Content based on :
HP Z840 CPU Fitment Guide
Tutorial Index:
PART 1: CPU Upgrade Process
PART 2: Thermal Paste Application
PART 3: Intel XEON E5-26xx V3 and V4 Buying options (April 2022)
PART 4: CPU Stress test
| GUIDE FOR | Get ready for PART 1: CPU Upgrade Process |
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| Upgrade Purpose: Upgrade in the quest of more Cores and Higher Clock Speed. CPU Thermal paste has worn out. High temps in Cinebench R23 (78DegC) | Upgrade from: Dual E5-2660 V3 10 Cores 20 Threads 2.60 GHz Base Frequency 3.30 GHz Turbo Frequency 768 GB Max Memory 2133MHz Max RAM Speed 76.7 Degrees C Max Temp (TCASE) 105W TDP To: Dual E5-2697 V3 14 Cores 28 Threads 2.30 GHz Base Frequency 3.60 GHz Turbo Frequency 768 GB Max Memory 2133MHz Max RAM Speed 76.7 Degrees C Max Temp (TCASE) 145W TDP |
| Heatsink Removal Process: | Tools needed: Small Torx driver (T15) screwdriver. Process (brief): Loosen torx screws in Criss-Cross pattern for even tension release. Be cautious of RAM Modules. |
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| CPU paste details: | Arctic Silver® 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound 99.9% Pure Silver 50 to 200 hours Run-In Pump Out effect – relatively resistant (in RACERRRZ’s experience) After 2years of daily use (6-12hours): Visible Pump Out effect. Some degradation of the compound. CPU Temps did start to climb in CINEBENCH R23. Note Application method was “Credit Card Spreading”. |
| Heatsink Cleaning Tips: | Tools: Using an antistatic Cloth is perfect. Isopropyl Alcohol is great as it evaporates quickly (It is a flammable irritant so minimise mist). Process: Aim to remove all old paste. Especially when changing to a new brand. |
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| CPU Removal Tips: | Apply gentle force on the 2x release tabs. Make sure to keep guard the CPU can flick out which can and will damage your CPU pins (Murphy’s Law). This is a good chance to check for bent pins. They will break the visual pattern. If there, they can be bent back in-line, but they can also break! (Murphy’s Law Applies) Make sure the copper terminals are clean and debree free (dust/hair). Be gentle and avoid finger print oil! Isopropyl Alcohol is great with a static free cloth for cleaning (evaporates quickly. (It is a flammable irritant so minimise mist. (Murphy’s Law Applies) |
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| INTEL XEON E5-2697 V3 | 14 Cores 28 Threads 2.60 GHz Base Frequency 3.60 GHz Turbo Frequency 768 GB Max Memory 2133MHz Max RAM Speed 76.7 Degrees C Max Temp (TCASE) 145W TDP |
| Installation Tips: | Look for any worn / damaged areas. Cause? Could be Ebay Seller’s storage conditions. Should work fine. Check for damaged transistors in the centre of the chip. Return / exchange if damaged. (Murphy’s Law Applies) Look for the Golden Triangle on the CPU and match it with the Motherboard golden Triangles. Firm Grip, Do Not Drop and gentle Placement – Watch those PINS. (Murphy’s Law Applies) |
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| Thermal Paste Application: | Glad I decided to replace the thermal paste on my purchase back then! Imagine pump-out effect on this… Purchased from large reputable wholesaler. | https://imgbox.com/vLo2Wocehttps://imgbox.com/eshiQwl2 |
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| DON’T BE THE ONE WHO DOES THIS>>> |
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DON’T BE THE ONE WHO DOES THIS:
| RACERRRZ’s Thermal Paste Spreader Unique 1 of 1: Version 1 – Drifting McLaren F1! | Specifications: Ultra-effective sleek design. Silky smooth application. Science Backed (sample size 1). 100% CPU and Cooler Coverage, every time. Air pockets avoided with small drop added to centre. Pump Out effect – less problematic in RACERRRZ’s experience. |
