Xeon system bit the dust, need a replacement

[mashie]

Earlier today I managed to nuke the BIOS on my Xeon workstation from 2015, it is very dead now. This was spec:

Processor: Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3
Motherboard: Gigabyte MW50-SV0
Cooling: Noctua HSF
Memory: 4x 16GB Crucial DDR4 ECC Registered
Video Card: Nvidia 710GT PCIe 2.0
Storage: 250GB Samsung 850 EVO (boot), WD Black 1TB NVMe (system), 14x Seagate IronWolf 10TB (RAID6 storage)
Storage controller: LSI 9305-24i PCIe 3.0 x8
Display: Dell UP3017
Case: Lian-Li PC-777B
Power Supply: Corsair AX1200
Software: Xubuntu 20.04

The only reason I was doing the BIOS update was to add support for a cheap 12 core E5-2687W v4 CPU I had spotted on eBay but thankfully not bought yet.

The main usage of this system is as a file server and run GNS3 with a bunch of virtual machines, no gaming nor overclocking. Stability is very important as thcurrent system has been running 24/7 for 7 years.

I would like to keep the budget under £1100 if possible.

What I'm looking for is a CPU with 24 threads, either Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel i9 12900.
4x32GB DDR4 3200

I have no idea what motherboard to pick for either CPU option that can drive the SAS controller at the full PCIe 3.0 x8 bandwidth and have at least one bootable M.2 slot.

I will happily retire the 710GT for an iGPU, it is only a 2560x1600 display to drive where the most taxable content is Youtube videos.

 

[eidairaman1]

I suggest this motherboard

Pro WS X570-ACE｜Motherboards｜ASUS USA

ASUS Pro Workstation motherboards are designed for professionals in AI training, deep learning, animation, or 3D rendering. Featuring expandable graphics, storage, impressive connectivity and reliability, an ASUS Pro Workstation motherboard is the ideal solution for creative professionals and IT...

www.asus.com

 

[bobbybluz]

You can replace the BIOS chip for less than $25 should you decide to keep your current system active:
BIOS CHIP: Gigabyte MW50-SV0 | eBay

 

[Tetras]

I will happily retire the 710GT for an iGPU, it is only a 2560x1600 display to drive where the most taxable content is Youtube videos.

The 12900 has a decent (relatively, still slower than a 1030) IGP. ASRock rack AM4 motherboards have IPMI, I think.

Don't know if you have the ability to wait, but:
- AM5 may have IGPs on higher end Ryzens
- Intel are rumoured to be releasing a new HEDT system this year (after abandoning the market to threadripper)
- I believe the W680 chipset motherboards are due in Q2 too and apparently they will use standard Core CPUs (with ECC enabled) instead of Xeons

 

[timta2]

You've tried the recovery mode for that board? A lot of motherboards have it, although it's often hidden functionality.

Bios Recovery Instruction - Gigabyte MW50-SV0 User Manual [Page 129]

Gigabyte MW50-SV0 Manual Online: Bios Recovery Instruction. The system has an embedded recovery technique. In the event that the BIOS becomes corrupt the boot block can be used to restore the BIOS to a working state. To restore your BIOS, please follow the instructions listed below:...

www.manualslib.com

 

[eidairaman1]

You've tried the recovery mode for that board? A lot of motherboards have it, although it's often hidden functionality.

Bios Recovery Instruction - Gigabyte MW50-SV0 User Manual [Page 129]

Gigabyte MW50-SV0 Manual Online: Bios Recovery Instruction. The system has an embedded recovery technique. In the event that the BIOS becomes corrupt the boot block can be used to restore the BIOS to a working state. To restore your BIOS, please follow the instructions listed below:...

www.manualslib.com

I thought GA boards did it automatically?

 

[grammar_phreak]

Welp... I hope the BIOS recovery solves your issue. Otherwise you could look for a repair service that can solder a new BIOS chip to your motherboard. Here in the U.S. it would cost up to $150 to get a new BIOS chip soldered on to the board. I had the same CPU in a system, but I upgraded to a 6950x when I saw one on ebay for $190.

