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Installing an additional microprocessor and heat sink

Use this information to install an additional microprocessor and heat sink.

The following notes describe the type of microprocessor that the server supports and other information that you must consider when you install a microprocessor and heat sink:

  • Be extremely careful when handling the microprocessor, the microprocessor socket contacts are very fragile.
  • Do not use any tools or sharp objects to lift the locking levers on the microprocessor socket. Doing so might result in permanent damage to the system board.
  • Do not touch the microprocessor contacts. Contaminants on the microprocessor contacts, such as oil from your skin, can cause connection failures between the contacts and the socket.
  • Do not allow the thermal grease on the microprocessor and heat sink to come in contact with anything. Contact with any surface can compromise the thermal grease and the microprocessor socket.
  • If the thermal-grease protective cover (for example, a plastic cap or tape liner) is removed from the heat sink, do not touch the thermal grease on the bottom of the heat sink or set down the heat sink. For more information, see Thermal grease.
    Note
    Removing the heat sink from the microprocessor destroys the even distribution of the thermal grease and requires replacing the thermal grease.
  • Each microprocessor socket must always contain either a socket cover or a microprocessor and heat sink.
  • When installing multiple microprocessors, open one microprocessor socket at a time to avoid damaging other microprocessor socket contacts.
  • When you handle static-sensitive devices, take precautions to avoid damage from static electricity. For details about handling these devices, see Handling static-sensitive devices.
  • The server base system board supports two microprocessors. The optional microprocessor and memory expansion tray provides two additional microprocessor slots plus 24 additional DIMM connectors. The server supports up to four Intel Xeon four-core, six-core, eight-core, ten core, or twelve-core microprocessors (depending on your model) with the microprocessor and memory expansion tray installed. To confirm that the server supports the microprocessor, see Lenovo ServerProven website for a list of supported microprocessors.
  • A microprocessor air baffle must be installed whenever the two DIMM connectors closest to the microprocessor (on the left and the right) are empty. For example, when DIMM connectors 6 and 7 on the system board are empty, a microprocessor air baffle must be installed on microprocessor 1. This is applicable for all microprocessors.
  • Microprocessors 3 and 4 must be installed as a pair on the optional microprocessor and memory expansion tray.
    Note
    The server does not support a configuration of three microprocessors. You must install one, two, or four microprocessors in the server.
  • Do not mix four-core, six-core, eight-core, ten core or twelve-core microprocessors in the same server.
  • The microprocessor options supported are limited by the capacity and capability of the server. Any additional microprocessor that you install must have the same specifications as the microprocessors that came with the server.
  • You must always have a microprocessor in socket 1 on the system board.
  • When one microprocessor is installed, the microprocessor air baffle, the DIMM air baffle, or the microprocessor and memory expansion tray must be installed to provide proper system cooling.
  • When you install an additional microprocessor, you must also install additional memory. See Non-mirroring (independent mode), Memory mirroring, and Memory sparing for details about DIMM installation sequence.
  • To ensure proper server operation when you install an additional microprocessor, use microprocessors that have the same QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) link speed, integrated memory controller frequency, core frequency, power segment, internal cache size, and type.
  • Installing microprocessors of different stepping levels within the same server is supported.
  • When you install microprocessors with different stepping levels within the same server, you do not have to install the microprocessor with the lowest stepping level and features in microprocessor socket 1.
  • The components in the server dictate the number of microprocessors that you must install to support the components. Failure to adhere to the following information will affect the system performance and functionality:
    Table 1. The components supported by each microprocessor
    Number of microprocessorsComponents the server can support with the number of microprocessor(s) installed
    Microprocessor 1
    • Onboard LSI SAS controller
    • ML2 adapter
    • PCIe slots 6, 7, and 8
    Microprocessor 2
    • PCIe slots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
    Microprocessor 3 and 4 (these must be installed as a pair)
    • A fully-populated server
  • The server supports microprocessor failover support. For example, if two microprocessors are installed and microprocessor 1 fails, the server will switch to microprocessor 2 until the server is serviced. To ensure that the microprocessor failover support works correctly, do the following:
    • Make sure that microprocessor 1 and microprocessor 2 have valid boot devices and paths. That is, an Ethernet controller or a SAS controller must be installed in slots 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to boot from microprocessor 2.
    • Make sure that the boot order in the Setup utility is set up so that microprocessor 1 and microprocessor 2 boot devices are in the boot order.
  • The microprocessor voltage regulator modules are integrated on the system board and the microprocessor and memory expansion tray.
  • If you have to replace a microprocessor, you must call for service.
  • Read the documentation that comes with the microprocessor, so that you can determine whether you have to update the server firmware. To download the latest level of the server firmware and other code updates for your server, go to Lenovo Data Center Support.
  • To order an additional optional microprocessor, contact your Lenovo sales representative or Lenovo reseller.
  • When you order a microprocessor option kit, it comes with a microprocessor installation tool that you must use to install the microprocessor. The microprocessor installation tool comes with the microprocessor and a protective cover on the bottom of the microprocessor tool.
  • The following table shows the DIMM connectors on the system board and the microprocessor and memory expansion tray that are associated with each microprocessor.
    Table 2. DIMM connectors associated with each microprocessor
    MicroprocessorLocationDIMM connectors associated with the microprocessor
    Microprocessor 1System board1 through 12
    Microprocessor 2System board13 through 24
    Microprocessor 3Microprocessor and memory expansion tray25 through 36
    Microprocessor 4Microprocessor and memory expansion tray37 through 48
    Note
    DIMMs 1 through 12 are solely associated with microprocessor 1. Microprocessor 2 has access to DIMMs 1 through 12, but access is through microprocessor 1. This is important if load balancing is a necessity for your operating system or software load.
There are two types of microprocessor installation tools. The tools are similar in function and design; but, have a major difference:
  • Installation Tool A has one setting for installing one size of microprocessor that supports E5-26xx and E5-46xx microprocessors.
  • Installation Tool B supports E5-26xx, E5-46xx, E5-26xx v2, and E5-46xx v2 microprocessors. Installation Tool B has two settings for installing two different sizes of microprocessors. The settings on Tool B are:
    • L for smaller low core microprocessors
    • H for larger high core microprocessors

Microprocessor Installation Tools A and B are shown in the next illustration.


