This document provides an information update for Dell PowerEdge systems supporting Intel Xeon 5600 series processors. It details the necessary firmware upgrades, compatible systems, new BIOS setup options, and POST messages related to these processors.

Function Description:

The document primarily serves as a guide for integrating and utilizing Intel Xeon 5600 series processors (specifically those with less than 130 W power consumption) in Dell PowerEdge systems. It outlines the requirements for successful implementation, including firmware updates and specific system models that fully support these processors. The update also introduces new BIOS settings that allow users to configure memory voltage, virtualization features, and processor performance states, optimizing the system for various workloads, including High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications.

Important Technical Specifications:

Processor Support: Intel Xeon 5600 series processors (less than 130 W).
Firmware: Requires BIOS and iDRAC firmware upgrades.
Supported Systems (for complete feature set): Dell PowerEdge R410, R510, R610, R710, T410, T610, T710, M610, M710.
130 W Processor Limitations:
- PowerEdge R410, T410, and R510 systems do not support 130 W Intel Xeon 5600 series processors.
- PowerEdge M610 and M710 modular systems support the 130 W Intel Xeon X5680 only in the 130 W processor category.
- PowerEdge R610 and M710 systems require specific heat sinks for 130 W Intel Xeon 5600 series processors.
Memory Type: DDR3L DIMMs (Low Voltage Memory Modules).
Memory Voltage:
- DDR3L DIMMs operate at 1.35 V for power savings (up to 20% per DIMM).
- Backward-compatible with Intel Xeon 5500 series, operating at standard 1.5 V without limitations.
- DDR3L memory operates at 1.5 V if Intel Xeon 5500 series processors are used, two 1333 MHz DIMMs per channel are populated, or a combination of standard and low voltage modules is present.
Memory Configuration:
- Populating three memory modules per channel is not supported at 1.35 V.
- Memory operating modes include Optimizer, Mirror, Advanced ECC, and Spare (available with Intel Xeon 5600 series processors).
Processor Compatibility: Mixing Intel Xeon 5500 and 5600 series processors is not supported.
Memory Sparing: Systems with Intel Xeon 5600 series processors support memory sparing.
BIOS Setup Options:
- Integrated Devices Screen:
  - SR-IOV-Global Enable (Disabled default): Enables/disables BIOS configuration of Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) devices. Applies to PowerEdge R410, R510, R610, R710, R910, T410, T610, and T710 systems only.
- Memory Settings Screen:
  - System Memory Voltage: Displays the system memory voltage.
  - Memory Operating Voltage (Auto Default): Sets the system memory voltage selection.
  - Memory Operating Mode: Displays memory operation type (Optimizer, Mirror, Advanced ECC, Spare).
- Processor Settings Screen:
  - Intel(R) TXT (Disabled default): Enables/disables Trusted Execution Technology (requires VT & TPM with pre-boot measurement).
  - C1E (Enabled default): Sets processor performance state to minimum when idle.
  - Intel QPI Bandwidth Priority (Compute default): Sets bandwidth priority to compute or I/O (recommended for HPC).
  - Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch (Enabled default): Enables high utilization of sequential memory access (disable for random memory access).
  - Hardware Prefetcher (Enabled default): Enables or disables the hardware prefetcher.
  - DCU Streamer Prefetcher (Enabled default): Enables Data Cache Unit streamer prefetcher (recommended for HPC).
  - Data Reuse (Enabled default): Enables or disables data reuse (recommended for HPC).
Dell BIOS Intelligent Turbo Mode: Allows the operating system to set processor performance in turbo mode, delaying initiation for better power management based on utilization. Configurable via BIOS setup options:
- OS DBPM (Enabled)
- System DBPM (Disabled)
- Maximum Performance (Disabled)

Usage Features:

Firmware Updates: Users must download and install BIOS and iDRAC firmware from support.dell.com to enable Intel Xeon 5600 series processor support.
System Identification: Systems supporting the complete feature set of Intel Xeon 5600 series processors are marked with a Roman Numeral II on the chassis.
Memory Configuration Flexibility: BIOS setup options allow users to control memory frequency and voltage within allowable limits, enabling optimization for specific performance or power-saving needs.
Performance Tuning: New BIOS settings under the "Processor Settings Screen" provide granular control over processor features like Trusted Execution Technology, power states (C1E), QPI bandwidth priority, and various prefetchers (Adjacent Cache Line, Hardware, DCU Streamer, Data Reuse). These settings are particularly useful for tuning systems for HPC applications.
Intelligent Turbo Mode: The Dell BIOS Intelligent Turbo Mode feature allows the operating system to dynamically manage processor turbo mode, optimizing power consumption based on processor utilization. This can be enabled or disabled through specific BIOS settings.
Virtualization Support: The SR-IOV-Global Enable option allows for the configuration of Single Root I/O Virtualization devices, enhancing virtualization capabilities on supported systems.

Maintenance Features:

POST Messages: New Power-On Self-Test (POST) messages are introduced to provide clear feedback on system status, including:
- "System Memory Size: X.X GB, System Memory Speed: XXX MHz, Voltage: 1.5V or 1.35V": Displays current memory configuration.
- "This CPU power rating is not supported": Indicates if a 130 W Intel Xeon 5600 series processor is detected on an older system board (not marked with Roman Numeral II) or if an Intel Xeon X5677 130 W series quad-core processor is detected on PowerEdge M610 and M710.
- "Non-ECC DIMM detected on DIMM XX": Alerts the user if a non-ECC memory module is installed.
Documentation: Users are directed to the system's Hardware Owner's Manual at support.dell.com/manuals for detailed memory configuration guidelines.
Troubleshooting: The POST messages assist in diagnosing compatibility issues (e.g., unsupported CPU power ratings) and memory errors (e.g., non-ECC DIMM detection), simplifying maintenance and troubleshooting efforts.

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