Hi all,

I have 1 cpu Xeon 10 cores 2.3Ghz.

And I want to move to 2 better Xeon cpu's and I'm not sure which is better for best performance with Avid.

2X 14 cores 2.6Ghz 35MB Cache

Or

2X 18 cores 2.3Ghz 45MB Cache?

As for memory, I now have 128GB on one channel, when I will get 2 cpu's I might buy 128GB for the second channel.

Thanks!

Hi YOP,

I asume this for your HP Z840 that you have in your system specifications.

It is generally known that more clock speed is preferred to more cores. Also keep in mind that Avid has strict guidelines for configuring aproved systems.

Here you can find the latest version of the configuration guidelines for the HP Z840.

Avid Configuration Guidelines

HP Z840 Rev E

When I bought my workstation, I overlooked this and got a system with two 18 Core Xeon E5-2699v3 / 2,3GHz 45MB processors. Although these are not mentioned in the Avid guide they are running smoothly and well without any problems.

Ivan

Hi Ivan,

Yes I do own the HP Z840.

I know about the Avid Configuration Guidelines and my old cpu(E5-2650v3 @ 2.3GHz) is in that list.

Since their guidlines list is old and Avid MC developed so much since, I thougt it is out of date.

Im really glad to know from you that the E5-2699v3 2.3GHz that you own is runnig smoothly because that is one of the options I mentioned of buying.

Would you recomand those?

All those cpu became really cheap now so I thought it is a good time to run my Z840 to it's full potential.

Thanks a lot for your replay!

Hi YOP,

Yes, the configuration guide for the HP Z840 is out of date because the Z840 is replaced some years ago by the newer HP Z8 G4.

You are right. These machines are still very good and afordable today.

I bought mine refurbished, and it looked brand-new with the protection foil still on the side panels.

I have absolutely no problems with my configuration, nor with the 2x 18 Core Intel Xeon E5-2699v3 / 2.3GHz 35MB processors.

Hope this helps!

Ivan

Hi Ivan,

I bought mine new in 2015, back then it was insanly expensive so I bought it with only 1 10 core cpu.

Back then the 2699V3 was about 4000$ a piece.

Since then I replaced and upgraded almost everything inside apart from the cpu.

You helped me a lot

Thanks!

Last year I bought a refurb Z840 from Teksavers in Texas and it works great. They configured it for avid even though not a avid reseller. I just sent them the config docs. I  (128GB ram, RTX2060 super)

YOP:

As for memory, I now have 128GB on one channel, when I will get 2 cpu's I might buy 128GB for the second channel.

Thanks!

No, a single CPU has 6 channels in this case.

Doubling that is cool, but you likely won't see a difference in our workloads.

The reason the second hand market is under preassure is probably covid
and the fact that the new AMD CPUs coming out are twice the value of what intel has to offer at any price.