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| Thermal Paste Application Tips: | It really doesn’t matter how you start. Smiley Face away : ) The key is even coverage. Smooth application of a thin layer. Air pockets can be avoided (in theory)! (Murphy’s Law Applies) |
| Thermal Paste Purpose: | It allows for an efficient transfer of heat from the integrated heat spreader (IHS) of the processor to the base plate or water block of the CPU cooler that is designed to dissipate that heat. Source: INTEL’s Website Search Term: “How to Apply Thermal Paste”. | |
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| Thermal Paste Application Tips: | Smooth application of a thin layer ensures near 100% coverage, something you cannot verify with the “blob method” or any other method! Perspex testing is as “close” as it gets. Air pockets can happen if insufficient paste is applied! (Murphy’s Law Applies) | |
| ARCTIC SILVER 5 APPLICATION : | There are other better thermal paste products. I use Arctic Silver 5 for the low pump-out effect. (In RACERRRZ’s experience) Make sure to have sufficient Thermal Paste. As you can see here the spreading becomes ineffective when you have too little applied. (Try to work some of the excess paste off the spreader) Comment: Other methods are faster, sure, but they never cover the entire IHS surface. Applying with the spreader technique means less time between service intervals (my last application was early 2020! Daily use! Present day 14 April 2022) (Murphy’s Law Applies) |
| Thermal Paste Application Tips: | As I mentioned in my RAM installation video, wearing a helmet while doing computer work has advantages. Like the hair that is on the CPU. It isn’t easy to “feel” debree but keep in mind that cleaning your spreader between CPUs is useful. Debree will be visible as clumps. There is at least one there somewhere! You may be thinking, that’s not enough Thermal Paste. Correct. Applying Thermal Paste to both mating surfaces provides reduced chance of air pockets and ensures 100% coverage. Unlike CPU coverage alone. But there is one more trick. For added air pocket protection, you can add a small drop in the middle. You can also draw a shape! The extra paste will work its way outward under pressure. |
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| Heatsink Fitment Tips: | Small Torx driver (T15) screwdriver needed. Tighten in Criss-Cross pattern Any Criss-Cross Pattern works for even tension application. Start with ~90 Degrees of rotation on each corner. Make sure they grab but don’t pull up on the cooler. Be cautious of RAM Modules. |
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| Heatsink Fitment Trouble: | Look closely to the bottom of each screw and check that they are making contact. Don’t fit your cooler with a camera in hand. If one doesn’t connect, little to no tension will occur on that corner = failed installation. Fix: Loosen all the screws but do not lift the cooler. Then retention (Murphy’s Law Applies). It is important to make sure the starting step has all 4 screws grabbing the mount. If not, the tension will be uneven. |
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| Heatsink Fitment Tips: | You will be able to feel the tension. Make sure to compare it between corners. Tension is complete once the screw stops rotating. |
| HP Z840 Workstation INTEL XEON E5-26xx V3 Buying Advice (USD EBAY PRICES, 14/04/2022) WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS – PHOTOS SHOULD HAVE THE MODEL # V3! | Top V3 Processors : GREEN = TDP < 130W ORANGE = TDP > 130W HEAVY = TDP > 160W ~ $60-80 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2643 v3 (6Core, 3.4GHz Base, 3.7GHz Boost, 20MB Smart Cache) ~ $80-100 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2658 v3 (12Core, 2.2GHz Base, 2.9GHz Boost, 30MB Smart Cache) ~ $80-100 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2683 v3 (14Core, 2.0GHz Base, 3.0GHz Boost, 35MB Smart Cache) ~ $110-140 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2687W