Matched xeons - how 'matched' does 'matched' have to be?

[huppy]

I have a Dell Precision 690 workstation that currently has one Xeon 5120 processor in it.

It has a spare socket for a second processor.

I've looked into buying a second processor to put in but what do I need to look for? Does it have to be precisely the same as the other one? i.e.:

would any other 5120 do?,
or does it need the same sSpec?
or are there further incompatibility issues even if the sSpec is the same?

Many thanks for any advice/experiences

 

[huppy]

Thanks RB2004 for the reply - much appreciated.

According to Intel's website there are three variants of the 5120:

sSpec# CPU Speed Processor # PCG Bus Speed Mfg Tech Stepping Cache Size Package Type
SL9RY 1.86 GHz 5120 N/A 1066 MHz 65 nm B2 4 MB LGA771
SLABQ 1.86 GHz 5120 N/A 1066 MHz 65 nm B2 4 MB LGA771
SLAGD 1.86 GHz 5120 N/A 1066 MHz 65 nm G0 4 MB LGA771

Going on what you say, I'm guessing it should be okay to mix a SL9RY with a SLABQ. As yet I haven't taken the heatsink off the 5120 I have to find out which code is mine. I'll wait for the recommendation of others before making any purchases!

 

[huppy]

Thanks - noted the matched steppings requirement
I guess that means i'm going to have to take a look at what i've got in there already...

Cheers for all the replies