HP Z840 36C/72T Workstation build (maxed out)

[storm-chaser]

-HP Z840 barebones core (supports up to two xeon v3 or v4 processors).

-Two Xeon 18 Core E5 2696v3 processors (total will be 36C/72T)

-3.8 GHz turbo, perhaps can be turbo hacked

-145 W TDP (each)

-8 Channel DDR4 memory kit @ 2133MHz








Very excited about this build. First of all, it's the culmination of HPs research and development of the premier market workstation in it's day, and I think the case is outstanding, with brushed aluminum sides, HP really knocked out of the park. It's built like a tank, but more on that later.

And possibly adding a 360 radiator if stock cooling system needs a boost. It will be very easy to do this if needed. I am using liquid metal on this build because I am going to be undervolting as well and need lower temps to capitalize on more aggressive turboing.

The build consists of two Xeon E5-2696 V3 CPUs, single core turbo of 3.8
Yes, that's a whopping 20 DDR4 DIMM modules and two 2696 v3 CPU
(and 200MHz increase in turbo boost than flagship 2699 v3)




So I can run an 8 channel memory configuration (DDR4 @ 2400MHz)





Liquid coolers are rated for 150W each.




Sick case:

 

[Wing-Man]

what the name of that cooler?

 

[storm-chaser]

what the name of that cooler?

It's a stock HP liquid cooler made by asetek. Pump built into copper base (very compact) running liquid metal and they seem to perform ok. very compact at 90 x 90 mm.

Granted I have the fans turned way down and they still do just fine.

This cooler was mandatory for processors like the 2687w v2/v3 etc. Better choice not only than the stock air coolers but it's so rare to see stock liquid cooling i had to go for it just for that.

Fits LGA 2011

Can be had for about $68 + $12 shipping on ebay from USA.

 

[Wing-Man]

thats the type of cooler that should be put into general production, it no taller than a 120mm tower cooler

 

[storm-chaser]

thats the type of cooler that should be put into general production, it no taller than a 120mm tower cooler

The pump does have a collar that can be rotated off it's mount and removed. It's possible that it could be fitted to other sockets that way. But yeah, I totally agree.

 

[Rroff]

Shame they aren't multi-unlocked - these Xeons usually have huge overhead and top notch silicon quality - doesn't seem that long ago they were still selling for best part of £2000. (Supposedly the Q sample variants you have a random chance of a multiplier unlocked one - but seems a fairly low chance).

I gave up on these kind of builds, ignoring the power use, the server/workstation chassis that support the motherboards are just so **** noisy - unless you go to a lot of lengths to mod them and/or mod a better case to fit.

 

[storm-chaser]

Shame they aren't multi-unlocked - these Xeons usually have huge overhead and top notch silicon quality - doesn't seem that long ago they were still selling for best part of £2000. (Supposedly the Q sample variants you have a random chance of a multiplier unlocked one - but seems a fairly low chance).

I gave up on these kind of builds, ignoring the power use, the server/workstation chassis that support the motherboards are just so **** noisy - unless you go to a lot of lengths to mod them and/or mod a better case to fit.

The Z840 is actually just as quiet as a standard desktop in most use cases (including benchmarking), you can set fan level in the BIOS, 1-6 options for speed and it's also pwm so it will ramp up according to load.

But no, I understand in most situations the fan noise is really over the top.

EDIT: If I can get the turbo hack to work I should be able to 3,8GHz all core.

Which will be ideal for what I need to do with this rig.