v3 (12Core, 3.1GHz Base, 3.5GHz Boost, 25MB Smart Cache) ~ $120-180 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2697 v3 (14Core, 2.6GHz Base, 3.6GHz Boost, 35MB Smart Cache) ~ $160-200 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2699 v3 (18Core, 2.3GHz Base, 3.6GHz Boost, 45MB Smart Cache) There are other models – Search for : “Intel Xeon Processor e5 v3 family” MATCH CPU USE WITH NEEDS. E.G. VIDEO EDITING = MORE CORES, GAMING = HIGH BASE/BOOST CLOCK SPEED. ENGINEERING SOFTWARE = MORE CORES, CAD WORK = HIGH BASE (SINGLE CORE USUALLY) IF DOING ALL OF THESE, HIGHEST CORE WITH HIGHEST BASE CLOCK SPEED. RACERRRZ’s CHOICE : Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2697 v3 THEY CODED THE VIDEO! |
| HP Z840 Workstation INTEL XEON E5-26xx V4 Buying Advice (USD EBAY PRICES, 14/04/2022) WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS – PHOTOS SHOULD HAVE THE MODEL # V4! | Top V4 Processors : GREEN = TDP < 130W ORANGE = TDP > 130W HEAVY = TDP > 160W ~ $210-250 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2643 v4 (6Core, 3.4GHz Base, 3.7GHz Boost, 20MB Smart Cache) ~ $210-250 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2667 v4 (8Core, 3.2GHz Base, 3.6GHz Boost, 25MB Smart Cache) ~ $140-180 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2683 v4 (16Core, 2.1GHz Base, 3.0GHz Boost, 40MB Smart Cache) ~ $350-450 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2687W v4 (12Core, 3.0GHz Base, 3.5GHz Boost, 30MB Smart Cache) ~ $400-500 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2690 v4 (14Core, 2.6GHz Base, 3.5GHz Boost, 35MB Smart Cache) ~ $300-400 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2697A v4 (16Core, 2.6GHz Base, 3.6GHz Boost, 40MB Smart Cache) ~ $470-600 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2699 v4 (22Core, 2.2GHz Base, 3.6GHz Boost, 55MB Smart Cache) There are other models – Search for : “Intel Xeon Processor e5 v4 family” MATCH CPU USE WITH NEEDS. E.G. VIDEO EDITING = MORE CORES, GAMING = HIGH BASE/BOOST CLOCK SPEED. ENGINEERING SOFTWARE = MORE CORES, CAD WORK = HIGH BASE (SINGLE CORE USUALLY) IF DOING ALL OF THESE, HIGHEST CORE WITH HIGHEST BASE CLOCK SPEED. RACERRRZ’s CHOICE : Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2697A v4 OR Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2683 v4 (affordable!) Honourable Mention – BANG FOR BUCK : ~ $100 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2680 v4 (14Core, 2.4GHz Base, 3.3GHz Boost, 35MB L1 Cache) |
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| HP Z840 Workstation CPU TESTING | VSDC Pro Video Editor – Editing this Video |
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| Part 4: HP Z840 Workstation – STRESS TEST 2x INTEL XEON E5-2697 V3 | THE UNREALISTIC STRESS TEST (~80Hrs Up-Time + with cold hot cycles: ~10 Heat Cycles) VIDEO EDITING THIS VIDEO + LOTS OF SOFTWARE + OBS RECORDING in 4K 60FPS + CINEBENCH R23 |
| HP Z840 Workstation – STRESS TEST OUTCOME: | Ran fine, TEMPs climbed a little too high after 7min, 78 Degrees PEAK. Technically these CPUs SHOULD HAVE THE VAPOR COOLERS. Total System Power Draw (+all Auxiliaries inc. 3 monitors). IDLE but ACTIVE : ~500-530W STRESS TEST = 680-730W Forza Horizon 5 4k gameplay = ~750W (Recording done with Smart Wifi Wall Plug) | |
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| HP Z840 Workstation – STRESS TEST OUTCOME: | Handled everything thrown at it. Used some power while doing so. Note, has received an RTX3080 since CPU Upgrade, so video editing not done with the RTX2070 Super. CINEBENCH R23 Score was low (no Suprise; 16k Multi, highest ~18.8k). CPU TEMPs Sit around: 52 Degrees C while working 63-67 Degrees C while under load ~73-78 Peak Under Max Stress (7min). | |
| Murphy’s Law Applies : | If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. So plan for it to avoid it! | |
| Disclaimer | User Discretion Advised. No Liability for user error. |