-Memory-Controller#@compatibility

The 5400 chipset is listed as supporting the X5492 3.4GHz, but it has a 1600 FSB, whereas the T5400 is a 1333. The fastest CPU for the Dell Precision T5400 is the Xeon X5470 4-core @ 3.33GHz:

http://ark.intel.com/products/35430/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X5470-12M-Cache-3_33-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

And, in Passmark results, the X5470 produces the top 10 CPU scores, ranging from 9013 to 8644 for a pair.

The X5460 has the next 31 highest scores: 8634 to 8257 for a pair.

The highest rated T5400:

Rating: 2702
CPU: 8666 (2X X5470)
2D: 521 (GTX 690)
3D: 5490
Mem: 717 (16GB)
Disk: 6168 (SiImage SCSI Disk)

I've had a 2008 Precision T5400 (2X X5460, 16GB RAM, Quadro FX4800, 2X WD RE4 500GB) since 2010 and that system has been perfectly reliable- I never had a hardware failure. I even especially liked the keyboard. The T5400 was sold with the SK-8135 keyboard and I still use one with my 2015 HP z420.

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 667 ECC> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 901] [Cinebench 11.5 CPU=7.54 OpenGL = 51.89 fps] 10.24.15

Depending on your use, I would suggest moderate expenditure on a T5400. The CPU is not-hyperthreading and does not have a turbo speed, plus the RAM is DDR2-667 ECC, which is a moderate speed and DDR2 runs very hot.

Not to throw cold water on your project, but you might look into selling the T5400 and buying and upgrading a T5500 or even a T3500 whihc is a single CPU model. The TX500 Precisions can use 6-core hyperthreading CPU's up to the W3690 or X5690 3.47 / 3.73GHz and the RAM is DDR3-1333 faster and much cooler. A dual X5460 has 8 threads for rendering at 3.16GHz, whereas a single 6-core T3500 with a W3690 has 12 threads @ 3.47 /3.73GHz. I upgraded a $53 T3500 in December 2015, spending $60 on an X5677 4-core at 3.06 /3.47GHz and $43 on 8GB of DDR3-1333, added a Quadro 4000, PERC 6/i controller and 300GGB 15K SAS drive left over from a T5500 upgrade and that system has a rating of 2751 - higher than the best dual CPU T5400 and having the same number of threads.

Precision T3500 (2011) (Rev 2) Xeon X5677 4-core @ 3.06 / 3.47GHz > 12GB (6X 2GB) DDR3-1333 ECC > Quadro 4000 (2GB) > PERC 6/i +Seagate 300GB 15K SAS ST3300657SS + WD Black 500GB > 525W PSU> Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > 2X Dell 19" LCD
[Passmark system rating = 2751, CPU = 7236 / 2D= 658 / 3D=2020 / Mem= 1875 / Disk=1221]

The T5500 I upgraded cost $171,

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Original): Xeon E5620 quad core @ 2.4 / 2.6 GHz > 6GB DDR3 ECC Reg 1333 > Quadro FX 580 (512MB) > Dell PERC 6/i SAS /SATA controller > Seagate Cheetah 15K 146GB > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[ Passmark system rating = 1479 / CPU = 4067 / 2D= 520 / 3D= 311 / Mem= 1473 / Disk= 1208]

> and spent about $850 more:

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6 -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 / CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3505 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)

And in this case, the system has 12-cores/ 24 threads up to 3.6GHz, 48GB of RAM. The investment is of course more- an X45680 cost $170 instead of $35 for an X5460, but the speed of the system is up to modern standards.

As mentioned, the T5400 is an excellent system, but the ultimate performance is limited, so spend on it accordingly and if you need a higher performance potential, consider changing to the next generation.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) > 32GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15

 

[elvedin]

Hi bambiboom.

I see you had same dell t5400 as I have right now and I have 12GB memory. Yuor Passmark system Rating was = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 90.
My system passmark rating is 1254, cpu = 3476, 2D = 383, 3D = 310, disk mark = 2006, memory 655.

My problem is when I install both of CPUs, my system doesnt shows all of 8 cores when I do task manager test. Also, when I do passmark test with 2 CPU, my results are same as when I do it with 1 cpu.

My BIOS reads both of CPUs, when I go to 'my computer + properties', system shows only one cpu. When I go to device manager + CPU, it shows all of 8 cores.

My question is how to increase my passmark score to be better with 2 CPU then 1? How to use all of my 2 CPUs potential. I forgot to say i run windos 8.1 64bit.
Thank you for your time.

 

[bambiboom]

Hi bambiboom.

I see you had same dell t5400 as I have right now and I have 12GB memory. Yuor Passmark system Rating was = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 90.
My system passmark rating is 1254, cpu = 3476, 2D = 383, 3D = 310, disk mark = 2006, memory 655.

