HP Microserver Gen8 Processor FAQ

http://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/6596-hp-microserver-gen8-processor-faq/

This guide is a work in progress. After reading some other people's questions about processors for the Microserver Gen8, including "What's the best choice for ESXi or HyperV use?" I wanted to create some sort of basic guide. For those of you who are geeks, you'll love this. If you're ADD or in the TLDR crowd, skip this thread.

The HP Microserver Gen8 comes with one of two processors stock:

The Intel Celeron G1610T (2.3GHz, 2MB cache, Ivy Bridge)

http://ark.intel.com...-Cache-2_30-GHz

The Intel Pentium G2020T (2.5GHz, 3MB cache, Ivy Bridge)

http://ark.intel.com/products/71069

Neither are incredibly special, but for a home server running Windows Home Server, Windows Small Business Server, Server Essentials, or FreeNAS, they should do quite well. Performance diferences should be minor between the two. But, what if you want to run virtual machines via a hypervisor like VMWare ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V Server? Neither of these two CPUs are exactly ideal, as they are missing some of the features of enhanced processors like VT-d instructions, the cache is small, and you have two CPU cores with no hyperthreading support. At this point, an upgrade sounds like a good idea --but what do you choose?

The answer to the question all depends on how many VMs you want to run simultaneously on your hypervisor and what their purposes will be. Tasks like SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange (at least, above a certain number of users), or an applications server require more horsepower than say, a basic domain controller (which even with DHCP, DNS, and other mainstream services, doesn't take a lot of load).

One of the requirements *is* purchasing a CPU with ECC support; this negates many, if not all standard Core i3/i5/i7 processors. Note also, the Microserver Gen8 has a 150w power supply and a 35w TDP fanless heatsink design, something to keep in mind when upgrading --trying to slap in a 95w CPU probably isn't a wise decision.

The Microserver Gen8 has a Socket 1155 platform, and will support Xeon E3 (Sandy Bridge) and Xeon E3 v2 (Ivy Bridge) processors --Xeon E3 v3 (Haswell) processors are a different architecture with a different socket (Socket 1150) and are *not* supported. IMO, these are the five processors to consider when upgrading the HP Microserver Gen8:

Xeon E3-1220L (2 cores, 4 threads, Sandy Bridge)

Xeon E3-1220L v2 (2 cores, 4 threads, Ivy Bridge)

Xeon E3-1260L (4 cores, 8 threads, Sandy Bridge)

Xeon E3-1265L v2 (4 cores, 8 threads, Ivy Bridge

Xeon E3-1230 v2 (4 cores, 8 threads, Ivy Bridge -see caveats)

The L variants of the Xeon family are low voltage. While the 1220L's are not as powerful, they are very low power (20w TDP for the SB, 17w TDP for the IB). This is great if you're only running two VMs and if you want to pack the server to the gills with other items (e.g., more than just the four standard drive bays). The 1260L and 1265L pack more power, but have a 45w TDP, ten watts above the rating of the heatsink in the unit. Still very usable as others testing have found.

The Xeon E3-1230 v2 (4 cores, 8 threads, Ivy Bridge) is a fifth choice. It is less expensive, and people have done this upgrade with success. However, it has a 69w TDP, and I tend to be of the conservative sort --I want as much power envelope left as possible for other devices (RAID controller, extra drives, optical drive), and I also want a cushion that doesn't exceed the heat removal capabilities of the box. If you aren't planning on adding much to your server though, it may be a good choice.

As for Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge, here's the basic rundown. The Sandy Bridge Xeons have one basic advantage --their heat spreaders are soldered to the CPU die using a fluxless solder process. This provides for more efficient heat transfer. While the Ivy Bridge Xeons would in theory run cooler if this process was used, Intel went cheaper, and now uses thermal paste between the spreader and the die. This means that Ivy Bridge processors actually don't run much cooler than Sandys under load, if at all. Note: If modding is your game, some enthusiasts have managed remove the heatspreader from Ivy Bridge CPUs, allowing direct contact with the CPU die and lowering the heat, or replacing the thermal interface material with higher quality stuff. Do this at your own risk - this VOIDS your CPU warranty and could damage the processor.