I assume you might want the 2nd PCI-E x16 slot to support x8 lanes? All of the Intel z690 boards that support DDR4 that I've seen, don't have a 2nd x16 slot that supports x8 lanes.... those x16 slots support x4 lanes. It's some of the high end DDR5 boards like the Asus ProArt or MSI z690 Unify or Meg Ace that support PCI-E 5.0 x8 on the 2nd PCI-E x16 slot. Not too long ago almost all previous chipset Z-series boards supported SLI, but with z690 on a few expensive boards do.

To me, if the Asus x570 WS Pro Ace board that eidairman1 recommended can support your file server, then that would be the one to go with. Some of these Ryzen 5000 series processors have been going for really cheap lately. The 5900x and x570 platform also supports PCI-E 4.0.

There's always Intel's previous x299 platform. Some of those processors like the i9-7960x are going for $320usd on ebay but the boards aren't super cheap. Boards like the Asus WS x299 Sage are going for $500usd used. Some of those cheaper x299 boards that came out in 2017 had weak VRM's that have a difficult time with the High-Core-Count processors. But..... at least you could transfer over the CPU cooler you have to the lga2066 socket and use DDR4 RAM with it. Also, I'm not sure if you'd need an additional VROC key to get RAID 6 to work.... I think one of those VROC keys are around $100 bucks. The 16-core i9-7960x is weaker than the 5950x in comparison, but at least you get 44 PCI-E 3.0 lanes from the CPU.

 

[mashie]

You can replace the BIOS chip for less than $25 should you decide to keep your current system active:
BIOS CHIP: Gigabyte MW50-SV0 | eBay

Nice find but this gives me a reason to justify a hardware refresh with the missus.

I suggest this motherboard

Pro WS X570-ACE｜Motherboards｜ASUS USA

ASUS Pro Workstation motherboards are designed for professionals in AI training, deep learning, animation, or 3D rendering. Featuring expandable graphics, storage, impressive connectivity and reliability, an ASUS Pro Workstation motherboard is the ideal solution for creative professionals and IT...

www.asus.com

That is a nice looking board but providing more slots than I actually need.

You've tried the recovery mode for that board? A lot of motherboards have it, although it's often hidden functionality.

Bios Recovery Instruction - Gigabyte MW50-SV0 User Manual [Page 129]

Gigabyte MW50-SV0 Manual Online: Bios Recovery Instruction. The system has an embedded recovery technique. In the event that the BIOS becomes corrupt the boot block can be used to restore the BIOS to a working state. To restore your BIOS, please follow the instructions listed below:...

www.manualslib.com

I tried this and nothing is happening, just the HDD LED permanently flashing and that's it.

Welp... I hope the BIOS recovery solves your issue. Otherwise you could look for a repair service that can solder a new BIOS chip to your motherboard. Here in the U.S. it would cost up to $150 to get a new BIOS chip soldered on to the board. I had the same CPU in a system, but I upgraded to a 6950x when I saw one on ebay for $190.

I assume you might want the 2nd PCI-E x16 slot to support x8 lanes? All of the Intel z690 boards that support DDR4 that I've seen, don't have a 2nd x16 slot that supports x8 lanes.... those x16 slots support x4 lanes. It's some of the high end DDR5 boards like the Asus ProArt or MSI z690 Unify or Meg Ace that support PCI-E 5.0 x8 on the 2nd PCI-E x16 slot. Not too long ago almost all previous chipset Z-series boards supported SLI, but with z690 on a few expensive boards do.

To me, if the Asus x570 WS Pro Ace board that eidairman1 recommended can support your file server, then that would be the one to go with. Some of these Ryzen 5000 series processors have been going for really cheap lately. The 5900x and x570 platform also supports PCI-E 4.0.

There's always Intel's previous x299 platform. Some of those processors like the i9-7960x are going for $320usd on ebay but the boards aren't super cheap. Boards like the Asus WS x299 Sage are going for $500usd used. Some of those cheaper x299 boards that came out in 2017 had weak VRM's that have a difficult time with the High-Core-Count processors. But..... at least you could transfer over the CPU cooler you have to the lga2066 socket and use DDR4 RAM with it. Also, I'm not sure if you'd need an additional VROC key to get RAID 6 to work.... I think one of those VROC keys are around $100 bucks. The 16-core i9-7960x is weaker than the 5950x in comparison, but at least you get 44 PCI-E 3.0 lanes from the CPU.