My problem is when I install both of CPUs, my system doesnt shows all of 8 cores when I do task manager test. Also, when I do passmark test with 2 CPU, my results are same as when I do it with 1 cpu.

My BIOS reads both of CPUs, when I go to 'my computer + properties', system shows only one cpu. When I go to device manager + CPU, it shows all of 8 cores.

My question is how to increase my passmark score to be better with 2 CPU then 1? How to use all of my 2 CPUs potential. I forgot to say i run windos 8.1 64bit.
Thank you for your time.

elvedin,

As to the circumstances that all processors are not detected may have several reasons:

1. Both processors are not enabled in BIOS
2. The BIOS needs to be updated to the final version
3. Processors are not matching: possibly different steppings
4. Power supply issue
5. Improper Windows version: Win 8.1 must be Pro, Enterprise, or RT

The most likely explanation is that all processors and all threads need to be enabled in BIOS.

What GPU and drives are you using?

This may be of interest: 32gb (8x 4gb) PC2-5300F Dell Poweredge 1900 1950 2900 2950 Server Memory > $25.99

Cheers,

BambiBoom

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 667 ECC> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 901]
[ Cinebench 11.5 CPU=7.54 OpenGL = 51.89 fps] 10.24.15

_With Quadro 4000 >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1976, CPU = 8625 / 2D= 505 / 3D=2000 Mem= 742, Disk= 923]

 

[elvedin]

Hi bambiboom.

I see you had same dell t5400 as I have right now and I have 12GB memory. Yuor Passmark system Rating was = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 90.
My system passmark rating is 1254, cpu = 3476, 2D = 383, 3D = 310, disk mark = 2006, memory 655.

My problem is when I install both of CPUs, my system doesnt shows all of 8 cores when I do task manager test. Also, when I do passmark test with 2 CPU, my results are same as when I do it with 1 cpu.

My BIOS reads both of CPUs, when I go to 'my computer + properties', system shows only one cpu. When I go to device manager + CPU, it shows all of 8 cores.

My question is how to increase my passmark score to be better with 2 CPU then 1? How to use all of my 2 CPUs potential. I forgot to say i run windos 8.1 64bit.
Thank you for your time.

elvedin,

As to the circumstances that all processors are not detected may have several reasons:

1. Both processors are not enabled in BIOS
2. The BIOS needs to be updated to the final version
3. Processors are not matching: possibly different steppings
4. Power supply issue
5. Improper Windows version: Win 8.1 must be Pro, Enterprise, or RT

The most likely explanation is that all processors and all threads need to be enabled in BIOS.

What GPU and drives are you using?

This may be of interest: 32gb (8x 4gb) PC2-5300F Dell Poweredge 1900 1950 2900 2950 Server Memory > $25.99

Cheers,

BambiBoom

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 667 ECC> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 901]
[ Cinebench 11.5 CPU=7.54 OpenGL = 51.89 fps] 10.24.15

_With Quadro 4000 >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1976, CPU = 8625 / 2D= 505 / 3D=2000 Mem= 742, Disk= 923]

 

[elvedin]

my Dell configuration is: dell precision t5400:

1. Two same intel xeon e5420, stepping 6 in both of CPU
2. 12GB of RAM DDR2 667 ECC
3. BIOS version: Dell inc. A11, 30.4.2012.

 

[bambiboom]

my Dell configuration is: dell precision t5400:

1. Two same intel xeon e5420, stepping 6 in both of CPU
2. 12GB of RAM DDR2 667 ECC
3. BIOS version: Dell inc. A11, 30.4.2012.

elvedin,

Can you check BIOS that all processors are enabled?

Cheers,

BambiBoom

 

[tenzingnorsang1983]

my Dell configuration is: dell precision t5400:

1. Two same intel xeon e5420, stepping 6 in both of CPU
2. 12GB of RAM DDR2 667 ECC
3. BIOS version: Dell inc. A11, 30.4.2012.

elvedin,

Can you check BIOS that all processors are enabled?

Cheers,

BambiBoom

How do you update Bios?

 

[hodzabegovic.elvedin]

I did some research in the web but could not find the information for this ungrade. Possible that DELL did not put on-line a part of the technical manual with XEON CPU models compatible with Dell Precision T5400?

 

[hodzabegovic.elvedin]

Hi, I had same situation few months ago with same PC dell orecision t5400 and I have found solution. I bought 2 same cpu's x5460 with same stepping (SLANP), I matcehd them and they work perfectly together. Now, I have 8 cores and 24MB of Cache.
REMEMBER: You must upgrade your pc with same cpu stepping, SLBBA or SLANP.

 

[rajeshsatre]

can any one suggest me where i can get 8 GB Ram for Dell T5400
If anyone having working 8gb RAM please do let me know.

 

[planetboris]

found answer...cheers