On the other hand, Ivy Bridge processors have the following (note: these may provide only negligible improvements depending on the change)

PCIe 3.0 support (probably not necessary even when using a RAID controller or graphics card)

Improved AES-NI instructions (if you are using encryption such as Bitlocker or TrueCrypt, this would be a plus, otherwise negligible)

Improved Floating Point instructions

Improved Intel QuickSync performance. NOTE: Not all of the processors listed have QuickSync (only the 1260L and 1265L v2 do) as not all of these have onboard graphics. Note also that due to the architecture of the Microserver Gen8 (which uses Matrox video rather than Intel Graphics as its primary) that I'm not aware that anyone has tested a QuickSync-equipped processor to confirm that these features operate correctly when such a CPU is in the system. However, should they work, the 1260L and 1265L v2 have the potential to provide a considerable boost to video encoding/transcoding performance if you use an application that supports it; the 1265L v2 will have probably a 20-40% performance increase over the 1260L in this area.

For complete CPU specifications on the Xeon E3 families, check out the following links:

Xeon E3 1200 (Sandy Bridge) family:

http://ark.intel.com...ts/series/53495

Xeon E3 v2 1200 (Ivy Bridge) family:

http://ark.intel.com...2-Family/server

Wikipedia also has excellent links if you search for "Sandy Bridge", "Ivy Bridge", or "Xeon" to explain history and architectural changes.

Note: Something I did not realize until working more deeply today when replacing my Gen8 Microserver's processor.

If you *do* wish to use Bitlocker or some other types of hardware encryption, one of the general requirements is having a system with a TPM (Trusted Platform Module). Plenty of modern enthusiast mainboards have this; the Microserver Gen8 does not. It is a purchasable option, with a general price of around $45-50.

HP's part number is 488069-b21, which is meant for broad compatibility across the Gen8 line of servers. The part is a small daughtercard that connects to a TPM connector on the mainboard. As part of the procedure, a plastic rivet is also used in the installation. This rivet holds the TPM in place, and is designed to deform or break if the TPM is removed, to make you aware that security has been breached. Once the TPM is attached, it is paired to the mainboard for life, and should not be removed. Should HP need to replace your mainboard under warranty, you should notify them that you have a TPM so they may provide you with a new one for the new mainboard; the original TPM should remain paired with the original board, per HP's own instructions.

The AES New Instructions are still useful in some other applications, but if you are looking to do full disk encryption, you will wish to purchase the TPM module as well.

Two additional "should-work" processors:

Intel Core i3-3220T (2.8GHz, 2 cores, 4 threads, 35w TDP, Ivy Bridge)

http://ark.intel.com/products/65694/

Intel Core i3-3250T (3GHz, 2 cores, 4 threads, 35w TDP, Ivy Bridge)

http://ark.intel.com...-Cache-3_00-GHz

These processors are among the rare subset of Intel desktop CPUs that support ECC memory; you could think of them as very stripped-down versions of the Xeon E3-1220L v2. Both of these processors lack Intel VT-d, so they're not super choices for VM hypervisor work; unlike the Xeon, they also lack Turbo Boost dynamic clock scaling for higher single-threaded performance. They do bring Hyperthreading and QuickSync to the table. If you're buying a brand new CPU, they wouldn't be on my list as you're already partway to the cost of a new or used Xeon E3; however, if you're pulling one from another system or come across one cheap, they will improve performance over the original processors.

I've had my 1265L v2 for about a month, it's been a great upgrade. I do think it is probably the best CPU upgrade for the MS Gen8, followed closely by the 1260L, and then (if low power is a concern) the 1220L v2.

Either way, I haven't found that the 1265L v2 is causing a heat problem in my system. However, I was willing to spend more for an L-series processor over the Xeon E3-1230 v2 for the same reason you went with the 1260L; I considered a 24-watt TDP increase to be unacceptable for my configuration, especially considering the power draw and possible heat from other components.

Consider though, the reason for the L variant is low voltage, and therefore, lower TDP. Keep in mind, the heatsink of the Microserver is designed for a max 35w TDP processor. The Xeon E3 1220L v2 is well within this at 17w, of course, it's a 2-core/4-thread processor. The Xeon E3-1260L and 1265L v2 are 45w TDP processors; above the envelope, but not significantly so, and they're 4-core/8-thread CPUs, quite a bit of processing power.

The Xeon E3 1220 v2 is 4 cores, 4 threads (no Hyperthreading --and (like the Xeon E3 1230 v2 which is 4 cores, 8 threads) it's got a TDP of 69w. That's 34w above the rated TDP of the heatsink, and at that point, I myself am not totally comfortable with that idea, especially when you take into account the following:

- You're going to want to load your system with drives, most likely. Probably all four bays, and maybe, if you're having fun, two more with the SchoonDoggy Drive Bracket. You've got to look at thermal dissipation as a whole, not just from a processor perspective, and drives add heat. If you decide you want performance drives (say, Western Digital RE-series, Seagate Constellations, or WD `Raptors), the heat goes up further still. Hardware RAID adds another CPU as well, and that CPU gives off heat of its own.

