NOTE:
The x1, x4, x8, and x16 designators describe the number of electrical PCIe lanes routed to
an expansion slot. For example, x16(8) means that the expansion slot is mechanically a x16 length
connector, with eight PCIe lanes connected.
Processor technology
This workstation uses the Intel® 5520 chipset to support the latest Quad Core Intel® Xeon™ processor
5500 Series, including processors up to 130W. These processors incorporate an integrated 3-channel
memory controller, microarchitecture improvements, and large L3 cache to provide superior
performance. The workstation uses the Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) to connect the processors and
I/O controllers with speeds up to 6.4 GT/s.
Memory technology
Workstation dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) are based on DDR3 1333MHz technology, and are
error checking and correcting (ECC)-protected. Six direct-attach memory channels—three per central
processing unit (CPU)—enable low latency accesses and fast data transfer for improved performance.
Configurations with one processor provide access to six DIMM slots, while the addition of a second
processor provides access to six more DIMM slots, supporting a total system memory size up to 192GB
(using 16GB DIMMs).
Graphics
This workstation supports PCIe Gen2 (PCIe2) bus speeds and can support dual PCIe Gen2 graphics
cards in PCIe2 x16 slots. With the standard 850W power supply, the workstation an support up to two
150W graphics cards. A second graphics card may be supported in the second PCIe2 x16 slot,
subject to overall system power limitations. With the optional 1110W power supply, the workstation
can support up to two high power (~225W) graphics cards.
Expansion card slots
This workstation includes two Intel 5520 chips to provide a total of seven high-performance graphics
and I/O slots. It eliminates the legacy PCI-X slot and implements a PCIe slot in its place. This
implementation results in improved I/O bandwidth performance.
Addition features
Redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configurations for SATA support modes 0, 1, 5 and 10.
eSATA (3.0 Gbps) is supported using an optional adapter. This workstation provides nine external and
three internal USB 2.0 ports. The 850W power supply is 85% efficient, and the 1110W power supply
is 89% efficient. Both power supplies enable Energy Star Version 5.0 system configurations. HP
WattSaver technology enables support of the European Union EuP power limit of 1W in off mode. HP
Quiet Fan Technology enables quiet system operation.
2
Chapter 1 Workstation overview
ENWW
