Trying to upgrade hp xw9400

Vwsurfer

Prominent
Jun 27, 2017
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510
Hp xw9400 upgrade

Hello everyone this is my first post here. I have recently acquired a HP xw9400 workstation. I got basiclly to use as a server for my plex media and some game servers. As it stands it is running an opteron duel core single cpu on bios v3.01. Iv had a good read up about upgrading it and bought two opteron 2356 quad core cpu. On installing the first on just to test I get nothing. No post no boot, the fans run but that's it. I'm fairly switched on the computers and tech But just don't know what's going on here. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance.
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Where did you determine the 2356's were compatible? With pre-builts, BIOS support is generally lacking for any CPU that could not have come in their stock configurations from the factory.

According to the spec sheet: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/pscmisc/vac/us/product_pdfs/xw9400_datasheet_may09_043009.pdf

The only Quad-Core Opterons that were available were: 2376, 2378, 2380, 2384, 2387 and 2389.

While they do use the same socket, I suspect there's simply not BIOS support for the 2356's
 

Vwsurfer

Prominent
Jun 27, 2017
4
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510
Hello and that's for the reply, to be honest i have been looking at lots of conflicting answers and not understanding a lot of it. Basic i have just ordered two 2378's going off what you have posted. They are pence to buy now. And failing that maybe buy an bios chip with version 4.01 on it. Any thoughts? Thanks again for the info
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
A BIOS update doesn't appear like it'll fix the issue. HP had no incentive to support CPUs they weren't selling in their built systems.

It's not impossible to think they might have, but chances are slim.

The 2378's should be supported 100% from even the original BIOS revision.
 

Vwsurfer

Prominent
Jun 27, 2017
4
0
510

I have used an old gpu I had which works with the dual core, but I came across this link.
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/HP-xw9400-processor-up-grade/td-p/5062315
It basiclly tells me I can only use the dual core cpu in my machine due to the build block date, although my bios is v3.01 and I believe I can upgrade it to v4.02, it is still no good as the block date it 12/07/06. Thank you for your help and suggestions.