- Consider that the Microserver Gen8 has a 150w power supply. Start adding up what your Xeon E3 v2 (non-L) processor consumes under load, plus drives under load, plus peripherals (e.g., RAID controller or other expansion card) and at some point, you're putting additional stress on the power supply. Maybe it can handle it --but if you're putting it at the edge for periods of time, you're probably going to shorten its lifespan.

- Consider what your environment is going to be. If you're not in an air-conditioned house/apartment and you have warm summers, adding that heat to your server may pose an issue for a portion of the year. And there's only so much you can do to remove warm air from a device the size of a breadbox, with possibly limited channels for airflow.

In the enterprise, people focus on reliability and uptime - and they focus on efficiency (keeping heat low, keeping power supplies within an efficient envelope) which also has a positive effect on that reliability and uptime. I know we're talking about home servers here so I'm stretching it a tad, but it's always good to look at what a system was designed to handle. Personally, I think the Xeon E3-1220 v2 isn't a great value in terms of performance (no Hyperthreading), or efficiency (69w TDP) when it comes to the Gen8.

With my Xeon E3-1265LV2 I was satisfied (you need to decide what operating temp range you are satisfied with) with the temp’s I was seeing when I used the Increased Cooling setting in BIOS and have not considered disabling my TurboBoost. See:

HP ProLiant Gen8 MicroServer: Xeon E3-1265LV2 CPU Upgrade

My PlayList for System Board Heat Sink CPU Remove-Install HP ProLiant Gen8 MicroServer

AND Check out this collection of Temp Studies that Include minehttp://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/6762-anyone-who-has-changed-the-heat-sink-on-a-gen8-microserver/page-3#entry77590You’ll also find links to some additional cooling solutions (i.e. adding additional fans to the CPU Heat Sink etc.) in that page -- and a number of Forum members have employed them to be able to use the Optimal Cooling BIOS setting,YMMV.

Be sure to check out the relevant threads starting on CSKenney’s page that started the thread ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 Links and the Gen8 Forum and the MicroServer General Forum

I don’t know of anyone in the Forums who has turned off the TurboBoost on their E3-1265LV2.

Please could you tell me if the E3-1270 V2 CPU is an option?

It will likely work. However, as mentioned before, I don't advocate 69w TDP processors in the Microserver Gen8. You're much better off with a 45w TDP processor; the passive heatsink is only designed for 35w TDP processors.

The 1260L should be one of the cooler running quad-cores due to the heatspreader being attached with fluxless solder to the CPU die. In comparison, the newer 1265L v2 which I am running probably would run warmer under load, even though it's a lower-micron process, due to Intel switching to thermal interface material between the spreader and die.

I have never lapped my HP heatsink. If the surface of yours is even, there shouldn't be a need, especially if you use quality thermal compound, such as those available from Noctua or Thermalright.

The Gen8 doesn't use the Intel CPU's graphics at all. It uses the truly ancient Matrox G200 built in to the iLO chip. I doubt any modern Linux has drivers for a 15+ year old Matrox.

The only way to get better graphics performance it to fit a real GPU in the PCI-E slot.

Does the Micro Server Support Non ECC RAM ? ( and therefore CPU)

No Non-ECC RAM, only ECC unbuffered RAM

Lowest power CPU is E3 1220L v2 17w TDP, but either expensive or hard to come by

The Gen8 uses about 10W more than a more modern miniITX machine with a fast Haswell CPU. The iLO and the extra two NICs use extra power, and the Sandy Bridge CPU uses more power.

For example, sitting in Windows with a single drive a G1610T Gen8 will use about 35W. An i3-4350 on a B85 board with the same RAM and drive will use 22W. The i3 is dual core 3.6GHz with Hyperthreading. The G1610T is dual core 2.3GHz.

The HP Proliant Gen8 is a great upgrade from the well known NxxL series. With two or three Systems you can build a reliable homelab and start to play around various VMware features. You can create a cluster, try vMotion, HA, DRS and resource pools or even create your personal vCloud or VDI environment. When you have an additional SSD, you can use vSAN to transform the local storage into redundant shared storage. The server runs pretty quiet, so you can run it near your desk.