I will let this old motherboard die, it has served its time and will be replaced with something new that can keep me going for another 7+ years.

I probably wasn't clear, this is a file server but also my main PC.

With Linux unlikely to fully support the BIG/small cores on the Alder Lake for the next years let's concentrate on the 5900x options.

At the moment I have this shopping list assembled:

Ryzen 9 5900X (don't these come with heatsinks any longer?)
Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4
ASUS ROG STRIX B550-A GAMING
Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 128GB 3200MHz DDR4 Quad Channel Memory Kit
Samsung 980 1TB M.2

All in all £1260

The idea would be to plug in the SAS controller in the top PCIe 4.0 16x slot and the GPU in the second PCIe 3.0 16x slot (4x electrical).
The 980 would go in the M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot and the old WD Black 1TB would go in the seconf M.2 slot.

Anything missed or better options? I like the spacing of the slots on this board and the Intel 2.5G NIC provides an upgrade path once I upgrade the network from 1G.

 

[The King]

You can program the BIOS chip directly using somethings like this.

SOIC8 SOP8 Flash Chip IC CH341A USB Programmer Flash BIOS Chip USB Programmer Module (SB Programmer+SOP8 Clip+Adapter): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Shop SOIC8 SOP8 Flash Chip IC CH341A USB Programmer Flash BIOS Chip USB Programmer Module (SB Programmer+SOP8 Clip+Adapter). Free delivery and returns on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Just watch a few YT tutorials its actually very easy to do. I have used it on several mobos and a few routers that failed to flash and it works great.

 

[ppn]

AM4 is one EOL socket, absolutely no reason to invest longterm unles 5900 DDR4 is very cheap or something.

Just order some ALi express motherboard, im sure there are plenty with 2x16 slots for your CPU or unlock the 18 core 2600 V3 to 3.8Ghz for a total of $250 and wait for the ZEN4/5/6 and then jump strategically to socket AM5 or whatever intels meteor lake is made for. because 1700 maybe EOL soon too.

 

[mashie]

AM4 is one EOL socket, absolutely no reason to invest longterm unles 5900 DDR4 is very cheap or something.

Just order some ALi express motherboard, im sure there are plenty with 2x16 slots for your CPU or unlock the 18 core 2600 V3 to 3.8Ghz for a total of $250 and wait for the ZEN4/5/6 and then jump strategically to socket AM5 or whatever intels meteor lake is made for. because 1700 maybe EOL soon too.

The old system was 7 years old so whenever I update sometime in 2030 I will worry about what is available then.

 

[xtreemchaos]

what GPU are you going to put in the new rigg ?.

 

[mashie]

what GPU are you going to put in the new rigg ?.

I will keep the 710GT. I only use it for 2D.

 

[Nike_486DX]

Is there a secondary bios on that mobo? or any kind of 2nd bios switch (not common on mobos but some do have that feature).

 

[mashie]

Is there a secondary bios on that mobo? or any kind of 2nd bios switch (not common on mobos but some do have that feature).

It is a workstation board so missing all the good consumer features, it is also missing the server features that also could have been handy now (IPMI).

I have ordered the 5900X and bits listed further up so if anyone fancy a dead motherboard to play with for the cost of postage please let me know.

 

[eidairaman1]

It is a workstation board so missing all the good consumer features, it is also missing the server features that also could have been handy now (IPMI).

I have ordered the 5900X and bits listed further up so if anyone fancy a dead motherboard to play with for the cost of postage please let me know.

You said workstation so i provided a workstation board

 

[mashie]

You said workstation so i provided a workstation board

I was referring to the old Xeon board which missed most modern BIOS features. It was not about the board you suggested which would have been a great option but overkill for what I needed.

 

[eidairaman1]

I was referring to the old Xeon board which missed most modern BIOS features. It was not about the board you suggested which would have been a great option but overkill for what I needed.

