Dell PowerEdge 860 CPU upgrade

[andrewfarren]

I have an old PowerEdge 860 that I would like to use for some XenServer testing. It currently has an Intel E4500, 2.20, 2M, CORE DUO-CONROE, which does not have Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x), so it'll limit the Xen functionality (if it even works at all.) I would like to replace the processor with something that has VT-x, or alternatively, replace the motherboard and processor. What are my options? Thanks in advance for all the suggestions.

 

[Alabalcho]

You have probably found what CPUs this server was sold with:

Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® 3200 series: 1066MHz
Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® 3000 series: 1066MHz
Intel® Pentium® D: 800MHz
Intel® Celeron® D: 533MHz

Reading Xeon 3200 datasheet, there is a sentence (Whether this counts as VT-x is something legal departments could argue for)

The Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processor 3200 Series support Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT), which provides silicon-based functionality that works together with compatible Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) software to improve on software-only solutions.

One also has to note that this is LGA755 socket. You can look at the motherboard, find out what chip set is there, find out the specs of this chipset, and see supported CPUs. You should also upgrade BIOS (and check release notes for CPU support).