What CPUs are compatible with the Xeon E5 2620 using the x79 chipset (LGA2011)

[zootjeff]

I have a Dell Workstation with a 6 core 12 thread Xeon E5 2620 in it. It has a pretty slow 2.5G Max frequency. Since most of the apps I use for work are single tread, I want to see if I can swap it out for a faster CPU with less cores. It almost looks like the Xeon E5 1620 would be a good choice because it goes to 3.9G max. Can I just go swapping CPUs (assuming the heatsink is good for the higher power..) ? Will I run into any BIOS problems if I just swap out a Xeon from the same family as listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_2011 ?

What about the non server chips? If I try to stick a Sandy Bridge-E or Ivy Bridge-E in a Dell workstation that was setup for server chips, would it just work or am I asking for a compatibility disaster?

 

[Bejusek]

What workstation is it exactly? CPU compatibility depends on its mainboard and BIOS. You have to look for its specs, which will hopefully tell you what is supported.

I suspect that E5-1620 would work, being the same generation CPU. If you want higher clocks, 3930k and 3960x seem like good candidates, if you don't need a lot of RAM.

35W more of heat output is a significant increase. Your current cooling will be strained more. However if you use mostly single threaded apps, it should not be much of a problem.

 

[Nikolay Savov]

Hi
Yep it looks like single core score it better on 1620 than 2620
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/compare/109297?baseline=92847

But to be able to check what CPU can you swap in you DELL Workstation we need you model or you Dell Tag.
I`ll NOT risk with any LGA2011 CPU - you will not POST if you DELL bios is not supporting the microcode of the new one .....

 

[zootjeff]

The Machine is a Dell Precision T5600 Workstation

It is a 0Y56T3 motherboard
BIOS is A04 07/05/2012
It has the x79 chipset

I'd like to get the highest GHz I can, and it doesn't need to be the Ivy Bridge E stuff..

 

[Nikolay Savov]

The Machine is a Dell Precision T5600 Workstation

It is a 0Y56T3 motherboard
BIOS is A04 07/05/2012
It has the x79 chipset

I'd like to get the highest GHz I can, and it doesn't need to be the Ivy Bridge E stuff..

This are supported CPU`s on you T5600

Intel® XEON_8 (E5-2687W, E5-2680, E5-2665, E5-2650)
Intel® Xeon® 6-Core (E5-2667, E5-2630, E5-2620)
Intel® Xeon® Quad Core (E5-2643, E5-2603, E5-2609

The fastest CPU is the E5-2643 - 3.30GHz/4-core/10MB/130W
You know that the prices are killer ....