This is the board you bricked right?

MW50-SV0 (rev. 1.0) | Server Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global

Intel® Xeon® processor E5-1600 & E5-2600 V3 / V4 product families8 x RDIMM/LRDIMM ECC DDR4 DIMM slots3 x GbE LAN port (Intel® I210 + I218)Supports 2-way, 3-way NVIDIA® SLI™ / A...

www.gigabyte.com

Pro WS X570-ACE - Tech Specs｜Motherboards｜ASUS USA

Detailed specification of Pro WS X570-ACE Tech Specs，CPU:AMD AM4 Socket 3rd and 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen™/2nd and 1st Gen AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics Processors,* Refer to <a href="http://www.asus.com">www.asus.com</a> for CPU support list.,* Refer to <a...

www.asus.com

Nice find but this gives me a reason to justify a hardware refresh with the missus.



That is a nice looking board but providing more slots than I actually need.



I tried this and nothing is happening, just the HDD LED permanently flashing and that's it.



I will let this old motherboard die, it has served its time and will be replaced with something new that can keep me going for another 7+ years.

I probably wasn't clear, this is a file server but also my main PC.

With Linux unlikely to fully support the BIG/small cores on the Alder Lake for the next years let's concentrate on the 5900x options.

At the moment I have this shopping list assembled:

Ryzen 9 5900X (don't these come with heatsinks any longer?)
Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4
ASUS ROG STRIX B550-A GAMING
Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 128GB 3200MHz DDR4 Quad Channel Memory Kit
Samsung 980 1TB M.2

All in all £1260

The idea would be to plug in the SAS controller in the top PCIe 4.0 16x slot and the GPU in the second PCIe 3.0 16x slot (4x electrical).
The 980 would go in the M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot and the old WD Black 1TB would go in the seconf M.2 slot.

Anything missed or better options? I like the spacing of the slots on this board and the Intel 2.5G NIC provides an upgrade path once I upgrade the network from 1G.

Do us a favor and go elsewhere for ram, no corsair.

 

[mashie]

This is the board you bricked right?

MW50-SV0 (rev. 1.0) | Server Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global

Intel® Xeon® processor E5-1600 & E5-2600 V3 / V4 product families8 x RDIMM/LRDIMM ECC DDR4 DIMM slots3 x GbE LAN port (Intel® I210 + I218)Supports 2-way, 3-way NVIDIA® SLI™ / A...

www.gigabyte.com

Do us a favor and go elsewhere for ram, no corsair.

That is the one.

All but the new motherboard arrived today and that is scheduled for tomorrow.

I will give the Corsair a go, it is in the QVL from ASUS and I don't intend to run it over 3200.

 

[eidairaman1]

That is the one.

All but the new motherboard arrived today and that is scheduled for tomorrow.

I will give the Corsair a go, it is in the QVL from ASUS and I don't intend to run it over 3200.

Which is what?

 

[mashie]

Which is what?

These are the bits I bought:

Ryzen 9 5900X
Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4
ASUS ROG STRIX B550-A GAMING
Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 128GB 3200MHz DDR4 Quad Channel Memory Kit
Samsung 980 1TB M.2

 

[eidairaman1]

These are the bits I bought:

Ryzen 9 5900X
Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4
ASUS ROG STRIX B550-A GAMING
Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 128GB 3200MHz DDR4 Quad Channel Memory Kit
Samsung 980 1TB M.2

I hope the ram works properly especially after seeing a rash of users coming here with trouble with that brand.

Please keep us informed on this thread how your build goes.

 

[mashie]

Thanks, I hope so too.

This will be my first AMD system since 2007.

 

[eidairaman1]

Thanks, I hope so too.

This will be my first AMD system since 2007.

I built mine in 2014 after running an AthlonXP Since about 2003, then i built a 5800 rig with crucial 3600 asrock b550 Steel Legend mobo and its been flawless

 

[Kapone33]

Thanks, I hope so too.

This will be my first AMD system since 2007.

You will enjoy the improvement in performance over your old system and the 5900X is rock solid.