Microprocessor Installation Tools

To install an additional microprocessor and heat sink, complete the following steps:

  1. Read the safety information and installation guidelines, see Safety and Installation guidelines.
  2. Turn off the server (see Turning off the server) and all attached peripheral devices. Disconnect all power cords; then, disconnect all external cables from the server.
    Attention
    When you handle static-sensitive devices, take precautions to avoid damage from static electricity. For details about handling these devices, see Handling static-sensitive devices.
  3. Remove the server top cover (see Removing the server top cover).
  4. If a power supply is installed in bay 2, slide power supply 2 out of the bay slightly.
    Note
    When the Power Supply is pulled out of the power supply bay, the Power Supply Interlock bracket is disengaged and the three Lock icons are no longer visible through the openings on the Interlock bracket.
  5. Remove the microprocessor and memory expansion tray (see Removing the microprocessor and memory expansion tray assembly) or DIMM air baffle (see Removing the DIMM air baffle), whichever one is installed.
    Note
    You only need to remove the DIMM air baffle or microprocessor and memory expansion tray if you are installing a microprocessor in socket 2.
  6. Locate microprocessor socket 2 on the system board.
  7. Remove the microprocessor air baffle (see Removing the microprocessor air baffle).
  8. Open the microprocessor socket release levers and retainer:
    1. Locate the two release levers on microprocessor socket 2.
    2. Press the first release lever (on the right) down and inward toward the socket and lift it up to the fully open position; then, press the second release lever on the (left) down and inward toward the socket and lift it up to the fully open position.
    3. Open the microprocessor retainer by lifting up on the microprocessor retainer tab.

      Open the microprocessor socket release levers and retainer in the order that is shown.


      Microprocessor retainer being opened
  9. Install the microprocessor in the microprocessor socket:
    1. Open the packaging that contains the new microprocessor installation tool assembly and carefully remove the installation tool assembly from the package.
      Attention
      Do not touch the microprocessor contacts. Contaminants on the microprocessor contacts, such as oil from your skin, can cause connection failures between the contacts and the socket.
    2. Release the sides of the microprocessor protective cover on the bottom of the microprocessor and carefully remove the cover from the installation tool.
      Note
      The microprocessor is preinstalled on the installation tool.

      mp preinstalled on installation tool
    3. Carefully align the microprocessor installation tool with the microprocessor socket. The installation tool rests flush on the socket only if it is properly aligned.

      Graphic illustrating installation tool
    4. Install the microprocessor using the appropriate instructions for your installation tool:
      • If using Installation Tool A, twist the handle on the microprocessor tool assembly counterclockwise to the open position to insert the microprocessor into the socket; then, lift the installation tool out of the socket.
      • If using Installation Tool B, twist the handle of the installation tool assembly counterclockwise until the microprocessor is inserted into the socket; then, lift the installation tool out of the socket.

        The next illustration shows Installation Tool B with the tool handle in the open position.


        Installation tool in the open position
      Attention
      • Do not press the microprocessor into the socket.
      • Make sure that the microprocessor is aligned correctly in the socket before you try to close the microprocessor retainer.
      • Do not touch the thermal grease on the bottom of the heat sink or on top of the microprocessor. Touching the thermal grease will contaminate it.
  10. Close the microprocessor retainer and release levers:
    1. If a microprocessor dust cover is installed over the microprocessor retainer, remove the dust cover and store it in a safe place.
    2. Close the microprocessor retainer on the microprocessor socket.
    3. Carefully close the microprocessor release levers to the closed position to secure the microprocessor in the socket. Make sure that you close the release lever on the left first; then, close the release lever on the right.
      Close the microprocessor retainer and release levers in the order shown.

      Graphic illustrating the microprocessor and heat sink
      Attention
      • If you are installing a new heat sink, do not set down the heat sink after you remove the plastic cover.
      • Do not touch the thermal grease on the bottom of the heat sink after you remove the plastic cover. Touching the thermal grease will contaminate it. See Thermal grease for more information.
  11. Install the heat sink that came with the microprocessor:
    1. Remove the plastic protective cover from the bottom of the heat sink.

      heat sink

    2. Align the heat sink on the top of the microprocessor with the thermal grease side down.
    3. Align the captive screws on the heat sink with the holes on the heat-sink retention module.

      captive screws and heat sink retention module

    4. Press down on the center of the heat sink, and then press firmly on the captive screws and tighten them, alternating between the screws in a figure-8 pattern as illustrated on the heat sink label until they are tightened. You can cause damage to the microprocessor if you tighten the screws on one side first, rather than rotating. Rotate each screw one full rotation at a time. Repeat this process until the screws are tightened.
  12. Reinstall the microprocessor air baffle (see Replacing the microprocessor air baffle).
    Note
    A microprocessor air baffle must be installed whenever the DIMM connectors closest to the microprocessor (on the left and the right) are empty. For example, when DIMM connectors 6 and 7 on the system board are empty, a microprocessor air baffle must be installed on microprocessor 1. This is applicable for all microprocessors.
  13. Reinstall the DIMM air baffle (see Replacing the DIMM air baffle).
  14. Reconnect any cables that you disconnected.

If you have other devices to install, do so now. Otherwise, go to Completing the installation.