Has anybody upgraded a Dell SC420 with an Intel Core 2 Duo?

[InterMurph]

My Dell SC420 has a 775 socket, which fits the Core 2 Duo processors. Has anybody succeeded in upgrading an SC420 with a Core 2 Duo?

I realize that the bus speed on the SC420 will remain at 800MHz. But I'm concerned about the Dell BIOS. I am assuming that it won't know what to do with the Core 2 Duo, and thefore the system won't even boot.

Thanks.

 

[Roguestar]

Your last sentence would be the most likely situation. Phone Dell and ask them whether or not the upgrade you're proposing would work. To run any Core 2 Duo other than the E4300 you need an FSB of at least 1066MHz; 800 isn't going to cut it even if your motherboard's chipset does support Core 2 Duo. And the BIOS may need updating.

 

[InterMurph]

The latest BIOS for the SC420 is A02. Here is what the Dell web site says:

Fixes and Enhancements
The following changes were made to A01 to create A02:

1. Improved setup password entry
2. Corrected some setup text
3. Improved USB support
4. Updated SMBIOS to 2.3.4
5. Added support for newer CPUs
6. Improved IDE device detection
7. Improve PCI-Express error reporting
8. Added setup switch to disable some bus error reporting
9. Corrected memory serial number reporting
10. Improved support for PCI-Express bridge devices
11. Improved support for flashing within 64-bit OS's
12. Disallowed digits in the setup AM/PM field

I'm just hoping that somebody here has already tried it, and can share their experience.

 

[Roguestar]

Doesn't say what kind of CPUs, or if they added support for 1066FSB, though. Your best bet is to phone Dell and try and get an answer from them.

 

[InterMurph]

Unfortunately I'm at work, and my system (and its service tag number) are at home. I'll try asking Dell when I get home.

Of course, they can't upgrade the FSB to 1066MHz; it will remain at 800MHz. But I'm content to run it at 800MHz, as long as I can get a Core 2 Duo to work in it.

 

[Roguestar]

The only Core 2 Duo that'll run with an 800MHz FSB is an E4300, FYI.

 

[InterMurph]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
The only Core 2 Duo that'll run with an 800MHz FSB is an E4300, FYI.

That surprises me. Given that Core 2 Duos can operate at FSB speeds above 1066 MHz, I assumed that they could also operate at speeds below 1066 MHz.

And if an E4300 will work, why wouldn't an E4400 also work? Both are listed as supporting 800 MHz FSB.

Thanks.

 

[Roguestar]

Well, yes. The E4400 can work too, but I was under the impression they weren't out in any large numbers yet.

Just because it can run at a higher FSB doesn't mean it can run lower, though .

 

[bamacre]

What chipset is in the SC420?

 

[stevty2889]

Just because a CPU uses the same socket, and even the same FSB doesn't mean it will work. Core 2 duo's require a newer VRM(voltage regulation module), so unless there is officialy support for E4300 or E4400 CPU's in that machine, they more than likely won't work.

EDIT: From the info I can find, it doesn't even support pentium-d's let alone core 2 duo.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: bamacre
What chipset is in the SC420?

E7221 chipset. Intel Specs for E7221 Server Chipset

Poweredge Forums: SC420 FAQ


Quotes:
"Here are the processors that I am SURE work on the SC420. How am I sure? Well, they are the processors that were originally available as upgrade options in the SC420 configurator on Dell's Website, or were default options:

Intel© Celeron© D 325j, 2.53Ghz, 533Mhz FSB, 256KB Cache
Intel© Celeron© D 326, 2.53Ghz, 533Mhz FSB, 256KB Cache
Intel© Pentium© 4 520, 2.8Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 1MB Cache
Intel© Pentium© 4 521, 2.8Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 1MB Cache
Intel© Pentium© 4 550, 3.4Ghz, EM64T, 800Mhz FSB, 1MB Cache
Intel© Pentium© 4 560, 3.6Ghz, EM64T, 800Mhz FSB, 1MB Cache <-- "greatest" CPU guaranteed to work

By the way, all of these cores are Prescott."
-------------------------------------------------
"To add to this list:
Intel© Pentium© 4 530, 3.0Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 1MB Cache - Worked ok

But both a Pentium 4 630 (updated Prescott core) and CeleronD 356 do not work."

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, if a Pentium 630 won't work, a C2D sure as hell won't work.

 

[InterMurph]

Here's what the Dell online support guy said:

3:37:26 PM AES Jeff T I am not sure what they aere referring to, but like I said it goes all the way up to m3.8mhz
3:38:05 PM InterMurph I assume that it supports newer Pentium 4 processors. But I am interested in putting a Core 2 Duo processor in it. Is there any documentation you can find on this?
3:39:02 PM AES Jeff T I cannot on 3rd party processors
3:39:12 PM AES Jeff T there is no guarantee it will work
3:40:26 PM InterMurph Core 2 Duo processors are Intel processors. I don't think that counts as a 3rd party. It sounds like your answer is, "I don't have any information". Is that correct?
3:41:43 PM AES Jeff T It is a different model and that's what I am saying I do not think it will run on this motherboard
3:42:05 PM InterMurph OK, thanks then.
3:42:36 PM AES Jeff T Thank You for choosing Dell Enterprise Chat Support.

 

[InterMurph]

So I guess I could buy a 560 to run it at 3.6GHz. One just sold on eBay for $70 + $10 shipping. But then it would be using up more power than my 2.8GHz processor.

I really want to avoid building a new server, so I guess I'll just live with what I have. Oh well.

Thanks for everybody's help.

 

[sillyperson]

Anyone has experience with Intel Pentium D or Dual Core

 

[RebateMonger]

n.m.

 

[sillyperson]

I saw some Mail Server (DELL PowerEdge SC420 Server with Pentium D 2.8GMhz , ECC DDR2 1GB RAM) for sale.

Does anyone have experience in upgrading Dell SC420 with Pentium D 960 or Pentium Dual Core E5400?

Both Pentium D 960 and Pentium Dual Core E5400 have 800MHz FSB and are LGA775 compatible, though I am not sure if any Pentium E6X00 can work at a lower speed 800MHz as well.

If either Pentium Dual Core E5400 or E6X00 works, it would be great! since they are made with 45nm technology which supposedly provides better performance with lower power consumption.


FYI, SC420 uses Intel E7221 chipset, which is believed to be the one using i925x technology. In fact, you can software hack E7221 chipset so that DirectX9 can be used with Intel GMA915 driver.


BTW, I have a Pentium 4 HT 651 on SC420. It works great!


Reference

http://www.tkdan.com/SC420/
http://caulfield.info/emmet/2008/03/sc420-and-cedar-mill.html
https://sites.google.com/site/shuwang2000/
http://www.serveredge.net/showthread.php?t=2386

My Dell SC420 has a 775 socket, which fits the Core 2 Duo processors. Has anybody succeeded in upgrading an SC420 with a Core 2 Duo?

I realize that the bus speed on the SC420 will remain at 800MHz. But I'm concerned about the Dell BIOS. I am assuming that it won't know what to do with the Core 2 Duo, and thefore the system won't even boot.

Thanks.